The Japanese language has a large number of onomatopoeic expressions.
japanese has several types of onomatopoeic expressions that describe sound or actions that repeating the same sound twice. japanese also have so many common repeated words that usually use.
hmm... nothing better then example, so here are some example:
- Guru guru : describe something spinning round and round
-Hoka hoka : describe something warm, especially warm delicious looking food
- Iyo iyo : at last
- Mada mada : describe still having some way to go before reaching the goal
- Wai wai : describe a large number of people behaving boisterously. making a din
- Waku waku: describe someone who is busting with excitement in anticipation of something, thrilled
- Doki doki: describe pounding heart
- Ira ira : describe someone who is irritated or angry because things are not going as desired
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Onomatopoeic & repeated words
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Karaoke
THE EVOLVING WORLD OF KARAOKE
Market Expands as Companies Diversify Services
A karaoke room with a jet bath.
Karaoke was born in Japan over 30 years ago. As singing is something that can be easily enjoyed by everyone, karaoke quickly gained popularity and is now a well-known part of popular culture. There are more and more karaoke establishments that, in addition to allowing patrons to have fun singing, have expanded their services through such means as presenting customers with delicious food in a lavish space or giving them the opportunity to soak in a hot bath. In addition to technological advances, these innovations in the environments offered by karaoke establishments are driving the industry forward.The Advent of "Karaoke Boxes"
The word "karaoke" comes from the Japanese word for "empty" (kara) plus the first part of the word "orchestra," suggesting an "empty orchestra." When it was invented over 30 years ago, and the machines of the early 1970s used eight-track tapes containing just 40 songs. These machines were rented out and were equipped with a microphone and a coin-operated timer.
One of the first major technological developments was the display on a video monitor of the song's lyrics a few seconds before the words are to be sung, as karaoke machines had originally provided only sound. Images befitting the mood of the song were added, and more recently some karaoke machines have been equipped with technology that allows them to judge the singer's performance and rank it against the thousands of others singing nationwide. Perhaps another secret to their popularity is the fact that karaoke machines also let users employ echo and other sound effects to make their singing sound better.
Karaoke was originally popular mainly at drinking establishments, but its user base kept broadening, leading to the appearance of home karaoke machines and "karaoke boxes"—small rented private rooms equipped with a karaoke machine—which are now the dominant venue for karaoke. At a karaoke box, customers can sing their favorite songs in a room with just their friends, without having to worry about what anyone else might think of their tunes.
Karaoke Establishments Expand Services
In addition to these technological advances, karaoke facilities are expanding the range of services offered, with many devising new ways of entertaining customers. While it has long been possible to order food and drinks in most karaoke boxes, the food has improved in quality and variation, with many establishments offering their own specialties cooked with exclusively chosen ingredients and some operating buffet-style services.
Some places provide rooms individually designed around different themes or extravagant, luxurious spaces; some even feature foot baths or jet baths. What could be more relaxing than soaking your feet in a warm foot bath while singing your favorite songs? Other karaoke boxes boast such features as DVD players, game consoles, home-cinema systems, and nostalgic retro interiors. A visit to a karaoke establishment is a great way for guests to see Japan, letting their hair down as well as experiencing Japanese hi-tech entertainment.
Bunbuku Chagama
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Bunbuku Chagama (Japanese: ぶんぶく茶釜) is a Japanese folktale about a raccoon-dog, or tanuki, that uses its shapeshifting powers to reward its rescuer for his kindness.
Bunbuku Chagama roughly translates to "happiness bubbling over like a tea pot." The story tells of a poor man who finds a tanuki caught in a trap. Feeling sorry for the animal, he sets it free. That night, the tanuki comes to the poor man's house to thank him for his kindness. The tanuki transforms itself into a chagama and tells the man to sell him for money.
The man sells the tanuki-teapot to a monk, who takes it home and, after scrubbing it harshly, sets it over the fire to boil water. Unable to stand the heat, the tanuki teapot sprouts legs and, in its half-transformed state, makes a run for it.
The tanuki returns to the poor man with another idea. The man would set up a 'roadside attraction' (a little circus-like setup) and charge admission for people to see a teapot walking a tightrope. The plan works, and each gains something good from the other--the man is no longer poor and the tanuki has a new friend and home.
In a variant of the story, the tanuki-teapot does not run and returns to its transformed state. The shocked monk decides to leave the teapot as an offering to the poor temple where he lives, choosing not to use it for making tea again. The temple eventually becomes famous for its supposed dancing teapot.
Kawasaki
Looking for a travel destination in Japan? You need not search further as Kawasaki City in Japan could give you all you’re looking for in a place and more. Located between cities Yokohama and Tokyo, Kawasaki is one of the most populated cities in Japan and in the world. It is a place where modernity is reflected along with Japanese history.
Let us enumerate the places you simply cannot miss when you go to Kawasaki. From exciting recreational areas to learning institutions, the list of great places in Kawasaki goes on and on.
Visiting a place always means learning its culture, and where else can you learn much culture and traditions than in museums which are built for the very purpose of preserving such. The Kawasaki Civic Museum showcases many materials and products indicative of the culture in Kawasaki city. For a more scientific learning, however, the Toshiba Science Museum in Kawasaki exhibits all kinds of high vision, multimedia projects on science, technology and electronics. Whether you are young or young at heart, you’re sure to have fun while learning in this science museum.
If you want a breath of fresh, clean air, then the Ikuta Green Park is the place for you. Located at the corner of Tama Hill, the park is the biggest green area in the city. The scenic beauty of nature is complemented with various facilities such as a golf course, a house park, and two museums to complete the fun.
If you’re craving for a much more rugged nature, then you may be looking for the Kanagawa-Prefecture Higasitakane Forest Park. The park includes features such as a swamp plant garden, historical monuments and an observation platform.
For sports fanatics or for people simply wanting to shed more calories, Kawasaki has its share of sports centers like the Yonetty Tsutsumine and the Kawasaki-City Todoroki Arena. The latter, specifically, is the biggest multi-purpose facility in Kawasaki and can be used in all types of events such as concerts or international conventions.
Probably the most famous attraction in Kawasaki City, however, is the Port of Kawasaki, which can be found at an outstanding location and excellent access by land, sea, and air. Specifically, the port is located along the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway and the Bay-shore Route. A premier distribution hub, it is an industrial port that allows smooth and cost-effective goods trading not only in Kawasaki but in all of Japan and offers great convenience in business and personal transportation. Among the benefits of the Port of Kawasaki as an international port of commercial trade is the new deep-water container terminal designed to be used by oceangoing vessels. Aimed to boost the port’s freight-handling capacity, the terminal is expected to produce much economic good for the region. The Port of Kawasaki also allows easier and more efficient air-freight handing by serving as a link between the Haneda and Narita airports. For all these reasons, the port is expected to become one of the country's most important new commercial and logistical centers of activity. At present, more container terminals are being constructed to develop the international trading port.
Culture, science, history, modernity. Visit Kawasaki and experience this all.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is one of Japan's 4 main islands and is located northern most part of Japan and when translated, Hokkaido literally means "Road of the North Sea". The island is a very popular destination for tourists on vacation holiday in Japan because of its natural beauty, especially during winter.
The island of Hokkaido is actually a huge land mass and is about twenty three percent of Japan's entire land mass. Even if you visit Hokkaido in summer, the weather can be very pleasant because of its low humidity.
Before the mainstream Japanese considered the island as suitable for human habitation after the Meiji Restoration, the island was home only to a few exile samurais and the native Ainu people who are the aboriginal tribesmen. The Ainu people are the last of Japan's indigenous people most of whom are still dwelling in Hokkaido.
In the past, the island's inhabitants are very concerned about their survival and thought that the island is spooked with the restless spirits of Ainu gods who often belch fire from the mountains (volcanic eruptions) and trampled the earth in anger (earthquakes).
There are many natural tourist attractions since the island is well endowed by the beauty of nature. For instance, you can travel to Mount Daisetsu National Park, which is sometimes called The Roof of Hokkaido and gaze in amazement the snow peaked mountain ranges or visit the Kushiro marshland which is home to many adorable marsh dwelling animals including the sacred crane.
If you are into adventure tourism, then the Shikotsu Toya National Park must be included in your holiday vacation itinerary. You will find many magnificent volcanoes and breathtaking scenic lakes in this national park and if you are tired after your sightseeing trips, go pamper yourself with natural spa treatments at the many hot springs such as in Noboribetsu, Jouzankei and Sohunkyo.
If you are in Hokkaido during winter, then you must make a beeline to Sapporo, which is Hokkaido's vibrant capital city which is famous for its pulsating nightlife and the extraordinary Snow Festival every February. Sapporo, with a population of about 1.8 million people is a city of fine restaurants and luxurious hotels. If you enjoy winter skiing, you may like to check into some winter ski resorts.
This outback island is sometimes referred to as Japan's 'Wild West' and still retains a distinct pioneer feel. This is the reason why the island is really the land of the backpackers.
Adventure tourists can enjoy exploring the vast wilderness, go winter skiing, even be a trout fisherman or go trekking in countless trails along rugged coastline, through wildflower fields or up the summits of snowcapped mountains.
So if you are going to Japan for your holiday vacation, do make sure you do not miss the beauty of Japan's Wild Wild West, the island of Hokkaido.
Okinawa
Okinawa, which means 'rope in the open sea', is found in Japan. The term seems to refer to how the 60 island chain that makes up the prefecture of Okinawa appears. Okinawa Japan is often considered a little separate from the rest of Japan since it has a more distinct culture and tongue.
Okinawa, Japan is often chosen for tourism and vacations due to its location and sunny beach climate. As it is far to the south of the main islands of Japan, its climate is more temperate than the other Japanese locations. It is mild enough that swimming in the winter months is pleasant. Avoid Okinawa during the typhoon months of September and October, however.
About fifteen of the Okinawan islands are uninhabited, and it is an enjoyable experience to explore some of them and traverse their wild vegetation. It is uncommon to find wilderness like this anywhere else in Japan. You can easily secure a boat to take you around at any of the seaside towns. Many visitors to the area have fun going camping on some of these islands.
Okinawa culture is distinct from that of the rest of Japan. This is because the Okinawa islands were only annexed to Japan in the late 19th century. Visitors may enjoy watching karate (a native Okinawan sport), enjoying traditional Okinawan folk music, and viewing Okinawan architecture, traditionally topped with guardian lions. Okinawa cuisine is likewise unique, with a distinct Taiwanese flair. Popular foods include bitter melon, pork, Gurukun (a type of fish), and fried dough. American food is also common and plentiful in Okinawa, due to the US military presence.
The stunning Shuri Castle and the quaint village of Taketomi - both preserving the history of native Okinawan heritage from centuries ago - are two of the many popular Okinawa attractions. Tourists also appreciate the ocean splendors available in Okinawa, such as underwater ruins, great reefs, and unique marine species - all of which are visible through underwater museums, tours, and by scuba diving.
Although Okinawa is best known for its beautiful beaches, whether you are planning to travel to Okinawa Japan for pleasure or for business, rest assured that you will enjoy your stay in this unique cultural location and find plenty of activities to do and attractions to visit.
Government
Japan's Constitution, which came into force in 1947, is based on three principles: sovereignty of the people, respect for fundamental human rights, and renunciation of war. The Constitution also stipulates the independence of the three branches of government - legislative (the Diet), executive (the cabinet), and judicial (the courts).
The Diet, Japan's national parliament, is the highest organ of state power and the sole law-making organ of the state. The Diet comprises the 480-seat House of Representatives (lower house) and the 242-seat House of Councillors (upper house). All Japanese citizens can vote in elections once they reach the age of 20.
Japan has a parliamentary system of government like Britain and Canada. Unlike the Americans or the French, the Japanese do not elect a president directly. Diet members elect a prime minister from among themselves. The prime minister forms and leads the cabinet of ministers of state. The cabinet, in the exercise of executive power, is responsible to the Diet.
Judicial power lies with the Supreme Court and lower courts, such as high courts, district courts, and summary courts. The Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and 14 other justices, all of whom are appointed by the cabinet. Most cases are handled by district courts. There are also summary courts, which deal with problems like traffic violations.
There are 47 prefectural and numerous municipal governments in Japan. Their responsibilities include providing education, welfare, and other services and building and maintaining infrastructure, including utilities. Their administrative activities bring them into close contact with local people. The heads of regional governments and local assembly members are chosen by local people through elections.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Geography
Location:
Japan consists of several thousands of islands, of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the four largest. Japan's closest neighbors are Korea, Russia and China. The Sea of Japan separates the Asian continent from the Japanese archipelago.
Area:
Japan's area is comparable to that of Germany or California. Japan's northernmost islands are located on a similar geographical latitude as Milan or Portland, while her southernmost islands are on a similar latitude as the Bahamas. More than 50% of the country is mountainous and covered by forests. Japan is politically structured into 8 regions and 47 prefectures.
Population:
The population of Japan is about 125,000,000, including approximately two million foreign residents. More than half of the non Japanese population is of Korean descent.
Earthquakes and Volcanos:
Because Japan is located in a region, where several continental plates meet, the country experiences frequent earthquakes. Please visit the special page about earthquakes. For the same reason, there are many volcanos in Japan. Japan's most famous volcano and highest mountain is Mt.Fuji.
Climate:
Due to the large North South extension of the country, the climate varies strongly in different regions. The climate in most of the major cities, including Tokyo, is temperate to subtropic and consists of four seasons. The winter is mild and the summer is hot and humid. There is a rainy season in early summer, and typhoons hit parts of the country every year during late summer. The climate of the northern island of Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan coast is colder, and snow falls in large amounts. In Okinawa, on the other hand, the mean temperature of January is a warm 16 degrees Celsius.
Issun boushi
A long long time ago, there is an old man and old woman who can't get any child. They really want a child that they wishing to Goddes Kannon to grant them a child. soon after that, the old woman's thumb got bigger. at first they thinl she got stinged by a bee, but hten her thumb got bigger and bigger. then they realize that she got pregnant in her thumb, they soon feel very happy.
One day, her thumb explode and a child as big as bean appear, they named him "Issunboushi". somehow Issunboushi body never getting bigger. then one day Issunboushi asked his grandfather and grandmother for a chopstick and a bowl because he want to go to see the world. then he use the bowl as his ship, the chopstick as his row, a niddle as his sword and starts his journey.
Finally he arrive at the capital, he walk around and then stops infront of a big house. he shouted "excuse me" "Who is it?" the owner came out, but he didn't see anyone. "im down here", the owner got suprised. then they served him with food and talk about Issunboushi journey. in that house there is a beautiful princess, Issunboushi soon fall in love with her. after that they become closer and closer.
Suddenly one day, there is a scary red demon and a blue demon come. They try yo get the pricess and bring her to the mountain. When Issunboushi try to help the princess, the red demon eat him. but inside the demon stomach with his niddle sword, Issunboushi keep thrusting the demon. the demon got hurt and spit Issunboushi out. They got scared and runaway but they drop a gavel. people said it can grant any wish. then with that gavel Issunboushi wishing for getting his body bigger. The princess swing that gavel and Issunboushi's body getting bigger.
They soon get merried and called his grandfather and grandmother then live happily.
Tsuru no Ongaeshi
Long, long ago in a far off land there lived a young man. One day, while working on his farm, a brilliant white crane came swooping down and crashed to the ground at his feet. The man noticed an arrow pierced through one of its wings. Taking pity on the crane, he pulled out the arrow and cleaned the wound. Thanks to his care the bird was soon able to fly again. The young man sent the crane back to the sky, saying, "Be careful to avoid hunters." The crane circled three times over his head, let out a cry as if in thanks, and then flew away.
As the day grew dark the young man made his way home. When he arrived, he was surprised by the sight of a beautiful woman whom he had never seen before standing at the doorway. "Welcome home. I am your wife," said the woman. The young man was surprised and said, "I am very poor, and cannot support you." The woman answered, pointing to a small sack, "Don't worry, I have plenty of rice," and began preparing dinner. The young man was puzzled, but the two began a happy life together. And the rice sack, mysteriously, remained full always.
One day the wife asked the young man to build her a weaving room. When it was completed, she said, "You must promise never to peek inside." With that, she shut herself up in the room. The young man waited patiently for her to come out. Finally, after seven days, the sound of the loom stopped and his wife, who had become very thin, stepped out of the room holding the most beautiful cloth he had ever seen. "Take this cloth to the marketplace and it will sell for a high price," said the wife. The next day the young man brought it to town and, just as she said, it sold for many coins. Happy, he returned home.
The wife then returned to the room and resumed weaving. Curiosity began to overtake the man, who wondered, "How can she weave such beautiful cloth with no thread?" Soon he could stand it no longer and, desperate to know his wife's secret, peeked into the room. To his great shock, his wife was gone. Instead, a crane sat intently at the loom weaving a cloth, plucking out its own feathers for thread.
The bird then noticed the young man peeking in and said, "I am the crane that you saved. I wanted to repay you so I became your wife, but now that you have seen my true form I can stay here no longer." Then, handing the man the finished cloth, it said, "I leave you this to remember me by." The crane then abruptly flew off into the sky and disappeared forever.
Momotaro
A LONG long time ago there lived an old man and an old woman. One day the old man went to the mountains to cut grass; and the old woman went to the river to wash clothes. While she was washing a great thing came tumbling and splashing down the stream. When the old woman saw it she was very glad, and pulled it to her with a piece of bamboo that lay near by. Whenshe took it up and looked at it she saw that it was a very large peach. She then quickly finished her washing and returned home intending to give the peach to her old man to eat.
When she cut the peach in two, out came a child from the large kernel. Seeing this the old couple rejoiced, and named the child Momotaro, or Little Peachling, because he came out of a peach. As both the old people took good care of him, he grew and became strong and enterprising. So the old couple had their expectations raised, and bestowed still more care on his education.
Momotaro finding that he excelled everybody in strength, determined to cross over to the island of the devils, take their riches, and come back. He at once consulted with the old man and the old woman about the matter, and got them to make him some dumplings. These he put in his pouch. Besides this he made every kind of preparation for his journey to the island of the devils and set out.
Then first a dog came to the side of the way and said, "Momotaro! What have you there hanging at your belt ?" He replied, "I have some of the very best Japanese millet dumplings." "Give me one and I will go with you," said the dog. So Momotaro took a dumpling out of his pouch and gave it to the dog. Then a monkey came and got one the same way. A pheasant also came flying and said, "Give me a dumpling too, and I will go along with you." So all three went along with him. In no time they arrived at the island of the devils, and at once broke through the front gate; Momotaro first; then his three followers. Here they met a great multitude of the devils' retainers who showed fight, but they pressed still inwards, and at last encountered the chief of the devils, called Akandoji. Then came the tug of war. Akandoji hit at Momotaro with an iron club, but Momotaro was ready for him, and dodged him adroitly. At last they grappled each other, and without difficulty Momotaro just crushed down Akandoji and tied him with a rope so tightly that he could not even move. All this was done in a fair fight.
After this Akandoji the chief of the devils said he would surrender all his riches. "Out with your riches then," said Momotaro laughing. Having collected and ranged in order a great pile of precious things, Momotaro took them, and set out for his home, rejoicing, as he marched bravely back, that, with the help of his three companions, to whom he attributed all his success, he had been able so easily to accomplish his end.
Great was the joy of the old man and the old woman when Momotaro came back. He feasted everybody bountifully, told many stories of his adventure, displayed his riches, and at last became a leading man, a man of influence, very rich and honorable; a man to be very much congratulated indeed!
Kanji
Japanese Kanji
Between 5,000 and 10,000 Chinese characters, or kanji, are used in written Japanese. In 1981 in an effort to make it easier to read and write Japanese, the Japanese government introduced the jōyō kanji hyō (List of Chinese Characters for General Use), which includes 1,945 regular characters, plus 166 special characters used only for people's names. All government documents, newspapers, textbooks and other publications for non-specialists use only the these kanji. Writers of other material are free to use whatever kanji they wantJapanese children are expected to know all of the jōyō kanji by the end of high school but to read specialist publications and ordinary literature, they need to know another two or three thousand kanji.
When the Japanese adopted Chinese characters to write the Japanese language they also borrowed many Chinese words. Today about half the vocabulary of Japanese comes from Chinese and Japanese kanji are use to represent both Sino-Japanese words and native Japanese words with the same meaning.
For example, the native Japanese word for water is mizu while the Sino-Japanese word is sui. Both are written with the same character. The former is known as the kun yomi (Japanese reading) of the character while the latter is known as the on yomi (Chinese reading) of the character.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Katakana
Hiragana
Hiragana are used for write original japanese words
for example: - ほん(hon)= book- かばん(kaban)= bag
- etc
Cute Garbage bags
People generate a significant amount of garbage as they go abouttheir daily lives. In Japan, people separate their garbage into different types, such as burnable and nonburnable, and place it into semi-clear or transparent bags for disposal. The garbage is collected on particular days of the week in each community, and on these mornings garbage is placed in the appropriate locations on street corners or roadsides. Until the garbage truck comes around to pick them up, mounds of garbage bags on the streets are a common sight in Japan.
GARBAGE BAG ART WORK (C) MAQ inc
A famous Japanese illustrator designed a garbage bag featuring a picture of Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street. The bag is being used by the Eco Kids Project that began in August 2008 in Japan. These garbage bags are not available for purchase but are provided free of charge to schools and other organizations that request them.
garbage bags from the "Mottainai" ("What a waste") environmental campaign, meanwhile, feature pictures of animals with tearful faces. Part of the proceeds from the sale of these bags is donated to tree-planting activities.
GARBAGE BAG ART WORK (C) MAQ inc.
If you need to carry garbage or plastic bottles back home after spending time outdoors, there’s the rabbit-shaped Love It Manner Bag. The bag has extra long plastic handles, so that when they’re tied together they look like the ears of a rabbit. The rabbit’s face is designed simply, with two dots for eyes and an x for its nose, and can be skinny or plump depending on how much garbage is put inside. With a unique rabbit face all your own, you may find that you actually enjoy carrying this bag around.
GARBAGE BAG ART WORK (C) MAQ inc.
The official trash bag for Picnic Expo 2007 featured a grasshopper motif. This bag was designed to be used as a mat for sitting on when having a picnic, so it has a special non-slip surface; once you have finished your picnic, of course, you can use it to pack up your garbage.
All of these cute garbage bags were made in Japan. If you put some thought into it, maybe you could decorate garbage bags by drawing cute pictures on the front?
When putting out garbage in Japan, though, be sure to follow the rules of each community.
Intro
japan is in the continent of asia. its country is made up of many islands. since the sun rises in the east, japan is often called "the land of the rising sun." the japanese refer to their country as "nippon" or nihon" which means
"source of the sun". The Japanese flag represents a red sun on a white background.
The capital of Japan is Tokyo. In fact it is one of the largest cities in the world. It is modern, very busy, and extremely crowded. In fact, today, Japan is a modernized country.
The Japanese archipelago is located approximately 20-45 degrees north off the eastern coast of the Asian continent. It comprises four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, plus thousands of other smaller ones.
Honshu accounts for about 60 per cent of the total area of approximately 378,000 square kilometres, of which around 66 per cent is forest, 14 per cent is given over to agricultural usage, and 20 per cent is used for other purposes. In terms of overall land mass, Japan is slightly larger than the United Kingdom.
Since Japan is located in a region where several continental plates meet, the country experiences an average of 1,500 earthquakes each year - representing a tenth of the earth's seismic energy - and is home to no fewer than 194 volcanos, 52 of which have been active in historical times. Japan's most famous volcano and highest mountain is Mount Fuji.