夏の風物詩（natsu no fubutsushi) --- Special Attractionｓ of Summer 4

花火大会 ( Hanabi-taikai, Fireworks display)

 Hanabi-taikai constitute a typical summer scene. They originated in the Edo Period (1603-1867) with the exhibition of fireworks held competitively between Tamaya and Kagiya, which were firework factories. In summer, fireworks displays occur throughout Japan. Because Japanese summers are hot and humid, these are appropriately lively gatherings for amusement on nights when one is unable to sleep. Japanese people enjoy viewing fireworks in “yukata”, a very casual type of cotton kimono, while eating snacks and drinking.　

 　　　　　　　　　　The most beautiful fireworks in the world
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

生け花(いけばな, ikebana) --- 日本の文化 (nihon no bunka) Japanese Culture 2

生け花（いけばな、Ikebana) Japanese Flower Arrangement

Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of arranging flowers. In its earlier stages of development it was closely related to the tea ceremony, being used as a special technique for decorating the tearoom.

丼物(どんぶりもの, donburi-mono) --- 日本の料理 (nihon no ryoori) Japanese Cuisine 3

丼物 (どんぶりもの, Donburi-mono)

Donburi-mono is a meal served in a large, deep bowl, with various kinds of ingredients on top of rice. Typical ingredients include Japanese fried food, pork cutlets (Katsu-don), boiled eel (Una-don), chicken and egg (Oyako-don), tuna sashimi (Tekka-don), sliced beef and onions (Gyuu-don), and so on.

Katsu-don

Una-don

Oyako-don

Tekka-don

Gyuu-don

漫画(まんが, manga)--- 日本のサブカルチャー（nihon no sabukaruchaa) Japanese Subculture 2

  漫画（まんが、manga)

  From “One Piece” and “Naruto” to “Doraemon” and “Sazae-san,” manga (comic books or cartoons) have been the heart of Japanese pop culture.
  It was created in Japan, or by Japanese creators in the Japanese language, conforming to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century. They have a long, complex pre-history in earlier Japanese art.
  In Japan, people of all ages read manga. The medium includes works in a broad range of genres: action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, suspense, detective, horror, sexuality, and business/commerce, among others.
Most “anime,” “cosplay” and other made-in-Japan examples of “otaku” (“nerd”) culture that have spread worldwide would not exist without “manga”
Top-selling mangas in April 2013 are [「進撃の巨人(Shingeki no Kyojin)」,　「One piece」, 「宇宙兄弟 (Uchuu Kyoodai)」,　「バジリスクー甲賀忍法帖(Bajirisukuu Kooga ninpochoo)」,　「黒子のバスケ (Kuroko no Basuke)」.

アニメ(anime, Animation) --- 日本のサブカルチャー (nihon no sabukaruchaa) Japanese Subculture 1

アニメ (anime, Animation)

 Anime (animation) has gained popularity as one of Japanese culture around the world over the past half century. Japanese animation started in 1917, and the characteristic anime style developed in the 1960s-notably with the work of Osamu Tezuka such as 鉄腕アトム(tetsuwan atomu, Mighty Atom). Anime is distributed via television, video, video games, commercials and Internet as well as at theaters.

 Most popular Japanese anime characters: Doraemon, Totoro, Mario, Astro Boy, Pikachu, Sazae-san, Chibi Maruko-chan, Kureyon Shin-chan, Son Goku, Lupin III, Arale-chan, Amuro Rei (Gundam),   Nobita Nobi (Doraemon), GeGeGe no Kitaro, Kenshiro, Bakabon no Papa (バカボンのパパ), Ashita no Joe, etc.

Kenshiro

Astro Boy

Kitaro

                                  Gegege No Kitaro ( Entry of Neko-musume)

                                              Tensai Bakabon

日本の料理 (nihon no ryoori) Japanese Cuisine 2

 駅弁 (ekiben)

Ekiben, boxed meals sold at railway stations with long-distance trains are very popular among the Japanese.  They are typically filled with locally grown ingredients and dishes unique to their region, and their wrapping paper usually depicts the scenery or a specialty of the particular place. One of the joys of travelling in Japan is eating ekiben and local food.

                                   Otaru --Yaki-taraba-bento (crab meat)

                                       Sendai--- Gyutan bento (beef tongue)

                   
                      Yokohama-- Chuuka bento (shuumai dampling, ｓweet and chili shrimp)

                               Shin-Osaka-- Midosuji bento (conger eel, takoyaki)

                            Nishi-Akashi-- Hippari-dako meshi (octopus, conger eel)

                                   Hiroshima--Shamoji-kaki-meshi ( oyster)                           

                            
                                   Tottori-- Ikasumi-bento Kuro-meshi ( squid ink)

                                 Hakata--Hakata-mentai bento (spicy cod roe)

                                 Nagasaki-- Rantan bento (chiken soboro, egg soboro)

                               


                                    

日本の料理 (nihon no ryoori) Japanese Cuisine 1

回転寿司 (kaiten-zushi) Conveyor Belt Sushi
Kaiten-zushi literally means "circulating sushi". Plates of sushi are set on a conveyor belt encircling the serving bar, and as the plates pass by, the customers select what they want. Plates with different colors, patterns, or shapes have different prices, usually ranging from 100 yen to 500 yen  Some conveyor belt sushi restaurant chains have a fixed price of 100 yen for every plate.

                                         High-tech kaiten-zushi