Wedding

1.Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Why?



Yes. Japanese weddings are expensive. That is why I didn't want to hold weddings.
But! now, my opinion is change! You should hold wedding and party.
You don't need hold big wedding. It is good for small wedding.
Wedding is good opportunity for us to say "Thank you" and "congratulations"
Japanese people say directly "Thank you " for their parents.
So wedding is good for us, isn't it??




2. What do you think about eloping? Is it a good idea or romantic? Why?


I think eloping will be able to happy without blessing their family.
It is difficult for some people to get marry, like today's movie.
"Family" means "consisting of one or two parents, their children and close relations."
You cannot apart from your parents.






3. Have you ever thought about having a wedding in a foreign location like Hawaii? Would you do it? Why?Or Why not?



Cerebrate in Hawaii.... Wow, sound very nice!!
but, actually, I would like having a wedding in Japan
If I get marry, I want to invite my grandparents.
But It is difficult for them to go abroad, so I will have a wedding in Japan.
It is easy to invite my friend a lot.
Yes, I am Japanese, so I should hold in Japan!! haha.






4.What is your ideal wedding?

I would like to hold western style wedding.
I mean, I want to wear white dress!! haha.
There is a new church on the hill in my town.
So I want to use it!

The food is good, has a cake cut, good performance by my friends.
Oh, this could go on forever!!

5.What would you definitely do, wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?

I would like to read for parents definitely.
It is the most impressive performance(?) in the wedding.
You know, we don't say "I love you" or "Thank you for everything" to your parents directly.
So reading performance is important for Japanese.

If I am married, and read for parents, I may be a tearful face!!



6. Have you ever been to a foreigner's wedding? What was your impression?

No I haven't.
As far as I know, foreign wedding has a party, like dancing, singing,and so on.
Of course Japan has it. But It is except family.
We call it "Niji-kai"（二次会） Only friends or coworkers.

Superstitions

1.Do you think it is important to talk about superstitions in cross culture communication class? Why?

Yes. I think it is important to talk about superstitions in the class. It is quite interesting, isn't it??
Japan has a lot of superstitions, so I believe that other countries have them a lot, too.
You also can learn about country's history because superstitions is related to the social or historic background.
That is why superstitions is exactly important theme in CCC class.


2.Is communication affected by superstitions?

Yes, a bit.
You know, we don't use superstitions usually, but sometime we need.
So if you talk to non Japanese native speaker and use Japanese superstition, he/she may not understand what you say. Such as 「北枕は死人だけ」(The dead man lay with his head toward the north)
This is one of Japanese custom, so if I warn it, some foreigner can't understand why we mustn't lay toward the north.


3.Do you believe in superstitions? If yes, what superstitions do you believe?Why do you do, use, or believe in them?

Yes, I believe in superstition, but not completely.
I believe this superstition; 「逆剥けすると親不孝している」（if the skin on your hand are chapped, you are treating your parents disrespectfully)

When I argue some trivial things to my mom, or when I lied to my parents, I will often get injured to my fingers.
I don't know why... It is very scare for me.


But I don't believe that "when you cut your nail, a snake will come."
I have never see the snake when I did it!! so I don't believe it.

Time

1. Please explain a time proverb in your culture.

We have a lot of time proverbs, such as
”Sankan-shion”(三寒四温)
"Akinohiha-turubeotoshi”(秋の日はつるべ落とし)

"Sankan-shion" is in winter near the spring, it is said that if 3 days are very cold, 4 days will be warm. It is one of the Japanese superstitions.

"Akinohiha-turubeotoshi" means that Japanese sky at sunset is getting dark soon. This situation is similar to "Turube" (a well bucket in the well)

Those proverbs shows Japanese feelings, aren't they??

We also have "Time is money（時は金なり）"



2. What do the following proverbs mean:

a. Time is money.
Time is very important for us.
It is much important as money.


b. A stitch in time saves nine.
If you sew at once, you don't need to sew nine.
I guess,this proverb means you should do anything as soon as you can.
it is similar to "Korobanu-saki-no-tue"(Look before you leap)

c. There's no time like the present.
This means "it is no more chance, you should do it right now!"
"Senzai-ichigu"(千載一遇) is Japanese proverb.


d.Let's meet at 4. If I'm not there by 5, leave without me at 6, and I'll be there at 7.
....Sorry, I have no idea.. But, I try to guess!

I think "Try to wait for me forever"
It is love proverb!! The girl said this proverb, maybe "can you wait for me until 7? = Do you like me?"

↑it is just my imagination. Don't trust it.


I found Japanese and English proverb site.
Please try it if you want to search.


http://www6.plala.or.jp/yhayashi/jkotowazamenu.html

The language of Clothes

①Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?

Yes, sometimes.
It will be given my information when I look somebody's clothes.
Like, "Her slirt is cute. I would like to buy some type of skirts!"

If I saw someone who wearing very unique clothes, I will say "Wow, it shows....very personality..." to my friend like that.
Yes, just "very".



②Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?


Yes. Japanese people has more important meaning of clothes than another country.
People, especilally young people judging other people.

If he/she wears very dirty or colorful clothes (I mean very flashily, gaudy, loud) I will recognize "Oh, he/she is immoderate person."

I think we still have "Gentle (well-behaved) is a virtue" so we will chose quiet pattern or color clothes.

When I go to my part-time job, I have to wear well-behaved color and type, and don't wear the sneakers.
It is because my part-time job is cram school. So.


③ What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?

I am wearing on indigo-blue T-shirt, cream color short pants, black tights, brown boots and light brown jacket.
They do not reflect my mood. But I have a lot of dark color clothes.



① What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?


I think, I will never discuss "my sirious problem" or "my boyfriend"
Yes, I will say only my besy friend. But if he/she is just FRIEND, I will never say.
For this reason, I am afraid of someone who say my sirious problems to everybody.
It is very shock and rude for me. So first, I will make a well even my friend.
If he/she can break my well, he/she will be my best friend or boyfriend.


② Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.


Yes. Depend on my friends.
For example, I love watching baseball game. So I usually go to Zoom-Zoom stadium.
I really would like to go with my friends, but If some of my friends hate watching baseball,
I will never ask "Shall we go Zoom-Zoom stadium?" of them.

So, I will enjoy going shopping to them.

Death and Funerals

a. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died?


I have been to England, so I have British friends and host hamily.
If, my friend who is not Japanese, I will send a card to him/her.
I really want to go there, but it is difficult.
So I am going to send a card so that tell my appriciation and my mind.
Telling my heart is not relation to religion or culture I guess.


b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?

I have never been to a forign funeral,and I also never expreienced to go Japanese funeral.




a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?


Label means brand, I think.
We want to have a famous bag or cloth, like a GUCCI or LOUIS VUITTON.
If I have those brand, I can pride economy even I do not say.
So some people crazy about brand, don't they?


b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?


It mean "You must not buy book without see content"
We may buy book which has cute cover.
But I do not know it is interesting book or not.

So, this sentence tell us to "Don't be cheated to sirface"

Wrapping&Death

①Do you agree with the web site's description?　What do you do that can be called "wrapping"?

Obviously, Japanese likes wrapping compare with other countries.
Yes, I think If we get something gift from friend or acquaintance, I will please gift with beautiful wrapping better than rough gift.
Japanese like "clean". Wrapping makes us gorgeous and politely.
Therefore, we prefer wrapping gift to without things.


② Where do you go when you die?

Yes... very difficult question.
I think, I will go to heaven when I die, first.
Then, God(Buddha) gives me new life.
I do not sure I am able to get human again or not.
I may become dog, monkey or cockroach!!
Buddha calls this thought "Rinne(輪廻）"　←（metempsychosis）


③Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?


It is said that Japanese people venerate for ancestor.
We call death memorial sercices in Japanese 「一周忌、三回忌・・・」
Please look diffarent Japanese character, "周忌" and "回忌"
We call "周忌" first year when someone die.
If we can see him next time, it is funeral.
So we can meet him twice.

Death memorial service will be 3 times.
So me call 三回忌。　

Add to my oppinion,
2,4,6 are even number.
We said ceremonial occaion is not good.

so we did death service odd number's year.




http://www.on-hanaya.com/on-hanaya/shop/shohin_up.cgi?shohin_id=17&single_name=%A4%CA%A4%BC%A1%A2%B0%EC%BC%FE%B4%F7%A4%CE%CB%A1%CD%D7%A4%CE%BC%A1%A4%CF%BB%B0%B2%F3%B4%F7%A4%C8%B8%C6%A4%D6%A4%CE%A1%AA

Politics and Reflections

If I were working for UK, I would work at department of "peacekeeping opelation"(平和維持活動)

One of my dream are to help poor people, like liveing in developing countries or spend poof life.
If I work there, I will be able to come ture my dream.

A lot of people are in trouble and need to help.
This is cause war, poverty, illegality politics and so on.
This job will be able to remove those problems.
Therefore, I would like to work there.
I also can visit there by work.


But I will need high English skill absolutely when I work there...
OK....I am going to study hard from now! ....Yes....

Work place

Q.What kind of work place do you think you will work best in?

Actually, I would like to work in my country, Japan.
I have ever been to some countries . I really enjoyed to go there.
But, I noticed afresh that I love Japan and Japan is confortable country.

Of course I have been studying English until now, so I want to use English in future.
So I will try to find workplace which can use English in Japan.


Japan is very politeness better than others.
So, the service is great.
But, it is said that other countries finish their work early than Japan.
For example, On Sunday American shops close at 4 or 5 in the evening.
But Japan still open that time. On the contrary, Sunday is worked longer than weekday
Japanese people is too work hard, isn't it?

Other countried can easyer to work than Japan.

This is my partner's character that I need.

"have a kind personality"

"more intelligent than me "
"elder than me"
"same hobby"
"have some money"
"have a car"

Actually, I don't need "looks" to my partner.
If he has bad looking but has those one, I will choose my partner.

I think, "Kind personality" is most important for me.
Recently, some people is selfish and have no regard for others.
I need to have basic etiquette and kindness person.

I wrote "intelligent person" but I mean, has a common sense, NOT "clever"
Of course, it is better he is cleaver., but I need common sense!
Also, my mother said, "Almost men want to superiot than women, so you should choose more intelligent men than you."
I agree with my mon.


Third is "elder than me" It is just my inclination.
I am attention taker, so I need adult men.


"same hobby"
If my parter has same hobby, I think we can enjoy everything.
We don't need attentive, do we?

"have some money"
Money is important in our life.
So I choose one. haha


"have a car"
This mean, include "he can drive a car"
I am not good at driving a car, so I would like to he can drive.
In addition, It is useful if he can drive a car. We can go everywhere.

This is my opinion.

What do you think it?

1.Are feelings, emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?

I think we have a lot of universal across borders.
But it is a certainly that only human have a "emotion".
Therefore we have a lot of common emotion.

2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Then, write the English translation

There are a lot of feeling words in the world.
Tell you a few example.

楽しい　　(happy)　　　
嬉しい　　(glad)
面白い　　(interesting)
腹が立つ　　(angry)
悲しい 　(sad)
心配する（anxious ）
妬む　(envy)
疲れる　　(tired)
恥ずかしい　　(ashamed)
退屈　　(boring)
緊張する　　(nervous)

3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?

Yes,a lot!!
Japanese has a lot of humility word.
For example,
If you are want to say "今後ともよろしくお願いします"
What are you going to say?
Will you say "Nice to meet you" in English? Is this same meening?? NO!!!
I think it is simmilar meening, but diffarent, Isn't it?

It is very difficult for Japanese to tell humble words for foreigner.

Greetings

1. How do you greet members of your family? (mother, father, older brother, younger brother, grandparents, etc)

My family is 5 people, but now, I live my house with my father and mother.
I always say "Ohayou, (Good morning) my mom or dad" when I wake up and meet them for first day.
I also say "Ohayou"to my brothers.


2. How do you greet people that are important in society?

If you do not do greeting, it cannot start communication, I think.
It is also beneath ordinaly decency.
Greeting is the lowest etiquette, isn't it?


3. Do you greet people from the opposite sex in a different way?

No, I do not do from the opposite sex in a diffarent way.
But I will do opposite way when I talk to older people.
I ues honorific words for older person.
I do not think greeting is not relation among sex.


4. Do you hug anyone? If yes, who and when. If no, why not?

Yes, I will hag for my friend or people who close to me.
I often do hagging when I meet them for long time.
But I will do hag every time when I meet my best friend.
In Japan, we do not have costom of hagging.
We will do hag among young people.(especially girl)

Greeting

Greeting will be able to connect communicate from person to person.
Greeting is very important act, isn't it?


・How do you greet people in your life?
・Is it different for different people?


↑　In Japan, we use honorific words when you meet older person.
If you say to your friend in the morning, you will say "Ohayou"
But you say to the teacher "Ohayou-Gozaimasu"
Of course I will say "Ohayou" when I meet people.



・Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not？

I will touch people when I talk to my friend, but It is depend on the person.
When I talk to my teacher, I have never touched for his or her body.
My opinion is if you close to me, I will touch you.
Touching is very friendly action, I think. So I do not touch everyone.


Anyway,

Nowaday, many young people cannot greet for people such as neighborhood or teacher.

It is very very sad...

When I was a child, my mother was strict about "Greeting"

So I think that Greeting is very important for us.

When I become a mother and have a baby, I will teach strict like my mom!!

Buddhism

Almost Japanese is Buddihism. Our daily life are affected by it.
So we may have Buddihism thought naturally.

Today, I will tald you 5 example about them.

First is "Itadakimasu" We say this word before eat meal.
We also say "Gochisousama" after eat meal.

We eat lives, like meat, vegetable and so on. We lost their lives.
So we say "Itadakimasu"

The second one is "bow"
Shake hands is the most popular greeting when you meet person.
But Japanese people do a "bow"
The reason why we do a bow because Japan is humid country in the summer.
So it is rudeness if you have damp hands and hold out them.


Third is Japanese summer event "Bon"
This event is your ancient may come back for you, and pray their soul in the middle of summer.
I am going to go my grandparents house every time with my family.

Fourth is some people has "Butudan" (a household Shinto altar) and priest come to your house.
In my case, priest will come my house every every mounth of tenth.
Because our important person was dead on tenth.

Finally, the fiveth is if you go to funeral, you must wear "mofuku"(black wear)
we have an image that black is bad coler
we also relate to "Moni-fukusuru"(go into mourning)


Buddihism minds are necessary for Japanese life.
We should keep those minds and take over from young people.

What is Snooker?

Do you like playing sports?
What kind of sports do you like?

I like to play almost sports.

So today, I looked for about sports article in English, and I found very interesting it.
The name is "Snooker" Do you know that?


Snooker is a cue sport. It is on a large baize-covered table with pokets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the side cushions.
It is very similar to billiards.


This sports is very popular in the UK. It is also brodcast commentary on a snooker game.


But, how about Japan? Is this popular?


The answer is "No"
Many people maybe do not know this sports.


We have many king of sports in the world.
Baseball, soccer, basketball and so on.
Every countries has diffarent popular sports

In case of Japan, soccer and baseball are popular sports.

But popular sports of England are soccer(football) and snooker.

It is interesting for me to popular sports depend on the country.

Snooker is getting popular in Japan.

Perhaps we are good at playing it better than England people.(!?)

We should touch many type of sports and partake in our joy.

If I have a chance, I will play it.

information article: yahoo sports UK