Plaza Homes offers various information about living in Tokyo and is especially
useful for newcomers.
July 2007
July 31, 2007
Korea early in the 7th century and then developed in
some unique ways. The primary material is the bark of
the shrubs 'Kouzo' (paper mulberry), 'Gampi' and 'Mitsumata'.
The most commonly used is Kouzo, which produces a
very strong paper. That made from Gampi is finely textured
and glossy, while Mitsumata paper is known for its softness.
Washi (Japanese Paper) is made by a special process of
collecting the pulp for each sheet on a screen by hand,
to make sure the fibres are properly entwined.
The merits of Japanese paper, its beauty and utility,
result from this painstaking hand crafting.
Washi lamp shade softens the light and it's getting popular
in many countries. Washi has a strength, quiet elegance
and warmth not found in Western paper.
Gift wrapping with Washi is also very popular.
You can purchase Washi wrapping paper from most of
stationery stores in Japan.
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July 25, 2007
Tokyo Dome is Japan's first domed stadium opened in 1988.
Baseball games and various other events such as international
sports events, rock concerts and exhibitions.
Tokyo Dome is the franchise stadium for the Yomiuri Giants,
hosting more than 60 games yearly.
There are other facilities in the area called 'LaQua',
the building with spa, shops and restaurants. Also you can enjoy
the attractions include the ride of 'Thunder Dolphin' roller-coaster,
just outside of LaQua building.
Spa is natural hot springs bubbling up from a level of 1,700 meters
underground.
There is a restaurant called 'UNBALANCE' which is produced by
the former Sumo Wrestler Konishiki.
The entrance is only one, but when you go in to the right,
it's 'Chanko' Restaurant, and to the left it's Hawaiian.
Tokyo Dome Hotel is located right next to the dome and LaQua.
This total area is called 'Tokyo Dome City'.
It' s fun to stay there all day. You can ride on the roller-coaster
in the morning, have lunch, shopping in the afternoon, then
enjoy the baseball game at night!!
Tokyo Dome City
Address: 1-3-61, Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1 min. walk from Korakuen Station on
Marunouchi Subway Line or Namboku Subway Line.
5 min. walk from Suidobashi Station on JR Sobu Line.
Tel: 03-5800-9999
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July 23, 2007
Naomi Lawrence is a well known artist in Europe,
based in Munich, Germany.
Now she is coming for her first Exhibition in Tokyo!
She draws many kind of animals.
Most have a hint of bitterness hidden behind cute characters.
You might find what is hidden behind in Tokyo!
Workshop with Naomi herself will be there and you can
also purchase original goods of her cute characters!!
Naomi Lawrence in Tokyo Exhibition
Date: August 5, 2007 (Sun.) - September 2, 2007 (Sun.)
Hours: 13:00 - 20:00 (Mon. - Fri.)
11:00 - 18:00 (Sat. & Sun.)
Address: +Case Gallery
Court Annex 1F., 18-23 Oyama-cho
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5452-3171
Access: 5 min. walk from Yoyogi-Uehara Station on
Odakyu Line or Chiyoda Line.
*No admission charge
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July 19, 2007
Ninja were persons skilled in special military techniques,
active in feudal days. The main principles of Ninjutsu
(the art of stealth), are found in Sun-tzu, an ancient
Chinese book on warfare. They were modified and
developed independently in Japan. Ninja formed
communities in some areas, the most famous being Iga
(Mie Prefecture) and Kouga (Shiga Prefecture).
Ninja were most active during the Warring States
(Sengoku) period of rivalry between regional powers.
They secretly investigated the strength and strategy of
the enemy, destroyed their weapons and assassinated their
leaders.
They used techniques such as sneaking into a
castle by disguising themselves and escape by making
themselves invisible to the enemy. To do so, they
employed techninques for walking on water, hiding in
water, scaling high walls, walking silently and vanishing
instantly. They are all based on the psychological tactic
of catching the enemy unprepared.
They learned those tricks through oral transmissions
and inn strict confidence from outsiders. Because Ninja
were a special class of secret agents for those in power.
There are some restaurants in Tokyo with waiters wearing
'Ninja costume', inside of the restaurant, it is like a
house of Ninja!
NINJA AKASAKA
-Japanese Restaurant
Address: Akasaka Tokyo Plaza 1F.
2-14-3 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5157-3936
Access: 3 min.walk from Akasaka Mitsuke Station
on Ginza Line or Marunouchi Line.
http://www.ninja.tv/ (Japanese)
NIN-NIN HONPO ROPPONGI
-Japanese Izakaya Restaurant
Address: B1., 5-9-22, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3478-1640
Access: 1 min. walk from Roppongi Station Exit 3
on Hibiya Line or Toei Oedo Line.
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/fl/en/a169800/
There is a place in Tochigi Prefecture, not too far from
Tokyo, for everyone can enjoy the atmosphere of old Japan.
NIKKO EDO-MURA (EDO WONDERLAND)
-Theme Park about Edo Period and Ninja (Tochigi Pref.)
Address: 470-2, Karakura, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Tel: 0288-77-1777
Access:
[From Asakusa Station in Tokyo]
2 hours from Asakusa to Kinugawa Onsen Station
on Kinu Express Train on Tobu Line.
3 hours from Asakusa to Kinugawa Onsen Station
on Tobu Isesaki Line.
10minutes by taxi from Kinugawa Onsen Station on
Tobu Lines or 20 minutes by local bus (runs
every 15 -30 min.) from Kinugawa Onsen Station.
15 minutes by taxi from Imaichi Station on JR Nikko Line.
http://www.edowonderland.net/home.html
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July 12, 2007
Eel is highly regarded in Japanese cuisine.
Today most eel comes from aquaculture centers.
It's eaten throughout the year but is especially popular in
the hot summer months as it provides stamina.
There is a custom of eating eel on a particular day in
late July, it's called Doyo-no Ushi-no-hi.
DOYO-NO USHI-NO-HI
= the day for eating eel
Risshu is the first day of autumn according to the lunar calendar.
The 18 days before it are 'midsummer', the hottest part of the year.
The 12 animals of the zodiac that Japan adopted from China
were used to designate the days of the month, so one or two
ox days (ushi-no-hi) occur during the 'midsummer' (doyo) period
each year.
In 2007, it starts on the 20th of July and 'Ushi-no-hi' is
on the 30th of July, and the last day is on the 7th of August.
It's sliced and flattened out, when grilled with special
sweet barbecue sauce it's called Kabayaki.
It's often served over rice either in a bowl (called Una-don)
or in a lacquered box (called Una-jyu).
The liver is also used in clear soup.
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July 11, 2007
After Tokugawa Ieyasu became shogun in 1603
and established the shogunate, in Edo, it flourished
and was actually the center of Japan, although the
Emperor continued to reside in Kyoto.
It was a planned city with Edo Castle in the center and the
estates of the various domainal lords located around it.
Merchants and artisans concentrated in an area
that became the center of shopping and entertainment,
and by the latter half of the 18th century, its population was
over one million, making it the world's largest city.
Highways leading to Edo were build, the five main roads
converging at Nihonbashi. The 53 way stations on the Tokaido,
the highway connecting Edo and the Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto)
region, bustled with activity.
The Edo period was characterized by the expanded influence
of the townsmen, whose core was the merchant class.
This environment saw the flourishing of townsmen's culture,
as typified by Kabuki and Ukiyoe, and the appearance of a
new aesthetics of chic(IKI).
In 1868, the year after the Restoration of Imperial Rule brought
on end to the shogunate, Edo was renamed 'Tokyo' (Eastern Capital),
the emperor moved to Tokyo, and the city became Japan's official
as well as de facto capital. The Imperial Palace in Chiyada Ward
occupies the site of Edo Castle.
EDOKKO - Edoite, Tokyoite
The term Edokko, which is still in use, reflects the strong sense of
fraternity of the townsman residents of the shopping, entertainment
and residential district. To be considered a true Edokko,
one's parents on both sides of one's family must have been in the
city for three generations. The Edokko is characteristically
open-hearted by nature, with a forthright attitude and a readiness
to fight. And his lack of attachment to money is expressed
in the saying, "The Edokko doesn't go to bed while ther's money
in his pocket."
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July 06, 2007
CHUGEN or OCHUGEN
It's Chugen season in Japan.
CHUGEN comes from the Chinese word for the
15th of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
It fell on Bon in Japan, a day when relatives
gathered to pay their respects to their ancestors.
And it was customary to give presents of rice, noodle
and such, especially during the Edo period.
Now Bon comes in August, but evern after the
change to the Western calendar, only the
exchange of gifts was retained.
Not only individuals, but companies and shops too,
give Chugen to clients and customers.
It depends on your age and position, but usually
give Chugen to company superiors, helpful
acquaintances, children's private tutors and relatives.
At this season department stores are thronged with
Chugen shoppers.
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July 05, 2007
Respectful language in Japanese is difficult.
We must choose our words according to the relative
age and social position of the person we are speaking to.
For example, the verb 'taberu' (to eat) changes to the
honorific 'meshiagaru' when the subject is a superior.
When referring to oneself, the humble from 'itadaku' is
used to show modesty.
So Keigo include both honorific and humble language, and
also we use polite language to show deference.
The auxiliary verbs -masu and -desu are examples of
polite language.
'O' --
The honorific 'o' is one of the most frequently used keigo forms.
It performs all three functions of keigo-honorific, humble, and
polite --- and is prefixed to both nouns and pronouns and
inflected words.
Honorific: the teachers honorable opinion (sensei no o-kangae),
Humble: speak humbly (o-hanashi moushiageru)
Polite: honorable water (o-mizu), honorable cold (o-samui)
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July 03, 2007
The winter cherry or Chinese lantern plant grows about
70cm (27.5 in.) tall and is related to the eggplant.
It bears white flowers from June to July; thereafter the
sepals grow together into a sack 4-5 cm (1.5-1.9 in.) long
enfolding the fruit.
These turn a bright orange-red when ripe.
The fruit inside is about 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter.
They just look like a lot of little red lamps hanging among
the green leaves.
There's Hozuki Fair every year on July 9th and 10th at
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. The 10th is called '46,000 Day',
and visiting the temple then is supposed to bring as much
spiritual merit as 46,000 ordinary visits.
On that day the temple grounds are packed with worshippers
and people who come to buy Hozuki.
In the old days people believed that Hozuki would dispel
children's crankiness and women's cramps. So the throngs
that came to pray at the temple on '46,000 Day' all bought
Hozuki.
Children play with them, too. Inside the lantern is a soft
fruit. You loosen the seeds by squeezing it gently, and
carefully press them out. Then inside your mouth, blow air
into the empty skin and flatten it with your tongue to make
a noise.
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