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