There’s a lot that can be learned from reading or watching something, that’s why I created a series called Learning About Culture in order to discuss or share that thing I learn. Good Morning Call is a manga (with a drama with the same name). The following list is cultural things that I wanted to learn more about and share.
Drinking Vinegar
“Drinking vinegar” is originally a Chinese phase that means, “jealously between lovers.” The meaning behind this phrase dates back to over 1,400 years and I found a story of its origin.
Puyo Puyo
Puyo Puyo is a Tetris game. Here’s a commercial for the most recent version of the game that came out earlier this year for the Nintendo Switch:
The Moon and the Turtle
“Like the moon and a turle” is a simile used to compare two things that are different and can’t be compared. Both the moon and a turtle’s shell are round, but the moon is a symbol of beauty and a turtle lives in the dirt. To me, it’s similar to the English idiom “like apples and oranges.”
Gakuran
Gakuran are Japanese school uniforms that were designed after European Naval Uniforms. They were first used in late 19th century, replacing kimonos.
Read more here
Golden Week
Golden Week is a 7-day period with 4 national holidays. The phrase Golden Week was first used by the movie industry to push people to “take advantage of the golden opportunity to see a film. (hmm…it kind of reminds me of how black friday came to be). If you read the caption of the picture, it will explain the days, but Golden Week holidays were changed since the writing (and translation) of this manga.
April 29: Showa Day- This celebrates the birthday le Emperor Showa (Hirohito). His reign 1926-1989 and it’s a day to reflect on those 63 years.
May 3: Constitution Memorial Day- A day to reflect on the 1947 new post-war constitution, the meaning of democracy, and the Japanese government.
May 4: Greenery Day- The emperor loved nature and so a day to be with nature and be thankful for blessings was created.
May 5: Children’s Day (originally Boys’ Day)- It’s a day to respect children’s personality and celebrate their happiness. Families raise carp-shaped Konnobori flags and eat mochi rice cakes with azuki paste (Which may be daifuku…I attempted to make. A blogpost should be coming soon. I should try it again).
Goukon
Two friends one man and one woman decide to host a get together. They pick decide a location, and gather 3-4 friends each. The goal is a long-term relationship or at the very least friends. This is a goukon.
Tanabata
Tanabata means evening of the 7th (also known as the Star Festival. It originates from the Chinese Qixi Festival and celebrates Orihime and Hikoboshi (the stars Vega and Altair respectively). The legend is of the two stars being separated by the Milky Way, only to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month (lunar calendar). So romantic! The biggest custom of the holiday is writing wishes on paper and hang from bamboo tree. Other customs include decoration competitions, parades, Miss Tanabata Contest, Food, and carnival games. Here’s the Traditional Tanabata Song (there’s a better one, but I wanted one with English lyrics):
Source
Ryokan
Ryokan are traditional Japanese Inns which have existed since the 8th century. The very first ryokan, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkun, was build in 750 A.D. and is the worlds’s oldest hotel. The room usually consist of tatami mat rooms and sliding doors. The ryokan typically has communal baths and public areas where yukata and geta are worn. They are expensive and are located in scenic areas (mountains or sea). When the characters in the Good Morning Call drama visit the onsen, they stayed in a ryokan.
Source
Whew! That was a massive amount of new information. Book hold so much! Thank you for reading!
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