| 04/08 |  |
NIC Japanese Languege School |
NIC Japanese Language School
Manga
The word ”manga” was used by the famous woodblock print artist Hokusai,
The word is composed of two Chinese characters—the first meaning "lax" and
the second meaning "picture". Manga has a long tradition of making fun of
society and ridiculing the rich and powerful. Below are three historical examples
which are believed to influence modern manga.
1.Choju giga caricatured life in the Buddhist priests by drawing mischievous
rabbits and monkeys engaging in silly activities. It was the artwork by Toba
Sojo, an 11th-century painter-priest with a whimsical sense of humor. Toba’s
animal scroll pictures show a sequence of events, occurring one after another.
Unlike modern manga ,the picture scrolls were art work for an elite audience.
2. Kibyoshi("yellow covers"), picture books appeared in the late 18th century.
These illustrations satirized the political figures and the society of those days,
and were very popular.
3. Manga sketchbooks written by Katsushika Hokusai, the famous 19th century
ukiyo-e ("floating world pictures") originally were designed for his students to copy.
After opening up Japan to the West in mid- 19century, European and
American-style comics were introduced in Japan. The humor and artwork in
the publication influenced Japanese readers and artists. After World War II,
the growth of artistic creativity of modern manga could be seen.
Osamu Tezuka was in the forefront of this period.Tezuka's original technique
was used in Mighty Atom, a superpowered robot and a naive little boy.
Mighty Atom quickly became very popular in Japan.and by 1963 went across
the Ocean and became successful with American audiences. Mighty Atom is
known throughout the world under the name "Astro Boy." Tezuka helped change
manga from a simple form of children's entertainment into a sophisticated medium
that children were reluctant to give up as they grew older.
A new genre of sophisticated and serious manga known as gekiga, meaning
"theatrical pictures") had been developing since the late 1950s. Among them
are The Legend of Kamui and Golgo 13 known to English readers for translations
of respectively.The shôjo manga genre unique to Japan is created mainly by
women artists for girls and young women. The stories generally deal with humor,
horror, or tear-jerker.Anime is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of
"animation." characterized by colorful graphics. Although the earliest known
Japanese animation dates to the early 20th century, the characteristic style was
developed in the 1960s by Tezuka and became known outside Japan in the
1980s. Later, some artists came to be in the spotlight such as Akira Toriyama,
and, Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki works for Studio Ghibli and is one of the most
famous and esteemed anime artists of today.
Anime, like manga, has a large audience and recognition at home and abroad.
NIC Instructor
Sachiko Hamano
NIC (Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http ： http://www.nicjapanese.comNIC Japanese Language School
Manga
The word ”manga” was used by the famous woodblock print artist Hokusai,
The word is composed of two Chinese characters—the first meaning "lax" and
the second meaning "picture". Manga has a long tradition of making fun of
society and ridiculing the rich and powerful. Below are three historical examples
which are believed to influence modern manga.
1.Choju giga caricatured life in the Buddhist priests by drawing mischievous
rabbits and monkeys engaging in silly activities. It was the artwork by Toba
Sojo, an 11th-century painter-priest with a whimsical sense of humor. Toba’s
animal scroll pictures show a sequence of events, occurring one after another.
Unlike modern manga ,the picture scrolls were art work for an elite audience.
2. Kibyoshi("yellow covers"), picture books appeared in the late 18th century.
These illustrations satirized the political figures and the society of those days,
and were very popular.
3. Manga sketchbooks written by Katsushika Hokusai, the famous 19th century
ukiyo-e ("floating world pictures") originally were designed for his students to copy.
After opening up Japan to the West in mid- 19century, European and
American-style comics were introduced in Japan. The humor and artwork in
the publication influenced Japanese readers and artists. After World War II,
the growth of artistic creativity of modern manga could be seen.
Osamu Tezuka was in the forefront of this period.Tezuka's original technique
was used in Mighty Atom, a superpowered robot and a naive little boy.
Mighty Atom quickly became very popular in Japan.and by 1963 went across
the Ocean and became successful with American audiences. Mighty Atom is
known throughout the world under the name "Astro Boy." Tezuka helped change
manga from a simple form of children's entertainment into a sophisticated medium
that children were reluctant to give up as they grew older.
A new genre of sophisticated and serious manga known as gekiga, meaning
"theatrical pictures") had been developing since the late 1950s. Among them
are The Legend of Kamui and Golgo 13 known to English readers for translations
of respectively.The shôjo manga genre unique to Japan is created mainly by
women artists for girls and young women. The stories generally deal with humor,
horror, or tear-jerker.Anime is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of
"animation." characterized by colorful graphics. Although the earliest known
Japanese animation dates to the early 20th century, the characteristic style was
developed in the 1960s by Tezuka and became known outside Japan in the
1980s. Later, some artists came to be in the spotlight such as Akira Toriyama,
and, Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki works for Studio Ghibli and is one of the most
famous and esteemed anime artists of today.
Anime, like manga, has a large audience and recognition at home and abroad.
NIC Instructor
Sachiko Hamano
NIC (Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http ： http://www.nicjapanese.comNIC Japanese Language School
| 02/24 | |
NIC Japanese Language School |
NIC Japanese Language Shool
February topic
TSUKIJI
Tsukiji Market is one of the world’s largest wholesale fish markets,
handling more than 2,000 tons of marine products per day
and also the most famous among 72 wholesale markets throughout Japan.
Tsukiji Market was set up by Tokyo Metropolitan Government
to ensure the smooth distribution of fresh perishables.
The market covers about 23 hectares in area,
and its building is unique in design with
quarter- circular- shape allowing uninterrupted space.
The market is made of an inner market and an outer market.
In the inner market you see most of the wholesale business
and the famous tuna auctions taking place.
In the outer market located close to the inner market,
you find a few blocks of small retail shops and sushi restaurants, etc.
crowded along narrow streets.
The restaurants both in the inner and outer market
open from 5:00 a.m. to around noon.
The fish market dates back to the 17th century,
the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1867). Tokugawa Ieyasu,
the first Tokugawa shogun invited fishermen from a fishing village
in Osaka to supply fish for Edo Castle.
The fishermen sold the fish which is not bought by the castle
near the Nihonbashi bridge.
Later Nihonbashi fish market was formed to provide
increasing population with fish. In 1923 the Great Kanto earthquake
devastated most of Tokyo including the Nihonbashi fish market,
causing it to move to the Tsukiji District
( Tsukiji originally means ”reclaimed land”).
A modern building was constructed by Tokyo City Government
in 1935 and the market started its operation.
Tsukiji fish market is located in central Tokyo making
it a major tourist attraction for foreigners.
The sight of the various kinds of fish and seafood
and the lively atmosphere must be thrilling.
The number of visitors to the tuna auction is limited to 120 per day.
The auctions start at 5:20 a.m. and ends around 7:00 a.m.
An application for tour is to be accepted on a first-com,
first-serve basis. If you are lucky, you can watch the auction from
a designated area. The visit to Tsukiji Market would be
an exciting experience combined with enjoying delicious Sushi.
Sachiko Hamano
Japanese Instructor of NIC
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Laqnguage School
February topic
TSUKIJI
Tsukiji Market is one of the world’s largest wholesale fish markets,
handling more than 2,000 tons of marine products per day
and also the most famous among 72 wholesale markets throughout Japan.
Tsukiji Market was set up by Tokyo Metropolitan Government
to ensure the smooth distribution of fresh perishables.
The market covers about 23 hectares in area,
and its building is unique in design with
quarter- circular- shape allowing uninterrupted space.
The market is made of an inner market and an outer market.
In the inner market you see most of the wholesale business
and the famous tuna auctions taking place.
In the outer market located close to the inner market,
you find a few blocks of small retail shops and sushi restaurants, etc.
crowded along narrow streets.
The restaurants both in the inner and outer market
open from 5:00 a.m. to around noon.
The fish market dates back to the 17th century,
the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1867). Tokugawa Ieyasu,
the first Tokugawa shogun invited fishermen from a fishing village
in Osaka to supply fish for Edo Castle.
The fishermen sold the fish which is not bought by the castle
near the Nihonbashi bridge.
Later Nihonbashi fish market was formed to provide
increasing population with fish. In 1923 the Great Kanto earthquake
devastated most of Tokyo including the Nihonbashi fish market,
causing it to move to the Tsukiji District
( Tsukiji originally means ”reclaimed land”).
A modern building was constructed by Tokyo City Government
in 1935 and the market started its operation.
Tsukiji fish market is located in central Tokyo making
it a major tourist attraction for foreigners.
The sight of the various kinds of fish and seafood
and the lively atmosphere must be thrilling.
The number of visitors to the tuna auction is limited to 120 per day.
The auctions start at 5:20 a.m. and ends around 7:00 a.m.
An application for tour is to be accepted on a first-com,
first-serve basis. If you are lucky, you can watch the auction from
a designated area. The visit to Tsukiji Market would be
an exciting experience combined with enjoying delicious Sushi.
Sachiko Hamano
Japanese Instructor of NIC
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Laqnguage School
| 01/15 | |
NIC Japanese Lauguage School |
NIC Japanese Lauguage School
“MIZUHIKI
Mizuhiki is a stiff and glossy Japanese paper string used
for decorating a present for formal occasions.
They are always of two colors- red and white/ gold and silver
for auspicious occasions such as marriage,
black and white for sad occasions such as funerals.
Mizuhiki is a Japanese traditional twine art
and has the history of more than 1400 years.
Importance of Mizuhiki dates back to the 7th century
when a Japanese official envoy sent to China
returned home with the gifts from China.
The red and white twisted strings were used to wrap the gifts
as prayers for safety of the contents.
Mizuhiki has been developed in a unique way to Japan
and become a culture deep rooted into Japan
where presents are always wrapped.
It is tied around not only wrapped gifts but also
traditional envelopes for monetary offerings .
There are two different ways for tying mizuhiki strings.
On most of the many lucky occasions they are tied in bows (cho-musubi).
A square knot called musubikiri is for weddings and condolences.
Because pulling the ends of the strings tied in the knot does not untie them, ]
a square knot means that it is desirable to get married once
and it is also used for condolence to prevent further sorrows.
Mizuhiki is also used for ornaments for the New Year,
as mizuhiki adds a special meaning to the Japanese word
‘musubu’ meaning 'connection' or 'tying' and
Japanese people use mizuhiki to convey warmth and affection to the society.
NIC Instructor
Sachiko Hamano
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
URL ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language school
NIC Japanese Language Shool
“MIZUHIKI
Mizuhiki is a stiff and glossy Japanese paper string used
for decorating a present for formal occasions.
They are always of two colors- red and white/ gold and silver
for auspicious occasions such as marriage,
black and white for sad occasions such as funerals.
Mizuhiki is a Japanese traditional twine art
and has the history of more than 1400 years.
Importance of Mizuhiki dates back to the 7th century
when a Japanese official envoy sent to China
returned home with the gifts from China.
The red and white twisted strings were used to wrap the gifts
as prayers for safety of the contents.
Mizuhiki has been developed in a unique way to Japan
and become a culture deep rooted into Japan
where presents are always wrapped.
It is tied around not only wrapped gifts but also
traditional envelopes for monetary offerings .
There are two different ways for tying mizuhiki strings.
On most of the many lucky occasions they are tied in bows (cho-musubi).
A square knot called musubikiri is for weddings and condolences.
Because pulling the ends of the strings tied in the knot does not untie them, ]
a square knot means that it is desirable to get married once
and it is also used for condolence to prevent further sorrows.
Mizuhiki is also used for ornaments for the New Year,
as mizuhiki adds a special meaning to the Japanese word
‘musubu’ meaning 'connection' or 'tying' and
Japanese people use mizuhiki to convey warmth and affection to the society.
NIC Instructor
Sachiko Hamano
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
URL ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
NIC Japanese Language school
NIC Japanese Language Shool
| 10/14 | |
NIC Japanese Language School |
NIC Japanese Language School
October
Donburi
We are in the middle of autumn.
The comfortable weather of this season boosts our appetite.
A wider variety of foods are on sale.
It’s very difficult to resist our good appetite.
Let’s enjoy eating seasonal foods in moderation.
The Donburi is primarily a large, deep porcelain or ceramic bowl,
but also means a Japanese dish.
It is a sort of fast food in which hot cooked rice
is put into a large bowl topped with ingredients.
The topping served on each donburi is shown by its name.
Frequently “don” is added as a suffix to
indicate a donburi dish. Donburi dish has a short history
among Japanese traditional meals.
The oldest Donburi dish is said to have appeared in the beginning of 19th century.
It was widely accepted as a convenient meal because it was served simply and quickly.
Afterwards new ones were produced with other ingredients.
The famous “Donburis” are as follows: una-don
(a bowl of rice topped with grilled eel.),
oyako-don(a bowl of rice topped with chicken boiled in egg.),
katsu-don(a bowl of rice topped with fried pork), gyu-don
(a bowl of rice topped with beef flavoured with sauce).and
ten-don(a bowl of rice topped
with deep- fried shrimp and vegetables).
Today Donburi has become one of the most popular meals in Japan.
NIC Instructor Sachiko Hamano
NIC Japanese Language School
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
October
Donburi
We are in the middle of autumn.
The comfortable weather of this season boosts our appetite.
A wider variety of foods are on sale.
It’s very difficult to resist our good appetite.
Let’s enjoy eating seasonal foods in moderation.
The Donburi is primarily a large, deep porcelain or ceramic bowl,
but also means a Japanese dish.
It is a sort of fast food in which hot cooked rice
is put into a large bowl topped with ingredients.
The topping served on each donburi is shown by its name.
Frequently “don” is added as a suffix to
indicate a donburi dish. Donburi dish has a short history
among Japanese traditional meals.
The oldest Donburi dish is said to have appeared in the beginning of 19th century.
It was widely accepted as a convenient meal because it was served simply and quickly.
Afterwards new ones were produced with other ingredients.
The famous “Donburis” are as follows: una-don
(a bowl of rice topped with grilled eel.),
oyako-don(a bowl of rice topped with chicken boiled in egg.),
katsu-don(a bowl of rice topped with fried pork), gyu-don
(a bowl of rice topped with beef flavoured with sauce).and
ten-don(a bowl of rice topped
with deep- fried shrimp and vegetables).
Today Donburi has become one of the most popular meals in Japan.
NIC Instructor Sachiko Hamano
NIC Japanese Language School
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http ： http://www.nicjapanese.com
| 09/15 | |
NIC Japanese Language School |
NIC Japanese Language School
Yamato Nadeshiko
Yamato Nadeshiko is a Japanese term combining the two words of yamato
(an ancient name for Japan) and Nadeshiko ( a Japanese name of
a flower known as a `fringed pink' in English) .
Nadeshiko belongs to a set of the seven fall flowers.
(aki no nana kusa).including pampas grass and
Chinese bellflower .
The set goes back to the ninth century.
The flowers are all strong plants native to Japan.
Yamato nadeshiko is also used to describe Japanese women
with traditional Japanese beauty, kindness
and strength.
Yamato nadeshiko often look fragile, but they can keep
struggling to reach their goals.
Recently Nadeshiko Japan ( the Japan women's national football team)
has shown the whole nation what Yamato nadeshiko are like
when they won breathtaking victories to become the first team from Asia
and to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The team got People’s Honor Award as well, and is qualified
for the 2012 London Olympics.
Nadeshiko Japan’s impressive performance has encouraged Japan when
the natiion was devastated by massive earthquakes, tsunami
and nuclear disaster.
The team really makes us think of Yamato nadeshiko.
Sachiko Hamano
Japanese Instructor of NIC
//////////////////////////////
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http://www.nicjapanese.com//////////////////////////////
NIC Japanese Language School
Yamato Nadeshiko
Yamato Nadeshiko is a Japanese term combining the two words of yamato
(an ancient name for Japan) and Nadeshiko ( a Japanese name of
a flower known as a `fringed pink' in English) .
Nadeshiko belongs to a set of the seven fall flowers.
(aki no nana kusa).including pampas grass and
Chinese bellflower .
The set goes back to the ninth century.
The flowers are all strong plants native to Japan.
Yamato nadeshiko is also used to describe Japanese women
with traditional Japanese beauty, kindness
and strength.
Yamato nadeshiko often look fragile, but they can keep
struggling to reach their goals.
Recently Nadeshiko Japan ( the Japan women's national football team)
has shown the whole nation what Yamato nadeshiko are like
when they won breathtaking victories to become the first team from Asia
and to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The team got People’s Honor Award as well, and is qualified
for the 2012 London Olympics.
Nadeshiko Japan’s impressive performance has encouraged Japan when
the natiion was devastated by massive earthquakes, tsunami
and nuclear disaster.
The team really makes us think of Yamato nadeshiko.
Sachiko Hamano
Japanese Instructor of NIC
//////////////////////////////
NIC
(Nihongo Instructor Club)
TEL： 03-3454-5002
Email ： info@nicjapanese.com
http://www.nicjapanese.com//////////////////////////////
NIC Japanese Language School