Category: Japanese

Chocolates and Valentine’s Day in Japan and Korea

Published February 2, 2008 in CULTURES, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS, Candy, Courtship, HOLIDAYS, Japanese, Korean, Spring | Comments [2]
In cultures that observe Valentine’s Day, it is usually the men who are under a lot of pressure to make a dinner reservation and buy a gift for their wife or girlfriend. In Japan and Korea, however, it is customary for the women to give gifts to men on Valentine's Day instead. Typically, [...] Read More »

Culture Notes Jan. 16 ‘08

Published January 17, 2008 in Afghani, CULTURES, Indian, Japanese, Moroccan, NOTES | Comments [0]
We really are different: how culture affects your brain. But we all ride the same wave: Mike describes how surfing brings together different cultures at Rabat beach in Morocco. Carmen explains, once and for all, that Chinese Fortune Cookies were actually invented in Japan. Afghanistan bans ‘The Kite Runner.’ The debate over [...] Read More »

Culture Notes - May 14 ‘07

Published May 14, 2007 in American, CULTURES, Japanese, NOTES, Serbian | Comments [0]
Culture News have become Culture Notes, since often they are not really news. Let us know what you think! Serbia Wins Serbia won the 52nd annual Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 with the song "Molitva." It was performed by Marija Serifovic who has returned home to a hero’s welcome (BBC). The Eurovision Song Contest features [...] Read More »

Culture News Apr. 08 ‘07

Published April 8, 2007 in CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS, Elders, Filipino, HOLIDAYS, Japanese, NOTES, Romanian, Spring | Comments [0]
Easter Party in Romania A British expat describes the Romanian style of partying at Easter, which is a 2-day holiday there.  Some good advice about Romanian hospitality and warnings about the local plum brandy. Family in the Filipines Carrie describes how Filipino children show respect for their elders on FilipinoFamilyToday. Tow-Cylces in Japan Einbahn Studios describes how tow-motorcycles make it [...] Read More »

Kite Flying and Basant

Published March 26, 2007 in Afghani, American, Brazil, CULTURES, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS, Cuban, HOLIDAYS, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Pakistani, Parades, Spring, Thai | Comments [7]
Picture: Kites over Pakistan, posted on Pakistani Pictures, originally uploaded by Manitoon. The Basant festival, celebrated in Pakistan and parts of India, welcomes the beginning of spring. In most places it is a one-day festival, strongly associated with kite flying. In Lahore, Pakistan, capital of the agriculture-based province of Punjab, Basant is [...] Read More »

Valentine’s Day

Published February 6, 2007 in American, Australian, CULTURES, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS, Canadian, Catholic, Courtship, Dutch, HOLIDAYS, Japanese, Spring | Comments [2]
Valentine's Day is a holiday dedicated to love and romance in many cultures. It is a good day to get engaged, plan a specially romantic date, buy chocolates or flowers for your sweetheart, or simply “give a valentine” to your friends. Many schoolchildren exchange Valentines with their class mates, which can be home-made cards or [...] Read More »

The Tooth Fairy is a Mouse in France and a Magpie in Korea

Published January 13, 2007 in American, British, CULTURES, Childhood, European, French, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, Mongolian, Spanish | Comments [6]
In American culture, the tooth fairy visits whenever a child looses a baby tooth. Children put the tooth under their pillow when they go to bed at night, and wake up in the morning to find that the tooth has been replaced by some money! Sometimes the tooth is put in a decorated [...] Read More »

The Legend of the White Stag, or, Why Rudolph Has a Red Nose

Published November 21, 2006 in American, British, CULTURES, Celtic, Chinese, Christian, Christmas Traditions, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Iranian, Irish, Japanese, LEGENDS, Persian, Winter | Comments [2]
The legend of the white stag is part of the mythology of many cultures, originating with early European and Asian cultures who depended on hunting for their survival. Star Mythology The most ancient legend of the stag revolves around the "great hunter" (the constellation of stars known as Orion), who hunts the heavenly stag (Ursa Major), [...] Read More »

Shichi-Go-San Matsuri (“Seven-Five-Three Festival”)

Published November 14, 2006 in Autumn, CULTURES, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS, Candy, Childhood, HOLIDAYS, Japanese, Shinto | Comments [1]
On November 15 is Shichi-go-san in Japan – a day that is a rite of passage for young children, focused on celebrating their good health and longevity. Shichi-go-san literally translates as “Seven-Five-Three,” and it includes traditions and celebrations for boys aged three and five, and for girls aged three and seven. In Japanese [...] Read More »