Today is “Marine Day” (Umi no Hi)

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:56:10 +0000

Today is a public holiday in Japan, called “Marine Day” or “Sea Day” 「umi no hi」.

It is celebrated on the third Monday in July, so that people can have a long weekend.

It is celebrated as a day of gratitude for the blessings of the oceans and for hoping for the prosperity of the maritime nation that is Japan.

Many people go to the seaside on Marine Day, and it is customary to eat 「unagi」, which is “freshwater eel”, today. Unagi tastes great as sushi!

Join our Facebook page “MiraiPenguin” for more great free Japanese language learning!

What is “Kabuki”?

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:59:13 +0000

Kabuki (歌舞伎) is a traditional theatrical performing art in Japan. It is said to have originated from Kyoto in the early 1600s. Only male actors are allowed on the stage, and they give highly stylized performances while wearing special makeup.

Kabuki performances run the full gamut of human emotions by making extensive use of various sound effects, distinctive costumes and hairpieces, stage settings and props, and other stage mechanisms.

Kabuki can be described as a performing art that symbolizes the male urban culture of the Edo period (江戸時代 1603 – 1868).

Kabuki still remains relatively popular today (it is the most popular of the traditional styles of Japanese drama), and there are major theatres in the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Interest in kabuki has spread to the West, and kabuki troupes regularly tour Europe and America.

Mirai Japanese » Japanese Culture

Today is “Marine Day” (Umi no Hi)

What is “Kabuki”?