Bon holidays and Fireworks

I spend all my bon holidays in my hometown. Most of Japanese people take holidays between August 13th and 16th. This season is also take place summer festival and fireworks display in each place.

The day of fireworks was taken place, there were many stalls around and there were people in Yukata.

I went to Sushi restaurant with my family before the fireworks. It's an annual event of my family.

It's a embellishment to hold a mess. It's made from sugar, and placed in front of Buddhist altar.

In my hometown, fireworks display is taken place at city's harbor. People also enjoyed the summer night sea breeze.

At this harbor, you can watch the fireworks rising from opposite shore from a close distance. It's a great attraction! It's like a fireworks blast just on my head, and the sound is like roaring thunder!

Obon holidays and fireworks are finished, the end of summer is just around the corner...

I feel little bit lonely...

Japanese culture in 20th Century Boys

20th Century Boys again !
If you watch the movie : 20th Century Boys, you may wonder at some scene.

1. As a lead character Kenji is getting ready to go to his friend's funeral, his mother say that "Don't forget to have salt!".
Why does he need salt ?
Because not to bring the "death" into home. After someone's funeral, Japanese sprinkle salt their body before enter own house. It's based on thought of Shinto religion. But Buddist may doesn't do that.

2. Do you know what it's called the character,a mask which "friend" is putting on ?
He is "Ninja Hattori-kun", a comic's character. It was serialized in a magazine series from in 1960s to 1980s and was adapted into a 2004 live-action film that starred Shingo Katori of SMAP.

3. A man who in a flag in front of Kenji's store,Do you know who is he ?
His name is "Ohsama". Ohsama means King. He is a musician who was active in 1997.

If you know these 3points, you may be well-versed in Japan !

Family that sit around sukiyaki on New Year's Eve and young people who are unconcerned with untrue information that is reported in the media. These scene are very Japan.
I'm interested in how these scene will be translated in English.

Twentieth Century Boys - the next chapter,
a new page will be open to the another "end"...

Valentine's Day!

February 14 is Valentine's Day.

In Japan,females give chocolate to males on Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day gift special counter in a department store was crowded with many woman yesterday.

In Tokyo,There are various events of Valentine's Day. Illumination of the heart shape is fantastically produced in Roppongi(Tokyo midtown). In Shibuya,Valentine's Day message is screened on a large-scale screen set up on the wall of a building.

Feb 14 is a courageous day for woman in Japan. Because it is an important day when woman confess her love for a man she loves.

Courage is necessary for life. If not courageous,we can't get a chance.

Anyway,I don't have a boyfriend. I would rather receive chocolate than give someone. Because I love chocolate!

Kazuko Hosoki - The most famous fortune teller in Japan

Kazuko Hosoki is the most famous fortune teller in Japn now.
There is Kazuko Hosoki's program twice a week at prime time. She is in great demand on TV. I am writing this, and she is on the TV right now.

She foretells person's fate by six stars astrology. But,her character is more famous than her fortune-telling.

Kazuko Hosoki doesn't listen to opinion of other perple. For expample,if someone say own opinion against her,she gets angry soon. And she always says "If you don't listen to my advice,you will die!". Kazuko Hosoki is strict with young woman. On the other side, for cool man,she always smaile and gentle.
Kazuko Hosoki looks selfish but her strong character is very interesting. In a sense,she is a funny woman.

According to her fortune-telling,I will get lucky this year!
I don't believe in fortune-telling,but I want to believe in!