Cultural Study

Gegyo, Hung fish 懸魚 Gegyo Traditional Japanese architecture often features ornamental charms that symbolize water. It is because most buildings are made of wood therefore fire-prevention is one of the greatest concerns for long years. The most famous is 鯱  shachihoko , fable tiger-headed fish , placed on edges of castle's roofs, but developed after the late-16th century under the influence of an unbeatable warlord , 織田信長 Oda Nobunaga . On the other hand, The usage of 懸魚 gegyo  can date back at least to the 7th century in Japan as far as historical materials show. Gegyo literally means "hung fish" and fish here stands for water, a charm for fire prevention like shachihoko . It is believed that advanced architectural techniques that may include gegyo were introduced to Japan from China together with the influx of Buddhism happened in the 6th century. Gegyo is a decorative ornament found in the center of a bargeboard under a projecting gable . Gegyo in Japan developed int...

Hay Fever (Ceder Pollen Allegy) スギ花粉症 Sugi-Kafunsho In Japan today, an allegy caused by ceder pollen , simply called as "hay fever" in general, is an annoying physical reaction that more than 1/3 of all Japanese people have in common mainly from February to April. Many suffer from such symptoms as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and so on. It's often considered a "national disease" originated in a cirtain situation after World War II in Japan. Now, the Japanese government has set an official goal to adress the problem. Although there are so many kinds of plants that can cause allegic symptoms, the rate of Japanese people who are allegic to ceder pollen is as high as 38.8% out of 42.5% allegic to any kinds of pollen, according to the research conducted in 2019. Therefore, "hay fever" generally refers to ceder pollen allegy in Japan.  The allegic reactions coincide with the pollen's disperser of sugi, Japanese ceder, usually between February and...

Ume, Japanese Plum 梅 Ume Ume, Japanese Plum or Japanese Apricot , is known as a flowering tree that first colors early spring in Japan after winter. It has a long history as a garden plant that adds elegance to landscapes. Its fruits are also liked and often used in Japanese cuisine. Traditionally, ume is considered an auspicious item together with other things. Ume belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae) together with sakura, Japanese cherry. It is a deciduous broad-leaf tree native to China. Its tiny blossoms, often pink or white with five petals, bloom in Japan's early spring, mainly between February and March. At its peak, the blossoms give off relaxing, slight sweet scent in nearby areas. It is one of the earliest flowers enjoyed in spring therefore the Japanese get to know that the spring is around the corner as soon as they find ume blossoms started to bloom. Because of its elegance, ume has been loved for long years in Japan. The famous figure in Japanese history who love...

Stone Lanterns 石灯籠 Ishi-doro Ishi-doro means stone lanterns in Japanese. Stone lanterns are often found on the grounds of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, or as ornamental elements that consist Japanese gardens. They play an important role to create traditional Japanese atmosphere. It is thought that stone lanterns were introduced to Japan from China via Korean Peninsula in the process of the Buddhism's influx . In China's 山西省 Shanxi Province, there is a stone lantern presumed to be the country's oldest one created more than 1,400 years ago . On the other hand, Japan's oldest one is in 當麻寺 Taimadera Temple in 奈良県 Nara Prefecture and thought to be around 1,300 years old. There is an obvious similarity in the designs between the two lanterns. In Buddhism, lights stand for the wisdom to be released from the world of illusion filled with worldly sins . In other words, they are the guideposts to the state of "悟り satori," translated as " enlightenmen...

Natto 納豆 Natto, Fermented Soy Beans Natto refers to fermented soy beans in Japan. It is one of the traditional Japanese foods and often considered as a healthy dish. Fermented soy beans in fact can be seen in other Asian countries but Japanese natto is unique in some ways. Natto can be used for many kinds of Japanese dishes particularly for casual ones. Generally, Natto is made with soy beans. In a traditional way, steamed soy beans are kept wrapped in a  bundle  of rice straws being warmed for a few days.  Due to fermentation caused by Natto Bacteria, a kind of  grass bacillus found on rice straws, the beans get browny, sticky, and smelly. These days, however, natto is mostly made only by adding the bacteria, not using rice straws, by designated food manufacturers for sanitary reasons. Natto is known for being full of nutrition; it is rich in protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins. In particular, Nattokinase, an enzyme  found only after fermentation, is drawing...

Mongolian Spots 蒙古斑 Moko-han Moko-han, or Mongolian spots , are mole -like blue spots often found on some part of infant's body such as  buttock or backside of waist that is common in Japan. They are one of the genetic features of Asian people first clearified by a German doctor Erwin Bälz in 1885. There are also a few expressions with this feature in Japanese language. More than 99% of Japanese newborn babies are said to have Mongolian spots. The same feature is also observed in other Asian racial groups such as Mongolian, Chinese, Korean, Native Americans, and so on. The cause of Mongolian spots is melanocytes , melanin-producing cells existing in the dermis under the epidermis exclusively in childhood. Generally, the spots gradually disappear by the age of around 10 and do not need treatment. This feature was found out by Erwin Bälz, a German  internist  invited to Japan by the Meiji government, in 1885. Until then in Japan, it was a mystery among people ...