"Summer things Japanese"

Sudare
Sudare is like a screen or blind hanging on a window frame, which is made of fine split bamboos and reeds. With the excellent wisdom of living, it was created as very functional. It is mainly used as a shield from sunlight but it can be also used to let the fresh air into a room and also become a substitute for a blindfold as well. Sudare originates in China. In Heian era (794-1185), it was used for a partition between two rooms at the aristocracy's residences, but to create premium accent, it was rimmed with the fine clothes and decorated with tassels hanging on tips. The classical tastes of the natural materials such as bamboo and reed are harmonized with the tatami room and creates modest flavor of Japanese mode of housing. As the change of housing style in Japan, western blinds and curtains have spread widely, but the merits of Sudare are now being revalued once again and the numbers of users of Sudare are increasing. As you walk in a residential area, you will realize verandahs hanging Sudare either at houses or at the western style apartments. In combination with the today's healing boom, there are not a small number of people who likes to use Sudare for the purpose of healing and decoration.

References:
http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~sudare/info.htm
http://iroha-japan.net/iroha


Furin
Speaking of Furin (= wind bell), it makes us feel nostalgic air and reminds us of the scenery of old Japan. In summer, we often heard the sweet and clear tone of Furin as well as the chirring of cicadas in chorus. As for the western wind-bell, it consists of metallic or wooden long and narrow pipes and they create sounds by hitting each other. On the contrary, Japanese wind-bell, Furin is round shape, and made of glass, earthenware, metal, etc. To make a sound, they put a pendulum hanging from the top of the bell with a thread. As wind blows, the pendulum hits the inside of bell and makes a sound. It's said that the origin of Furin is China. In those of days when Furin was brought over, it was believed to protect us against evils, therefore they used to be hung on the four corners of temples. In Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) era, the aristocracy started to hang Furin on verandah to get rid of evils. Today's mainstream, glassed Furin reached its peak around Meiji era (1868-1912). As the electric fan or the air-conditioning had not been diffused yet, people tried to feel coolness by hearing clear sound of Furin. In a hot summer day, hearing the sound of Furin makes me feel fresh breeze passing through my cheek.

References: http://www.edofurin.com/


Ramune
Ramune is said to be the origin of Japanese carbonated drink. In my childhood, every child fell under the spell of its taste and unique design of the bottle. Especially, as we open a stopper of the bottle, we used to be excited with the big sound like a sound of a cork popping out of a champagne bottle made by a marble stopper. According to the history of Japan Carbonated Beverage, the origin of Ramune can be traced back to 1853 when Admiral Perry entered Uraga Harbor of Japan. Perry and his party bought Ramune for Japanese officers. There is a rumor that when they open the bottle of Ramune, Japanese officers reached their sword all at once as they took it as a sound of gunfire.
At the beginning, it was sold by the name of Remonsui (= lemon water), but it had changed to "Ramune" which is Japanese pronunciation of lemonade. This traditional beverage born in Meiji is one of the symbolic items in summer and is indispensable item for a summer festival and a fair stall.