JAPANESE PECULIAR CUSTOM of Recent Article

What is karaoke?

 

That name is the one that "空オーケストラ( kara- okesutora )[Empty orchestra]
" was abbreviated.

In a word, it is a meaning "Song-less orchestra."

A karaoke is a thing that equipment which can provide a singer with accompaniment even if people are not in an orchestra pit.

Initial karaoke(1971-1981) was a combination of the magnetic tape and the lyrics card of eight tracks.

 

Afterwards, the laser disc karaoke has been released(1982), and it was considerably popular.

But, the price of the magnetic tape karaoke and laser disc was very expensive.

And in order to sing various songs, the consumer has to purchase a lot of them.

The individual collection of the karaoke tape and the disk is difficult in money.
(But, some collection manias seem to have been collecting it.)

As a result, they need wide storage space.

 

The storage space is a big problem because the house in Japan is narrow.

Therefore, a lot of karaoke tapes were used as a business use by "Bar in Japan" that was called "Snack".

 

Afterwards, "Online karaoke" has been released in 1992.

The karaoke communications system of present Japan is almost the same as this.

Please refer to an image about the structure.

 

By the appearance of this karaoke system, the Japanese karaoke bars increased drastically.
So, the tendency which holds a karaoke equipment individually decreased.

But, karaoke system a many fault on systems.

• The quality of the tone(sound) is bad.
• Man's chorus use is impossible.
• Because the image in the monitor is chosen from "Image library" at random, "An irrelevant image to the tune" is used as a result.

After 2000, these various faults were greatly improved thanks to the appearance of a broadband line by making to high performance and the optical fiber.

A left machine is a karaoke equipment generally used in Japan now.

 

And, this machine is for selecting a song, and this is "remote control" for transmitting music.

You can select a song in an instant from 100,000 music with this machine.

This machine is called "DENMOKU."

"DENMOKU" is the abbreviated name for "電子目次本(Denshi Mokuji Bon)[the index book of electronic]."

This DENMOKU is a very multifunctional remote control machine.

 

In present Japan, the interactive karaoke from which data is transmitted by the on-demand via the Internet etc. is a main current.

   

About it, I talk at another opportunity.

Karaoke of Japan is not apparatus only for singing any longer.

 

 

Karaoke bar in Japan.

General karaoke box consist of several private rooms (karaoke boxes) that are each equipped with a karaoke player, screens, and microphones.

With a remote control one enters a title, and within a few seconds the video clip of an instrumental version of the selected song with written lyrics appear on the screen.
One can also order drinks and food in most karaoke boxes.
Such rooms are available in various sizes: from rooms for only two persons up to large party rooms.

Rooms vary in size and style.

 

The TV and karaoke equipment will be at one end, with seats along the sides and a table in the middle.

Food and drinks can be ordered by phone.
The telephone leads to the receptionist of a karaoke bar.

 

 

Well, I show you Japanese karaoke guest rooms.

These are the karaoke rooms for a lot of guest.

 

 

 

This is a karaoke room for a family with its child.

 

There is no leg in the chairs of this room.
This is a chair to which we can sit with the leg put on the floor.

The Japanese likes such how to sit.

 

 

 

This is a room of a "massage chair."

 

 

 

Japanese Karaoke bar's menu

 

The kind of the menu of the Japanese karaoke bar is as abundant as the menu of the restaurant.

The Japanese uses karaoke freely for 24 hours.

Karaoke is used at time zone that is appropriate for each occupation such as the student, the housewife, and businessman.

Therefore, there are a lot of dish, drinks, and alcohol in the menu of the karaoke bar in Japan.

Japanese people is enjoying karaoke as if own room in the karaoke room.
The Japanese loves karaoke.

Finally, I show you abundant menus of the karaoke bar in Japan.

It might be able to amuse you because there are quite a lot of kinds.

 

By Hararie

 

An image is expanded by click.

 

 

What is "Age-jo (アゲ嬢)"?

 

Age-jo is the name which points out the reader model of a Japanese Teenage magazine "Koakuma ageha."

"Age-jo" was originally a name that indicated things of gals who did "Work at night" by "Kabakura( キャバクラ )" etc.

Kabakura is "Japanese Bar."

 

The magazine 'Goblin ageha' has put in the Kabakura-jo as a model.

This was the first attempt in the magazine industry in Japan.

 

Consequently, they who are models came to be called "age-jo."

 

The make-up and clothes of Age-jo became popular for Japanese TEENAGE and it was established as one fashion.

The magazine "Koakuma ageha" was started in 2006.
After it, the popularity of the Age-jo fashion did not change but continues till the present.

 

The feature of Age-jo(アゲ嬢)

The appearance of Age-jo is very unique.

 

Their hair has terrible volume.

First, the color of the hair of Age-jo is a very bright blond.

And the hair of the upper part of the head is heaped up strangely.

Moreover, their hair is roll hair like the princess of a fairy tale.

 

 

Many frills are attached to their dress, and a color and a design are very showy.

Their dress is very showy.

And they wear such a dress by the everyday life.

But probably they will not wear such a dress at home.

 

Their eye makeup is very heavy.

The eye makeup of Age-jo is very excessive.

I don't like their eye make-up.
The sense might be different of the generation.

The eye-line of the Age-jo make-up is very bold.
And, indispensable items of eyes of Age-jo are "False eyelash."

 

Their externals are not the Japanese.

 

 

Exclusive models of magazine "Koakuma ageha" for teenage in Japan.

Sayaka Araki [ 荒木さやか]	Rina Sakurai [桜井莉菜]
Shizuka Muto [武藤静香]	Rina Ayukawa [鮎川りな]
Riho Nishiyama [西川りほ]

 

...I do not see the difference of their faces.

 

The end is a video of "Age-jo" of Japan.

By Hararie

 

 

Takuhatsu is one of the religious austerities of a Buddhism priest.

In Japan, the priest who stands on the street corner wearing such clothes is seen occasionally.

In short, the religious austerities which this priest performs is "a beggar."

This "Takuhatsu[托鉢]" is a traditional form of alms, common to Buddhist monks in Japan.

In the practice of takuhatsu, monks travel to various businesses and residences in order to exchange chanting of sutras in Sino-Japanese[generating merit] for donations of food and money.

Monks never beg at temples, shrines, churches, schools, government offices or hospitals.

 

Monks generally wear traditional takuhatsu clothes reminiscent of medieval Japan and wear the names of their monasteries on their satchels to confirm their identities.

The system that is used by Zen monks who are in training, to beg for their food.
This is generally done in groups of ten to fifteen.

The group goes through the street single-file, chanting "Ho" (meaning Dharma), and sympathizers come down and fill their alms bowls.

This is the monks offering of the Dharma and their lives of guardians of the Dharma to the people.
According to Zen tradition, the givers should be grateful.

 

Takuhatsu is one of the general religious acts of India.

Originally, the Buddhism of Japan was transmitted by India by way of China.
In India, the person practicing asceticism[Buddhism priest] is forbidden from getting money by labor.

The person practicing asceticism has to live only by the almsgiving from a believer.
But, climate of India is temperate and food etc. is abundant rich countries.

Therefore, this asceticism will be possible.

So, While Buddhism got across to China and Japan, the life of only religious mendicancy was eased.

 

Takuhatsu which does Fuse[offering to a priest] each other.

In the basic morality law of India that is before the Buddhism, there is an idea "It is a natural obligation that gives to the person whom the person who has it doesn't have" and "It is a natural right that receives giving from the person of the person who doesn't have it".

This act that each performs mutually is called "Fuse or O-Fuse" in Japan.

 

By the way, About the priest in the first photograph of this page,...He was very very stinking.
Probably they will hardly take a bath.

I was afflicted by the bad smell while hearing the Buddhism phrase from him.
Because of the bad smell, the feeling of my thanks became very small.

 

by Hararie

The custom which to give a present to others twice a year is in Japan.

Their name are "Ochugen" and "Oseibo."

And, this is a present for expressing the gratitude.

 

Person to whom Ochugen and Oseibo are sent.

Ochugen and Oseibo are presented to such people.

 

• Others who has a favor in everyday life.
• Business contacts on work.
• Relative.
• Own great teacher　　etc.

Period when Ochugen and Oseibo should be sent.

[ Ochugen ] : Period from the end of June to July 15.

[ Oseibo ]　 : Period from December 13 to December 20.

 

Origin of Ochugen and Oseibo.

 

　[ Ochugen ]

There used to be custom of "Sangen" in ancient China.

There are three kinds of Sangen.

They are "Jo-gen, Chu-gen, Ka-gen."

"Sangen" is custom that "Past sin" is expiated by the quid pro quo.

[But, I don't know about whether this custom is continued in present China.]

 

 

There used to be custom that welcomed ancestor's soul twice a year in ancient Japan.

It is called "Mitama-matsuri".

And, the time of "Chugen of China" and "Mitama-matsuri of summer of Japan" was the same.

 

A custom similar to Chugen seems to have been established in Japan by such a reason.

 

 

　[ Oseibo ]

The season of "Mitama-Matsuri of winter" of Japan is a New Year.

Originally Oseibo was a present between relatives.

"Oseibo" had been presented from the relative of "Bunke" to "Honke".

It is because an ancestral soul comes back to Honke.

"Honke" is "The head family."

"Bunke" is "The branch family."

 

Moreover, it is said that most Oseibo presented to Honke were food.

Also as for a present Oseibo counter, a lot of kinds of Oseibo with food are exhibited.

And the custom came to extend to not only the relatives but also other people who had a favor before long.

 

Various goods for "Ochugen and Oseibo".

 

This is a counter of the Ochugen goods of a department store.

When the season of Ochugen and Oseibo approaches, such a counter is constructed temporarily in the department store.

 

Let's see the goods.

The set of a cake and baked confectionery.	The set of soy sauce and cooking oil.
The set of beef.	The set of thin wheat noodles.
The set of ham.	The set of Nori product.
The set of Mentaiko.	The set of pasta.

 

There is innumerably kind besides these.

 

The future of Ochugen and Oseibo.

About Ochugen and Oseibo, "the goods which does not suit liking of self" is often sent.

In such a case, a present may be thrown away.

It is very too good.

Moreover, Ochugen and Oseibo should be essentially presented to "others with a friend and a favor."

But, even if the friendship disappears almost, it often keeps presenting it.

It is because the Japanese has the concept "It is impolite to stop Ochugen and Oseibo".

I think it is very meaningless.

But, there are fortunately a lot of people who think "Ochugen and Oseibo" to be meaningless.

It is "Young generation in Japan."

Probably in Japan of the future, the wasteful custom of "Otchugen-Oseibo" will be lost.

 

By Hararie

In Japan, a "seal" is used instead of a signature.

The case which a seal is used for

• Notarial deed.
• Real estate deal.
• Various procedures in government and municipal offices.
• The buying and selling of telephone subscription right.
• Receipt of insurance and security money.
• Registration of marriage.
• The registration of a birth.
• Establishment of bank account.
• Receipts and payments of deposit.
• Registered mail and package.
• The receipt of parcel delivery service.
• The registration seal at the time of the company establishment.
• Draft and check of the company.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　...etc.

In Japan, the seal is used in various scenes besides these.

Moreover, as for both juridical person and individual, use of the seal is basic in Japan.
In the world, there are few countries where a seal is used routinely.

The roots of the seal came at Japan through China from old Mesopotamia of 5000 years ago (present Iraq ).
But, in present Iraq and present China, the seal isn't needed for the life of a civilian.

It is a thing after the Meiji era[1868-1912] that a seal came to be used for general people in Japan.

 

"The necessity of the seal" for the Japanese.

Intention verification of the person :
The tacit rule that the will of the person is confirmed by the act that a seal is pushed.

Document of building management

Click !

The handwriting and sealing are used to prove the person in question's intention confirmation to be correct.

 

Proof of identity of person in question :
Only the person has the stamp of person in question's family name, and only the person in question has the registered seal to which the stamp is registered.

 

There is "top and bottom" to a Japanese seal !

Click !

Look at the left image.
Is the hollow of a seal visible to you?

This is a hollow to show the upper part of the stamp.

By attaching an index finger to this hollow and sealing a seal, the print of a seal serves as an exact direction.
An upper position is shown by the hollow, the sticker, and the projection, etc.

 

A seal with various names.

Gomu-in

In Japan, the seal is called by various names.

Inkan, Insho, Hanko, Mitome, Mitome-in, San-mon-ban, Gomu-in, shachihata, etc.
[The name shown with the orange is common.]

"In-kan, in-sho, and Hanko" are the collective names of a seal.

In addition, "Shachihata" is a stamp manufacturer name of Japan.
The true brand name "X stamper."

But, people in most Japan are calling "X stamper" "Shachihata".
The reason is that the company "Shachihata" that invented X stamper was an unnamed company until X stamper is developed.

Because goods called X stamper have sold explosively, the company name "Shachihata" became famous rather than the brand name "X stamper ."

Click !

This is "Hara" of my family name.

 

The Japanese who invented X stamper.

"X stamper" was invented by "Mr. Takaji Funahashi" who is a founder of Shachihata.

舟橋高次 [Takaji Funahashi]

He used "the glycerin which absorbs moisture in the air" instead of "the early water-soluble ink of evaporation", and succeeded in invention of the ink pad with which ink does not get dry.

A lot of hardships and long years were necessary by the time it reached the success.

The technology was applied to the seal and present "X stamper" was invented.

SHACHIHATA which has developed the original idea one after another with the time is the way of thinking flexible from now on and passion, and is the companies which continue challenging the production of goods which produces new value.

 

Type of seal

A seal mainly consists of three kinds.

 

実印 [Jitsu-in] :

This is my Jitsu-in.

The seal registered with in each city and district town and village offices.

The case which "Jitsu-in" is used for.

• Notarial deed.
• Real estate deal.
• The buying and selling of telephone subscription right.
• Receipt of insurance and security money.
• The registration seal at the time of the company establishment.
• Draft and check of the company.

"Only a seal registered with in each city and district town and village offices" is recognized as a registered seal of the person himself.

It is called "印鑑届[ Inkan-todoke]".

The notification is called "印鑑登録[ Inkan-touroku]."

And, the certificate is called "印鑑証明[ Inkan-shomei ]."

The disbursement paper of the bank account deposit

Click !

 

銀行印 [Ginko-in] :

The case which "Ginko-in" is used for.

• Establishment of bank account.
• Receipts and payments of deposit.

The case of a seal	Open!
Ink pad	This is my Ginko-in !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

認印/認め/三文判 [Mitome-in/Mitome/Sanmon-ban] :This variously has the name.

The case which "Mitome-in" is used for.

Various procedures in government and municipal offices.

• Registration of marriage.
• The registration of a birth.
• Registered mail and package.
• The receipt of parcel delivery service.

About this "Mitome-in", it does not have the importance like Jitsu-in and Ginko-in.
It is used as taking the place of "Mere signature".

Well, I easily introduced "a Japanese seal" to you.
But, in fact, the Japanese seal has a more complicated form.

I think that I want to introduce it to you at the next chance.
Thanks for reading to the end.

By Hararie