http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/ ja http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-147.html “Osechi-ryori” is Japanese traditional New Year dishes. The dishes are prepared and arranged in a set of special boxes, mainly of lacquer-ware. Laver rolls, bamboo shoots, radishes, carrots, and so on are cooked separately in soy sauce. Fried egg cakes (“tamagoyaki”), steamed fish-paste cakes (“kamaboko”), black beans (“kuromame”), and sweetened chestnuts are essential materials for “Osechi-ryo “Osechi-ryori” is Japanese traditional New Year dishes. The dishes are prepared and arranged in a set of special boxes, mainly of lacquer-ware. Laver rolls, bamboo shoots, radishes, carrots, and so on are cooked separately in soy sauce. Fried egg cakes (“tamagoyaki”), steamed fish-paste cakes (“kamaboko”), black beans (“kuromame”), and sweetened chestnuts are essential materials for “Osechi-ryori”. These foods reflect old people’s wisdom for keeping healthy during the New Year Holidays. No fat is used but a moderate amount of oily foods are added. “Osech-ryori” is prepared in each household at the end of the year, so as to release housewives from labor during the New Year Holidays. In recent years housewives buy “Osechi-ryori at supermarkets and department stores. It is losing its traditional worth.
]]> In English! 2009-02-24T15:53:35+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-146.html “Ryotei” is a typical Japanese-style restaurant but not an ordinary restaurant. It is featured by its high quality cuisine and also a high price. At a Ryotei the guests can be attended by geisha girls if they wish. The foods served there will be of high quality. The fish is fresh, the meat is of best quality and the vegetables are also fresh. Another feature is that Ryotei is located at a pla “Ryotei” is a typical Japanese-style restaurant but not an ordinary restaurant. It is featured by its high quality cuisine and also a high price. At a Ryotei the guests can be attended by geisha girls if they wish. The foods served there will be of high quality. The fish is fresh, the meat is of best quality and the vegetables are also fresh. Another feature is that Ryotei is located at a place away from the town, and there important business talks and political negotiation are carried out. For this reason political positions based on negotiations taking place at Ryotei are cynically called “Ryotei politics” In Tokyo Ryoteis around Akasaka are most famous. However, be careful! One of the famous Ryotei “Kiccho” of Osaka has spoiled its own goodwill by serving false of false origin and serving other customers’ leftovers.
]]> In English! 2009-02-24T15:52:25+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-145.html This is a kind of Japanese food served by most Japanese-style restaurants. “Kai” means one’s bosom, and “Seki” means a stone. “Kaiseki” is derived from a legend about a monk who endured hunger by putting stones in his boson. As this legend suggests, “Kaiseki” had a meaning of a simple and artless meal, and it was served at a formal tea ceremony party before serving the strong thick tea so as t The modern trend, however, “Kaiseki-ryori” has become gorgeous and expensive dishes, far from the simple and serene atmosphere of a tea ceremony. No customers expect to have tea served, but instead of tea, they expect to have sake and beer. Nowadays, “Kaiseki-ryori” is an ordinary but expensive dishe available everywhere in Japan.
]]> In English! 2009-02-24T15:39:14+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-144.html En Japón, en la época de nuestras madres, (es decir hace unos 25 ó 30 años) se creía que las mujeres debían casarse, cuidar su hogar y nada más. Muchas personas creían en esos tiempos y aún quedan quienes lo siguen creyendo y piensan que eso es la felicidad de la mujer.Pero, desde en los años 70s, las mujeres han ido obteniendo En Japón, en la época de nuestras madres, (es decir hace unos 25 ó 30 años) se creía que las mujeres debían casarse, cuidar su hogar y nada más. Muchas personas creían en esos tiempos y aún quedan quienes lo siguen creyendo y piensan que eso es la felicidad de la mujer.
Pero, desde en los años 70s, las mujeres han ido obteniendo la oportunidad de entrar al mercado laboral y poco a poco esta oprtunidad se ha ido extendiendo al ambito profesional dando posibilidad a la elección de una carrera. Por supuesto aún sigue habiendo una gran diferencía sobre contenido de ocupación y sueldo en relación con los hombres.
En los años 90s, una parte de la poblacion femenina trabajo más que los hombres para ganar su posición social y luchar en contra de las diferencias que han existido, las mujeres japonesas se armarón con un traje masculino y reaccionarón con demasiada fuerza contra las palabras "Se una mujer."que era la frase celebre de quienés en ese tiempo se molestarón por la existencia de ellas.
Gracias sus esfuerzos, ahora las mujeres se han creado una pocisión en las empresas y siguen creandose una posición en la sociedad. Por supuesto, su posición en comparación con la de los hombres es todavía mínima quizás de un 10% y aún queda el problema de sueldo que sigue siendo inferior al de los hombres. Pero ahora las mujeres ya no necesitan armarse (vestirse) con un traje masculino, ahora se empieza a disfrutar de una vida mas libre y de igualdad donde las mujeres empiezan en verdad a ser parte del mundo laboral sin perder su feminidad.
Pero los cambios de modernidad en la mujer han traido otros problemas, el casamiento tardio y la baja natalidad, muchas de las mujeres desean trabajo y hogar, ambas cosas, pero para aquellas que tienen trabajo, el casamiento y parto de una cría son muy duros y sin la ayuda y comprensión de la sociedad, empresa, padres y esposo las mujeres japonesas seguirán titubiando al momento de elegir el mejor camino para sus vidas.
]]> ¡En Español! 2008-12-21T17:31:35+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-143.html A trademark can be described as a letter, a sign or symbol used in relation to one trader’s goods or service to distinguish them from similar goods or services supplied by other traders. If no trademark exists, it would be necessary, each time a purchase is contemplated, to compare products by referring to ingredients, function and consumer experiences been this so troublesome. The trademark is u If a consumer has had a bad experience with a product, the trademark can act as a warning against further purchases, which means that the reputation of the trademark has been spoiled. For example, the “SNOW BRAND” lost its reputation because of the poisonous milk. If a trademark is to be legally protected, it must be registered at the Trade Mark Registry. However, in order to be registered, the trademark must satisfy several conditions for registrability. .A prime condition is distinctiveness. Any trademark must have the capability of distinguishing one product from other. Once one trademark has been registered, others are excluded from using an identical mark or a similar mark. However, it is very difficult to decide the similarity of two trademarks.
]]> In English! 2008-12-08T14:10:12+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-142.html 日本語の豊かな表現は、美しい日本の四季の中に暮らす私たちにとって誇りでもある。しかし昨今、その日本語の乱れが、あちこちで指摘されている。特に敬語については、職場や学校などで正しく使えない人が増えている。最近の英字新聞で、以下六つの敬語について論じられていたようだ。尊敬語・謙譲語・丁重語・丁寧語・美化語 ・バイト敬語などである。特にさいごのバイト敬語は、「千円からいただきます。」「これでよろしかった 日本語で頑張ろう! 2008-12-05T13:23:55+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-141.html El lenguaje Honorífico es básicamente el conjunto de “ricas expresiones” habladas en concordancia con la situación que se vive y se dice que es regularmente usado por todos aquellos japonesés que disfrutan de la belleza de las cuatro estaciones del Japón y que a su vez sienten orgullo de poder usarlo, sín embargo en los últimos años se ha not Oficialmente son cinco las formas del Lenguaje Honorífico pero se dice de seis diferentes modos de hablar que son los que conforman el lengaje honorífico.
1.El “sonkeigo” Lenguaje que alaba o bien eleva el estatus del interlocutor
2.El “kenjogo” Lenguaje que se usa para expresar la modestia del hablante.
3. El “teineigo” Lenguaje que da la formalidad en hablante en cuales frases normalmente terminan en “desu” ó “masu”.
4.El “teichogo” es otra forma de lenguaje que se usa para expresar la modestia pero a diferencia del “kenjogo” en esta forma no se requiere que el hablante sea receptor de la modestia con que se esta hablando.
5.El “bikago” son palabras o letras que se usan al principio de frases específicas para embellecer lo que se dice. La letra que se usa es la letra “o” y la palabra es “go”, ambas se ponen delante de los sustantivos.
6.El “baito keigo” este es quizás el patito feo de todas las formas del Lenguaje Honorífico porque ignora todos los convencionalismos del mismo,sin embargo se usa sin ton ni son y muchas veces hasta de manera robótica, esta forma de “keigo” es escuchada comúnmente en tiendas de 24 horas (lawson, Family Mart y otras así como también en restaurantes) la frase mas célebre es quizás “udon ni narimasu” que se traduce en algo así como “aquí le presento a usted al que se ha convertido en una sopa de fideos”.
El lenguaje Japonés está cambiando dramáticamente y es de lamentar que muchas personas en su mayoría jovenes, no usen esta bella forma de hablar y a cambio estén usando nuevas expresiones como las del “baito keigo”y otras de origen extranjero así como también el uso desmedido de katakana (caractéres japonesés).
Si bién este cambio traé consigo la pracmaticidad cuando se habla eso no justufica el deterioro de tan bello lenguaje. Eso es todo amigos! Hasta la proxima! Bye.
]]> ¡En Español! 2008-12-05T13:18:27+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-140.html Japón es un país entre muchas montañas y en tiempos pasados no existian los modernos medios de comunicación con los que se cuenta hoy en día, no había autobuses, trenes, avíones etc..la única forma de viajar era caminando y solo caminando se podía uno comunicar, las montañas impedian el acceso entre una y otra comunidad, la ida Hoy en día el uso de los medios de comunicación así como el uso de aparatos electrónicos permiten a los habitantes del Japón la fácil comunicación y no sólo acortan las distancias sino que también permiten que sus habitantes mezclen sus variadas tradiciones, solidificando así el uso de una lengua mas homogénea.
Actualmente el japonés hablado en Tokyo es el que se considera como “estándar”, esto debido simplemente al hecho de que es allí donde se reúnen los habitantes de las diferentes zonas de todo el país, expandiendo así la lengua y cultura a todos los rincones del Japón.
Gracias principalmente al uso de los medios de electronicos de comunicación, radio, televisión y a los modernos sistemas de transporte como el tren bala que comodamente y en poco tiempo transporta a los habitantes del norte en Hokaido y del sur en Kyushu y Okinawa hacia todos los puntos del país hoy se vive un Japón mas unido. Viva la modernidad!.


標準語(共通語)が出来たのは・・・・・
日本はたくさんの山に囲まれた国です。昔は、バスも電車も飛行機もありませんでした。人々は歩いて旅をしていました。山が険しく往来は大変でした。そのため人の往来が少なく、その土地の言葉(方言・なまり)が発達しました。
ところが近年になって電化され、ラジオやテレビが普及するようになりました。放送で、どの地方の言葉を使うかが問題になりました。首都は東京だったので、東京の言葉を標準語にすることに決めました。
現在では、飛行機や新幹線をはじめとして、交通が非常に発達し便利になりました。人々は、北は北海道から南は九州・沖縄まで快適な旅を楽しむことができるようになりました。
]]> ¡En Español! 2008-11-17T11:38:40+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-139.html Tigers' fans are known as perhaps the most fanatical and dedicated fans in all of Japanese professional baseball. They often outnumber the home team fans at Tigers "away" games. Tigers fans also have a reputation for rough behavior and a willingness to brawl with other fans or with each other, although long fights are rare. A famous Tigers fan tradition is singing the Tigers' fight song. This trad The Tigers-Giants rivalry is considered the national Japanese rivalry, on par with the New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball or Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona in Spanish football.
The Hanshin Tigers, one of the oldest professional clubs in Japan, were founded in 1935 with the team being formed in 1936. The team was first called the Osaka Tigers. In 1940, amid anti-foreign sentiment, the Tigers changed the name to Hanshin and in 1947 changed the name back to Osaka Tigers. The current team name was assumed in 1961,　however with the latest wining of the Detroit Tigers in the American baseball, and the surprising success story of 2006 after years of futility, The team has wanted to broaden its name oversees and it has done it successfully untiｌ it bump into Japan where the Hanshin Tigers have the author rights of the name.
There are various legends about how the Detroit Tigers got their nickname. One involves the orange stripes they wore on their black stockings. Tigers manager George Stallings took credit for the name; however, the name appeared in newspapers before Stallings was manager. Another legend concerns a sportswriter equating the 1901 team's opening day victory with the ferocity of his alma mater, the Princeton Tigers.
Richard Bak, in his 1998 book, A Place for Summer: A Narrative History of Tiger Stadium, pp.46-49, explains that the name originated from the Detroit Light Guard military unit, who were known as "The Tigers". They had played significant roles in certain Civil War battles and in the 1898 Spanish-American War. The baseball team was still informally called both "Wolverines" and "Tigers" in the news. The earliest known use of the name "Tigers" in the media was in the Detroit Free Press on April 16, 1895. Upon entry into the majors the ballclub sought and received formal permission from the Light Guard to use its trademark and from that day forth it is officially the Tigers.
The Detroit Tigers' newfound success attracted a new generation of fans, many of whom who had never seen winning baseball in Detroit before. Now Tigers fans traveled to road games in large numbers, most notably at the interleague series with the Chicago Cubs and the crowd could be heard chanting "Let's Go Tigers!" throughout all three games, all of which were Detroit victories.
One doubt many fans (Japanese and Americans) might have is whether the Tigers could compete against the Tigers and what team would win.
Well according to the statistics The Hanshin Tigers won four titles before the establishment of the two league system in 1950. Since the league was split into the Central League and the Pacific League, the Hanshin Tigers have won the Central League pennant five times (1962, 1964, 1985, 2003, and 2005) and the Japan Series once (1985).
When the 2004 Major League Baseball season opened in Japan, the Tigers played an exhibition game against the New York Yankees at the Tokyo Dome on March 29. The Tigers won 11–7. In each of 2005, 2006 and 2007, over 3 million people attended games hosted by the Tigers. The Hanshin Tigers were the only one of the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams to achieve this.
On the contrary The Detroit Tigers despite their 1987 division title victory, proved unable to build on their success, in 1991, the Detroit Tigers improved, posting winning records in 1991 (84-78) and 1993 (85-77). However, the team lacked quality pitching and its core of key players began to age, setting the franchise up for decline.
From 1994 to 2005, the Detroit Tigers did not post a winning record. This was by far the longest sub-.500 stretch in franchise history; prior to this, the team had not gone more than four consecutive seasons without a winning record. The team's best record over that time was 79-83, recorded in 1997 and 2000. In 1996, the Tigers lost a then-team record 109 games.
The 2003 season was a complete morass; The Detroit Tigers came within one loss of tying the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in modern major league history. For this reason, they have been described as possibly "the worst team of all time without a good excuse."
In 2004, the team signed or traded for several talented but high-risk veterans, and the gamble paid off. The 2004 Tigers finished 72-90, a 29-game improvement over the previous season, and the largest improvement in the American League since Baltimore's 33-game improvement from 1988 to 1989. However, the team was still sub-.500.
Prior to the 2005 season, the Tigers spent a large sum for two prized free agents,
After years of futility, the 2006 season showed signs of hope. After an early season the team reached a high point when they were 40 games over .500.
Both histories are quite different and for that, it takes us to a logical conclusion of what team will win, but nothing is predictable when it comes to talk about sports, what it would be very interesting is to see this two teams playing against each other to save the rights of their name. See you next time. Bye!
]]> In English! 2008-10-08T12:42:50+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-138.html Edo period changed to the Meiji period change in a very radical way that could be called “Revolution” like the French Revolution however it is generally accepted more as “Restoration”. This because the change from the Tokugawa government to the Meiji Emperor’s government involved no violent bloody action, but the change smoothly took place. Owing to this change the Emperor restored his ruling po The Edo period ended in 1868 and the Meiji period replaced it. The Tokugawa family lost its sovereignty over the country, and was allowed to rank as the nobles. The Tokugawa family did not perish but continued until now. Nowadays there are politicians, businesspersons and artists having the name “Tokugawa”. They are somehow connected to the Tokugawa family.
After the Meiji government regained the ruling power, the first thing the government tried to achieve was to change the feudalistic system into a modern industrial state. Because of the long-time national isolation policy, the Japanese industry fell behind the progress of western countries. Therefore, the government opened all the ports to the world.
Edo was renamed “Tokyo” in 1868 and became the new national capital. The government issued the Charter Oath in 1868. The Charter Oath promised that free assemblies would be admitted and all matters should be decided by public discussion, and the inappropriate customs of the past would be abandoned. In this way the traditional feudalism was abolished, and democracy gradually took root in Japan.
Another important policy taken by the Meiji government was to westernize the society by modeling western cultures and customs. This “westernizing movement” vigorously ran from 1871 to 1873 when the mission headed by a major politician Iwakura Tomomi visited America and Europe. In westernizing the Japanese society the aristocrats played an important role whereas the lower poor peasants in local areas were completely left behind. They were very frustrated.
The Meiji government also paid attention to reform the national taxation system. The new government needed a lot of money to build a new modern state. The new land tax was set at 3 percent of the assessed values. The radical changes of the land taxation system aroused local landowners’ anger.
A further important task for the new government was education. Under the Edo period elementary education of young people took place on a very small scale, using temples... There was no nationwide uniform education system. The Education Order was issued in 1872 aiming at the universal literacy. Many foreign teachers were hired to assist the Japanese educators in 1870s and 1880s.
At any rate, the Meiji government had to speed up to catch up with western countries in politics, economy, military forces, police, education, and taxation. Now we can see a strong Japan that keepｓ oｎ striving and has by far overtaken in many fields, such as technology, security and economy (among others) to most of countries in the world.
]]> In English! 2008-10-06T12:19:06+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-137.html The Edo period is also called the Tokugawa Period, because this period was ruled by the Tokugawa Family. The Edo period started in 1600 when Tokugawa Ieyasu completely defeated the rivalrous power Toyotomi Family in the famous battle “Sekigahara”, located at Gifu between Ohtsu and Nagoya. Since then, the Edo Period lasted until 1868 , almost two centuries. During this period the whole Japan was
The Edo period is featured by the National Seclusion Policy. In those days Christianity was growing, and the Christians devoutly respected Christianity, and for them Jesus Christ was more important than the Tokugawa Shogun. The Christians would have refused to die for the Shogun but they would have been willingly to die for Jesus Christ. As a result, the Tokugawa feared the growing power of Christianity, and issued an anti-Christian edict in 1612. The National Seclusion Policy was strengthened successor by successor. Finally, the Tokugawa decided that Japan closed its gates against the world except for Holland and China. Only the Dutch and Chinese were allowed to enter Japan through Nagasaki. However, their visit to Japan was limited to the officially authorized merchants’ activities. Any Christian missions were prohibited. Four ports were allowed for foreigners, those were, Nagasaki, for the Dutch and Chinese, Tsushima for the Koreans, Kagoshima port for the Okinawa people, and Matsumae (Hokkaido) through which the Ainu (native people in Hokkaido) were allowed to enter the mainland of Japan.

Among the modern historians there are a negative opinion and a positive opinion about the National Seclusion Policy. The negative opinion is that the National Seclusion Policy offered a great disadvantage for promoting modernization. The positive opinion is that thanks to the great peace lasing two centuries, Japan experienced remarkable political, social, economic, and cultural changes and development. The Dutch and Chinese cultures affected the Japanese culture very much. Nowadays, you can see many Dutch and Chinese elements in the Japanese culture. Anyway, during the National Seclusion Period many parts of the Japanese culture such as Japanese poem “Haiku”, gardening, traditional music, “bunraku, (Japanese puppet), “kabuki”, “ukiyoe” (Japanese traditional paintings), Japanese dishes such as tempura, confectionery, pottery or china, lacquer ware, and clothing were born and developed.
]]> In English! 2008-10-01T16:11:47+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-136.html Tempura is one of the typical Japanese dishes. It has a long history. The history dates back to the 16th century. In those days the Japanese people already knew how to fry vegetables in oil but they had no idea about deep frying. Tempura was introduced to Japan in the mid-sixteenth century by early Portuguese and Spanish missionaries traders. The word tempura may be derived from the Portuguese Tempura is one of the typical Japanese dishes. It has a long history. The history dates back to the 16th century. In those days the Japanese people already knew how to fry vegetables in oil but they had no idea about deep frying. Tempura was introduced to Japan in the mid-sixteenth century by early Portuguese and Spanish missionaries traders. The word tempura may be derived from the Portuguese noun tempero, meaning a condiment or seasoning, or from the verb temperar, meaning "to season."There is still today a dish in Portugal very similar to tempura called peixinhos da horta, "garden fishies." However, the Japanese language could easily have assumed the word "tempero" as is, without changing any vowels. A far more likely explanation for the word is that it is derived from "tempora," a Latin word meaning "times", "time period" used by either Spanish or Portuguese missionaries to refer to the Lenten period, (days for Christian & Catholic of fasting and praying before Easter). Fridays and other holy days when they could not eat meat.
. They taught the Japanese how to deep fry fish in oil. It is thought that as the term "tempura" gained popularity in southern Japan & gradually spread to the eastern, there it became widely used to refer to any sort of food prepared using hot oil, including some already existing Japanese foods. Today, the word "tempura" is also commonly used to refer to satsuma age, a fried fish cake which is made without batter.
In 1616 the first Shogun (the founder of Tokugawa Dynasty) Tokugawa Ieyasu was already retired and living a retirement life in Shizuoka. On April 17 he ate tai (sea-bream) tempura for the first time. It tasted so good that he ate a lot. A few hours later he died. It is said that he was killed by tempura. Whether it may be true or not, anyway this is a famous story.
In this way tempura itself had been known in those days but the name was not so. In 1865 or after tempura became an ordinary food for Japanese people, consisting of two kinds, that is, vegetables and fish. Sesame oil was mainly used for making tempura but at the present in first-class restaurants a mixture of olive oil and sesame oil is used. It is said that they never use the oil many times. It is generally known that as frequently as the oil is used, it degrades. In Japan, restaurants specializing in tempura are called tenpura-ya and range from inexpensive fast –food chains to very expensive five-star restaurants. Many restaurants offer tempura as part of a set meal or a bento (lunch box), and it is also a popular ingredient in take-out or convenience store bento boxes.
Third class shops buy used oil from the first-class restaurants and used it. The used oil price is low but is likely to give the eaters heartburn.
Shrimp is the most popular fish for tempura. Perhaps tempura will lose its value without having shrimp. Besides shrimp, cuttlefish (ika) and shellfish (kai) are used. The way of making tempura is as follows:
At first oil is boiled in a pan. Fish and vegetables are covered with batter, batter is mixed dough of wheat flour and eggs with little water called in Japanese “koromo”.
There are three important points to keep in mind to really enjoy good tempura.
1・ The “koromo” literally means coating. The preparing of “koromo” needs special skill. The taste of tempura depends upon the quality of “koromo” and taste of tempura differs with how to prepare the “koromo”.
2・The second factor is the temperature of the boiling oil. You must adjust the temperature of oil in accordance with the contents.
3・Tempura must be eaten while it is hot. Cold tempura has no value. Therefore, the best is to each tempura as near as the cooking place. No time loss is allowed to be served. In this sense a small shop may be good. The worst tempura is that one bought at a supermarket. Tempura is always accompanied by a specially prepared sauce made of soy sauce ("shoyu"), miring, ground radish, and sometimes with lemon. Some people, however, eat tempura without sauce and with salt or with nothing. They think that the sauce spoils the taste of tempura but this is just a matter of taste.
]]> In English! 2008-09-19T13:34:58+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-135.html In addition to a yuurei and an oni, we have another strange creature called “kappa”. A kappa is an imaginary animal, and is very popular among the Japanese people. There will be no English version of a kappa. The term “kappa” originates from “kawa” meaning a river and “wappa” meaning a small child. A kappa is the main character in some legends A kappa is an amphibian; that is, it can live both A kappa is an amphibian; that is, it can live both on land and in water like frogs and toads. A kappa always lives near rivers and ponds in mountainous areas, not in urban areas. In olden times when a man was drown in a river or pond; people believed that a kappa dragged him to the bottom of the water. In this sense, a kappa was a dreadful killer. Old parents used to warn their children who were going to swim in a river or a pond by saying, “Look out for a kappa.” Nevertheless, a kappa is popular among people, especially among children, and is an essential element of fairy tales. It is always a question whether a kappa is a real creature or a fictional creature. Rural people believe in the existence of a kappa but urban dwellers are doubtful about it, and take it as a character on fictional stories.
A kappa has a unique shape. It is said that the body is of bluish dark color and the total size is as large as a little boy of five years old but has a strong muscle enough to drag a man to the depth of water. It has a pointed face like a crow and has a dish-like depression on his head. This depression is very important as it holds water; at any rate, the depression must be at least damp; otherwise, a kappa will die. That is why a kappa lives near a river or a pond. Another feature of a kappa is a carapace on its back. The hands and feet are webbed, and nails are sharp and pointed as claws. To tell you all, a kappa is quite a grotesque animal.
A kappa is very popular but mysterious. There are people who say that a kappa is a suppon. A suppon is a real animal. You can eat a suppon dish at a Japanese restaurant. A suppon is a kind of mud-turtle found in rivers and lakes. A suppon is edible, but actually it’s a dangerous animal. When you try to catch a suppon in a river, you are at the risk of lose your finger being snapped by a suppon. Once your finger is snapped the suppon will never release it until the finger is cut away. Another explanation is that a kappa was created to guard people against a suppon. However is not certain whether it is true or not.
]]> In English! 2008-09-03T15:17:19+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-134.html Is said that in these days of extreme heat anything that cool you down is welcome, well then I’ll tell you something that is going to give you some refresh. Do you know What a Yuurei is? A yuure is a kind of creature which is supposed to be a Japanese version of a western ghost, but it is not a ghost. This writing aims to illustrate the differences between a yuurei and a ghost. Because of the di Do you know What a Yuurei is? A yuure is a kind of creature which is supposed to be a Japanese version of a western ghost, but it is not a ghost. This writing aims to illustrate the differences between a yuurei and a ghost. Because of the differences, the term yuure” will be used here, so as to avoid giving Westerners a wrong concept of a yuurei:
Kyoto is a historic city, where so many people were killed in battles during its long history, so that there are many cemeteries here and there. The most famous is the “Ohtani Graveyard”. Nearby there is a Red Cross Hospital. People say that on rainy days a pale-looking, thin, young woman stands in front of the hospital without an umbrella, and hails a taxi. She always tells the driver to go to the graveyard.
According to a driver who experienced this, while driving to the graveyard he could not see her in the cab’s mirror, but when he looked back, he saw her sitting in the back seat. However, when he arrived at the graveyard, she was no longer there.
On these days we’ve having some rainy days which could be an extraordinary opportunity to cool you down, so if you have the time and want to make your brave out why don’t you go and make yourself sure I’m not lying.
Now if the facts I mentioned above didn’t refresh you, the next story at least will make you laugh.
One rainy summer night, when some of the taxi-drivers were gathered at their rest station and were gossiping about the disappearing woman, they were visited by a young lady looking for a cab. The manager was pleased to have a passenger. She was a pale-looking, thin, young lady, and told him that she wanted to go to the Ohtani Graveyard. Nobody was willing to obey the manager’s order to take her, having one excuse or another. The manager became irritated, and finally ordered a rookie driver, saying, “This is your duty. Hurry up! Don’t keep the lady waiting. She is waiting outside.” The novice hesitated but finally obeyed the manager’s order. He rushed to his cab, and sped off at high speed for the Ohtani Graveyard. In a short time he was back and in a panic, hysterically shouting to the manager, “She vanished from my cab! Disappeared! She was a yuurei” The manager angrily said, “You fool! You forgot your passenger!”
See you. Bye! 　　　　
]]> Phrasal Verbs! 2008-08-25T16:27:14+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-133.html In 1600 the Tokugawa Regime started to control the entire mainland of Japan. The Edo period started and continued up to 1868. The Tokugawa government divided the entire land of Japan into “Han” (feudalistic domains), and authorized the lord of each Han to govern his Han under Tokugawa’s basic policies and regulations. In those days Japan took the national isolation policy, which means that Japa In English! 2008-08-22T14:56:32+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-131.html Here are the briefs that will help you to better understand the development of Japanese history that relays the history of “Atsushime”.The TV drama tells the history of Atsuhime who is from Kagoshima and is the legitimate wife of the 13th Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Iesada. The lord of the Kagoshima Han (domain) sent her as the legitimate wife of the 13th Shogun but he was physically weak, especial The TV drama tells the history of Atsuhime who is from Kagoshima and is the legitimate wife of the 13th Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Iesada.
The lord of the Kagoshima Han (domain) sent her as the legitimate wife of the 13th Shogun but he was physically weak, especially because suffering from beriberi, and died of heart failure at the age of 35. The couple had no child, which meant that the 13th Shogun, Iesada had no successor thus the absence of a successor was a very serious matter for the Tokugawa Family and therefore two powers fought for the successor post. Finally the lord of the Hikone Han Iinaosuke (“eenaosuke”) won over the Mito power. Atsuhime belonged to the Mito group and recommended Yoshinobu, who eventually became the 15th and last Shogun.
Is important to keep in mind that in those days Hikone clan which was situated near to what nowadays is Biwako Lake and of which remains a beautiful castle was a progressive group in favor of opening-up Japan to overseas commercialization, contrary to Mito’s clan which refuses to such ideas because of its character of conservatism.
At this stage Tokuwaga Iemochi became the 14th Shogun who was from Kishuu (Wakayama). However, he was only 13 years old, and immature to function as Shogun. Atsuko had to be a guardian for the young Shogun. It’s also important to mention that when her husband died, Astuhime became a female priest, named “Tenshoin”.

In those days another serious problem had arisen by having U.S. fleet headed by Admiral Matthew Perry suddenly appearing at Uraga Port in Yokosuka, Kanagawa. Perry urged the Tokugawa Shogun to open the Japanese ports. Not only the Tokugawa but also all the people of Japan were surprised and feared. This incident caused the national opinion to divide into two; that is, pro-opening group and anti-opening group. The pro-opening group was headed by Iinaosuke, and the anti-opening group was headed by Mito Nariaki. Iinaosuke won over the anti-opening group. What was worse, Iinaosuke captures and executed more that 100 opponents. The period of execution was called “Hell of Ansei (Ansei was the name of that period)”. The anti-opening group sided with the Emperor of Kyoto, and tried to restore the ruling authority from the Tokugawa to the Emperor. In this way the whole land of Japan came into a great tumult. Iinaosuke was hated as an “unti-humanistic killer”or “oni”. Atsuhime also hated Iinaosuke. Still now, most of the Japanese people have a hatred for Iinaosuke as an unti-humanistic person.

However, the episode broadcast on August 10 intended to clear up this misunderstanding. In the scene Iinaosuke told Atsuhime that the anti-opening group was a great obstacle to the modernization of Japan. Nobody of the anti-opening group listened to him. He had no choice but to capture and kill them. Otherwise, Japan would not survive in the world. Finally he was assassinated by the Mito group but he had been aware of his own fate. He himself expected that his assassination would be unavoidable. That was why he refused to increase the number of guards. The people of Hikone (Shiga) respect him as the father of modern Japan. The last episode of the NHK drama suggests that Atsuhime (Tenshoin at that time) began to understand him with a sympathetic feeling.
]]> In English! 2008-08-19T23:56:59+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-130.html As we foreigners keep living in Japan our interest about this peculiar society increase day by day, as for me who has deeply experienced three different societies, not counting the many countries I visited getting a brief taste of them, Japanese society is for much the most different among them, of course all societies are different but there’s always something in common that is very difficult to Mainly for the reasons I explained above the history of Japan is of great importance so that we can understand better this society, but if Japanese language result difficult, just imagine about Japanese history, even the natives find it difficult and in times boring. However it seems that as in many other fields the Japanese people has found a very good method of teaching history to their people, and we foreigners living in Japan must make the most of it. I’m talking of a very popular TV program of NHK called “Atsuhime” to which I was introduced by one of my students, and who kindly explain me in English the turn out of it.
In the next article, I with the help of my student will introduce you briefly through this drama and will give you the guidelines of history so that you can better understand it. That’s all for today friends, see you here soon. Bye!
]]> In English! 2008-08-14T14:09:23+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-129.html A partir del 2008 en puntos estratégicos del Japón se lleva a cabo un examen médico para la detección del sídrome metabólico en todas las personas mayores de 40 años y hasta los 74 años, la principal razón de dicho examen es disminuir el grado de riesgo de problemas cardíacos que pueden terminar en enfermedades de tipo cerebro-v El examen médico es muy sencillo ya que sólo consiste en un análisis de orina, sangre y toma de la presión arterial, ademas es “gratuito”, aunque se debera pagar de 300 a 600yenes por concepto de examenes que sean necesarios al paciente pero que no estan incluidos en el programa.


２００８年より、４０歳から７４歳までのすべての人を対象に、メタボリックシンドロームに着目した「特定健診・特定保健指導」が実施されることになりました。内臓脂肪を減らすことで、心疾患と脳血管疾患の発症を抑えられることが明らかになったからです。健診は、計測腹囲・尿および血液検査・血圧測定・診察をすることになっています。無料ですが、３００円から６００円自己負担が必要な項目もあります。 ]]> ¡En Español! 2008-07-03T14:27:36+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-128.html Cuenta la leyenda que hace unos mil años en un día de verano, un guapo monje budista de Touhoku de nombre Anchin peregrinaba rumbo a la tierra Santa de Kumano ahora Wakayama, donde pide hospedaje. En la casa había una joven, hija del casero de nombre Kiyohime, quién se enamora de Anchin a primera vista. Al llegar la noche, Kiyohime secretamente visita la habitaci&oacute En la casa había una joven, hija del casero de nombre Kiyohime, quién se enamora de Anchin a primera vista.
Al llegar la noche, Kiyohime secretamente visita la habitación de Anchin y le ofrece su amor, cuerpo y pasión, pero Anchin le rechaza en ese momento dando como excusa, el que no podia corresponder a su pasión porque se encontraba a mitad de su perigrinar, pero promete a Kiyohime que sin falta le visitará en el camino al volver de Kumano, una vez que hubiese terminado su perigrinación, consolando de esta manera la ardiente pasión de Kiyohime. Sin embargo, la promesa de Anchin era solo un pretexto para amablemente rechazar el amor de Kiyohime y poder así librarse de ella.
Después de haber peregrinado hasta Kumano y terminado sus oraciones, Anchin se marcha sin siquiera despedirse de Kiyohime, quien al darse cuenta de que había sido engañada estalla de furia y desesperadamente echa a correr descalza desde su casa a el camino que había cogido Anchin.
Finalmente en el pueblo de Ueno, Kiyohime logra alcanzar a Anchin quien al verse descubierto por esta, miente fingiendo ser otra persona y negandose a reconocerla echa a correr alejandose de ella, lo cual naturalmente despierta aún más la furia de Kiyohime que le persigue, dando cuenta de que a medida que su furia aumentaba su cuerpo cambiaba transformandose en el de una gigantesca serpiente.
Al pasar por el río Hidaka, Anchin se da cuenta de que Kiyohime aún le persigue y que ha cobrado la forma de una gigantesca serpiente. Anchin pide con atropello refugio en el Templo Doujouji que estaba en su camino, los monjes del Templo le ayudan a protegerse de la furia de Kiyohime, escondiendolo debajo de la campana más grande del templo, pero la gigantesca serpiente en que se había convertido Kiyohime lo intuye y enrroscandose en la gran campana, la calienta al rojo vivo con ardientes llamas de fuego que arroja como si fuese un dragón enfurecido.
De esta manera Anchin muere calcinado en el interior de la gran campana de hierro y una vez ocurrida su muerte, la gigantesca serpiente Kiyohime se suicida en el río Hidaka.
El monje superior del templo Doujouji, siente compasión por ellos y les lleva a cabo una misa, en la cual reza las sagradas oraciones del Budismo para que las almas de ambos logren la paz en el cielo.


道成寺・・・安珍・清姫伝説

今から約千年ぐらい昔のある夏のこと、東北地方から聖地熊野に参拝しに来た安
珍という、とても見目麗しい僧が居た。
旅の途中、彼は今の和歌山県にさしかかったところで、ある家に宿を求めた。
ここの家には清姫と呼ばれる娘がおり、僧安珍をひと目見るなり好きになってし
まった。
清姫はある夜、安珍の部屋に忍んでゆくが、安珍は「巡礼中はあなたの思いに答
える事はできません。熊野の帰りにはきっとまた、あなたのもとに寄りますから
。」と、とっさに言い繕い、その場を治めた。
そして熊野参拝後は、彼女のもとには寄らずに行ってしまった。

安珍に騙されたと気がついた清姫は怒り、裸足で家を駆け出し、安珍を追った。
そして上野の里でやっと追いつくが、鬼女のようになって追いすがる清姫を見て
、安珍は「私は別人だ。安珍ではない。」と嘘を言って逃げだした。清姫は激し
く怒り、その怒りは彼女の体を蛇身に変えてしまった。
その蛇身のまま、清姫は安珍を追いかけた。

日高川を渡ったところで、彼は清姫が大蛇の姿で川を泳いで、自分を追いかけて
くるのに気がつき、慌てて近くにあった道成寺に駆け込んで、助けを求めた。
道成寺の僧たちは、寺の鐘を地面におろし、その中に安珍をかくまった。
大蛇は鐘の中に安珍がいると見抜き、その鐘にグルグルと撒きつくと、口から火
を吹いて鐘を焼いた。安珍は熱せられた鉄の鐘の中で焼け死んでしまった。
安珍が死んだ後、大蛇は日高川に入水した。

道成寺の住職は二人を哀れに思ってお経をあげてやり、その功徳で二人は成仏す
ることができた。



]]> ¡En Español! 2008-05-12T16:24:12+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG http://languageworkstation.blog37.fc2.com/blog-entry-127.html En el año de 1549, Francisco Xavier, un Jesuita de la Compañia de Jesús, vino a Japón y predicó el cristianisimo.Al principio, la predicación fue bién recibida por los señores feudales, pero en 1596, un barco de España fue cogido por una tempestad viendose forzado a hacer escala en el puerto de Urato.El capitán temió que Al principio, la predicación fue bién recibida por los señores feudales, pero en 1596, un barco de España fue cogido por una tempestad viendose forzado a hacer escala en el puerto de Urato.
El capitán temió que el gobierno de Japón confiscara las cargas y amenazó a un señor feudal con llamar al ejército de España.
Los comerciantes japoneses se enfurecierón y se penso que el envío de los misioneros era una maniobra para conquistar Japón.
A partir de ese entonces, los cristianos japoneses, y los misioneros españoles fueron perseguidos
Por más de 200 años.

En aquel entonces el gobierno prohibía la fe en el cristianismo y para identificar a los cristianos les hacia pisar a la fuerza un relieve con la imagen de la Virgen y Jesús.
Los fervientes creyentes no se atrevían a pisarla siendo de esta manera descubiertos y arrestados por la policía que les demandaba torturandolos, que renunciaran a su fe y en caso de que se negasen eran ejecutados sin importar que fueran niños, mujeres o viejos.
Casi todos los padres sacerdotes extranjeros fueron exiliados y solo unos pocos padres se quedarón escondidos en Japón, sin embargo, si estos eran descubiertos, el gobierno los ejecutaba.
Así, muchos creyentes morían en defensa de su fe. Poco después, Japón cerraría el País al extranjero y los países católicos no pudierón enviar a más misioneros al Japón.

Los creyentes eran llamados “ Kirisitan” y tenían que ocultar su fe aparentando ser budistas.
Sin embargo, ellos adoraban y rezaban a Dios en habitaciones secretas, rezaban lo que ellos llamaban Orasho (oracion católica ) y adoraban a la imagen de Kannon( dios budista de la Merced ) comparandolo con la imagen de la Virgen María.
Escondían el debujo de la crúz en los platos, las tazas o grababan una crúz detras de la imagen de Buda.
La gente temía a los Kirisitan porque veían que no le temían al martirio al que eran sometidos si eran descubiertos y atrapados.
Según se dice, cuando fueron llevados al patíbulo, muchos creyentes cantaban un himno religioso con un gesto de alegría y por esa razón la gente pensaba que los Kirisitan eran Brujos hechiceros.
Quedarón muchas leyendas extrañas en las que se decía los Kirisitan hacian brujería.

Su fe fue cambiando poco a poco, y perdió fuerza porque ya no se quedaron los padres sacerdotes quienes instruían la doctrina auténtica
Su fe se fusionaría con la religión folclórica y la adoración de sus ascendientes del budismo y el sintoísmo.
Gradualmente, su fe se alejó cada vez más de lo católico ortodoxo.
La doctrina cristiana se había perdido y solo quedarían ceremonias complicadas y tradiciones con mucho tabú.

Al terminar la época de los samuray, el nuevo gobierno permitió la libertad de culto. Enseguida los padres católicos regresarón a Japón. Ellos pensaban que ya no quedaban cristianos en este país pero, un día unas personas se presentarón a un padre y preguntaron dónde estaba la imagen de la Virgen.
El padre estalló de alegría y escribió una carta al Vaticano con la noticia del descubrimiento de creyentes católicos en Japón.
Casi todos los Kirisitaneshabían a la religión ortodoxa del catolicismo pero, una parte de ellos se negaban a volver porque ya respertaban su fe ancestral ( la fe de kirisitan), respetaban más su nueva fe que la fe católica ortodoxa pues tenían miedo de la maldición del dios kiristan, quien se pronunciaría en su contra si estos se atrevían a renunciar a su fe.

Aún ahora, quedan algunos kirisitan en Kyushu protegiendo su fe.
Pero cada año el número continúa disminuyedo .
La ceremonia de kirisitan es muy complicada y los jovenes no quieren continuarla.
Con el tiempo esta forma de cultura de kirisitan se va perdiendo poco a poco por lo que se nececita hacer algo sin demora para protegerla de su extinctión.



隠れキリシタン

１５４９年、イエズス会士のフランシスコ・ザビエルが来日、キリスト教を布教した。
当初は、権力者たちへのキリスト教の受け入れは良かった。しかし、１５９６年、あるスペイン船が嵐にあい、浦戸港に避難した。
その船の船長は幕府に積荷を没収されまいかと恐れたので、そこの権力者に、（没収したら）スペインの軍隊を呼ぶぞと言って脅した。
　幕府の有力者たちは、宣教師たちの派遣は、日本を占領するための術策だったかと激怒した。
これ以降二百年以上に渡って、日本人クリスチャンと宣教師は迫害される事になる。

　さて、そうして幕府はキリスト教の信仰を禁じた。クリスチャンかそうでないかを識別するために、彼らは人々に聖母マリアとイエスのレリーフを踏むよう強要した。
熱心なクリスチャンは踏む事ができないので、逮捕されてしまった。
　役人たちは、彼らを拷問して、棄教するように命じたが、拒否した場合は、相手が女子供だろうが老人だろうがお構い無しに処刑した。
殆どの外国人神父は国外追放になったが、少数の神父たちは日本に残留し潜伏した。しかし、もし発見された場合は幕府に処刑された。
こうして、多くの信者たちが殉教していった。

その後しばらくして日本は鎖国となった。カトリックの国々は、もうこれ以上、宣教師たちを日本に派遣することはできなくなった。

キリシタンと呼ばれた信者たちは、彼らの信仰を隠す必要にせまられ、仏教徒のふりをした。
しかしながら彼らは、秘密の部屋で神を賛美し、オラショ（カトリックの祈り）を唱え、観音像をマリア像に見立てて崇めた。
彼らは、十字架のしるしを、皿や茶碗の模様に隠し、また仏像の背中に十字架を刻み込んだ。
　キリシタンが発見されて逮捕され、殉教するのも恐れないのを見て、人々は彼らを怖がった。
キリシタンたちが刑場へ引かれていく時、彼らの多くは嬉しそうな顔で賛美歌を歌っていたと言う。それで人々は、キリシタンは妖術使ではと思った。
キリシタンが妖術を使ったという奇妙な言い伝えが、今でも残っている。

　彼らの信仰は次第に変化していった。なぜならば、真正な(カトリックの)教義を彼らに教えてくれる神父たちはもう居ないからであった。
その信仰は、土俗的な宗教や先祖信仰、仏教や神道と融合していった。
しだいに正統カトリックから遠いところに行ってしまった。
キリスト教の教義は失われ、煩雑な儀式と数多くの宗教的禁忌だけが残った。

サムライの時代が終わり、新政府は信教の自由を認めた。すぐにカトリックの神父たちが来日した。もうこの国には誰も信者は残っていない、と彼らは考えていたが、ある日、一人の神父の前に、何人かの人が現れ、尋ねた。「マリア様の御像はどこですか？」
神父は非常に喜び、バチカンへ「カトリック信者発見」の知らせを手紙に書いた。
　殆どのキリシタンは正統のカトリックに戻っていった。しかしながら一部のキリシタンは、正統カトリックの信仰よりも、先祖伝来のキリシタンの信仰を敬っており、カトリックに戻る事を拒否した。彼らはキリシタンを棄教すると、キリシタンの神の祟りがある、と恐れていた。

今でも、彼らの信仰を守りながら、キリシタンは九州に残っている。
しかし、毎年その信者数は減少している。
キリシタンの儀式は非常に煩雑なので、若い人々が後を継ぎたがらないのだ。
時間と共に、少しずつ、キリシタン文化は消えうせていくであろう。
早急な保護対策が必要である。




]]> ¡En Español! 2008-04-14T23:49:17+09:00 R.O.S.WALLE FC2-BLOG