Skip to content

Article archives

  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0842】Nodobotoke

Apr 8, 2017 10:04
Today I will talk about the Japanese word "nodobotoke."

"Nodo" of "nodobotoke" means "throat," "botoke" means "Buddha," and "nodobotoke" means a spur of your thyroid cartilage that is placed in the middle of your throat.

"Nodobotoke" is often seen in adult males, and it is medically called "laryngeal prominence."

In the past, it was also called just "nodobone," which means "throat bone."

However, it is said that since the shape of the bone looked like the Buddha, it became known as "nodobotoke."

Also, "nodobotoke" is widely known as "Adam's apple" in the West.

It comes from a story that our first ancestor (Adam) ate a forbidden fruit (apple) and choked on it.
  • in Diary
  • 2 min read

【No. 0840】Nausea

Apr 7, 2017 08:49
Yesterday, I was feeling nauseous all day since I woke up in the morning.

Although I felt like hell, a convivial gathering between teachers and freshmen was planned, so I managed to go to my university.

However, the symptom gradually worsened, and I vomited all things that I ate and drank.

Even when I was sitting or lying down, it was very painful.

With great disappointment, I decided to give up to participate in the party and go home quietly because I was afraid to transfer my disease or virus to someone.

In this day, I couldn't post my entry on Lang-8.

Fortunately, as a result of not eating anything a day, I am feeling better now.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0841】Suppokasu

Apr 7, 2017 12:32
Today I would like to talk about the Japanese verb "suppokasu."

"Suppokasu" means to break an appointment or leave a work that you should do.

Usage example: Date no yakusoku wo suppokasareta. (I was stood up/My date didn't show up.)

The literal meaning of "su" of "suppokasu" is natural, real, or original, and it has a role to strengthen its following words.

"Pokasu" of "suppokasu" comes from "hokasu," which means "to leave something" or "to discard something."

According to my dictionary, "suppokasu" can be translated into "stand someone up" or "blow the appointment with someone."

Please don't do "suppokashi" ("suppokashi" is the noun form of "suppokasu.")
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0839】Itamae (Chef)

Apr 5, 2017 08:13
Today I would like to talk about the Japanese word "itamae."

"Ita" means "chopping board," "mae" means "in front of," and "itamae" means a person who work in front of a chopping board, that is, a chef (especially a chef of Japanese cuisine).

Since only "ita" can mean a chef, you can refer to the chef as something like "ita-san."
(Here "san" is an honorific suffix.)

Also, there are several different names related to "itamae" depending on the status of the chef.

The top-ranking person in the cooking place, ie the master chef is called "hanaita" ("hana" means "flower") or "itacho" ("cho" means "top").

The second ranking person in the kitchen (sous-chef) is called "tugiita" ("tugi" means "next") or "wakiita" ("waki" means "supporting").
  • in Diary
  • 2 min read

【No. 0838】Kakenhi (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research)

Apr 4, 2017 23:59
Yesterday, adoption results of kakenhi were published.

"Kakenhi" is one of the most famous competitive research funds in Japan.

Although my previous application was rejected, I brushed up the it and applied almost the same theme again.

If this application were also rejected, I would receive the fact that my theme has no value, and consider changing the theme.

Therefore, I was pretty nervous.

However, my application was adopted and research funding will be paid, so I am very happy now.

I have been spent poor research life so far, but I will somewhat be better financially in the future.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0837】Shishiodoshi

Apr 3, 2017 21:10
Yesterday, I talked about "kakashi," which is used for driving annoying animals away.

Today I will talk about "shishiodoshi," which was used for the same purpose as kakashi.

"Shishiodoshi" is a tool that generates a sound automatically by water power.

First, it draws water into a bamboo tube.

When the the bamboo tube is filled with water, it inclines, the water discharges, and the tube becomes empty.

The bamboo tube returns to the original angle, then it strikes a rock or something, and make a sound.

"Shishi" means "deer," "odoshi" means "to terrify something," and "shishiodoshi" originally used for terrifying deer or annoying animals as the name implies.

However, in recent years, we have come to enjoy the gracious sound, and it is often placed at Japanese gardens.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0836】Kakashi (Scarecrow)

Apr 2, 2017 07:51
Today I will talk about the Japanese word "kakashi."

"Kakashi" is a doll made of bamboo or straw -- it is put in a field to drive destructive animals like birds off.

It is thought that this word comes from the verbal noun "kagashi," which means to make someone smell at something.

This is because in the past, we drove animals off with a bad smell generated by burning meat or hair.

Nowadays, balloons that mimic huge eyes are used as kakashi, taking advantage of an animal instinct that they fear big eyes.

Incidentally, "kakasi" by Masashi Sada is a nice song that remind us of our parents' loves, so please listen it if you have time.
  • in Essay
  • 4 min read

【No. 0835】The Origin of April Fool

Apr 1, 2017 11:37
Since today is April Fool, I will talk about the origin.

As you know, April 1st, April Fool is a day that you can lie.

There are several theories about the origin of April Fool, but the truth remains unclear.

The widely accepted theory among them is something like the following:

In the past in European countries, New Year's Day was March 25th, and spring festivals were held until April 1st.

However, in 1564, Charles IX de France adopted a new calendar that defined that New Year's Day is January 1st.

Some people who rebelled against it regarded April 1st as "Fake New Year's Day," and came to tell a lie and get into mischief.
  • in Essay
  • 1 min read

【No. 0834】Zubora

Mar 31, 2017 14:51
Yesterday, I talked about the Japanese word "kichomen," which means that someone is well-organized in every detail.

Today I would like to talk about the Japanese term "zubora." which has the opposite meaning to the "kichomen."

"Zubora" means that someone is loose and dissolute.

Usage example: Kare wa zubora na seikaku da. (His personality is zubora (loose).)

This word comes from dialect terms "zun bera bon," "zun bora bon" or "zuberabo," which means that something is flat.

There is also another theory -- it comes from a term in rice markets, "zubora," which meant that rice prices are continuous falling.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0833】Kichomen

Mar 30, 2017 10:27
Today I would like to talk about the Japanese word "kichomen."

"Kichomen" means that someone is well-organized in every detail, or such character.

"Kicho" of "kichomen" is a kind of furniture that was used as a partition or a windscreen in a room -- it was composed of two pillars, a crossbar, and a cloth.

In upper-class homes, the corners of the pillars were rounded and grooved.

Such created new surfaces were called "kichomen" (here "men" in Japanese means "surface"),

and it came to mean a person who can work/look after politely and delicately like a craftsman who made "kichomen" did.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0832】A Charge of Carrying Invasive Instruments

Mar 29, 2017 11:05
Today I will talk about one of Minor Offenses Act in Japan, "sin-nyugu keitai no tsumi," the literal meaning of which is "a charge of carrying invasive instruments."

This law says that you have not to carry instruments that are used for home-invasion without justifiable causes.

In the text, spare keys, chisels and glass cutters are mentioned, but many other items fall under the category.

For example, screw drivers, pliers, nippers, files, penlights, and flashlights.

The point we should notice is that you can be accused of a crime if you have a penlight or a flashlight.

In fact, about a month ago, a man who carried a flashlight was arrested in Japan.
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0831】Tedama ni Toru (To Lead Someone by the Nose)

Mar 28, 2017 07:43
Today I'd like to talk about the Japanese idiom "tedama ni toru."

The literal meaning is "to take tedama," and it means to lead or control someone as you wish.

Here "tedama" is a Japanese traditional toy, "otedama," which is made by putting azuki beans or rice into a small cloth bag, and sewing it.

"Otedama" also means a kind of games for girls -- they enjoy throwing some otedama straight up into the air with a certain rule or timing according to a song.

Since girls manipulated otedama at will, "tedama ni toru" (to take tedama) came to mean "to lead/control someone."
  • in Essay
  • 2 min read

【No. 0830】Moroha no Tsurugi (Double-edged Sword)

Mar 27, 2017 18:26
Today I will talk about the term "moroha no tsurugi."

"Moroha" means "double-edged," "tsurugi" means "sword," and "moroha no tsurugi" means that something is very useful while it could cause a serious damage to yourself.

This is because a double-edged sword could is easy to hurt yourself.

In the Japanese national role-playing game, "Doragon Quest," "moroha no tsurugi" is appeared as a weapon, so many Japanese people familiar with this term.

This weapon has a high offensive power, but some of damage that you gave come back to yourself.

Incidentally, it is said that both the English term "double-edged sword" and the Japanese term "moroha no tsurugi" comes a passage from the Bible.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0829】Chanbara

Mar 26, 2017 10:25
Today I will talk about the Japanese word "chanbara."

"Chanbara" means a sword fight, and is used as a term for movies and plays.

This word comes from an onomatopoeia, "chanchan barabara," which implies a sound of clashing and clanging of swords.

Also, a play that children imitate swordplay scenes of movies is often referred to as "chabnara."

During the 1960s, historical movies became popular and "chanbara" was one of most popular plays among children.

Nowadays, sport chanbara (supochan) was generated, and has been played by some people in various countries.

According to the Internet, there are about 370 thousands players in the world.

【No. 0827】Ichigo Ichie

Mar 25, 2017 00:04
Today was the graduation day of a university that I graduated from.

Therefore I went there and met my former teacher and his laboratory's students.

However, it was the first time to meet some students because they came to the laboratory after I graduated.

We talked about various things but we may not meet again in the future.

In Japan, such encounting, and giving importance to such encounters are called "ichigo ichie."

"Ichigo" of "ichigo ichie" is a Budhism term that means "your entire life," and "ichie" means "to meet once."

Since this is a lovely proverb, please remember it.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0828】Ichijitsu Senshu

Mar 25, 2017 12:47
Today I will talk about the four-character idiom "一日千秋 (ichijitsu senshu)."

"Ichijitsu senshu" means that you can't wait to something and feel like a long time.

The "ichijitsu" of "ichijitsu senshu" means "a day," abd the "senshu" means "a thousand autumn," that is, this idiom implies that you feel as if a day is a thousand year.

The reason why "autumn" is used rather than "spring" or "winter" is because "autumn" is the harvest season, and the kanji character could mean time/term.

Incidentally, this was derived from the Chinese idiom "一日三秋 (ichijitsu sanshu)," which has the same meaning.
(Where "sanshu" means "three autumn.")
  • in Diary
  • 3 min read

【No. 0826】Graduation Ceremony

Mar 23, 2017 20:57
Today a graduation ceremony took place at my university.

Students who would graduate were wearing hakama (Japanese skirts or culottes) or suits, and they looked excited.

The graduation ceremony ended in the morning, and the conferment of degree was conducted at each laboratory from the afternoon.

After that we took pictures with everybody, and each of us made some comments, then my boss and I presented memorabilia to the students.

I was about to cry due to the reaction of the students, but I bit the inside of my cheeks.

The day when students that I taught for one year as a teacher graduated and got out into the world was deeply emotional for me.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0825】Mejiro Oshi

Mar 22, 2017 14:03
Today I will talk about the Japanese term "mejiro oshi."

"Mejiro" means "Japanese white-eye," "oshi" means "to push," and "Mejiro oshi" means that many people or things get crowded.

This word comes from the habit of the bird "mejiro" (Japanese white-eye).

"Mejiro" lines up without gaps on a tree branch from autumn to winter.

That scene is called "mejiro no oshiai" (pushing by mejiro).

Also, a play that children push each other while lining up came to be called "mejiro oshi," then it came to have the current meaning.

Incidentally, "me" of "mejiro" means "eyes," and "jiro" means "white."

The etymology is that they have white circles around their eyes.
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0824】Futsutsuka

Mar 21, 2017 21:38
Today I would like to talk about the Japanese term "futsutsuka."

"Futsutsuka" means that someone is inexperienced or insensitive due to lack of his/her ability or education.

It is said that this term comes from "futotsuka" -- where "futo" means "thick" and "tsuka" means "bulk."

In the past, it literally meant that something is thick and sturdy.

However, during the Heian period, aesthetic sense of delicate was widely spread in Japan.

Therefore, "futsutsuka" came to mean that thick things are unromantic, then it came to have the current meanings.

Also, we often calle such people "futsutsuka mono" ("mono" means "person").
  • in Essay
  • 3 min read

【No. 0823】Shunbun no Hi (Vernal Equinox Day)

Mar 20, 2017 13:54
Today is Shunbun no Hi.

"Shun" means "spring," "bun" means "split," "hi" means "day," and "shunbun no hi" means "Vernal Equinox Day."

This day is known as a day that has almost equally long of day and night.

In most cases, it will be March 20th or 21st.
(In 2092, it will be March 19th.)

The purpose of this day is to praise nature and show love of all living things.

In Buddhism, people often visit their ancestors' graves during a week around Shunbun no Hi.

This period is called "higan."

If you are interested, please check the following post:

http://lang-8.com/kanotown/journals/304165317003039514992095523512588731438