Plaza Homes offers various information about living in Tokyo and is especially
useful for newcomers.
January 2007
January 30, 2007
JYUNI (12) SHI means 12 ETOs = oriental zodiac.
Do you know your ETO?
In order, the 12 zodiac animals are:
rat, ox, tiger, rabbbit, dragon, snake,
horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar.
The JYUNISHI are said to have originated in
China during the Yin Dynasty (c.1600 B.C. - 1000B.C.).
They began to express dates through a system of
two sets of characters used as symbols: a set of
10 'stems' (Jikkan) and a set of 12 'branches' (Jyunishi),
used in combination to create a cycle of 60 called
Jikkan-Jyunishi or ETO.
The Eto system was later used to indicate not only days
but years, months, time, and compass directions, and
animals were also assigned to each of the Jyunishi.
Eto were widely used in Japan as well through the
Edo period for years, dates, time, and compass directions.
Eto also came to be used in fortune-telling, and thus
gave rise to various superstitions.
In Japan today, Eto are used chiefly to indicate years,
so the word Eto immediately brings to mind the Jyunishi
animals.
However, there are still vestiges of use of the combined
'stem' and 'branch' symbols. For example, Koushien
Statium, famous as the venue for high school baseball,
was so named because 1924 when it was built was the
year Koushi in the old system. And the superstition survives
that women born in the year Hinoeuma are
violently emotional.
January 29, 2007
NUMBERS (SU-JI)
1: Ichi
2: Ni
3: San
4: Shi / Yon
5: Go
6: Roku
7: Nana / Shichi
8: Hachi
9: Kyu / Ku
10: Jyu
11: Jyu-ichi 12: Jyu-ni
13: Jyu-san 14: Jyu-shi
15: Jyu-go 16: Jyu-roku
17: Jyu-shichi 18: Jyu-hachi
19: Jyu-ku
20: Ni-jyu
21: Ni-jyu-ichi 22: Ni-jyu-ni
23: Ni-jyu-san....
30: San-jyu
31: San-jyu-ichi......
40: Yon-jyu
50: Go-jyu
60: Roku-jyu
70: Nana-jyu
80: Hachi-jyu
90: Kyu-jyu
100: Hyaku
101: Hyaku-ichi
102: Hyaku-ni.......
110: Hyaku-jyu
120: Hyaku-ni-jyu......
200: Ni-hyaku
201: Ni-hyaku-ichi......
300: San-byaku (irregular pronunciation)
400: Yon-hyaku
500: Go-hyaku
600: Roppyaku (irregular Pronunciation)
700: Nana-hyaku
800: Happyaku (irregular Pronunciation)
900: kyu-hyaku
1,000: Sen
1,100: Sen-hyaku
2,000: Ni-sen
3,000: San-zen
4,000: Yon-sen
5,000: Go-sen
6,000: Roku-sen
7,000: Nana-sen
8,000: Hassen
9,000: Kyu-sen
10,000: Ichi-man
10,100: Ichi-man-hyaku
20,000: Ni-man
30,000: San-man
100,000: Jyu-man (10 x 10,000)
1,000,000 (million):
Hyaku-man (100 x 10,000)
10,000,000:
Sen-man (1000 x 10,000)
100,000,000: Ichi-oku
1,000,000,000 (billion):
Jyu-oku (10 x 100,000,000)
10,000,000,000:
Hyaku-oku (100 x 100,000,000)
100,000,000,000:
Sen-oku (1000 x 100,000,000)
1,000,000,000,000 (Trillion): Itcho
10,000,000,000,000: Jyutcho
100,000,000,000,000: Hyaku-cho
........I won't go further........
January 26, 2007
Today is...
'Bunkazai (Cultural Property) Bouka (Fire Prevention) Day'.
On the 26th of January in 1949, someone left the
heating pad's power on and left inside of the main hall (Kondo)
of cultural property 'Horyuji Temple'
which was under repair at that time, caused a fire and burned
most of the wallpaintings.
Lesson of this instance, the 26th of January was set as
'Cultural Property Fire Prevention Day'.
It is not a National holiday and not well known special day
but disaster drills are held on this day at major
cultural properties.
Winter in Japan is so dry, please take precautions
against fires.
When you need to call a fire truck or ambulance,
dial 119 direct.
January 25, 2007
A low table frame with a heater attached to its
underside is covered with a thick quilt that hangs
to the floor. The table top is placed over this.
Some Kotatsu have the heating element set in a
recess in the floor. (called Hori-gotatsu)
Others are placed directly on the floor.
You may have seen Hori-gotatsu style
table at Japanese Restaurant.
Recently Kotatsu handsome enough to be used
year-round, even without the quilt,
are gaining popularity.
January 24, 2007
Tatami has been used in Japan since
the Heian Period (794-1192).
Then, Tatami were placed on the wooden floor
only where people sat.
From the Muromachi period (1338-1573)
they began to be used to cover the whole floor.
Tatami filling is hard-packed sewn straw.
Over that is a smooth facing made of woven rushes.
Tatami needs to be replaced after several years,
you can replace a whole mats or
just facing of the tatami is replaceable also.
As for the size of tatami, usually the length is
two times the width, about 90cm x 180cm.
But in multiunit housing like apartments,
a smaller, 'apartment size' is often used.
The size of a Japanese room is expressed
as the number of its tatami, count as
'1-jyo', for 1 tatami.
The cost for 1 tatami is vary but it starts from
around 10,000 yen for brand-new tatami.
The long sides of the tatami have a cloth edging.
In the past the colour and pattern of the edging were
determined by the family's status, but now it can be
freely chosen. Proper etiquette for walking in a
tatami room is to avoid stepping on the edging,
because that wears out the tatami quickly.
Asian furniture goes well with tatami room, of course.
If you are thinking about purchasing or leasing Asian furniture,
visit Tokyo Lease Corporation Showroom.
They have a great range of Asian and European furniture
for both sales and lease.
January 23, 2007
100 yen shop / 99 yen shop
100 yen shop (Hyaku yen shop)
is now everywhere and it's very popular.
Most of their goods are quite good in quality and
they don't look like it's only 100 yen.
The Daiso, the largest chain store in Japan,
has over 2,400 shops in Japan and 350 shops
in other countries.
You can find almost everything there, from a pen to
pasta sauce.
The other major 100 yen shop 'Can Do', some of the
stores are located upstairs of the supermarckets or
inside of big shopping malls.
There are now some competitors around as well.
They are 'Shop 99', and 'Down Town 99'.
Yes, their price is 99 yen!
But not everything. They do sell Obento lunch box for
around 300 yen. So please check the price before
you pick up things.
It's fun just going inside and have a look, you might
end up coming out the shop with bags full of goodies!!
Find your nearest 100 yen or 99 yen shop.
The Daiso
http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/english/index.html (English)
Everything is 100 yen. Price doesn't include 5% tax.
Can Do Shop
http://www.cando-web.co.jp/index.htm (Japanese)
Most of the goods are 100 yen.
Some goods cost more than 100 yen.
Price doesn't include 5 % tax.
Shop 99
http://www.shop99.co.jp/product/index.html (Japanese)
99 yen shop. But not everything is 99 yen.
Some goods cost more.
Price doesn't include 5% tax.
Down Town 99
99 yen shop. But not everything is 99 yen.
Some goods cost more.
Price doesn't include 5 % tax.
January 22, 2007
Do you know what day it is today?
Well, I found out it's 'Curry Day' and also 'Jazz Day'.
Why?
First of all, Japanese love to eat Curry with rice.
Originally curry is an Indian dish but now the
flavour's been completely Japanized.
It's not as hot as Indian curry.
Curry is a well balanced dish as meat and vegetables all in it,
and goes with rice very well.
In 1982, School Dieticians Association decided to set the
date of 22, January as 'Curry Day', and
'Curry & Rice' was served at every schools
on that day in Japan.
Japanese Curry is easy to cook as well.
You can purchase a packet of 'curry blocks'
from any supermarkets in Japan, cook meat and
vegetables such as beef, chicken, pork, onions, carrots, potatos,
and mushrooms in a sauce pan with a bit of butter and vegetable oil,
then add hot water and cook until all ingredients get tender.
Break curry blocks and put in a sauce pan. Don't put
all blocks at the same time. Stir gently at low heat.
For 4 people
potato x 3
onion x 2
carrot x 2
meat (chicken, pork, or beef) 500g
salt & pepper
vegetable oil x 1 table spoon
butter x 1 table spoon
water x 4 cups
curry x 1 small packet (100g)
S&B 'Goden Curry' curry blocks are available
outside Japan in selected supermarkets.
You can choose from mild, medium-hot, and hot.
Today is also a 'Jazz Day'.
Because 'JA' is the start of 'JAnuary', and
ZZ looks like 22..........Aha!
January 18, 2007
Pets are like your family.
I know that very well because
I have 2 dogs and 2 cats at home myself.
If you are thinking about bringing your pets to Japan,
you may, but there are many things you need to know.
And you really should start preparing for it at least
6 months before your arrival date.
If it's only a short period of time you are living in Tokyo or
anywhere in Japan, I'd say leave your pets at home
get someone you can rely on to look after your pets
while you are away.
Stress to the pets during two flights,
trips to and from the airport, and being caged
for a long fight hours plus more hours for the quarantine,
would be too much, poor things!
If you really want to bring them with you, then please
visit Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and fisheries of Japan
Animal Quarantine Service web-site:
http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/index.htm
Rules are different between the regions, countries
with a history of Rabies and Rabies-free countries.
I hope all of you and your pets are happy in Japan
January 17, 2007
KYOTO PREFECTURE, KYOTO-FU
KYOTO is located in the central part of the
Kinki district, facing the Japan Sea on the north.
The capital is Kyoto City.
Kyoto prospered as the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years,
from its founding as Heiankyo in 794 until Tokyo became
the capital in 1869. It has many famous places and historical sites.
It also has a long history as the cultural center of Japan.
Such arts as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Noh, Kyogen,
Kabuki, classical Japanese dance (Nihon Buyo),and
many others originated in Kyoto. The headquaters of
many schools for these arts are still located in Kyoto.
Industry and business are developing in the southern part of
Kyoto, centering around Kyoto City.
Many traditional industries with long histories continue to prosper.
Tourism
Kiyomizu Temple:
A buddhist temple of the Hosso sect located in
Higashiyama Ward of the city of Kyoto.
The Main Hall is famous 'Kiyomizu no butai (Kiyomizu Stage)'
a raised platform jutting from the hill side, offers a broad
view of the city.
The expression 'Kiyomizu no butai kara tobi oriru'
(to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu) is the Japanese equivalent
of the English expression 'to take the plunge'.
Sanjusangendo:
The main hall of the Rengeo Temple, located in
Higashiyama Ward of Kyoto City. There is an annual
exhibition of long-distance archery (Toshi-ya) in January,
on Coming-of Age Day.
Ryoanji:
In Ukyo Ward in Kyoto City. A zen temple of the Rinzai
sect of Buddhism, famous for its stone garden (sekitei).
Byodoin Houou do (Phoenix Hall):
A temple in Uji City. The Phoenix Hall is stamped on
the back of 10 yen coin.
Nijo castle:
In Nakagyo Ward of Kyoto City, it was constructed by
Tokugawa Ieyasu early in the Edo period.
Sanzen-in:
In Sakyo Ward of Kyoto City, a Tendai sect temple.
It is a famous place for viewing autumn foliage.
Kyoto Gosho - Kyoto Imperial Palace:
In Kamigyo Ward in Kyoto City, this was the Imperial Palace.
Prior booking is a must for visiting the Imperial Palace,
they do have a tour with English speaking guide.
Booking and information:
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/index.html
Katsura Rikyu (Detached Palace):
Lovely buildings and gardens in Saikyo Ward in Kyoto City.
January 16, 2007
JI=EARTH, GROUND
SHIN=TREMOR, SHAKE
We had an earthquake early this morning.
That was only two on the sesmic scale but
you might have felt it if you were in Tokyo.
Earthquakes like this morning happen all the time.
Japan, being right over the Pacific Rim Earthquake Zone,
is one of the world's most earthquake prone countries.
In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake hit Tokyo.
Its magnitude was 7.9, and over 90,000 people died in it.
Most of then were burned to death in fires caused by the
earthquake because it's happened just around lunch time.
It is possible to have another big earthquake in Tokyo again,
or could hit any other part of Japan in anytime.
We cannot guess when or where...
We had the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on the 17th
of January in 1995. That killed over 6,400 people.
We are not trying to scare you, but just take your time and
read this 'Earthquake Survival Manual'.
http://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/index3files/survivalmanual.pdf
When you feel a tremor, don't panic, be calm,
the major tremors usually last about one minute.
It is a good idea to prepare emergency supplies.
Put all emergency supplies in a backpack and leave the
backpack near your bed or near the entrance.
