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Questions and Answers
On which day are Coming-of-Age ceremonies celebrated?
What do people do on Setsubun to ward off evil spirits?
What is traditionally displayed during Hina-matsuri?
What food is typically associated with Children's Day?
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What is the significance of the Vernal Equinox Day?
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During which festival do people write wishes on colored paper?
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What traditional item is associated with the Moon Viewing festival?
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What do families with boys display on Children's Day?
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What celebration is associated with praying for the growth of children?
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When does Health and Sports Day take place?
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What is the primary purpose of the Autumn Equinox Day?
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What does the last day of the year, known as Omisoka, emphasize?
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Which syllabary in Japanese is primarily used for foreign words?
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What age groups do the Seven-Five-Three celebrations typically involve?
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What event does the Health and Sports Day commemorate?
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Which of the following activities is NOT typically associated with the New Year's Eve celebrations?
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What does Hiragana primarily represent in the Japanese language?
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What significant task is performed on New Year's Eve in Japan?
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What is one reason to learn Japanese mentioned in the content?
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Which Japanese greeting is commonly used during the daytime?
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In what setting is it appropriate to use formal greetings?
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What does 'hatsumode' refer to?
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Which greeting translates to 'How are you?' in Japanese?
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What cultural practice accompanies greetings in Japan?
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Which of the following is NOT a Japanese greeting listed in the content?
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What is the significance of the New Year decorations like kadomatsu and kagamimochi?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Japanese
- Japan has a rich culture including traditional arts like tea ceremonies and calligraphy, and modern pop culture like anime, manga, and video games.
- Learning Japanese opens job opportunities in fields like technology, business, and tourism.
- Japanese proficiency enhances travel experiences in Japan, allowing for deeper interactions with locals and a better understanding of the culture.
Greetings in Japanese
- Konnichiwa (こんにちは): Hello (used during the day)
- Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます): Good morning
- Konbanwa (こんばんは): Good evening
- Sayonara (さようなら): Goodbye
- Oyasuminasai (おやすみなさい): Good night
- Hajimemashite (はじめまして): Nice to meet you
- Doumo (どうも): Thank you / Hello (informal)
- Genki desu ka? (元気ですか?): How are you? (informal)
- O-genki desu ka? (お元気ですか?): How are you? (formal)
- Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします): Pleased to meet you / Nice to meet you
Politeness and Context
- Japanese culture emphasizes politeness and context.
- Use informal greetings with friends and peers, and formal expressions in professional or unfamiliar settings.
- Bowing is often appropriate to show respect.
Holidays and Special Events
New Year (Shogatsu)
- Celebrated for the first three days or week of January.
- People visit shrines or temples (hatsumode) for good fortune.
- New Year's decorations include kadomatsu (pine and bamboo), shimekazari (straw festoon), and kagamimochi (rice cakes).
- New Year's cards (nengajyo) are exchanged, and children receive otoshidama (New Year's money).
Coming-of-Age Day (Seijin-no-hi)
- Observed on the second Monday of January.
- Ceremonies celebrate those who have turned 20 years old.
- Many women wear kimonos.
- At age 20, people gain voting rights, and smoking and drinking become legal.
The Eve of the First Day of Spring (Setsubun)
- Observed on February 3, the day before spring begins.
- People throw soybeans while yelling "Out with the devil! In with happiness!"
- Eating ehomame (soybeans) is a custom for good health.
Doll's Festival (Hina-matsuri)
- Celebrated on March 3.
- Families with daughters display dolls and other items to wish for their happiness and growth.
Vernal Equinox Day (Shunbun-no-hi)
- Occurs on March 21, when day and night are equal.
- Spring Equinoctial Week (Haru-no-Higan) encompasses the Vernal Equinox Day and three days before and after.
Equinoctial Week (Higan)
- Higan occurs twice a year around the Vernal and Autumn Equinox Days.
- Many visit graves to comfort ancestors.
Children's Day (Kodomo-no-hi)
- Celebrated on May 5.
- Families with boys display dolls and fly carp streamers (koi-nobori).
- Traditional foods include chimaki (dumplings) and kashiwa-mochi (rice cakes).
The Star Festival (Tanabata)
- Observed on July 7.
- People write wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo leaves.
- Large-scale Tanabata festivals are held in cities like Sendai and Hiratsuka.
Moon Viewing (Tsukimi)
- Celebrated on August 15 of the lunar calendar.
- People enjoy the full moon with tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings), pampas grass, and seasonal fruits.
Autumn Equinox Day (Shubun-no-hi)
- Celebrated on September 23.
- Seven-day higan, with Autumn Equinox Day in the middle.
Health and Sports Day (Sports-no-hi)
- Observed on the second Monday of October.
- Commemorates the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
- Promotes physical and mental health and encourages sports participation.
Seven-Five-Three (Shichi-go-san)
- Celebrated on November 15.
- Parents and children visit temples to pray for the growth of children.
- Boys aged three and five and girls aged three and seven are usually celebrated.
New Year's Eve (Omisoka)
- The last day of the year.
- People clean their homes and gather for special meals.
- Watch-night bells (jyoya-no-kane) ring out at temples at midnight.
Cultural Aspects
- Bonsai: Miniature trees cultivated with meticulous care.
- Japanese calligraphy: Art of beautiful writing using brushes and ink.
- Geisha: Traditional entertainers skilled in music, dance, and conversation.
- Kimono: Traditional Japanese garment worn for special occasions.
Japanese Syllabary
- Hiragana: Syllabary with 46 characters, representing basic pronunciations.
- Katakana: Syllabary with 46 characters, representing sounds in foreign words and onomatopoeia.
- Kanji: Logographic characters, representing words or concepts, borrowed from Chinese.
Numbers
- Nihongo no Bango: Japanese number system.
- Counting Numbers: Hitotsu (one), Futatsu (two), Mittsu (three), Yottsu (four), Itsutsu (five), Mutsu (six), Nanatsu (seven), Yattsu (eight), Kokonotsu (nine), To (ten), etc.
- Telling Time: Uses 12-hour clock with AM/PM distinction.
Days and Months
- Days of the Week: Nichiyōbi (Sunday), Getsuyōbi (Monday), Kayōbi (Tuesday), Suiyōbi (Wednesday), Mokuyoubi (Thursday), Kin'yōbi (Friday), Doyōbi (Saturday)
- Months of the Year (Gatsu): Ichigatsu (January), Nigatsu (February), Sangatsu (March), Shigatsu (April), Gogatsu (May), Rokugatsu (June), Shichigatsu (July), Hachigatsu (August), Kugatsu (September), Jugatsu (October), Juichigatsu (November), Juni gatsu (December)
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