Kimu-Taku

Who is the most famous Japanese in Japan ? Prime Minister ? I don't think so.
Almost Japanese, young , old and children will knows "Kimu-Taku" of his nickname.
His name is Takuya Kimura. Kimu-taku is an abbreviation of "Kimura(S) Takuya(F) "(Surname is first and first name is second in Japan.) He is a member of very popular super idol group "SMAP". Probably everyone will know the name of "SMAP"of five members, too. Their songs became No.1 definitely and each members are singers and actors. Kimu-Taku is known in other Asian countries, Taiwan or Korea.
His TV drama series always make No.1 record of rating. His movie "HERO" is on now and becomes No.1 in Japan now. This film was one of his TV series and it is movies version.
He fascinates a lot of women's fans.

http://www.hero-movie.net/index.html

The review in New York Times below is a his film last year in Japan. This was a blockbuster last year. The director of the film is Yoji Yamada who is very famous and produced a series of popular "Tra-san " movie.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/movies/02love.html

Chrysanthemum - "Kiku"

Chrysanthemum is typical autumn flower. It is a crest of emperor family.
I went to a shine “Yushima shrine” at lunch time yesterday. The festival of chrysanthemum will be held from today. The preparation begun and it has almost already finished.
Color of flower is yellow, however, there are white, pink or purple.
Chrysanthemum is dedicated in front of our ancestor grave or used at the funeral.
The language of flower is nobleness.

http://www.yushimatenjin.or.jp/pc/eng-page/english.htm http://www.yushimatenjin.or.jp/pc/kiku/kiku.htm

Explanation for Japan

I found the site about explanation of Japan in BBC News.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1258586.stm

NHK

Our public TV station is called NHK. We must pay subscription fee. However, I think that the quality of programs is high and these contents are interesting.
There are 2 channels, No.1 is general channel and No.3 is for educational channel.
Broadcasting commercial advertisement is prohibited. So we don’t need to spend our useless time. I think especially documentaries are so excellent.
And there are typical periodical dramas. One is morning drama for 15 minutes and historical drama in Sunday.
Morning drama series is on air from A.M 8:15 to 8:30 every day except Sunday. One season is 6 months and young newcomer actress performs the protagonist. There is a case that one popular morning drama became famous around Asian countries.
Another drama is on air on Sunday afternoon from P.M.8:00 to 8:45. One season is 1 year. This is base on Japanese historical events. The protagonist is historical person.
This historical drama is called “Taiga Drama” and a lot of samurais appear. Costume is very beautiful. We learn about Japanese unknown and historical events. I like to see this drama.

http://www.nhk.or.jp/english/

Washlet

Main concept for some electrical appliances or commercial products in Japan is comfort and convenience. Dexterity and idea by Japanese engineers or craftsmen make new products.
Washlet will be just original products in Japan.Washlet is toilet seat and being popularized to public places and our each homes.
Seat is warm and instrument has nozzle for wash after defecating. Warm water is spouted from the nozzle. You might feel strange, but we are getting comfortable. At first foreign countries people is suppressed at this. However, they will say that Washlet is amazing and curious seat. I was unpleasant a little at first time. But now I am unpleasant for normal seat.Warm seat is very comfortable, especially in winter season. I recommend you use Washlet in Japan.

http://www.washlet.com/

Japanese Mushroom in autumn

I love mushrooms. Also Japanese people eat a lot of kinds of mushrooms all the year.

"Shiitake", "Enokidake", "Simeji", "Nameko", "Maitake", "Matshtake", etc. These mushrooms are essential ingredient in autumn.

Especially "Matutake" is most expensive in these mushrooms.

"Matsutake" will be used as a synonym for one of the food that only rich people can eat. Flavor is so rich and excellent for us.

Famous "Matsutake" dish is "Dobin-mushi". It is a kind of soup of "Matsutake", vegetables or fish. We can eat it at traditional high-grade Japanese restaurant. I think that Japanese enjoy dishes by all five senses, taste, flavor or visual beauty.

"Dobin-mushi"

Autumn for Apetite

My most favorite season is autumn. Because it is prolific season in Japan.
We usually say autumn for appetite, art and reading. Since night in autumn is long, there is a lot of time to do something, reading or going to a museum and enjoying some concerts. Especially we can concentrate on reading books because of silent and long night.Needless to say, we can eat various kinds of crops, rice or farm products in this season. .I'd like to introduce them.