Skip to content

Essay

  • in Essay
  • 4 min read

【No. 0588】100 Times of Hiccups

Jul 28, 2016 10:31
In Japan, there is a superstition that you will die when you get hiccups 100 times continuously.

Since I was afraid of this when I was a child, I had counted the number of hiccups.

However in most cases, I forgot to count it from around 10 times, and hiccups stopped before I was aware.

Also, even if you get hiccups over 100 times, of course you won't die.

An American, Mr. Osborne, continued to get hiccups for about 68 years, and this fact is listed in the Guinness Book of World.

While getting hiccups, he got married two times, and had eight children.

It is estimated that the number of hiccups he got in his lifetime was over 430 million.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0587】Urusai

Jul 27, 2016 16:50
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "urusai."

"Uru" means "your heart," "sai" means "to narrow," and "urusai" originally expresses "your heart becomes narrowed by something disturbing."

Accordingly, it comes to mean "noisy."

"Urusai" is normally written as "煩い" in Kanji, but it's sometimes written as "五月蝿い."

"五月蝿" means " flies in May," and the reason why the kanji is used is because flies in May are very noisy and annoying.

Note that we don't read "五月蝿" as "うるさ" at other cases.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0586】Nori (Dried Seaweed)

Jul 26, 2016 11:15
I love nori (dried seaweed, or laver), and often eat it.

Not only is nori used for rice balls and rolled sushi, but is often boiled down in soy and eaten.

It is also known as healthy food, which contains a lot of protein, vitamin, mineral, are dietary fiber.

I heard that many oversea people feel that ita nori (sheeted nori) is similar to carbon papers.

For this reason, nori is used in the inside of rice in California rolls.
(In Japanese rolled sushi, nori is used on the outer side of rice. )

Also, according to a study at Station biologique de Roscoff in France, only Japanese people own bacteria that can digest seaweeds, such as nori, in their bodies.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0585】Oshidori Fufu (A Happily Married Couple)

Jul 25, 2016 11:11
Today, I will talk about the Japanese word "oshidori fufu," which means "a happily married couple."

In the past, it was thought that once oshidori (mandarin ducks) pair up, they spend their lifetimes while snuggling each other.

This is the etymology of oshidori fufu.

However, actually a male of oshidori leaves behind a female after she laid eggs, and the male makes a new couple year after year.

It is said that a truly ideal couple is made by cranes.

Once cranes pair up, they will remain a husband and a wife until death in most cases.

Also, if either of them passes away, even if it becomes only bones, the crane will continue to guard the dead body.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0584】Semishigure

Jul 24, 2016 20:49
Recently, songs of evening cicadas (which are called higurashi in Japan) have come to resound in my university.

Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese phrase "semishigure," which expresses songs of cicadas.

"Semi" means "cicadas," "shigure" means "a drizzling rain," and "semishigure" is a phrase that likens songs of cicadas to sounds of the drizzling rain.

I think that this phrase has an attractive atmosphere compared to saying just "a buzz of cicadas" or "a chorus of cicadas."

This phrase expressed not only sounds but also a scene of summer.

I especially like semishigure by higurashi, and somehow it makes me want to cry.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0583】Komorebi

Jul 23, 2016 17:38
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese word "komorebi," which is one of my favorite words.

The komorebi means a scene of sunlight filtering through trees or leaves.

Since sunlight (hi, bi) streams (moreru) between trees (ki, ko), it called komorebi.

Komorebi is beautiful, so if you have time, please search for the word on Google Images.

I heard there is no word in English that corresponds to komorebi.
(It seems to be called "Śreżoga" in Polish.)

I think that Japanese language has a lot of words that describe scenes of nature.

By the way, I like reddish komorebi in the evening.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0582】Turkeys

Jul 22, 2016 20:23
Turkeys are the largest species among Galliformes, and they are often cooked on Thanksgiving in the US, and Christmas in the UK.

Turkeys are called "shichimencho" (shichi means seven, men means a face, and cho means a bird) in Japan.

The reason is because their skins from heads to necks are exposed, and these regions changed to red, blue, and purple.

Therefore, people call those who change their feelings easily "shichimencho" in some areas in Japan.

Although turkeys were imported into Japan in the Meiji period, since it's difficult to obtain them, they are treated as an expensive ingredient.

I'd like to eat a whole roasted turkey someday.
  • in Essay
  • 4 min read

【No. 0581】The Moon Is Beautiful, Isn't It? (I Love You)

Jul 21, 2016 09:33
Today, I'd like to talk about the phrase "tuki ga kirei desune," which sometimes becomes a hot topic.

The literal meaning is "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?," but this phrase might include the meaning of "I love you."

It is said that a Japanese famous novelist and teacher Natsume Soseki said when he heard his student translated "I love you" into "ware kimi o aisu" (ware means I, kimi means you, and aisu means love):

"Japanese people don't use such an expression, you should say 'the moon is beautiful isn't it?'."

That is, he mentioned that Japanese can understand the true meaning, even if you don't use words of love.

This expression is often thought of as affectional, graceful, and beautiful.

However, it might not actually convey the meaning of "I love you," please be careful.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0580】Pikachu's Song

Jul 20, 2016 07:54
Recently, I often hear that Pokemon GO is becoming popular in the world.

I'm not sure whether or not it made an effect, but a lyrics of Pikachu's theme song "Pikachu no uta" (Pikachu's song) was published yesterday.

The stock price of Nintendo reached more than double for the price of before Pokemon GO was released.

It was composed of only Pikachu's call, there were a lot of "pika" and "pikachu."

A part of the lyrics is something like the following:

Pikkachu pikkachu pika pika pikachu pika pika

I can't understand what the song means at all.

However, somehow I'd like to listen to this song at least once.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0579】Greening of Tottori Sand Dunes

Jul 19, 2016 09:24
Do you know Tottori Prefecture, which has the smallest population in Japan?

The most popular sightseeing spot in Tottori Prefecture is "Tottori Sand Dunes."

Tottori Sand Dunes is a vast dunes area, which spreads to Japan coast, and you can enjoy sightseeing by a camel, a horse-drawn carriage, or foot.

However, I heard that recently Tottori Sand Dunes has become gradually grasslands.

Therefore, Tottori Prefecture has gotten rid of weeds on a large scale for saving the natural asset, Tottori Sand Dunes.

While many countries all over the world try to prevent desertification, only Tottori prefecture might try to prevent greening.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0578】Marine Day

Jul 18, 2016 09:37
Today, the third Monday of July is Marine Day.

Marine Day is one of Japanese national holidays, and we wish prosperity of maritime nation Japan while thanking to the benefits of the sea on the day.

This day comes from the day called sea anniversary (July 20th), on which we celebrated that Emperor Meiji returned safely to Yokohama Prefecture from Aomori Prefecture by a patrol boat in 1876.

I heard that only Japan established Marine Day as a national holiday among the world.

By the way, "Mountain Day" was established as a national holiday of Japan in 2016.

I will talk about Mountain Day on August 11th, 2016, which is the day for the first time Mountain Day comes.
  • in Essay
  • 6 min read

【No. 0577】Ofukuro

Jul 17, 2016 08:58
There are some ways of calling your mother in Japan.

The most popular expression is "okaasan" or "kaasan."

Recently, the other expression "mama" has also become gradually popular.

In many Japanese home, we have our children say "mama" and "papa" instead of "okaasan" and "otousan" because of the ease of pronunciation, and they seems to become household words.

On the other hand, we (especially men) sometimes call our mothers "ofukuro."

There are some theories of the etymology:

・In the past, mothers managed property of their homes by putting them into bags ("fukuro" means "a bag").

・We grow up in our mother's bosom ("bosom" is called "futokoro" in Japan).

I think that the saying "ofukuro" is cool, but I missed the timing of switching to "ofukuro" from "okaasan."
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0576】Bokenasu

Jul 16, 2016 11:23
Today, I will talk about the Japanese slang "bokenasu."

The literal meaning of "bokenasu" is "a faded eggplant," but it is used as an abuse that means "idiot" in common.
(Actually, both "boke" and "nasu" could be an abuse.)

Also, there is the similar phrase "otanko nasu," which means "stupid" or "lubber."
(There are several theories about the etymology, but it's not clear.)

In Japan, there are many abuses that contain vegetables in addition to "bokenasu" and "otankonasu."

Even if you say just vegetable names to someone, such as "nasu" (eggplants), "imo" (potatoes), "kabocha" (pumpkin), or "moyashi" (sprouts), it might become an abuse, so please be careful.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0575】Buffon's Needle

Jul 15, 2016 16:09
Today, I'd like to talk about the problem called "Buffon's needle," which was posed by mathematician Buffon.

This problem is something like the following:

1. Suppose you draw parallel lines with the same width on a floor, and drop a needle there.

2. What is the probability that the needle and any of the lines cross.

If the width between lines is 2 cm, and the length of the needle is 1 cm, the probability will become 1/π.

This means that you can obtain an approximate value of pi by dropping needles.

Mathematician Lasagna dropped a needle 3,408 times, and obtained the approximation of pi, 355/113 (equals 3.1419529...).

By the way, conducting this experiment on a computer is meaningless, because you need the value of pi when you generate a needle's angle randomly or check whether or not the needle and lines cross.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0574】Gojiai Kudasai

Jul 14, 2016 16:01
Today, I will talk about the Japanese formula in letters, "ご自愛ください (gojiai kudasai)."

The literal meaning is "please love yourself," and it's used as the meaning of "take care of yourself" or "I hope your health is good."

This expression is thought of as beautiful, and is often appended at the end of letters.

If you type "gojiai" and convert it into kanji, it may become "ご慈愛."

However, since the meaning is quite different from "ご自愛," please be careful to convert it.

If you say "ご慈愛ください (gojiai kudasai)," it means something like "please give me your deep love."
(This phrase is sometimes used for God or Buddha.)
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 0573】Traffic Rules of Horses

Jul 13, 2016 18:45
In Japan, horses are treated as light vehicles that contain bicycles.

If you ride a horse on a road after you drunk alcohol, you will be punished as a drunk driving.

If you ride a horse on a road after the horse drunk alcohol, you will be punished as a poor maintenance.

Of course, you will be punished when you ignore a red light, have no signs or lights at night, and turn right/left with no signs.

These rules for horses are the same as those for cows, other animals, and rickshaws.

By the way, the word "rickshaw" comes from the Japanese word "jinrikisha."

("Jin" means a humen, "riki" means a power, and "sha" means a car.)
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0572】Miyadaiku (Temple and Shrine Carpenters)

Jul 12, 2016 10:05
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese job category "miyadaiku."

Daiku means carpenters, and miyadaiku means carpenters who build and repair only traditional Japanese architectures, such as temples and shrines.

Temples and shrines are built by using a unique Japanese construction method called "kigumi" (timberwork), which don't use nails or bolts.

Kigumi is a method that builds architectures by combining timbers that are logged to complex shapes.

If the height of the architecture is high, miyadaiku will design it so as to distribute the gravity.

Since this technique is important to preserve cultural assets, it is designated as a selected preservation technique.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0571】Itaino Itaino Tondeike! (Pain, Pain, Go Away!)

Jul 11, 2016 10:20
In Japan, when children fall down or get injured, their parents often say "itaino itaino tondeike~," (pain, pain, go away~) while rubbing the affected area.

This act is often thought as a kind of charm, but it seems to have actual effects.

According to a study at Gunma University, the act of rubbing could promote the restoration/regeneration of your peripheral nerves.

In addition, since children can feel their parents' love, their fears of injury disappear, and the pain seems to be allowed relief indirectly.

Also, it is said that placebo effects by what the words mean could affect the pain.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0570】The House of Councilors Election

Jul 10, 2016 12:42
Since the House of Councilors election is being held today, I will tell you about three trivia that are related to Japanese elections.

【No. 1】
In Japan, only a person who come to a polling station can confirm that there is no ballot in the ballot box. Some people seem to get up very early for confirming the ballot box.

【No. 2】
When the number of a runner's votes is the same as another runner's one, the result will be eventually tolerated by lot. This way might be the same in many countries overseas.

【No. 3】
Payments of Snacks/sweet treats for election staff are defined as up to a ceiling of 500 yen per day by law. Payments of bento (lunch bags) are up to 1000 yen per one meal.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0569】Ototoi Kiyagare (Come The Day Before Yesterday)

Jul 9, 2016 12:55
Today, I'd like to tell you about the Japanese expression "ototoi kiyagare."

"Ototoi" means "the day before yesterday," "kiyagare" means "come," and "ototoi kiyagare" means something like "get out, don't come again."

There are two theories that are related to the etymology of this expression.

One of them is that since "ototoi" has also the meaning of "distant day," "ototoi kiyagare" originally meant "don't come until the distant day."

The other one is that since to come the day after yesterday is impossible, "ototoi kiyagare" meant "it's too late."

There are a similar phrase in English; "come when two Sundays meet."