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【No. 0462】Commencement

Mar 24, 2016 23:19
Today, I finally graduated from the doctoral program of my university.

My university life, 9 years were really long.

During this time, I had gotten various help and support from many people, especially from my parents.

I can't thank them enough.

From now on, I will work hard to return the courtesy and make a social contribution.

Tonight, I enjoyed the last banquet as a student.
  • in Essay
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【No. 0461】Chloroform

Mar 23, 2016 13:18
Chloroform is a colorless liquid that has a sweet taste and a strong sweet smell.

Once it has been used as a general inhalation anesthetic in surgeries.

Since chloroform has a variety of uses in addition to the anesthetic, many research institutions often use it.

Besides, I think the most popular usage of it is to stun people in dramas or novels.

However, if you inhale some chloroform, you may have nausea and headache, but you won't faint.

If you want to stun someone by using chloroform, you have to: impregnate your handkerchief with a large amount of chloroform, press it against someone's mouth slowly and strongly, and make him/her take a deep breath for about five minutes.

I think that you should choke him/her if you want to stun someone.
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【No. 0460】"合う (au)" and "会う (au)"

Mar 22, 2016 21:06
Today, I will talk about Japanese verbs "合う (au)" and "会う (au)."

Since each verb has the same reading, and similar kanji, even Japanese people sometimes mistake the usage of them.

However, the meanings are totally different.

"合う" means that something is suitable to something, and "会う" means that a person meets to another person.

For example:

・彼のような大人しい性格の人はこの仕事に合っている。
(Shy people like him is suitable to the job.)

・駅前で兄弟と会う予定だ。
(I'm going to meet to my brother in the station.)

Also, there is another verb "遭う," which can be read as "au."

"遭う" means that a person encounters unlucky events, and the usage is something like the following:

・自転車に乗っていたら事故に遭った。
(I had an accident when I was riding a bicycle.)
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【No. 0459】A Graduation Gift From My Boss

Mar 21, 2016 23:02
Today, my boss and his wife gave me a suit as a celebration for my graduation and my new job.

We first went to a clothing mall to measure my body size.

Then, they bought a very nice suit set and presented it to me.

After that, we went to a cool italian restaurant and I was treated to a wonderful dinner.

I am really full of gratitude.

I am planning to present a special gift to my boss in the day of the graduation ceremony.
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【No. 0458】The Latest Washing Machine

Mar 20, 2016 17:02
Today, I bought the latest model washing machine, and tried to install it in my apartment.

It is a drum-type washing machine, which can perform the laundry process from washing and drying automatically.

Since I wanted to stick to washing machines, I chose a high performance and expensive one among those that have been sold to public.

I couldn't pay for the machine in one payment, so I bought it on an installment plan.

I was so excited.

However, the door width to the washing room was too narrow to carry the washing machine.

I got depressed.

Today, I couldn't install it, but fortunately I found that the door is removable, so I will try to install it again at a later date.
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【No. 0457】2-maime and 3-maime

Mar 19, 2016 17:57
Today, I will introduce Japanese terms "2-maime" and "3-maime."

The literal meanings of "2-maime" and "3-maime" are "a 2nd board" and "a 3rd board," respectively, but the actual meanings are "a handsome man" and "a clown."

The reason is derived from kabuki, which is one of Japanese traditional performing arts.

In a front of kabuki performing theater, there are eight advertising boards, and actor names are written on them.

Traditionally, a leading actor is written in the first board, a handsome man is written in the second board, and a funny man is written in the third board.

Nowadays, only "2-maime" and "3-maime" are usually used in our lives.
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【No. 0456】"Higan" and "Shigan"

Mar 18, 2016 20:02
One week centering around the spring (autumn) equinox, that is, a period from March 17th to 23rd (from September 19th to 25th) is called "higan."

Japanese people often visit their ancestors' graves among the higan week.

Higan refers to the world where the souls of the dead live in Buddhism.

On the other hand, the world where we live is called "shigan."

Since higan is in the west, and shigan is in the east, we think that higan and shigan are easy to connect in the spring (autumn) equinox that the sun rises directly in the East and sets directly in the West.

However, actually only Japanese Buddhists visit graves in higan.

As one of the reasons, it is said that this tradition is the result of mixing Buddhism with Shinto that worships God of the sun.
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【No. 0455】Apartments and Mansions

Mar 17, 2016 17:39
There are many loanwords in Japan, and today I will talk about two of them: "アパート (apartment)" and "マンション (mansion)."

The meaning of "アパート" is the same as "apartment," but the meaning of "マンション" is different from "mansion."

In Japan, we call relatively large/luxury apartments "マンション."

Actually, I will live in マンション from next month, but it has only one narrow room.

You will never think of my living space as a mansion.

By the way, since "man" of "mansion" means ten thousand in Japan, we sometimes call really luxury apartments "億ション(oku-sion, oku means '100 million' in Japan).
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【No. 0454】Gas Fees in Japan

Mar 16, 2016 12:28
Gases are used in many Japanese lives.

The gases are divided into two major categories; city gas and propane gas.

The city gas consists primarily of methane, and it is supplied through gas pipes.

On the other hand, the propane gas consists mainly butane or propane, and it is supplied from gas cylinders that are installed outdoors.

The propane gas has some advantages, such as the strength of firepower and the adaptability in times of disaster, but it is very expensive instead.

I think the propane gas costs more than double for the city gas in most cases.

If you are looking for your apartment in Japan, please consider which to choose the city gas or the propane gas.

If the apartment is all-electric type, there is no need to worry about the gas.
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【No. 0453】Housecleaning for My Move

Mar 15, 2016 14:16
Today, I cleaned my house for my move of next week.

After the housecleaning, I went to a garbage pit with my used clothes and futons.

As a result, the total weight of the clothes and futons is 50 kg, and the collection fee was 1,000 yen.

Thanks to the waste collection, my room became totally straight.

Next, I have to discard my old refrigerator and washing machine.

This housecleaning is far from over.
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【No. 0452】Pi Day

Mar 14, 2016 15:09
Today is White Day that men give women gifts for their Valentine's chocolates in Japan.

However, today is also Pi Day.

In 2009, Pi Day was formally established by the United States House of Representatives.

In mathematics departments of some universities, anniversary parties seem to be held in this day.

Also, right now, I am submitting this post on March 14, 15:09.

I chose the time closer to pi among Pi Day.

By the way, there is an ultimate pi day (time), which is 3/14/1952 6:53:58.
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【No. 0451】Tarai Mawashi (Acrobatic Barrel-Rolling)

Mar 13, 2016 17:02
Today, I will talk about the Japanese phrase "tarai mawashi."

The phrase "tarai mawashi" expresses an acrobatic barrel-rolling performance using your feet, but this has been converted to mean that things are shifted from one section to another repeatedly.

For example, it's a situation such as: when you went to hospital A, you were said "please go to hospital B," then you went to hospital B, but you were said "please go to hospital C," so you went to hospital C, but you were said "please go to hospital A."

If you want to experience such "tarai mawashi," please visit an Uncyclopedia page about "tarai mawashi" shown in the following URL.

http://ja.uncyclopedia.info/wiki/%E7%9B%A5%E5%9B%9E%E3%81%97

You will be prompted to refer to different pages one after another.

This is really "tarai mawashi."
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【No. 0450】Chabashira

Mar 12, 2016 22:47
In Japan, standing chabashira is thought of as an auspicious sign.

(Chabashira means stem portions of tea leaves.)

One of the reasons is because it's very rare that chabashira stands on tea.

First of all, stems of tea leaves seldom pass through a tea strainer.

Then, when one side of the stem absorb water, you can see it stands on the tea surface for only a short period.

Timing is important.

Unfortunately, since recent tea strainers are very finely, it became really difficult to find the standing chabashira.
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【No. 0449】Shapes of Eggs

Mar 11, 2016 22:03
Shapes of eggs differ depending on the organisms.

For example, many kinds of fish lay spherical eggs.

On the other hand, reptiles and birds lay elliptical eggs.

It is said that one of the reasons is to make easier to lay eggs that are large compared to their bodies.

In addition, birds' eggs have characteristic elliptical shapes, one side is thin, and the other hand is thick.

It is thought that the reason is to prevent eggs from rolling farther and farther away from their nests.

In fact, since owls that make their nests in holes of trees don't worry about rolling eggs, the shapes close to a sphere.
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【No. 0448】Shovel And Scoop

Mar 10, 2016 14:23
Today, I will talk about the difference between "shovel" and "scoop."

According to the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), it is defined that the shovel has a portion that you can put your foot, and the scoop doesn't have it.

However, most Japanese people distinguish them in their sizes.

In western Japan, people call big ones "shovel," and small ones "scoop."

On the other hand, in eastern Japan, people call small ones "shovel," and big ones "scoop."

I'm not sure the reason.

Anyway it's confusing, so you have to be careful.
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【No. 0447】Celebration of Longevity

Mar 9, 2016 13:45
There are some special age in Japan, and we celebrate the birthday of the year in different ways from usual.

First, when you reach the age of 60, it's called "kan-reki," where "kan" means "return," and "reki" means "almanac."

Since the Oriental zodiac is composed of 60 kinds and it repeats itself every 60 years, we think the 61st birthday is special.

In the celebration of the kan-reki, we present a red chanchanko (red padded sleeveless kimono jacket, red Japanese vest) that have the meaning of an amulet, and the kan-reki person wear it.

Also, to reach the age of 88 is called "bei-ju," where "bei" means "rice," and "ju" means "almanac."

The reason is because the kanji "八十八 (which means 88)" looks like the transformation of the kanji "米 (which means rice), and we present a yellow chanchanko wishing for good health.

To be the age of 99 is called "haku-ju," where "haku" means "white."

The reason is because the kanji "百 (which means one hundred)" becomes "白 (which means white)" when you subtract "一 (which means one)" from "百," and we present a whilte chanchanko.

My father will reach the kan-reki this year, so my brother, my sister and I have to prepare the celebration.
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【No. 0446】A Terrible Failure

Mar 8, 2016 19:30
Today's my plan was to ride a bus at 5:40 AM and to go to Tokyo from Nagano.

However, I woke up at 5:39 AM.

I turned white as a sheet.

I definitely miss the bus.

The bus reservation ticket went to waste.

Furthermore, since I had to arrive at Tokyo by noon, it was necessary to use a bullet train, which requires more than three times the fare of the bus.

It was a stab in my wallet.

I'll be careful hereafter.
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【No. 0445】Holding a Java Workshop

Mar 7, 2016 17:49
Today, I held a Java workshop at my university.

Fourteen people participated in the workshop, and it took about three hours.

The purpose of the workshop was to make a drawing software using Java.

However, it was difficult to progress while checking the progress of everyone, so I couldn't achieve my plan.

The second workshop will be held on this Friday.

I'd like to reconsider how I should progress the workshop by next time.
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【No. 0444】Standing Desk

Mar 6, 2016 10:44
In recent years, doing desk work while standing up has got a lot of attention.

By standing up constantly, you can improve your posture and blood circulation of your feet.

Also, you can continue to concentrate, and won't become sleepy.

Of course it will make you tired, but you also will divide your break from your work sharply.

On the other hand, people who sit for a long time every day seem to have back pain and stiff shoulder, because of decline of muscle for supporting your hip.

Furthermore, they have higher risks about heart disease due to poor circulation and diabetes due to insulin decrease.

I might consider a purchase of a standing desk for my new workplace.
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【No. 0443】Nikujaga (simmered meat and potatoes)

Mar 5, 2016 16:11
Today, I will talk about "nikujaga," which is a familiar simmered dish in Japan.

The ingredients of the nikujaga is meat, potatoes, onions and konjac, and the cooking procedure is divided into two steps: fry the ingredients, and simmer them with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (which is an alcoholic condiment).

It is easy to cook the nikujaga, so we often refer it as "a taste of mother's home cooking."

However, it is said that we actually made the nikujaga by imitating a beef stew.

In 1870s, a Japanese, Heihachiro Togo was studying in the UK, and he liked the beef stew, then he tried to make someone to cook it in Japan.

However, there were no wine and a demi-glace sauce in Japan.

For the reason, we tried to cook the beef stew using soy sauce and sugar, as a result, the nikujaga seemed to be made.