Saint Valentine's Day in Japan

 14th in February is Saint Valentine's day. We can buy a lot chocolates for Valentine's day in department stores in Japan. Many women select chocolates for their boyfriend, co-workers and themselves. Valentine's day is special event in Japan. 

I went to a famous department store in Tokyo this weekend. The store was crawling with so many women. And there are so many counters in the store. Belgian, Italian, Swiss, German, America, Japan, UAE...... I saw delicious chocolates of a lot of countries and could taste them. I was satisfied with some piece of them. All of them were so delicious. 

Since Valentine's day in Japan is one of commercialism, I always haven't send chocolates to my friends for a long time. The chocolates are so expensive. I know they are famous maker's ones. When I went to Belgian, I ate delicious chocolates of Neuhaus or Pierre Marcolini. I love them. However, too expensive in Japan. The frenzy is strange for me. 

However, I yielded to temptation this year and bought chocolates that made in Japan for my family and off course myself. The box and chocolate's shape is so cute. The price is not expensive. I especially liked the box. Also chocolates are so delicious!

Is Valentine's day special event in your countries ?

Chocolate box is decorated with paper cherry blossom (Sakura)

               

Scat of the daybreak 夜明けのスキャット

A Japanese "Kayōkyoku" 歌謡曲 became No.1 on US iTune Jazz chart or other countries chart. It is "Scat of the daybreak" by Saori Yuki 由紀さおり with PINK MARTINI. I was surprised with this news. The lyric is only Japanese. Why?

She is very popular singer and I love her beautiful voice. Her Japanese in her song is excellent. It is clear 
and fascinate us. I think other countries people might understand this beautiful sound who she sings.

I haven't heard Kayōkyoku in Japan now. We call recent Japanese songs J-POP. Kayōkyoku becomes old-fashioned. However, when I heard these old songs, melody is so simple and easy to sing. It is rather than fresh and nostalgic.

She sings children's song 童謡 (douyou) with her elder sister. The Japanese lyric that they sing is so beautiful. And we can imagine the situation or scenery on these songs clearly.

I'm happy that a lot of people know Japanese beautiful songs. I attached another Saori's song, Tegami 手紙 (letter).

手紙 by Saori Yuki  

  

女子会 Joshikai and 草食系男子 soushokukei

We recently say or hear the word, "joshikai" 女子会. This means to gather with only women and have a party, lunch or dinner. "joshi" 女子 means female and "danshi" 男子 means male.

Joshikai is very fun for women. We can talk anything without feeling constraint. We especially say the talk in Joshikai "Girl's talk". (Is there the word in English?) There are a lot of talks that can't talk in front of men, or boyfriend. And women love chat and eating. "Joshikai" is one of relaxing.         
  
Japanese women become more powerful than men. Nadeshiko Japan, women national football team, representative last year. Homare Sawa, the team captain of Nadeshiko and became popular, was awarded FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/10/sport/football/japan-women-football/index.html?iref=allsearch
We are proud to hear this news. 

On the other hand, Japanese men, especially young boys tend to become passive and shy. Soushokukei danshi 草食系男子 is new Japanese word. Some young men don't use a lot of money. They don't want to buy car, go to a trip abroad, have a dinner at exclusive restaurant for a date with girlfriend.... Depression or social background might be one of reasons for these tendency. 
It was good thing that in case of a couple, a woman walk behind a man a few decades ago. It was said in Japan that woman must be reserved and obedient. However, the initiative for our relationship between men and women might be changed.

Anyway, Japanese women become cool and attractive now.  

Restless

I watched two films this year. One is "Mission Impossible ghost protocol" and another is "Restless" by Gus Van Sant. Both was so interesting films. I like them.

My first films this year is Mission Impossible. Tom Cruise is very famous and popular in Japan, too and I watched  all of Mission Impossible series. He visited in Japan many times for promotion of his films. "Last Samurai" is one of my favorite films. I was excited about watching Mission Impossible.

I saw a trailer, "Restless" in Internet before several weeks and thought it seemed to be interesting. One of reason is that Japanese actor, Ryo Kase appears as important role in this film. He appears American film "Letters from Iwo Jima" and Japanese film "I Just Didn't Do It". それでもボクはやってない I introduced it in my blog and it was directed by Masayuki Suo of "Shall we dance?" Ryo Kase is good actor and I like his performance.
The story was very unique and interesting. Some Japanese history or culture expresses in this film. Some descriptions about Japan or Japanese culture in western films were sometimes strange and funny for Japanese. However, I thought the description in it wasn't exaggerated and true. I could enjoy it as a love story and life. I like some Gus Van Sant's films. I especially love "Good will hunting" and "Finding Forrester " 

I want to see a lot of films in this year.   

初心忘るべからず (Remember Your Original Intention)

A Happy New Year !　あけましておめでとうございます

How did you spend at first day of 2012 ?

I am planing what is my aim in this year. It is my health. We can do anything if  we are healthy. What should we do to keep my good health

 1. Don't eat too much.  
 2. To have good posture.
 3. Get some exercise, walking, running, playing table tennis (this is a recent boom for me)....

As to No.2, I recently read a book that written by Japanese Noh player. I have seen a performance of noh once when I was a student. However, it is traditional performing art and we rarely see it in daily life. The motion and posture of Noh performance is good to health. Some noh players can play until old age. The secret of their health is the motion and posture. This book is useful for me.

A Japanese phrase is written in the book. It is 初心忘るべからず Shosin wasuru bekarazu. It is a phrase of Zeami 世阿弥 who was aesthetician for Noh. This original means "Remember your original intention." However, there are three meanings in it. I knew at first time.

初心忘るべからず　Shoshin wasuru bekarazu

I decided that it is my slogan in 2012. Don't be afraid my first challenge remembering my original intention.

The site of Noh 能       

光陰矢のごとし Time flies like an arrow

This year is terrible and sad for Japanese. As you know a lot of Japanese people died. Big earthquake happen and tsunami hit at this March. And we are worried about serious problem, nuclear power plant problem. In numerable people experienced sudden death of family or friend. I can't imagine their sadness or anxiety for future.

A Japanese proverb 光陰矢のごとし (Kohin yanogotoshi). I really feel this meaning this year. No matter how our life is hard, time goes by. So we have to do the best at this moment and enjoy our precious time.
And relationship with people is very important for us. We thought we have to do and want to support victims. A lot of volunteers, not only Japanese but other countries people, supported in devastated area.

And I received kind message from some followers of my blog. I'm so glad and appreciated these message and compassion for us.  Thank you so much!!!
I hope next year is good for everyone and you spend with your family and friends forever.

ありがとう！ (Arigatou!)  

            

Grand Prix Final

I was looking for seeing Grand Prix final of figure skating in Canada. However, we heard sad news about Mao Asada yesterday. She went back to Japan because her mother was critical condition. And I read her mother was died in newspaper. I felt so sad. Parents death, especially mother's death is the saddest thing in our life. It is inevitable experience for us and depresses us. 
I read in today's newspaper. Mao's mother said in life "Mao is like an angel for me" Or After Vancouver Olympic game "I don't need gold medal. I'm happy to see Mao seems to be happy when she is skating. "
Every mother loves own daughter or son and hope their health and happiness.    

Three Japanese skaters, Daksuke Takahashi, Yuzuru Hanyu and Akiko Suzuki. enter in this final. I hope they enjoy their skating and performance.

I want to see her skating and smile in near future. 

Free Skating in NHK troupy in 2011 

The ICE 2011

Closing Gala - 2009 World Figure Skating Championships