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.

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Tori no Ichi

Tori no Ichi Festivals are held in some shrines in and around the Tokyo area. Originally an autumn harvest festival among farmers who made an offering of tori (chicken) to a nearby shrine, it became popular among the townsfolk of Edo during the 17th and 18th Centuries. In return for their offerings, the farmers got a rake to the idea of gathering money or wealth, and the festival gradually changed its meaning. Today, it is thought to be a festival for merchants who wish for good business throughout year, and ornamental rakes decorated with many things symbolic of money are sold in the precincts of the shrine on the day of the festival.

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Culture Fairs

Arts festivals and culture festivals play a big part in school life from elementary school up to university. At the festivals, students’ art works are displayed; music, dances and dramas are performed; and scientific studies are exhibited. Also, food stalls and game shows are very popular.

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Shichi-go-san

On the 15th of November, seven-year-old girls, five-year-old boys and three-year-old girls (and boys in some areas) and their parents go to a shrine to give thanks and pray for the children’s happy and healthy growth. The custom originated in the households of the aristocratic and warrior classes, where three-year old girls had a ceremony to mark beginning to grow their hair long; five-year-olds a ceremony of wearing hakama (skirt-like pants worn by adult males), and seven-year-olds a ceremony of wearing kimono and obi (a sash).

The custom gradually spread to the townspeople of Edo, the former name of Tokyo, and in the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), the present custom of shichi-go-san became popular.

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Chitoseame

Chitoseame, meaning thousand-year candies, are sold at stores to celebrate children’s growth and to pray for their longevity. These are red or white stick candies made of sweetened rice flour and maltose and sold in a paper bag with designs symbolizing luck and longevity.

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Onsen

More than 70 percent of the land in Japan is mountainous, and there are many volcanoes throughout the country. Thus, hot springs are numerous and going to hot spring bath resorts is very popular. Many famous and popular hot spring resorts have modern, high-rise hotels; in order places, people can enjoy the comfort of traditional Japanese inns. Even in remote areas, deep in the mountains, there are one or two small, rustic bath houses to serve hot spring visitors.

________________________________________________________________________秋の味、秋の野山

さんま Saury

きのこ Mushroom

松たけ “Matsutake” mushroom

ぎんなん Ginkgo nut

かき Persimmon

くり Chestnut

なし Pear

ぶどう Grapes

新米 Newly harvested rice

こおろぎ Cricket

すず虫 “Bell-ring” cricket

松虫 Matsumushi

コスモス Cosmos

ききよう Chinese bellflower

はぎ Bush clover

すすき Japanese pampas grass

きんもくせい Fragrant olive

きく Chrysanthemum

けいとうそう Cockscomb

さざんか Sasanqua

いちよう Ginkgo

もみじ Maple

Winter Food, Flora and Fauna

冬の味、冬の野山

寒ぶり Yellowtail in season

たら Cod

ふぐ Blowfish

かき Oyster

あらまきさけ Lightly salted salmon

シクラメン Cyclamen

ポインセチア Poinsettia

はぼたん Ornamental cabbage

ふくじゅそう Adonis

せんりょう Senryo (a kind of evergreen bush)

水仙 Narcissus / Daffodil

梅 Japanese plum blossom

りんご Apple

みかん Tangerine

よせなべ Meat, seafood and vegetables

Cooked in earthen pot

なべもの Dishes served in the pot

ゆどうふ Boiled Tofu served in earthen pot