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【No. 1765】The Emperor's Birthday (2019-)

Feb 23, 2021 11:02
The Emperor's Birthday (2019-)

Today, February 23 is a Japanese national holiday called "the Emperor's Birthday."

The purpose of this holiday is literally to celebrate the emperor's birthday.

This entry implies that the current Japanese emperor Tokuhito who has reigned since May 1, 2019, born on February 23.

Until April 30, 2019, The Emperor's Birthday was December 23, which is the birthday of the former emperor Akihito.

(I wrote a post introducing the Emperor's Birthday also on December 23, 2015.)

On this day, various events are usually held in the emperor's court; however, last year and this year, these events were canceled in light of the current situation where COVID-19 is spreading.

【No. 1703】Bon Holidays: Day 3 (August 16th)

Aug 19, 2019 17:31
Bon Holidays: Day 3 (August 16th)

Today, I went to Tokyo DisneySea with my friend.

The number of visitors per year to Tokyo DisneySea is around 15.5 million -- making it the fifth most popular park worldwide.

When entering DisneySea, we first took FastPass for the new ride named "Soaring: Fantastic Flight," which debuted on July 23rd this year.

I felt comfortable because we came to be able to get FastPass on a smartphone app.

Soaring was literally fantastic -- I felt as if I was really flying in the sky.

Amazingly, the waiting time for riding Soaring without using FastPass was up to 350 minutes.
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【No. 1702】Bon Holidays: Day 2 (August 15th)

Aug 18, 2019 23:50
Bon Holidays: Day 2 (August 15th)

Today, I decided to rest my body the whole day because I felt so tired and had pain in my leg muscles.

I did not go outside except for a little time -- I ate fast food and watched movies using a projector at home with my friend.

Using a service called Disney DELUXE (Disney's movies/videos distribution service), we enjoyed various Disney movies made in different ages.

To tell you the truth, we plan to go to Tokyo DisneySea tomorrow, so this watching movies is a kind of preparation for enjoying our visit more.

【No. 1701】Bon Holidays: Day 1 (August 14th)

Aug 17, 2019 22:09
Bon Holidays: Day 1 (August 14th)

During this period in Japan, many Japanese people are on Bon Holidays.

I was working in Bon holidays for the last several years, but I decided to rest and go play outside this year.

First, I went to Tokyo Disneyland with my friend.

The number of visitors per year to Tokyo Disneyland is around 17 million -- this is the third-largest number in all amusement parks in the world.

Since it was a day of Bon holidays, Disneyland was very crowded, but we could enjoy enough.

I walked and stand for a long time after a long time, so I was very tired.

Incidentally, although it is Tokyo Disneyland, it is not located in Tokyo -- it is actually located in Chiba (next to Tokyo).

【No. 1679】Deer in Nara

Jul 24, 2019 20:56
Deer in Nara

Today I came to Nara to participate in an academic conference.

The conference venue was near Nara Park, which is famous for deer, so I saw a lot of deer on the way to the venue.

According to a survey, the number of deer living in Nara Park is about 1400.

Indeed, I felt that there were deer everywhere in the park.

Furthermore, since there were a lot of deer droppings, it was not easy to avoid them.

Incidentally, when I got on a bus to go to a hotel I reserved, the bus was crowded, and a child kicked my pants.

Unfortunately, his shoes were very dirty -- probably he stepped on a lot of deer droppings.

【No. 1647】Gyū-tan (牛タン - Ox Tongue)

Jun 22, 2019 23:55
Gyū-tan

Today I went to a barbecue restaurant and ate many grilled meat with my best friend.

The food what we first ate was gyū-tan (牛タン - "ox tongue").

I think that most Japanese people will first eat ox tongues when they go to a Japanese barbecue restaurant.

Since ox tongues have less fat and are not strongly seasoned, you can enjoy the taste the most when you eat it first.

In addition, it is often seasoned with only salt, so ox tongues do not contaminate a grill or iron plate; this is the other reason that people eat ox tongues first.
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【No. 1604】Shufu and Shufu (主婦と主夫 - Homemaker)

May 10, 2019 16:12
Shufu and Shufu

A married woman who manages her family's home and caring for her children is called shufu (主婦 - "housewife") in Japanese.

Since shu (主) means "principal" and fu (婦) means "lady," the literal meaning of shufu (主婦) is "principal lady."

On the other hand, these days men who manage his family's home are increasing, so another term shufu (主夫 - "househusband") has come to be used.

Since fu (夫) means "husband," the literal meaning of shufu (主夫) is "principal husband."

Note that both 主婦 and 主夫 have the same pronunciation.
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【No. 1601】Tehepero (てへぺろ)

May 7, 2019 19:33
Tehepero

Have you ever tried to hide your embarrassment when you made a mistake?

In such a case, you might be able to use the slang term tehepero (てへぺろ).

It is said that this term was made by a Japanese voice actor, Yōko Hikasa, and now it is widely used mainly among young people.

Tehe (てへ) represents bashfulness while laughing, and pero (ぺろ) represents an action of sticking out one's tongue.

That is to say, tehepero means to stick out your tongue while laughing and getting shy, and this adorable behavior has a purpose for hiding your mistake and being forgiven.
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【No. 1597】Omegane ni Kanau (御眼鏡に適う - Giving Favor with Someone)

May 3, 2019 21:23
Omegane ni Kanau

Several days ago, I introduced Japanese terms, megane (眼鏡 - "glasses"), mushimegane (虫眼鏡 - "magnifying glass"), and iromegane (色眼鏡 - "colored glasses").

There is a famous idiom that uses megane -- it is omegane ni kanau (御眼鏡に適う).

O (御) is a polite prefix, megane (眼鏡) means "glasses," and kanau (適う) means "to suit," so the literal meaning of omegane ni kanau is "to suit one's glasses."

Here, glasses imply that someone's ability to assess things.

In other words, omegane ni kanau means to gain favor with someone.
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【No. 1596】Family Trip 2019

May 2, 2019 21:56
Family Trip 2019

We are now in Enakyō (恵那峡 - "Ena Gorge") on a family trip.

First, we went to an amusement park named Enakyō Wonderland, then rode some attractions, had a barbecue and observed sheep shearing.

In addition, we enjoyed exploring the wonderful natural environment -- there was a beautiful river surrounded by mountains.

After that, we went to a hotel, went in a hot spring, had dinner, and played table tennis.

Playing table tennis while wearing yukata (Japanese summer kimono) at a hot spring inn is very common in Japan.

We will enjoy the nature of Enakyō further by riding a cruiser.

【No. 1591】Megane (眼鏡 - Glasses)

Apr 27, 2019 23:44
Megane

Today I bought a megane (眼鏡).

Megane is a Japanese word that means "glasses."

Me (眼) means "eye," but the exact etymology of gane (鏡) has not been clarified yet.

One web page explains that it comes from sashigane (さしがね), which means "ruler," and another page explains that it comes from kagami (鏡), which has the same kanji for gane and means "mirror."

Incidentally, it is said that glasses were invented in Italy in 1284, and it was imported to Japan by Francisco de Xavier in 1551.
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【No. 1568】Kan Kinou Shougai (肝機能障害 - Hepatic Dysfunction)

Apr 4, 2019 10:15
Kan Kinou Shougai

Yesterday, I received the result of my medical checkup.

Sadly, I was diagnosed with kan kinou shougai (肝機能障害).

Since kan (肝) means "liver," kinou (機能) means "function," and shougai (障害) means "disorder" or "impairment," kan kinou shougai means "liver function impairment" or "hepatic dysfunction."

I need to take an additional examination of the liver to know the details, but I could be a disease of "fatty liver" or "chronic hepatitis."

Today a welcome party will be held, but I have to refrain from drinking alcohol.

【No. 1560】Suima ni Osowareru (睡魔に襲われる - Getting Sleepy)

Mar 27, 2019 22:23
Suima ni Osowareru

I am very sleepy now.

When you become very drowsy or sleepy, it can be described as suima ni osowareru (睡魔に襲われる) in Japanese.

Sui (睡) means "sleep," ma (魔) means "devil," osou (襲う) means "to attak," and wareru (われる) is a passive expression, so the literal meaning of this phrase is "to be attacked by a devil of sleep."

As you can guess, this phrase compares strong sleepiness that is hard to resist to a devil of sleep.
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【No. 1547】The Toilet was Clogged

Mar 15, 2019 05:47
The Toilet was Clogged

I have visited Washington D.C. to attend an academic conference.

And I have stayed at a hotel near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, but I had big trouble this morning.

The toilet in my room was clogged.

I might have used too much toilet paper.

As a last resort, I called the front desk and said "Excuse me. The toilet in my room is blocked. Can someone come and fix it?"

The front desk clerk said "Okay," but no one came to my room for a while, so I left five dollars as a chip and headed to the conference venue.

I would like to be more careful in the future.

【No. 1541】Mune ga Ippai ni Naru (胸がいっぱいになる - Overflowing)

Mar 8, 2019 15:44
Mune ga Ippai ni Naru

Yesterday, a farewell party for teachers who would retire or change their jobs at my university was held.

Since I was also one of the teachers who leave the university, my boss paid me a heartfelt compliment, then I was filled with joy.

When you are filled with emotions such as joy or grief, you can describe it as mune ga ippai ni naru (胸がいっぱいになる).

Mune (胸) means "heart," ippai (いっぱい) means "full" or "many," and naru (なる) means "to be," so the literal meaning of this phrase is "one's heart is filled."

[Example] Kanasimi de mune ga ippai ni natta (悲しみで胸がいっぱいになった - "I overflowed with grief").
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【No. 1523】Japanese Airline

Feb 18, 2019 11:26
Japanese Airline

I have been to overseas three times by airplane so far.

All airlines that I used were very cheap (low-cost carrier, LCC), but in this business trip, I boarded an airplane operated by the Japanese airline, ANA (All Nippon Airways).

In addition to the expensive fee, it was not wide because it was an economy class, but the service was polite, and the flight was very comfortable.

Incidentally, when boarding an airplane using public research fundings, basically we have to choose an economy class.

Someday, I would like to use a business class or a first class (or a premium economy class).

【No. 1522】Suri (スリ - Pickpocket)

Feb 17, 2019 14:10
Suri

Today is the last day of my stay in Italy, and I will visit Venice.

In sightseeing areas where there are many people such as Venice, you have to be careful about suri (スリ).

Suri means an act of stealing money or goods from someone's bag or pocket without being seen, or a person who does that.

There are several theories about its etymology, but one theory explains that it comes from the fact that karada wo kosuri tsukeru (体を擦り付ける - literally means "to rub one's body (against other's body)" while stealing.

Incidentally, according to the Internet, suris (pickpockets) in Venice pretend to tourists, so you need to pay close attention.

【No. 1518】Nigashita Sakana wa Ookii (逃した魚は大きい)

Feb 14, 2019 04:41
Nigashita Sakana wa Ookii

Today, I knew that I missed a very big chance.

However, something that you were about to get but missed may looks greater than it is.

There is a proverb to express the fact; it is nigashita sakana wa ookii (逃がした魚は大きい).

Nigashita (逃がした) means "missed," sakana (魚) means "fish," and ookii (大きい) means "big," so the literal meaning of this proverb is "the missed fish was big."

Anyway, in order not to regret, I will try to seize a chance as soon as it comes in front of me.

【No. 1517】Bottakuri (ぼったくり - RIp-Off)

Feb 12, 2019 23:51
Bottakuri

I am in Italy now.

Unfortunately, today I experienced bottakuri (ぼったくり) at a pizza store.

Bottakuri means to be requested an exorbitant fee.

I ordered one kebab of four euros.

After placing the money on a tray, it was picked up by the store owner.

In addition, when the kebab was made, he further claimed four euros.

I complained several times that I had already paid for the kebab, but he did not get my message.

Probably, the first four euros on which I placed was regarded as a payment for a pizza of another person (In fact, another person ordered and received a piece of pizza, and it seemed that he did not pay money).

Eventually, I paid eight euros in total -- it was very frustrating.
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【No. 1509】Chinese New Year

Feb 4, 2019 23:00
Chinese New Year

Today is the eve of Chinese New Year.

Chinese (Lunar) New Year is celebrated in several Asian countries, such as China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, etc.

In particular, China celebrates grandly it -- seven days from the eve of Chinese New Year are holidays in China.

Since there are Chinese students in my laboratory, they held a sui-gyoza (水餃子 - boiled pot stickers) party today.

We ate a lot of sui-gyoza, and now we are being so full.

I feel sorry that they can't rest for seven days because they live in Japan.