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スーパー歌舞伎 – Super Kabuki

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A well-known kabuki actor has started a modern version of Kabuki called Super Kabuki in 1986.  Unlike traditional Kabuki, you will see more modern elements in the choice of story, music, stage effects, etc.  The spoken language in Super Kabuki is easier for young people to understand than traditional Kabuki. When Super Kabuki began in 1986, the plays presented were still based on famous stories that had been told for centuries. But in 2015 they staged “One Piece” a brand new play based on a famous manga as Super Kabuki II (second), and since then they have been performing One Piece over and over.

イチゴ – Strawberries

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Strawberries or ichigo are one of the most popular fruits in Japan.  Usually strawberries are in season around March and April.  We start seeing strawberries on sale in the store from the mid December until May.  Often strawberry themed events are held at the hotels and restaurants during the season.

Photo is for the Tokyo Hilton Hotel Strawberry Fest 2018.

DCの桜 – DC Cherry Trees

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In 1909 Mayor Ozaki of Tokyo suggested sending 2000 cherry trees to the U.S. as a gift.  First lady, Helen Herron Taft accepted this suggestion, and 2000 trees arrived in 1910. However, those trees turned out to be infested with insects and all had to be burned.

Mayor Ozaki was disappointed, but he did not give up.  He suggested sending trees again. This time the team was very careful in handling the trees, and obtained help from specialists from the start of the tree-growing process.  In March of 1912, 3020 trees arrived safely in the U.S., and people were impressed because every single tree was healthy. About 1800 of those cherry trees were planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC, and the rest were planted in the Potomac Park.

ひな飾り – Hinakazari

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March 3rd is Hina-matsuri, and this photo is the Baskin-Robbins version of hinakazari.

In Japan the parents of a young daughter commonly arrange what is called a hinakazari to celebrate hina-matsuri.  Hinakazari is the display of dolls; mainly a male and a female couple, that are often (but not necessarily) placed amid servants, flowers, food, and drinks.  These dolls are usually not toys, but beautiful and expensive images dressed in elaborate costumes like those worn at the imperial court long ago.

草枕 – Kusamakura

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Sōseki Natsume (1867 – 1916) is a famous writer in Japan.  In his novel Kusamakura he said

智に働けば角が立つ。情に棹させば流される。意地を通せば窮屈だ。兎角に人の世は住みにくい。- 夏目漱石

My translation is below:

If you are only rational, you will upset people. If you are only sympathetic, you will not be able to convey your feelings and you will just compromise.  If you are being stubborn, you will be restrained.  In any case, it is not easy to get along with others. – Sōseki Natsume

バレンタイン – Valentine’s Day

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Normally, on Valentine’s Day a girl in Japan gives chocolate or some other gift to a guy.  Typically Japanese girls are shy, so this is the day that they are encouraged to be a little more expressive.  However, in recent years (probably due to the influence of the U.S.) guys have started giving gifts to girls on Valentine’s Day as well. This is called “reverse chocolate (逆チョコ)”.  Many females simply enjoy preparing Valentine’s Day gifts, so we may buy or make chocolate for male friends, male family members, male coworkers, etc., and these are called “obligation chocolates (義理チョコ)”. lol

雪だるま – Snowman

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Snowman is called yuki daruma in Japanese.  Usually Japanese yuki daruma is consist of two snow balls; head & body, whereas American snowman is consist of three balls; head, upper body & lower body.  This photo is from Yuki Daruma Matsuri (Snowman Festival) in Ishikawa, Japan.

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Chika Sugiyama

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恵方巻き – Ehōmaki

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Ehōmaki means “lucky direction sushi roll” and is a relatively new tradition for Setsubun in Japan.  7-Eleven in Japan introduced this practice for the Setsubun in 1998, and it became popular during the 00s.  Ehōmaki is simply a sushi roll with seven ingredients inside one for each of the seven lucky gods.  You are supposed to eat the entire roll without cutting it up with a knife.  It is said that if you look towards the Ehō or lucky direction, think of your wish, and eat the entire Ehōmaki without talking, then your wish will come true.  Some people say that this is nothing but a money making idea by sushi industry and I agree, but it is still a fun and delicious event, right?

恵方 – Ehō

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Ehō means “lucky direction” in Japanese and it is the direction where the Lucky Goddess or Toshitokujin (歳徳神) is based on the Onmyōdō that is a traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology.  Toshitokujin is commonly known as Toshigami-sama.  According to the Onmyōdō, the position of the Toshitokujin changes over time, so the lucky direction changes as well.  The lucky direction of 2018 is south-southeast (南南東).