| 05/30 |  |
NIC Japanese Languge School |
NIC Japanese Language School
Jun
May, the month blessed with the nice weather is passing away and June, the month of the rainy season (Tsuyu) will be here. Tsuyu will set in in early June throughout Japan except in Hokkaido and continue for one month forcing us to stay indoors. But Tsuyu brings us a good chance to appreciate the beauty of the flowers such as irises and hydrangea. They will bloom lovely and attractively in the rain. Meiji Shrine is famous for its Japanese Irises Garden. You can not believe you are in the mid-Tokyo. Visit there, and you will enjoy yourself .
NIC instructor Sachiko Hamano
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
URL ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language School
Jun
May, the month blessed with the nice weather is passing away and June, the month of the rainy season (Tsuyu) will be here. Tsuyu will set in in early June throughout Japan except in Hokkaido and continue for one month forcing us to stay indoors. But Tsuyu brings us a good chance to appreciate the beauty of the flowers such as irises and hydrangea. They will bloom lovely and attractively in the rain. Meiji Shrine is famous for its Japanese Irises Garden. You can not believe you are in the mid-Tokyo. Visit there, and you will enjoy yourself .
NIC instructor Sachiko Hamano
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
URL ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language School
| 05/17 | |
NIC Japanese Language School |
NIC Japanese Language school
Japan Trivia
This corner answers foreigner's doubt about Japanese language.
Foreigners feel some difficulty to understand spoken Japanese.
But Japanese has the similar experience as they do.
The following article, which is written in Zatsu Gaku Nippon
(Japan Trivia) published by Kodansha, seems to explain this matter well.
We would like to introduce it for the foreigners’ convenience.
Q: Why do people say that it is the Japanese language that makes Japanese people?
A: First, let’s start with a brief introduction to cerebral physiology.
The human brain is divided into two lobes, the left and right. The right brain is used for direct perception and pattern recognition, while the left brain is a charge of language and logical thinking. Many readers probably know this much already.
It’s also known that Japanese people use their right and left brains in a unique way.
The Japanese use their left brains much more intensely than people of other ethnic groups.
For example, the Japanese process insect chirps and the sounds of musical instruments with their left brains. Westerners use their right brains for such nonlinguistic sound.
One likely hypothesis for this is that, in Japanese, all sounds are interpreted as words through a kind of onomatopoeia. For example, the crying of a cicada is heard by the Japanese not as just another background noise but as the word rinrin.
Strong corroboration for hypothesis comes from people of Japanese ancestry who cannot speak Japanese. Their brains exhibit the same patterns as those of Westerners: they process insect chips and similar sounds through their right brains. This leads to the conclusion that the brains of Japanese people are not special, only the brains of those who speak Japanese.
In any case, it’s clear that Japanese people use their left brains too much. And that’s one reason why Japanese are poor at foreign languages: their left brains are already packed to capacity.
NIC :Japanese language school Instructor Suzuki
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com http ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language School
Japan Trivia
This corner answers foreigner's doubt about Japanese language.
Foreigners feel some difficulty to understand spoken Japanese.
But Japanese has the similar experience as they do.
The following article, which is written in Zatsu Gaku Nippon
(Japan Trivia) published by Kodansha, seems to explain this matter well.
We would like to introduce it for the foreigners’ convenience.
Q: Why do people say that it is the Japanese language that makes Japanese people?
A: First, let’s start with a brief introduction to cerebral physiology.
The human brain is divided into two lobes, the left and right. The right brain is used for direct perception and pattern recognition, while the left brain is a charge of language and logical thinking. Many readers probably know this much already.
It’s also known that Japanese people use their right and left brains in a unique way.
The Japanese use their left brains much more intensely than people of other ethnic groups.
For example, the Japanese process insect chirps and the sounds of musical instruments with their left brains. Westerners use their right brains for such nonlinguistic sound.
One likely hypothesis for this is that, in Japanese, all sounds are interpreted as words through a kind of onomatopoeia. For example, the crying of a cicada is heard by the Japanese not as just another background noise but as the word rinrin.
Strong corroboration for hypothesis comes from people of Japanese ancestry who cannot speak Japanese. Their brains exhibit the same patterns as those of Westerners: they process insect chips and similar sounds through their right brains. This leads to the conclusion that the brains of Japanese people are not special, only the brains of those who speak Japanese.
In any case, it’s clear that Japanese people use their left brains too much. And that’s one reason why Japanese are poor at foreign languages: their left brains are already packed to capacity.
NIC :Japanese language school Instructor Suzuki
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com http ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language School
| 04/19 | |
NIC Japanese Language School |
NIC Japanese Language School
Greeting from NIC insructor Sachiko Hamano
April
Dear All,
We are in the middle of spring. Cherry blossoms in Tokyo are gone
and young leaves are coming out.
The grass is green. The air is dry. The cool breeze is prevailing.
The quiet presence of nature can be clearly observed at this time of the year.
A Golden Week (a week studded with holidays in Japan)
is only two weeks ahead .
Let’s go outdoors and enjoy the beautiful season in Japan..
TEL.03-3454-5002
Email: info@nicjapanese.com
URL:http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language School
Greeting from NIC insructor Sachiko Hamano
April
Dear All,
We are in the middle of spring. Cherry blossoms in Tokyo are gone
and young leaves are coming out.
The grass is green. The air is dry. The cool breeze is prevailing.
The quiet presence of nature can be clearly observed at this time of the year.
A Golden Week (a week studded with holidays in Japan)
is only two weeks ahead .
Let’s go outdoors and enjoy the beautiful season in Japan..
TEL.03-3454-5002
Email: info@nicjapanese.com
URL:http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language School
| 03/16 | |
NIC Japanese Language School |
NIC Japanese Lsnguage School
Furoshiki (風呂敷)and Wrapping Culture in Japan
History
Furoshiki , the traditional Japanese wrapping cloth is single piece of a cloth.
It has more than 1,200year-old history and had been widely used until
the end of the Edo Period.
The custom of using furoshiki dates back as early as the Nara Period (710-784)
when it was used for keeping the valuables of the Emperors.
The oldest wrapping cloth used in the Nara Period is in the safekeeping
at the Shosoin (a wooden storage house at the Todaiji-temple in Nara).
In the Heian Period (794-1185), furoshiki was used to wrap and carry clothes for the nobility.
In the Muromachi Period (1338–1573) Shogun Ashikaga built a great bathhouse.
It was a steam bath.
The invited lords used silk cloth with their family crests printed in order to keep
their clothes separate from others’ while taking a bath and hold them after finishing a bath.
In the Edo Period (1603- 1868) public bathhouses (sento) became widespread
where furoshiki was used as a mat while undressing ,and a wrapping cloth to carry the clothes.
The name of furoshiki is a combination of two words “furo” and “shiki” meaning
“bath” and “to spread” respectively.
Before becoming related to public baths, furoshiki had been called hirazutsumi
or flat folded bundle. Finally, the furoshiki served as a means for merchants
to carry their goods.
Furoshiki became functional and essential to the working class in the Edo Period.
Furoshiki started out as the cloth in which people carried their clothes
but later it came to be used to carry or to wrap almost anything of various shapes.
.The modern furoshiki are made from variety of materials including silk,
cotton, and synthetic fiber with designs depending on the use.
The most commonly-used are furoshiki, squares measuring 70cm or 90cm wide.
Many people think unique to Japanese culture, but it has in fact been in many countries
incluidng Korea where a patchwork wrapping cloth named Bojagi has been used
for centuries.
Wrapping Culture
Japanese people seem to wrap up everything from small items to bottles of sake.
The tradition of wrapping or “tsutsumu” is easily seen throughout Japan.
Wrapping of goods implies respects to others on the gift-giving occasion,
then giving special meanings to wrapping materials and wrapped goods.
The idea that giving someone an unwrapped item is considered impolite and
deeply rooted in Japan. For an example, a tip given to a maid taking care of your room
at a Japanese inn is wrapped in a small envelope.
The word “tsutsushimu” (to mean suppressing one’s feelings) characterizes partly
Japanese people’s behavior.
Such behavior is considered more important than speaking out candidly.
It can be said that it is tantamount to wrapping one’s feelings and suggests
that it is closely related to wrapping culture.
Eco-friendly
The number of the furoshiki users declined in the post-war period
because of the popularity of the plastic shopping bags.
Recently it has been reevaluated as awareness about environmental protection rises.
Being compact when folded and good for reuse, furoshiki is the eco-friendly wrapping cloth.
In 2006, the Japanese Minister of the Environment Yuriko Koike created a furoshiki
named “Mottainai Furoshiki” as a symbol to promote its use.
Its use is believed to contribute to reducing household waste from plastic bags.
Expression containing furoshiki
Oo-buroshiki (literally means a large furoshiki ) means a tall tale.
NIC instructor Sachiko Hamano
NIC Japanese Language Shool
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http://www.nicjapanese.com
Furoshiki (風呂敷)and Wrapping Culture in Japan
History
Furoshiki , the traditional Japanese wrapping cloth is single piece of a cloth.
It has more than 1,200year-old history and had been widely used until
the end of the Edo Period.
The custom of using furoshiki dates back as early as the Nara Period (710-784)
when it was used for keeping the valuables of the Emperors.
The oldest wrapping cloth used in the Nara Period is in the safekeeping
at the Shosoin (a wooden storage house at the Todaiji-temple in Nara).
In the Heian Period (794-1185), furoshiki was used to wrap and carry clothes for the nobility.
In the Muromachi Period (1338–1573) Shogun Ashikaga built a great bathhouse.
It was a steam bath.
The invited lords used silk cloth with their family crests printed in order to keep
their clothes separate from others’ while taking a bath and hold them after finishing a bath.
In the Edo Period (1603- 1868) public bathhouses (sento) became widespread
where furoshiki was used as a mat while undressing ,and a wrapping cloth to carry the clothes.
The name of furoshiki is a combination of two words “furo” and “shiki” meaning
“bath” and “to spread” respectively.
Before becoming related to public baths, furoshiki had been called hirazutsumi
or flat folded bundle. Finally, the furoshiki served as a means for merchants
to carry their goods.
Furoshiki became functional and essential to the working class in the Edo Period.
Furoshiki started out as the cloth in which people carried their clothes
but later it came to be used to carry or to wrap almost anything of various shapes.
.The modern furoshiki are made from variety of materials including silk,
cotton, and synthetic fiber with designs depending on the use.
The most commonly-used are furoshiki, squares measuring 70cm or 90cm wide.
Many people think unique to Japanese culture, but it has in fact been in many countries
incluidng Korea where a patchwork wrapping cloth named Bojagi has been used
for centuries.
Wrapping Culture
Japanese people seem to wrap up everything from small items to bottles of sake.
The tradition of wrapping or “tsutsumu” is easily seen throughout Japan.
Wrapping of goods implies respects to others on the gift-giving occasion,
then giving special meanings to wrapping materials and wrapped goods.
The idea that giving someone an unwrapped item is considered impolite and
deeply rooted in Japan. For an example, a tip given to a maid taking care of your room
at a Japanese inn is wrapped in a small envelope.
The word “tsutsushimu” (to mean suppressing one’s feelings) characterizes partly
Japanese people’s behavior.
Such behavior is considered more important than speaking out candidly.
It can be said that it is tantamount to wrapping one’s feelings and suggests
that it is closely related to wrapping culture.
Eco-friendly
The number of the furoshiki users declined in the post-war period
because of the popularity of the plastic shopping bags.
Recently it has been reevaluated as awareness about environmental protection rises.
Being compact when folded and good for reuse, furoshiki is the eco-friendly wrapping cloth.
In 2006, the Japanese Minister of the Environment Yuriko Koike created a furoshiki
named “Mottainai Furoshiki” as a symbol to promote its use.
Its use is believed to contribute to reducing household waste from plastic bags.
Expression containing furoshiki
Oo-buroshiki (literally means a large furoshiki ) means a tall tale.
NIC instructor Sachiko Hamano
NIC Japanese Language Shool
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http://www.nicjapanese.com
| 03/06 | |
NIC Japanese Language School |
NIC Japanese Language School
"Haiku"
日本の四季 仲春
一雨ごとに暖かくなり、花の蕾はつぎつぎと膨らみ、
土の下では虫たちも動きはじめる季節となりました。
３月の華やかな年中行事といえば、
女の子の健やかな成長を祈る３月３日の雛祭が挙げられます。
雛飾る手の数珠しばしはづしおき 瀬戸内 寂聴（せとうち じゃくちょう）
この句の作者は小説家、瀬戸内晴美として活躍し、
1973年に出家して尼僧となりました。
その後は寂聴尼として仏道を修めながら執筆活動も続けています。
これから飾るお雛様に傷をつけないように、手に掛けていた数珠を
そっとはずしたのでしょう。
肌身離さずつけている数珠を膝元に置き、
雛人形を大切そうに箱から出して、一つずつ丁寧に雛壇に飾り
置いてゆく姿が見えます。
一年に一度しか飾ることのないお雛様への気遣いと愛おしさが、
数珠をはずすという仕草から、おのずと伝わってきます。
雛祭には、お雛様に桃の花を活け、菱餅、白酒やあられなどをお供えして、
ちらし寿司や蛤のお吸い物を作ってお祝いをします。
蛤のにこにこ濡れて売られをり 今村 妙子（いまむら たえこ）
この句の着眼点は、にこにこ濡れて、にあります。
濡れていると発見したことで、魚屋の店先に獲れたての蛤が
キラキラ光ってお皿に盛られている景が見えます。
貝殻は据わりが悪いですから、一皿の中でカチカチと
触れ合い笑っているようにも思えますし、調理された蛤が
パッコンと開いて大笑いしている様まで浮かんできます。
この季語が蜆や浅蜊だとしたら、ここまでの想像は膨らまないでしょう。
季語をよく見て特徴を摑み、発想を豊かにすると、笑うはずのない蛤の
笑い声まで聞こえてくる訳です。
寒くなく暑くもない春の朝は、その心地よさに、
ついつい寝過ごしてしまいます。それを表現した季語が朝寝です。
朝寝して羽化の気配を楽しめり 丹治 美佐子（たんじ みさこ）
寝足りているものの、ついつい寝床に未練が残り、
なかなか起き出せない日曜日の朝。ぐずぐずしているとその内に
又うつらうつらとしてしまいました。その繰り返しを幾度か楽しみ、
やっと意を決して蒲団をバサリと跳ね除けました。
冬とは違い、朝の空気はなんとも快く全身を包んでくれました。
羽化間近の蛹は、蝶となって外界へ羽ばたく日を、こんな心地よさを
味わいながら待っているのではないかと感じて出来た一句です。
『未来図』 丹治 美佐子
http://www.nicjapanese.com
email info@nicjapanese.com
"Haiku"
日本の四季 仲春
一雨ごとに暖かくなり、花の蕾はつぎつぎと膨らみ、
土の下では虫たちも動きはじめる季節となりました。
３月の華やかな年中行事といえば、
女の子の健やかな成長を祈る３月３日の雛祭が挙げられます。
雛飾る手の数珠しばしはづしおき 瀬戸内 寂聴（せとうち じゃくちょう）
この句の作者は小説家、瀬戸内晴美として活躍し、
1973年に出家して尼僧となりました。
その後は寂聴尼として仏道を修めながら執筆活動も続けています。
これから飾るお雛様に傷をつけないように、手に掛けていた数珠を
そっとはずしたのでしょう。
肌身離さずつけている数珠を膝元に置き、
雛人形を大切そうに箱から出して、一つずつ丁寧に雛壇に飾り
置いてゆく姿が見えます。
一年に一度しか飾ることのないお雛様への気遣いと愛おしさが、
数珠をはずすという仕草から、おのずと伝わってきます。
雛祭には、お雛様に桃の花を活け、菱餅、白酒やあられなどをお供えして、
ちらし寿司や蛤のお吸い物を作ってお祝いをします。
蛤のにこにこ濡れて売られをり 今村 妙子（いまむら たえこ）
この句の着眼点は、にこにこ濡れて、にあります。
濡れていると発見したことで、魚屋の店先に獲れたての蛤が
キラキラ光ってお皿に盛られている景が見えます。
貝殻は据わりが悪いですから、一皿の中でカチカチと
触れ合い笑っているようにも思えますし、調理された蛤が
パッコンと開いて大笑いしている様まで浮かんできます。
この季語が蜆や浅蜊だとしたら、ここまでの想像は膨らまないでしょう。
季語をよく見て特徴を摑み、発想を豊かにすると、笑うはずのない蛤の
笑い声まで聞こえてくる訳です。
寒くなく暑くもない春の朝は、その心地よさに、
ついつい寝過ごしてしまいます。それを表現した季語が朝寝です。
朝寝して羽化の気配を楽しめり 丹治 美佐子（たんじ みさこ）
寝足りているものの、ついつい寝床に未練が残り、
なかなか起き出せない日曜日の朝。ぐずぐずしているとその内に
又うつらうつらとしてしまいました。その繰り返しを幾度か楽しみ、
やっと意を決して蒲団をバサリと跳ね除けました。
冬とは違い、朝の空気はなんとも快く全身を包んでくれました。
羽化間近の蛹は、蝶となって外界へ羽ばたく日を、こんな心地よさを
味わいながら待っているのではないかと感じて出来た一句です。
『未来図』 丹治 美佐子
http://www.nicjapanese.com
email info@nicjapanese.com