December 1, 2010 in Sekaione Press, e-magazine by adminsekaione

e-Mag: December event in Japan

Year-end Sales

Special year-end sales are organized everywhere, in shopping quarters, department stores or supermarkets. A lottery sale attracts many shoppers who collect tickets and draw lots. Prizes may be an airline ticket to Hawai or Hong Kong, a new deluxe car, a fur coat and so on.

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October 29, 2010 in Sekaione Press, e-magazine by adminsekaione

e-Mag: November event in Japan

The Order of Culture

Since 1937, the Order of Culture has been presented to those who have made distinguished contributions in the areas of scientific discoveries and inventions, scholastic studies, literature, and the arts such as painting, sculpture, architecture and music. The recipients are selected by the Minister of Education. At the presentation ceremony, held at the Imperial Palace, the recipients and their spouses are requested to wear formal Japanese costume with family crests, or the most formal Western clothes. Read more »

September 30, 2010 in Sekaione Press, e-magazine by adminsekaione

e-Mag: October event in Japan

Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions

結婚式

A wedding in Japan today is a combination of customs long established since the Muromachi Period (1336-1573). and modern habits influenced by the West. People in the old days placed greater importance on the reception, which continued 3 daysand 3 nights, rather than a religious ceremony to announce the marriage and introduce the bride to the community. Read more »

August 22, 2010 in Sekaione Press, e-magazine by adminsekaione

e-Mag: September event in Japan

Disaster Prevention Day

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On September 1, 1923, a big earthquake with magnitude 7,9?8,2 hit the Kanto area. According to the record, 99,331 were killed, 43,476 missing, 103,733 injured. 128266 houses were ruined, 126,233 half-ruined, 447,128 burnt.

To prevent such tragedy, September 1st was designated to be Disaster Prevention Day. On this day, earthquake and fire drills are held all over the country. Children and adults alike put on helmets, and drill under the direction of firefighters. Read more »

July 29, 2010 in Sekaione Press, e-magazine by adminsekaione

e-Mag: August event in Japan

Toro Nagashi

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Another form of okuribi is toro nagashi, floating paper lanterns. These paper lanterns have lighted candles inside, and people float them on a river to guide their ancestors’ souls down the river and off to the sea. There are different ways to practice toro nagashi, according to each locale.

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