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Questions and Answers
On which day are Coming-of-Age ceremonies celebrated?
On which day are Coming-of-Age ceremonies celebrated?
What do people do on Setsubun to ward off evil spirits?
What do people do on Setsubun to ward off evil spirits?
What is traditionally displayed during Hina-matsuri?
What is traditionally displayed during Hina-matsuri?
What food is typically associated with Children's Day?
What food is typically associated with Children's Day?
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What is the significance of the Vernal Equinox Day?
What is the significance of the Vernal Equinox Day?
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During which festival do people write wishes on colored paper?
During which festival do people write wishes on colored paper?
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What traditional item is associated with the Moon Viewing festival?
What traditional item is associated with the Moon Viewing festival?
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What do families with boys display on Children's Day?
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?
What celebration is associated with praying for the growth of children?
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When does Health and Sports Day take place?
When does Health and Sports Day take place?
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What is the primary purpose of the Autumn Equinox Day?
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?
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?
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?
What age groups do the Seven-Five-Three celebrations typically involve?
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What event does the Health and Sports Day commemorate?
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?
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?
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?
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?
What is one reason to learn Japanese mentioned in the content?
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Which Japanese greeting is commonly used during the daytime?
Which Japanese greeting is commonly used during the daytime?
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In what setting is it appropriate to use formal greetings?
In what setting is it appropriate to use formal greetings?
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What does 'hatsumode' refer to?
What does 'hatsumode' refer to?
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Which greeting translates to 'How are you?' in Japanese?
Which greeting translates to 'How are you?' in Japanese?
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What cultural practice accompanies greetings in Japan?
What cultural practice accompanies greetings in Japan?
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Which of the following is NOT a Japanese greeting listed in the content?
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?
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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