神 = god 無 = not 月 = month The modern Japanese word for October is 十月 (literally "10th Month), however in the old-fashioned calendar it was known as 神無月, or "the month with no gods". In October, all the gods in Japan (there are believed to be 8 million of them) go to IzumoContinue reading "神無月 (kan-na-zuki) “October” (archaic)"
月 (tsuki) “moon”
Next week is Moon Viewing Day (Night?) in many East Asian countries, including Japan. The first full moon in September is considered particularly clear and beautiful, much like the idea of a "harvest moon”. In Japan people celebrate this event by admiring the moon whilst eating white mochi dumplings.
秋 (aki) “autumn”
Next week is "Silver Week" in Japan. Like the more famous "Golden Week", this is a period of consecutive national holidays. Autumn Equinox (one of the two days when daylight hours and night hours are equal) is one of these national holidays.
長月 (Nagatsuki) “September” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally "Month one", February is "Month two", etc: 一月 = January 二月 = February However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar toContinue reading "長月 (Nagatsuki) “September” (archaic)"
Hiragana – a Japanese home-grown writing system
When Japanese writing is mentioned, the complex logographic kanji characters often come to mind. However, kanji are not the only characters used to write Japanese. The Japanese language uses multiple writing systems in combination. One of these writing systems is hiragana. Unlike kanji which have their origins in China, hiragana were first invented in Japan.Continue reading "Hiragana – a Japanese home-grown writing system"
言霊 (koto-dama) “word-spirit”
"Koto-dama" (literally "word/speech spirit") is a traditional belief that mystical powers dwell in words and names. Just like martial arts practitioners giving out a shout when they make a strike (“ki-ai!” - literally “meeting of spirit”) it is believed that sounds can affect our body, mind and soul.
夢 (yumé) “dream”
Do you remember your dreams? According to Japanese tradition, the things you dream about in your first dream of the new year can foretell what's going to happen in the coming year. It is believed that the 3 most auspicious things to dream of are: Mount Fuji 🗻 A hawk 🦅 An eggplant / aubergineContinue reading "夢 (yumé) “dream”"
積読 (tsun-doku) “The habit of acquiring books but letting them pile up unread” 📚
積読 (tsun-doku) is a recent Japanese phrase meaning something like "buying loads of books and letting them pile up without reading them". The kanji: 積 (tsun) Comes from 積んでおく(tsundéoku), meaning "to let something pile up". 読 (doku) Comes from 読書 (dokusho), meaning "reading". The above artwork was a commission for a book-lover 📚
富士 Fuji 🗻
This week it was Mountain Day in Japan - a national holiday dedicated to some of Japan's most impressive natural features. Of course the most impressive of these has to be the famous 富士山Mount Fuji. The kanji for the tallest and most famous mountain in Japan are suitably distinguished: 富 = riches, wealth, fortune 士Continue reading "富士 Fuji 🗻"
御朱印 (Go-shu-in) Beautiful Japanese commemorative stamps
Many temples and shrines in Japan offer a service called 御朱印 (go-shu-in). The staff stamp a piece of paper with a special commemorative stamp unique to that temple/shrine. They also usually write some beautiful calligraphy at the same time. The above is from the famous Sensōji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. You can see 浅草寺 (Sen-sō-ji)Continue reading "御朱印 (Go-shu-in) Beautiful Japanese commemorative stamps"
