In Japan, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in two stages. The first one, on February 14, where women buy chocolates for the men in their surroundings. These chocolates can have various objectives and meanings: some of them are used to confess one’s love (本命チョコ, honmei-choko) while others (義理チョコ, giri-choko) are kind of an obligation and most […]
Just as many other countries in the world, the period of time around New Year is very important in Japan. In a sense, it has the same sentimental and traditional value as Christmas in western countries. After introducing useful Japanese phrases used during New Year, we’re taking you on a Japanese New Year traditions tour […]
Have you ever heard of “Awaodori”? This traditional dance’s name is made of two words “Awa” (Tokushima prefecture’s former name) and “odori” (dance). It’s sometimes called “Dance of Fools” and is usually celebrated during “Obon” (Festival of the Dead) in Japan, which generally takes place in July and August every year. Awaodori: The origins of […]
In Japan, New Year usually starts off by paying a visit to the shrine (or temple dedicated to someone or something), to pray for good fortune. Most people only go to one shrine, but those who want to ensure good luck for the upcoming year can visit more than one… And the Shichifukujin pilgrimage is […]
On Monday October 9th, SNG students were invited to attend a Yabusame event at Toyama Park. What’s Yabusame ? Yabusame is the name of a traditional Japanese sport rather unknown, including in Japan. It is a mounted archery technique used since the end of the XII Century during the Kamakura area. With the use of […]
On July 21st, SNG organized its very first Yukata Day. An unforgettable and eventful day which ended two weeks of related activities. Regular students, as well as staff members and summer course students, were able to enjoy it together. Yukata sales Yukata literally means “bath clothe”. It is a light kimono that Japaneses like to […]
On August 18th, some SNG students got the opportunity to take part in one of the major summer event in Tokyo : Shimokitazawa Awaodori Festival. What’s Awa Odori ? Awa Odori literally means : “Awa dance”. The Awa Odori exists since the XVI Century and it used to be celebrated in Tokushima. It is also […]
On September 3rd, a group of students from SNG took part in the traditional Mikoshi parade in Takadanobaba. What’s a Mikoshi ? Mikoshi (神輿) literally means “Divin Palanquin”. It is often seen as a building standing on wooden pillars. During Shinto processions, people carry the palanquin around the area in the belief that the Kami […]
Sanbon-jime is a custom in Japan, a hand clapping that people proceed to celebrate the end of an event as meeting, banquets, wedding, company parties and other business negotiations.There are several way to proceed like itcho-jime (一丁締め) which consist in a single clap or also the ippon-jime (一本締め) which is a triple serie of three […]
With daily temperatures reaching 30 degrees or more, summer has made its way to Tokyo. This is the perfect moment for SNG Summer course students and AFS program participants to discover the famous and refreshing Japanese game known as SuikaWari (スイカ割り) – Lit. Watermelon splitting. What’s Suikawari ? As its name suggests, the goal of […]
