Monday, June 7, 2010

Japanese Table Manners

-Blowing your nose in public, and especially at the table, is considered rude.

-Good manners mean that you need to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.

-Talking about toilet related and similarly unappetizing topics during or before a meal is not appreciated by most people.

-Unlike in some other parts of East Asia, it is considered a bad manner to burp.

-After eating, try to move all your dishes back to the same position they were at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or back into their paper slip.

Famous hot spring in Japan-Dogo onsen


Dōgo Onsen is one of the oldest (arguably the oldest) and best-known onseon hot springs in Japan, with a history stretching back over 3,000 years. The springs are mentioned in the Manyoshu(written c. 759), and according to legend even Prince Shotoku(574-622) used to partake of the waters.

Useful Expression in Japanese


*あはいおございます(O-hayou gozaimasu)- Good morning.

*ごんにちは (Konnichi wa)-Hello.

*さようなら (Sayounara)-Good bye.

*すみません(Sumimasen)-Excuse me.

*ありがとうございます(Arouigatou gozaimasu)-Thank you very much.

*おかあさん お元氣ですか(Ogenki-desu-ka)-How are you?

Japanese Stereotypes


*Japanese are all small and skinny.

*Japanese are the hardest workers among all the races.

*Japanese live in tiny apartments.

*Japanese used to eat mainly rice until they discovered beef.

*Everything is so futuristic in Japan.

*Japanese always smile.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Traditional clothing in Japan


*Kimono
The kimono (着物) is a Japanese traditional garment worn by women, men and children.
Although this traditional clothing described below is still seen at traditional festivals and ceremonies, western-style clothing is more commonly worn in daily life by both men and women. Japanese clothing is styled to fit the seasons; for instance in autumn people will wear clothes with fall colors and fall patterns. In the spring, stand-out colors and spring floral patterned Japanese clothing is worn. During the winter, those wearing kimono tend to wear darker colors and may wear up to 10 layers of clothing.

Japanese famous animation director

*Hayao Miyazaki
Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎 駿, Miyazaki Hayao, born January 5, 1941) is a prominent Japanese filmmaker of many popular animated feature films. He is also a co-founder of Studio Ghibli, an animation studio and production company.
He remained largely unknown to the West, until Miramax released his 1997 Princess Mononoke. By that time, his films had already enjoyed both commercial and critical success in Japan. Princess Mononoke was the highest-grossing film in Japan until Titanic (1997) came out a few months later, and the first animated film to win Picture of the Year at the Japanese Academy Awards. His later film, Spirited Away, had that distinction as well, and was the first anime film to win an Academy Award, topping Titanic in the Japanese box office. Howl's Moving Castle was also nominated, but did not receive the award.

Japanese food

1)Donburi




Donburi is a general term for "bowl". However, it also popularly refers to a bowl of cooked rice with some other food served on top of it. There exist a variety of donburi dishes, differing in their toppings.

2)Sushi


Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish outside of Japan, and one of the most popular dishes among the Japanese themselves. In Japan, sushi is usually enjoyed on special occasions, such as a celebration. Sushis are many different types of sushi.
3)Sashimi

Sashimi is thinly sliced, raw seafood. Many different kinds of fresh fish and seafood are served raw in the Japanese cuisine. Sashimi, while similar to sushi, is distinct for its absence of vinigered rice. When slices of fish are served on top of a small ball of rice, it is called nigiri zushi.
Sashimi is usually beautifully arranged and served on top of shredded daikon and shiso leaves. The sashimi pieces are dipped into a dish of soya sauce before being eaten. The daikon and shiso can also be dipped in soya sauce and eaten; both have a fresh, minty taste. Depending on the kind of sashimi, wasabi or ground ginger may accompany the dish and be added to the sashimi as a condiment.

4)Ramen

Ramen is a noodle soup that was originally imported to Japan from China in the Meiji Period. In more recent decades, it has become a very popular dish in Japan, adapted to the Japanese taste. Ramen restaurants (ramen ya) number in the thousands, and instant ramen (invented in 1958) is popular both in and outside of Japan.
Ramen noodles are about as thin as spaghetti and are served in a soup that varies based on region, city and even specific vendor. Ramen's popularity stems in part from the fact that it is so inexpensive and widely available, making it an ideal option for budget travelers. In addition to freshly prepared ramen at ramen ya, supermarkets and convenience stores offer a large selection of instant ramen bowls.
Though ramen can be considered a one dish meal, gyoza are a common side dish offered at ramen ya. These Chinese style, pan fried dumplings are eaten with a soya and vinegar sauce. Shichimi (red chili mix) is usually available on the table to be added according to taste.