watashi to tokyo

Kamon, The beautiful world of Japanese crests.

The Kamon are Japanese crests. Kamon specifically denotes a family crest whereas mon refers to any crest. For example, The chrysanthemum (KIKU) is the coat of arms for the Japanese Emperor,(this is different from the one is the Japanese passport, although this is a common misconception among many Japanese) . The Mistuba aoi is the Tokugawa family's kamon. Here is a good explanation about kamon.  Basically samurai used these crests as family identification as well as on their battle armors. But after Japan's most stable and peaceful period EDO, merchants and artisans began to put crests on items for business too. So there are around 300-400 basic designs and at least 7000-8000 crests. Since most Japanese hardly ever wear a Kimono in our daily life, it is very hard to know and learn about kamon. Actually many Japanese do not know their family creast now. However their desiigns are nice and beautiful, I think. And I heard because of a Japanese design trend, Kamon T-shirt have been selling well. Ah I found a funny i-pod too. This came from a famous historical drama;MITOKOMON.(tokugawa family member). Many western crests have the motif of a fierce animal to symbolize the power of the family. Many Japanese crests were designed based on nature and tools of life. When they used animal designs, they were pigeion, sparrowss, rabbits, or crabs or other such small animals.

Okay let me introduce some good Japanese crests. This site has free dictionary of Kamon data, you may check their huge sample. please click left side letter link.  I picked some.
Nature --- moon, star, wave, snow.
Plants ---cherry, plum, pine, bamboo, rice.
Animal ---chidori, butterfly, crane, rabbit.
tool & design ---wheel, fan, Japanese fan, bell, hat,

I suppose you know Kikkoman which is a famous soya sauce maker, their logo is a crest called Kikko. Kikko is the motif of a tortoiseshell. I want to introduce more, but it is impossible, there are so many crests! I think you may find your favorite design there. Please try it!  By the way my family crest is this Yokomokko, I am not sure, maybe so.

The Centrair Airport has opened!

Like I mentioned in the South Centrair city post, the Centrair Airport has opened. Ahh I am really sorry for the Aichi area people, but I must say what a senseless, silly name it is. Then today I checked their site, and I have just found their character! ( of course we have a character for everything. that is our way.) They are pretty.  But they seem to be really nice for a characters for new airconditioner or may be a new animal snack. Don't you think so? However they are characters for the International airport, yeah! Now I see the senseless is their concept, at least they are consistent.

Okay let me check their souvenirs.  Surely they will have something special and I might like it!! Their English page is not good enough yet. So I will check out their Japanese site. In Japanese sweets, they have Toraya Uirou. Uirou is a special sweet from the Nagoya area; of course they should have in their shop. Hida is in Gifu pref next to Aichi, Shirakawa go is one of  the places listed in the world heritage in Japan. When you go to Shirakawa, it will be convenient to use this Centrair airport. Then this Hida no Kuni has Gassho zukuri sweets. The Head office of Toyota (this is the site of their big showcase) is in Aichi pref, so I heard i-chic will have some western sweets named "Chubu Toyota's adventure", they will be in the shape of Toyota cars. Since Tokyo Banana will sponsor this i-chic company, they will be nice sweets. When I find that sweet, I will update.

Anyway I should have said this first. The reason why the new airport has opened now is this Aichi expo 2005. There are many place to see,  to enjoy to eat and not only in the expo. Please check it out.

In such a day, show biz gossip.

If you have an interest in more entertainment news, this Mainichi wai wai news seems to be a big site in English. I said in Japan "loser women" was a hot topic last year. And Kaoru Sugita was OUR representative, but recentry she hast married . Kaoru Sugita is an actress who started her career when she was a kid. In the last several years she has made weird and bold comments on several TV shows. I like her in this snack TV commercial. She watchs her own old TV show. That is all, but it 's funny.  Anyway other losers were encouraged by her marriage while others felt as if she had betraysed them and left the loser club? ha ha ha. And I complained about the cast of Memories of Geisha. In wai wai site, we can read a real Geisha made comments for the movie.

If would you like more silly gossip? Shichinosuke Nakamura is a Kabuki actor who appeared in The Last Samurai, he drank punched a taxi driver and then later apologized.
A guitarist of L'Arc-en-Ciel "KEN"(far left ) seems to be living with Rena Tanaka. Rena Tanaka got her debut in this Suntory Nacchan TV commercial and I like her Daiichi Life Insurance TV commercial. "The Daiichi de knight" series, which is a parody of TV animation Princess Knight by Osamu Tezuka who created Astroboy and Kimba the White Lion. 　They have a 12 years age difference, and I often hear such a big age difference in couples around me. I am not sure if this a trend or if physical age doesn't mattere as much anymore. Regarding L'Arc-en-Ciel, I think they refused to appear on NHK for a while ( even now? ) because the host of music TV show called them a visual band. Actually they were categorized as a visual band in their early days. Why should they be angry now?

Marina Watanabe and Jun Nagura(center) of the comedian group Neptune have been dating. Maria got her start with Onyanko Club, which was an amature girls group (nonsense). And Neptune's Nagura appears in some famous comedy shows like A laughing dog's passion.

Hmm so?  yes that is true. But I could not find a good topic to write about.  But the Kyoto Protocol on global warming finally taking effect today.   Ah , somehowI should have picked this.... sorry :-p

Yokoso Japan Campaign.

Blog pet has updated their service! Now they have a panda, a cat, a mouse and a DOG! As a dog lover I was going to close my tokio kun, and get my dog pet! But Tokio kun left a comment in yesterday post.　He said "today tokio kun was going to blog, with mari!" in Japanese.....weep. Sorry I was so wrong to think to delete you Tokio kun!.(I did not know the blog pet change their settings, pet comments to blog now.)

Yokoso Japan! is a visit Japan campaign sponsered by the Japanese government. Prime Minister Koizumi says with yokoso he invites the world to Japan.  On their site, I enjoyed reading some of the articles. This hidden Gion is good to see, this Koyasan post remind me, how much I really wanted to visit Kumonoko the new world heritage.   And since last week an event named "Yokoso! Japan Weeks" has started (Feb.5(SAT)-20(SUN). All around Japan there is some kind of event for this, and in Tokyo, you can enjoy " the Hearty Walk and Photo Contest". You may join their free walking group and participate in the photo contests. Shimokitazawa is one of my favorite towns. I may try that photo contest!

I love her cooking recipes!

Do you know about the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards?  It is an award presented to the authors of the best cook books from around the world, and this year the Japanese cook book "Harumi's Japanese cooking" written by Harumi Kuhihara, got it. Harumi Kurihara is a famous and prolific cooking writer / life stlyeicon in Japan, and sometimes she is compared to Martha Stewart. Since the book is published in 62 countries if you have an interest please try to find it in a book store. I don't know why I couldn't find it on Amazon, but in the UK, there are some sites where her books maybe be purchased.

Her style is very simple and easy to cook. Here is her Japanese site. Unfortunately it deos not have an English version. I like her sauce recipe. I could find some of her recipes in English on the interenet.
White Fish and Mozzarella Carpaccio Salad
Soy Egg Appetizers
Maki Zushi
Green Pea Rice with Pork Salad
Golden Chicken cooked in Beijing Duck style

If I were to pick another Japanese food cook wirter, Katsuyo Kobayashi would be good; her recipes are very basic Japanese mom's handmade cooking. She tries to skip the troublesome parts and keeps the important parts. For example she does not hesitate to use instant food, but she also suggests addining some seasonings to make it taste better. Her advice is always pleasant and very practical. Ah she vanquished the Chinese iron chef in that TV program. Since then she has opened a little restaurant, Katsuyo Greens in Kichijoji. If you have a chance you may like to try it.  Here are some of her recipes.
Japanese-Style Hamburgers
Torisoboro
Niku Bento

Her son, Kentaro, is also a cook and his recipes are more casual and have a stronger Western influence. I like it when guys cook, but sometimes it turns out being a big project with a very strict recipe and good materials. But Kentaro' way of cooking is very light and easy, and yet it still has volume. Here is his Japanese blog. Looking at the photos is enjoyable.

Edo in Tokyo - Part 2

Appreciation of Edo
Meisho Edo Hyakkiei (One Hundred Great Scenarios from Edo) is a collection of woodblock prints by Hiroshige Utagawa. It is the reason why I rediscovered Japanese culture and also why I decided to start a website like this. There is a total of 119 Scenarios cut out using his unique angles and all are very innovative and cool. His prints made a huge impression on the impressionist artisits like Gogh during the Japonism movement in Europe from 1880. For example, you can see it in this Gogh's painting. By the way, in Hiroshige's work, Mt. Fuji appears in 17 prints. It means the Mt. Fuji could be viewed from almost any location in Tokyo before.

This website Nori-Seki's Photo Walking (JP) compares the same scenes in a Ukiyoe print to the same scenes in Tokyo. Here are some examples: Yatsumi no Hashi / Tamagawa Tsutsumino Hana / Meguro Taikobashi Yuhino Oka, of photos of today's Tokyo from the same angle in a print from Hiroshige. I was excited when I found this website! The transformation of Edo to Tokyo is right in front of your eyes. I bet you'll be amazed too.

And you can see other pics here1, and here(JP). Thank you Watashi no Tokyo Saihakken

Ukiyoe talk to us
Ukiyoe is an art and also a source of reference for documenting the history of Japan. In the Edo period, Ukiyoe was also a kind of tabloid scandal sheet.

I attached Asakusa Torinoichi by Hiroshige. We can learn so much from this print.
The pattern of the wall bird will tell of the place, because it is a symbol of exactry one shop of Yoshiwara.
From the print, we can know the story of scandal of a love affair :-). And you can see small items like a stick on the floor, it is a sort of lucky fortune, called a Kumade and still is sold in a Torinoichi festival only at Asakusa, it means it's possible to tell the date of the love affair. There is a Japanese towel, the towel tell that the shop(company) the guy worked for. ..See? we can learn a lot from the print.

Here is a Tale Told by an Ukiyoe.....
Now Mr. A is in Yoshiwara. He is working at B company in Edo. Today, people are cerebrating the Torinoichi festival. Actually he left home for Torinoichi this morning, but he does not return home directly. He is in Yoshiwara now. Since he got Kumade, it could be a proof for his wife, where he went... Only the cat know the truth

Where is South Centrair city?

Another funny news story. Nagoya is located near the center of Japan, and it is the third largest city in the country. They have a new international airaport named "The Centrair Airport". Don't ask me why they named like that? What is that anyway? I want to know who makes up strange names too. Somebody said this is this word is coined from the combination center and air. Hmm to me it sounds like the name of an air conditioner or something. Anyway this has caused more trouble.

In Japan the consolidation of municipalities has been a trend. Usually two small towns combined to make a bigger city to reduce administration costs. In Tokyo Akiruno city originated 10 years ago, when Akigawa City and Itsukaichi Town combined. Anyway, near Nagoya city, there are Mihama town and Minamichita town. They will soon combine, and in their union (synoecism ) a concefence of the founders decided the new city name should be "Sounth Centrair city". Because the new city is located to the South of The Centrair airport. After the announcemen of this new name, so many people in that area protested and claimed to the conference. "Who could live in such a stupidly named city", " I cannot write my address if you pick such a name" were the most common comments, and some people even escalated their protesting HP or joke HP desperately. Then finally the conference announced again, they will reselect the new name. Ah stupid. Japanese like to use English and Japanese English, actually I laughed about it here and here.  But an address or the name of a town should be a different issue.  How do you think?

Beautiful wagashi world

I love Japanese sweet, wagashi. I 've writtten a wagashi and Japanese cafe post. Yes I love Wagashi.　I love it because they are low calories, have a naturally sweet taste and I can enjoy its visual appeal. Wagashi presents a portrait for every season of the year. Tonight I have found this page about Japanese Confectionary Fukuoka, this page introduces the world of Wagashi's beauty.

Since many of them are made according to our customs or annual events, and because their style of expression is modest. I think it is not easy for foreighn people to understand why they look like that. But it is very interesting to read each name, it makes us work my imagination. Let me introduce, some simple ones. For example, this is October. The center one has name "mushroom", we eat a lot of mushroom meals in autumn, The top one is "the first red leaf". In October the mountains come alive as the leaves begin to change colors, so that wagashi shows the first red leaf on a green mountain. This is September, the center is Moon, and on the Top is the rabbit. I mentioned befor in September we have TSUKIMI which is the custom to watch the full moon and look for the rabbit on the moon?! :-). Left one is named, Kasanebi (I think so. Since Chinese characters can have different meanings, sounds, when we read unique name. We have to guess how to read.), it means, "Piled Sunshine". Ah just imagine mild a Autumn day; you can see warm the Sunshine on the ground. This is this is one represents this month February 2005,  The top one's name is "plum in the snow".  The center one is a traditional sweet "Hichigiri" used for the girl's festival. The right one is Tamatubaki, it is a flower in early spring.

Osaka has lower Ore Ore Fraud damage

Ah I laughed a lot to read this news(JP). Like I mentioned in the Difference between Tokyo and Osaka topic. Osaka people never stop using their local dialect. But it workks to their advantage for Ore Ore Fraud. Basically the amount of crime is huge in Osaka, roughly 10% of all crime in Japan happens in Osaka, and it is almost equal to Tokyo's 11%. ( Thinking of the difference in population, it is big actually) but the amouht of Ore Ore fraud is extremely lower there than in other prefectures. The National Police Agency said last year (Jan to Oct), there were 7726 Ore Ore Fraud crimes, with an estimated damage of over $150,000,000. However in Osaka, there was only 77!! wow 77? Their damage was $1,670,000, actually less than about 1% of the total. WHY?

According to data compiled by the NPA. 62% of the people who got a fraud call had been deceived on average; however the percentage dropped to only 46% for Osaka. Hmm Where the Osaka people more cautious with their money and more wary of crime?  Maybe they are keen?  All of those supposing seem to be correct for Osaka, when we think of their character.  But they do not give a reason why the percentage for Osaka has low. But they say one reason might be  that the members of these crime groups cannot speak the Osaka dialect(you may listen here to some samples) . ha ha ha ha ha

However that is not the funny part, Shizuoka prefecture knew that data and made a public TV commercial warning for about ore ore fraud which aired  around the end of last year. The commercial film was... three Osaka Obachans ( powerful middle aged women )who talk loudly. They say "Osaka has lower damage for Ore Orefraud." "You should be careful Shizuoka people!". It is Fraud Crime!!" (in Osaka dialect). I was lucky to find this movie here. (click on the one with three obachan). Because of this TV commercial, Osaka people protested, "it's disgusting." Even though they are typically a people who has an idea laughing is our life! (not only professional comedians, but also ordinary people ) they can not accept it. But their funny way of protesting was to say "That TV commercial does not have a punch line! (= Ochi), You should change."

Two exhibition, I want to see.

This Friday is a general holiday "National Foundation Day", I really love having three days weekends. One day for relaxing, one day for exercise, one day for entertainment? I want to spend it like that. Now I have two exhibitions that I want to see. One of them this "JINTAI NO FUSHIGI"= Mysteries of the Human Body Exhibition. The human body is a kind of miracle, actually, so I have an interest to know more about it. But on the other hand...have I told you? I am very weak for this sort of stuff.I cannot bear seeing and hearing other's scar, pain, violent movies, or war movies. When I learned about Auschwitz, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it was a very hard time ( a kind of survival issue) for me. To tell the truth even the names of muscles and internal organs of the body make me feel bad. I have no idea WHY, it's as if I had died so badly in a past life :-p. Since my fear of those things is not normal (I feel), I want to overcome it if possible. I think I may try face the details as just a object, without excessive presentation, and the sensational sounds there. At least I could see this page, and I am surprised that I could do it without feeling so bad. This is held in the  Tokyo International Forum where the 2ch interactive boardcasting was staged. ( ha ha I like that story)

The other one is this "Art meets Media, adventure in perception" atICC in Tokyo Opera City. Especially I want to experience this art "db". Anyway this ICC (intercommunication center) has interesting exhibitions sometimes. Last year end they had this The nonsense machine of meiwa denki. Here is his funny site, you can see the English captions. Please check it out!

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