27 Why do students in Hamamatsu City have to wear white underwear?
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do students in Hamamatsu City have to wear white underwear? Topics Discussed School rules concerning the color of a student's underwear The story of one student who ended up having to go bra-less after it was found that she was not wearing white underwear during a school trip Some of the reasons given for why most junior high students in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture must wear white underwear in school The peculiar indoor/outdoor school uniform system used by most junior high schools in Hamamatsu The justifications offered by some proponents of strict school rules And much more! Note: During the episode it is not made clear when exactly the inquiry into the school rules of Hamamatsu City's public junior high schools began According to this article this all seems to date back to December of 2019 when a local group focusing on issues affecting transgender individuals communicated with at least one city council member (a detailed timeline is not provided in the article). Also, it should be pointed out that the group focusing on transgender issues is called toransugendā kenkyū-kai in the article and not toransugendā-kai. Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha. And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance! Support on Patreon Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. Here are the two Japanese-language articles cited in this episode. Twitter禁止、彼氏がいたら先生に報告、白い下着以外禁止…時代錯誤な「ブラック校則」なぜ生まれる？ (June 2, 2020) 「下着は白限定」の理由は”体操着規定”にあった 浜松市立中学ブラック校則【現地取材】 (August 18, 2020) Use the link below to listen to episode 23 of Ichimon Japan. Why are school rules in Japan so strict? (All About Kōsoku) | Ichimon Japan 23 Also, don't forget to stop by KimitoDesigns.com to see what's on sale. If you purchase anything, make sure to use the coupon code OPENING10 to receive 10% off your total (valid until the end of 2020) https://www.etsy.com/shop/KimitoDesignsKimitoDesigns.com Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Kōsoku 校則 【こうそく】 (n) school regulations Gakuran 学ラン : 学ラン; 学らん; 学蘭 【がくラン(学ラン); がくらん(学らん,学蘭)】 (n) (col) school uniform for boys, often with stand-up collar, long jacket and loose trousers Taisōfuku 体操服 【たいそうふく】 (n) gym uniform; track suit Papakatsu パパ活 【パパかつ】 (n) (sl) compensated dating; dating a sugar daddy We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapanKyoNews) Twitter (@JapanKyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
13 Loka 202021min
26 What is a tsuchinoko? (All About Japan's Most Famous Cryptid)
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is a tsuchinoko? Topics Discussed What a tsuchinoko is How you say "cryptid" in Japanese Tsuchinoko's status as a U.M.A. (Unidentified Mysterious Animal) What a tsuchinoko looks like Some of the abilities tsuchinoko are said to have The areas in Japan where tsuchinoko tend to live The sounds tsuchinoko are said to make The prevalence of tsuchinoko in the Kinki area The typical colors tsuchinoko are reported to be The many names used to refer to tsuchinokos What tsuchinoko literally translates to and how it is written The tsuchinoko's resemblance to a hammer The mythological creature kirin The oldest records found in Japan that depict something resembling a tsuchinoko The possible links between tsuchinoko and Japanese mythology The goddess Kayanohime Nodzuchi (野槌) The tsuchinoko's rise to promnence in the second half of the 20th century Soseki Yamamoto, the man who is responsible for kicking off the "Tsuchinoko Boom" of the '70s and '80s Soseki Yamamoto's journey to document the tsuchinoko Soseki Yamamoto's disillusionment with witht he tsuchinoko craze The town of Mikata in Hyogo Prefecuture's claim that they possessed a tsuchinoko Tsuchinoko bounties The tsuchinoko's connection to yokai Some of the many video games in which tsuchinoko appear The tsuchinoko shrine in Gifu Prefecture Tsuchinoko as a revered creature of the gods Tsuchinoko as a PR gimmick/cute mascot character Real animals that people may have seen and assumed were tsuchinoko The possibility that blue-tongued skinks are responsible for tsuchinoko sightings The yamanamekuji's resemblance to the typical tsuchinoko The tiger keelback's (yamakagashi) and its possible resemblance to tsuchinoko The story of a World War II soldier that thought he had caught a tsuchinoko And much more! Note: Whether a tsuchinoko is classified as a yōkai or not depends on who you ask. While it certainly can be classified as such, it is also commonly referred to as as a cryptid (UMA, mikakunin dōbutsu). This peculiarity raises an interesting question: can a creature be both a cryptid and a yōkai? The answer to that question is probably: it depends who you ask. Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha. And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance! Support on Patreon Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. Here are some of the English-language articles that were used during the research for this episode. The Mysterious Tsuchinoko of Japan Tsuchinoko Kayanohime Tsuchinoko Town touting mythical snake find; is 'rare' creature really a cash cow? (The Japan Times) These are some of the Japanese-language articles used as sorces for this episode. UMA ツチノコ (Japanese Wikipedia entry for Tsuchinoko) To check out the latest episode of Japan Station, use the link below. Behind the Yoshimoto Curtain: A Chat w. Comedian Stephen Tetsu | Japan Station 49 If you would like to check out the Kimito shop, then use the link below. Remember to use the coupon code OPENING10 when you check out to get 10% off (valid until the end of 2020). And if you buy $25 or more you'll get another 10% off (valid until the end of October, 2020). Visit KimitoDesigns.com. Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Tsuchinoko ツチノコ : 槌の子 【つちのこ; ツチノコ】 (n) mythical snake-like creature; tsuchinoko Kirin キリン : 麒麟(P); 騏驎 【きりん(P); キリン】 (n) (1) (uk) giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis); (n) (2) qilin (Chinese unicorn); (n) (3) (麒麟 only) Kirin (brand of beer); (n) (4) (騏驎 only) (arch) horse that can ride 1000 ri in a day We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Original artwork in featured image: A tsuchinoko illustrated by Miko A. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapanKyoNews) Twitter (@JapanKyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
8 Loka 202052min
25 Why does to "nyan nyan" mean "to have sex" in Japanese? (Japanese Cat Idioms)
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why does to "nyan nyan" mean to "have sex" in Japanese? Topics Discussed Japanese expressions/idioms related to cats What the Japanese expression neko no te mo karitai means and how it is used What pets are most popular in Japan The Japanese festival game of kingyosukui What the Japanese expression nekojita means What the Japanese expression nekobaba means What the Japanese expression nekoze means What the Japanese expression dorobōneko means Snakes falling from the ceiling of an old Japanese house The Sazae-san opening An experiment designed to find out how heavy a fish a stray cat is willing to carry What neko o kaburu means Theories about the origin of the expression neko o kaburu What the Japanese expression nyan nyan suru means The origin of the expression nyan nyan suru The story of Tomoko Takabe The Nyan Nyan Jiken (Nyan Nyan Scandal) of 1983 and its aftermath Erika Sawajiri What happened after Tomoko Takabe's photo was published in 1983 Underage smoking in Japan Why Focus chose to use nyan nya to mean sex (according to one theory) What nyan nyan shashin are And much more! Note: It is possible that nyan nyan as it was used by Focus in 1983 was not coined with the onomatopoeia for a cat crying in mind. In fact, the term appears to have been an allusion to something Tomoko Takabe used to say. It is not clear if this original nyan nyan was an allusion to cats. However, due to the fact that without any context a person hearing the term for the first time would likely assume that it is in some way connected to cats meowing, I decided to include nyannyan in this episode along with cat-related idioms. Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support on Patreon Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. The English-language article about the story of Tomoko Takabe and Focus' coverage of the "Nyan Nyan Scandal" that was mentioned several times can be accessed via the link below. As mentioned in the episode it does have the pictures but none are explicit. That being said, the website that published the article does have a lot of explicit content that is NSFW. Story about Tomoko Takabe/Nyan Nyan on Tokyo Kinky Here are a couple of Japanese-language sources used for this episode. 動物が使われている言葉 ニャンニャン事件 (Wikipedia) To listen to either of the Ichimon Japan episodes mentioned during this episode, use the links below. Does “hai” mean “bye” in Japanese? (The many ways to say “goodbye” in Japanese) | Ichimon Japan 24 What’s the deal with catgirls? (About nekomimi) | Ichimon Japan 01 To listen to the latest episode of Japan Station, use the link below. Pregnancy & Marriage in Low-Fertility Japan (Dr. Amanda C. Seaman) | Japan Station 48 Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Neko 猫 【ねこ(P); ネコ】 (n) (1) cat (esp. the domestic cat, Felis catus) Te 手 【て】 (n) (1) (occ. pronounced た when a prefix) (See お手・おて・1) hand; arm Neko no te mo karitai 猫の手も借りたい 【ねこのてもかりたい】 (exp,adj-i) (id) extremely busy; wanting even the help of a cat Kingyo 金魚 【きんぎょ】 (n) goldfish Kingyosukui 金魚すくい : 金魚すくい; 金魚掬い 【きんぎょすくい】 (n) festival game in which participants try to catch goldfish in a shallow paper ladle Nekojita 猫舌 【ねこじた】 (n) dislike of very hot food or drink; inability to take hot food; cat tongue Kuso/baba 糞 : 糞(P); 屎 【くそ(P); クソ(P)】 (int) (1) (uk) (col) bullshit; shit; damn; (n) (2) (col) (uk) feces; excrement; dung; (adj-f) (3) (uk) (col) damn; damned; blasted; stupid; (4) (sl) (uk) very; extremely; (adv) (5) (sl) (uk) a lot; (exp) (6) (uk) (as ～もくそも（ない）) not at all; not even a little; (P); : 糞; 屎 【ばば】 ; (n) (1) (vulg) (uk) (osb:) shit; crap; (2) (chn) (uk) pooh-pooh; poop; something dirty; 【ふん; フン】 ; (n) (uk) feces (esp. animal); excrement; dung Babā 婆 : 婆; 婆あ 【ばば(婆); ばばあ; ババ; ババア; ばばー; ババー】 (n) (1) (uk) (See 祖母) old woman Nekobaba 猫ばば : 猫ばば; 猫糞 【ねこばば; ネコババ】 (n,vs) (uk) embezzlement; misappropriation; pocketing; stealing Nekoze 猫背 【ねこぜ】 (n,adj-no,adj-na) bent back; hunchback; stoop Dorobōneko 泥棒猫 : 泥棒猫; 泥棒ネコ; どろぼう猫 【どろぼうねこ(泥棒猫,どろぼう猫); どろぼうネコ(泥棒ネコ)】 (n) (1) thieving cat; (2) (derog) adulterer; homewrecker Neko o kaburu 猫を被る : 猫をかぶる; 猫を被る 【ねこをかぶる】 (exp,v5r) (id) (See 猫被り) to feign friendliness; to play the hypocrite Mushiro 蓆 : 筵; 蓆; 莚; 席 【むしろ; えん(筵)】 (n) (1) woven mat (esp. one made of straw); (2) (arch) seat Nyan Nyan Suru にゃんにゃんする from にゃんにゃん (int) (1) (on-mim) meow; miaow; (n) (2) (chn) cat; (n,vs) (3) (sl) sexual intercourse; making out Jiken 事件 【じけん】 (n) event; affair; incident; case; plot; trouble; scandal Raburabu ラブラブ (adj-na,adj-no,n,vs) (col) lovey-dovey (wasei: love love); head-over-heels in love Koneko 子猫 : 子猫(P); 仔猫; 子ネコ; 小猫; 子ねこ; 仔ネコ 【こねこ(子猫,仔猫,小猫,子ねこ)(P); こネコ(子ネコ,仔ネコ); コネコ】 (n) (1) kitten; (2) small cat We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Featured image: An original catgirl character named Hagenyan next to the Ichimon Japan logo. Hagenyan was drawn by rept_u (@rept_u on Twitter and @repp_u on Instagram) based on an original concept by Tony Vega. Check out rept_u on Fiverr, if yo too want some awesome artwork. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
21 Syys 202056min
24 Does "hai" mean "bye" in Japanese? (The many ways to say "goodbye" in Japanese)
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Does "hai" mean "bye" in Japanese? Topics Discussed How most people that don't speak Japanese would say "goodbye" in Japanese How sayonara/sayōnara is used fairly infrequently in Japanese Reasons why people in Japan tend not to use sayonara/sayōnara frequently The etymology of sayonara/sayōnara When the first written record of the term that would become sayonara dates to what the literal meaning of sayō dearu naraba is Common ways that people say "goodbye" in Japanese The usage of osaki ni shitsurei shimasu when leaving the workplace The literal meaning of osaki ni shitsurei shimasu The meaning of otsukaresama How friends in Japan miht say "goodbye" to each other The term baibai Ittekimasu and itterasshai Bubble-era Japanese slang The antiquated slang term baibī How baibī was translated into English when Pac-Man was localized for the U.S. What gyaru is Gyaru slang (gyarugo) Using baibaikīn to say goodbye All about Anpanman and Baikinman The massive popularity of Anpanman How Baikinman may be the first gyaru How "hai" can be used to end a verbal interaction (in other words say "goodbye") in Japanese How many people incorrectly assume that "hai" simply means "yes" The misconception that "iie" is simply the Japanese equivalent of "no" The strange way in which "iie" and Japanese in general was used in the old Marvel comics featuring Wolverine in Japan Using hai as a way to signal that you are listening How misunderstanding hai can make answering negative questions in Japanese confusing The importance of learning things in context when you are studying a foreign language And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support on Patreon Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. Here are some of the English-language articles that were used during the research for this episode. Sayonara: One of the Most Japanese Words in the Dictionary What does the word Hai actually mean in Japanese??? These are some of the Japanese-language articles used as sorces for this episode. 「さようなら」の語源と由来 「さようなら」はもはや死語？関西では7割が「使わない」と回答 To listen to the latest episodes of the Japan Station podcast, use the links below. How I Became a Voice Actor in Japan (Reina 麗) | Japan Station 46 Working & Teaching in Japan (James from The Inside Japan Podcast) | Japan Station 47 Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Sayōnara さようなら (int) farewell; adieu; goodbye; so long Kutabare くたばれ (exp) (vulg) (ktb:) drop dead!; go to hell!; fuck you!; shove it! Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu お先に失礼します 【おさきにしつれいします】 (exp) (used when leaving a workplace while others remain) pardon me for leaving (first) Otsukaresama お疲れ様 : お疲れ様(P); お疲れさま(P); 御疲れ様 【おつかれさま】 (exp) (1) thank you; many thanks; much appreciated; (2) that's enough for today Ja ne じゃね (int) (fam) see you then; bye; ciao Baibai バイバイ (int) (1) bye-bye; good-bye; see you; so long; (n,vs) (2) saying goodbye; parting Ittekimasu いってき (int) (col) bye; see ya (afterwards); have fun; get going, now Itterashai いってらっしゃい (int) have a good day; take care; see you Mata na またね (exp) good-bye; see you later Baibī バイビー (int) (col) (See バイバイ・1) bye-bye; good-bye; see you; so long Gyaru ギャル (n) (1) gyaru (eng: gal); (young) woman adhering to a fashion trend usually marked by brown or blond-dyed hair, gaudy clothes and accessories; (2) gal Baikin 黴菌 : ばい菌(P); バイ菌; 黴菌 【ばいきん(ばい菌,黴菌)(P); バイきん(バイ菌)】 (n) (1) (col) germ; germs; bacteria; mold; mould; (2) (used figuratively) something harmful; vermin Kabi カビ : 黴 【かび(P); カビ】 (n) (uk) mold; mould; mildew; (P); 《verb stem》 カビる : 黴びる; 黴る 【かびる; カビる】 ; (v1,vi) (uk) to get moldy (mouldy); to get musty; to develop mildew Iya いや (int) (1) why; oh; (2) no!; quit it!; stop! Kya キャー : きゃっ; キャー; ぎゃあ; キャッ; きゃあ; ギャー; ぎゃっ; ギャッ (int) (1) (expressing surprise, pain, fear, or disgust) yikes!; eek!; ouch!; blech; (adv) (2) (きゃあ only) (on-mim) (monkey screech) ook; eek We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
7 Syys 202049min
23 Why are school rules in Japan so strict?
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why are school rules in Japan so strict? Topics Discussed Experiences working at and attending Japanese schools A selection of "weird" school rules (kōsoku) from across Japan The history behind why school rules became strict in Japan The case of a female high school student who filed a lawsuit after her school did not allow her to attend classes due to her refusal to dye her hair black The paradoxes surrounding rules restricting dying and perming one's hair Mandatory hair drying Mandatory perms for students with naturally curly hair Students having to prove that they were not born with black hair A survey that sheds light on what some students and teachers think of Japan's school rules The justifications behind the strict school rule "mentality" that is often seen in Japan Trying to protect girls through the implementation of rules that shame and blame them And much more! Note: As always, there are many more aspects to this topic that we could have covered, including how modern day schools in Japan have been shaped by policies implemented during the Meiji and early Showa (before and during WWII) eras. However, addressing that aspect of this topic would have led to a far lengthier discussion and thus it was decided to focus only on recent history for this episode. Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support on Patreon Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. Here are some of the main English-language articles that served as references for this episode. School rules in Japan offer harsh lessons in mindless assimilation (The Japan Times) Lawsuit over student's dyed hair confronts outdated thinking in Japan (The Japan Times) Tokyo public schools will stop forcing students to dye their hair black, official promises (Japan Today) Osaka surveys schools over hair-color rules after lawsuit (The Japan Times) To listen to the Kamon Tatsuo song mentioned in this episode, use the link below. The song is titled "Hontō ni Atta Kowai Kōsoku," which means "Scary School Rules that Actually Existed." Hontō ni Atta Kowai Kōsoku These are the main Japanese-language articles used as sources for this episode. 思わず笑っちゃう！ ウチの学校のおもしろ校則 全国の変な校則 The Japanese-language article containing the information about the Procter & Gamble Japan survey that asked teachers and students about school regulations can be found below. 校則見直し、悩む教育現場 「すさまじい同調圧力」も To listen to the latest episode of Japan Station, use the link below. The Fascinating Life of Stand-Up Comedian Shuhei “Shoe” Murakami | Japan Station 45 Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Kōsoku 校則 【こうそく】 (n) school regulations Hizakake ひざ掛け 【ひざかけ】 (n) lap blanket Rappanomi らっぱ飲み : 喇叭飲み; らっぱ飲み; ラッパ飲み 【らっぱのみ(喇叭飲み,らっぱ飲み); ラッパのみ(ラッパ飲み)】 (n,vs) drinking straight from a bottle Tai'ikukai 体育会系に from 体育会系 【たいいくかいけい】 (adj-no) sports-minded; sports-oriented Bunkasai 文化祭 【ぶんかさい】 (n) school festival; cultural festival; arts festival Geta 下駄 【げた】 (n) (1) geta; Japanese wooden clogs Yukata 浴衣 【ゆかた(P); よくい】 (n) (See 湯帷子) yukata (light cotton kimono worn in the summer or used as a bathrobe) Fundoshi ふんどし (n) (1) fundoshi; loincloth; traditional Japanese men's undergarment made from a length of cotton Tennen-pāama 天然パーマ 【てんねんパーマ】 (n) naturally curly hair Rīzento リーゼント (n) (abbr) (See リーゼントスタイル) Regent hairstyle; ducktail; Pompadour Furyō 不良 【ふりょう】 (adj-no,adj-na,n) (1) bad; poor; inferior; (n,adj-no,adj-na) (2) delinquent; hoodlum; hooligan We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
21 Elo 202052min
22 How do you create fake kanji?
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: How do you create fake kanji? Topics Discussed Kanji radicals The composition of kanji Kanji reading strategies The "Original Kanji Contest" (Sōsaku Kanji Kontesuto) What yūrei-moji (ghost kanji/characters) are Why the kanji character for rice (米) is used to mean "meter" in Japanese The kanji based system used for measurements (metric and Imperial) What kokuji (国字) are What "made in Japan kanji" (和製漢字, wasei kanji) are Some of our favorite kanji made in Japan The fabulous dolphin-like creature that is Shachihoko How to write gomi (trash, garbage) in kanji The many ways you can write "sleigh" in kanji And more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support on Patreon Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. If you would like to learn more about kanji radicals, one good place to start might be the Wikipedia page linked below. List of kanji radicals by frequency The 23 kanji radicals below are the ones mentioned by Christine in this episode. The on-yomi (Chinese reading) of a jōyō kanji will always have the same reading. The on-yomi for each of these radicals is provided as well. 長 chō 義 gi 亢 kō 章 shō 尞 ryō 曹 sō 巨 kyo 𢦏 sai 冓 kō 㐮 jō 旨 shi 氐 tei 呉 go 求 kyū 兪 yu 麻 ma 五 go 侵 shin 奴 do 喿 sō 喿 sō 及 kyu 賁 fun 旦 tan The list above is from the article below. If you are interested in learning more bout which kanji radicals have more or less readings, then the article is definitely worth a look. Toyoda, Etsuko & Firdaus, Arief & Kano, Chieko. (2013). Identifying Useful Phonetic Components of kanji for Learners of Japanese. Japanese Language and Literature. 47. 235-272. The Japan Times article on "ghost kanji" (yūrei-moji ) that was mentioned in this episode can be accessed via the link below. 'Ghost kanji' lurk in the Japanese lexicon The kanji that Christine gives as an example of a ghost kanj can be seen below. 妛: According to the Japan Times, some dictionaries give akebi as the reading of this character. However, it is believed that this character was accidentally created as a result of a mistake when creating computer fonts in the 1970s. This character (妛) is thought to derive from the real character 𡚴, which can be found in 𡚴原 (Akenbara), a name used for a small district in Shiga Prefecture. The extra horizontal line in the ghost kanji is believed to have been caused by a photocopying error. The website for the "Original Kanji Contest" (Sōsaku Kanji Kontesuto) can be accessed via the link below. Sōsaku Kanji Contest Website Source: Sōsaku Kanji Contest Website To look at the full list of made in Japan kanji/kokuji, check out the page linked to below. A list of kokuji (国字) To listen to the latest episode of Japan Station, use the link below. From Nintendo to Hello Kitty, Chatting About Japanese Pop Culture w. Matt Alt | Japan Station 44 Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Bushu 部首 【ぶしゅ】 (n) radical (of a kanji character) Tōge 峠 【とうげ】 (n,n-suf) (1) (mountain) pass; ridge; peak; (n) (2) peak (e.g. of summer); worst (e.g. of an illness); crisis; critical point; most difficult part Sori 轌 : 橇; 轌 【そり; ソリ】 (n) (uk) sleigh; sled; sledge Shachihoko 鯱 : 鯱; 鯱鉾 【しゃちほこ; しゃっちょこ(鯱); さちほこ(鯱)】 (n) mythical carp with the head of a lion and the body of a fish (auspicious protectors of well-being); 【しゃち; シャチ】 ; (n) (1) (uk) orca (Orcinus orca); killer whale; grampus; (2) (しゃち only) (abbr) (See 鯱・しゃちほこ) mythical carp with the head of a lion and the body of a fish (auspicious protectors of well-being); ED Name(s): 【しゃちほこ】 (s) Shachihoko Konoshiro 鮗 【このしろ; コノシロ】 (n) (uk) konoshiro gizzard shad (Konosirus punctatus) Ebi エビ : 海老(P); 蝦; 蛯; 鰕 【えび(P); エビ(P)】 (n) prawn; shrimp; lobster; crayfish Hataraku 働く 【はたらく】 (v5k,vi) (1) to work; to labor; to labour; (2) to function; to operate; to be effective; to work (i.e. ... works); to come into play; (3) to commit (e.g. a crime); to perpetrate; to do; to act; to practise; to practice; (4) {ling} to be conjugated Heibei 平米 【へいべい】 (n) square metre; square meter We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
7 Elo 202057min
Presenting Japanese Plus Alpha | I Stepped on the Etymology of "Neko" (The Cat Episode)
Japanese Plus Alpha is the latest podcast in the JapanKyo Podcast Network. Produced by Tony Vega, Japanese Plus Alpha focuses on the Japanese language and its many fascinating quirks. The show is designed as a fun way to learn about the Japanese language while at the same time gaining insight into Japanese history, culture, linguistics, and more. In other words, Japanese Plus Alpha is great for both those studying the Japanese language and those who enjoy learning about the world through language. Currently, Japanese Plus Alpha is available only via the JapanKyo.com Patreon. To get access to more episodes of Japanese Plus Alpha, just join the $3 a month Plus Alpha tier. This is episode 2 of Japanese Plus Alpha. It focuses on the origins of the word "neko," which means cat in Japanese. Hope you enjoy it. Join the JapanKyo.com Patreon (@JapanKyo.com/Patreon)
26 Heinä 202030min
21 What's so scary about the hour of the ox? (About Ushi no Koku Mairi)
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's so scary about the hour of the ox? Topics Discussed All about Japan's old way of telling time that was based on the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac (eto) Which "animals" in the old Chinese Zodiac based way of telling time correspond to which hours in the modern way of telling time Why the "hour of the ox" (ushi no koku) was thought to have associations with demons and inauspicious things What a "demon gate" (kimon) is In which direction you would find a kimon (demon gate) What ushimitsudoki is and what time it corresponds to The punctual nature of demons What ushi no koku mairi is How people performing ushi no koku mairi are typically depicted today The historical origins of ushi no koku mairi The story of Uji no Hashihime The various tools involved when placing a curse on someone ushi no koku mairi style The potentially deadly consequences of catching someone in the act of performing ushi no koku mairi Websites/companies that offer to places curses on your behalf Whether performing ushi no koku mairi or cursing someone is illegal in Japan Two actual cases of people threatening others using straw dolls (wara ningō) Why you could get arrested if you were to perform a full ushi no koku mairi ceremony How you can purchase ushi no koku mairi kits from online retailers like Amazon Japan One man's attempt to curse the coronavirus ushi no koku mairi style And more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support on Patreon Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. There are various ways of referring to the old way of telling time used in Japan that was based on the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. The two most common terms are kojikoku (古時刻) and jūnijishin (十二時辰). Much of the information this episode was based on was gathered from the Japanese-language sources below. Jūnijishin (十二時辰) This is the Japanese-language Wikipedia entry. 昔の時間の古時刻・十二時辰とは？初刻や正刻の鐘の意味は This is an in-depth article focusing on the old system used in Japan for telling time. Although it is not as thorough as the Japanese language articles above, the Japan Times article below does give some general information on the old Chinese Zodiac based system of telling the time that Japan used to use. Telling time with animals In the Chinese Zodiac-based way of telling time the day would start with the hour of the rat (ne no koku) and end with the hour of the boar (i no koku). Below you can see the terms used for all 12 animals/time divisions) and what two hour block each corresponds to. Also it should be noted that both English and Japanese-language sources are unclear on when exactly each two hour block of time begins. In general sources go with wording like "between 11 and 1," thus I have been unable to determine with 100% certainty if, for example, the last minute of the hour of the rat is 12:59 (which seems more likely) or 1:00. While this degree of precision was likely not a matter of concern for most people when this method of telling time was still being used, the question of when exactly each block of time ends is nevertheless one that remains and is unfortunately not solved in the information below. 11:00 p.m - 1:00 a.m. Rat 子 (鼠) ne 1:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m. Ox 丑 (牛) ushi 3:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. 寅 (虎) tora 5:0 am. - 7:00 a.m. Rabbit 卯 (兎) u 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Dragon 辰 (竜) tatsu 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Snake 巳 (蛇) mi 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Horse 午 (馬) uma 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. Sheep 未 (羊) hitsuji 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monkey 申 (猿) 酉 saru 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Rooster 酉 (鳥) tori 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Dog 戌 (犬) inu 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Boar 亥 (猪) i Information about the two articles by Salvador Jimenez Murguia that were mentioned in this episode can be found below. Only the second article is accessible for free. The Cursing Kit of Ushi no Koku Mairi Cyber Execration: A Case Study of Ushi No Koku Mairi The link below is for a video about the "Curse Demon Association" (呪鬼会, Jujikai), which is, according to the video, a group of Shinto priests that will curse people for you in exchange for money. Video About the Curse Demon Association The link below will take you to the Nikkan Spa article mentioned in this episode. The article describes one person's attempt to curse the coronavirus using ushi no koku mairi in order to stop the pandemic. Although the article is in Japanese, it's worth a look even if can't read Japanese since he pictures are pretty amusing. コロナを呪って終息へ！ リモート丑の刻参りに挑戦 To listen to the latest episode of Japan Station, use the link below. Talking Translation w. Sarah Moon | Japan Station 43 Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Eto 干支 【えと; かんし】 (n) (1) sexagenary cycle (60-year cycle of 12 animal zodiac and 5 elements in the traditional Chinese calendar); (2) 12-year Chinese zodiac Ushi no koku mairi 丑の刻参り 【うしのこくまいり】 (exp,n) cursing ritual where one visits a shrine at 2am and nails a doll representing a person to a tree, praying for said person's death Hakamairi 墓参り : 墓参り(P); 墓参(P) 【はかまいり(P); ぼさん(墓参)】 (n,vs) visit to a grave Ushimitsudoki 丑三つ時 【うしみつどき】 (n) (1) dead of night; middle of the night; midnight; (2) (See 丑の刻) third quarter of the hour of the ox Wara ningyō 藁人形 : 藁人形; わら人形; ワラ人形 【わらにんぎょう(藁人形,わら人形); ワラにんぎょう(ワラ人形)】 (n) straw doll; straw figure; straw effigy Kyōhaku 脅迫 【きょうはく】 (n,vs) threat; menace; coercion; terrorism We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
21 Heinä 202052min
