|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
yamasa.org / home / acjs / network / newsletter
/ - Tuition Tour Schedules  Ní thuigim thú |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| yamasa.org / home / acjs / network / newsletter
/ - Tuition Tour Schedules Ní thuigim thú |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Suggestion Box
|
Famous People: Akashiya Sanma:
You may not have heard of the name but there's no doubt you will have seen his face on Japanese TV more than once. Big teeth, a big voice and a propencity to be bent over laughing at virtually any inane comment from a guest on his variety shows, he is one of the most popular celebrities in Japan. Born Sugimoto Takafumi in Wakayama in 1955, Sanma started out as a comedian before entering the entertainment world. You will see him in various commercials as well as some of the more popular shows on TV such as Koi no Karasawagi (Much Ado About Love - which featured an ex-Yamasa student a few months ago) and Sanma's Super Karakuri TV. The former feeds off his reputation as a womaniser and one of Japan's most famous bachelors, following his 1992 divorce from actress Otake Shinobu, with whom he has one daughter, Imaru. Popular TV commercials have featured Sanma in a (simulated) coffee-time duet with Mariah Carey and talking up a storm for Japan Telecom. He is probably the TV star who is most popular across all age groups. He won the Japan Broadcast Entertainment Grand Prix in 1986 and an NHK survey ranked Akashiya Sanma as the most popular male TV personality for three years running from 1997-99. His popularity doesn't seem to be on the wane and it looks like he'll be around for some time to come.
Information taken from:
Superstitions: Funeral cars Japanese people cover their thumbs when a hearse passes by because they believe that if they don't their parents will die soon. This is because in Japanese, the thumb is known as the 'oya yubi' or 'parent finger'. By covering their thumb, they are protecting their parent from death. I've seen more hearses than I can remember and my parents are still alive and kicking!!
Japanese Customs: Giving and receiving gifts The giving and receiving of gifts in Japan is a tradition deeply entrenched in Japanese society and one that earns companies involved in producing the gifts billions of Yen every year. Here is a very brief overview of the most important aspects of gift giving and receiving in Japan. This should be enough for any foreigner coming to Japan, or currently living in Japan to get by without making any faux pas. Who do you give a gift to? If you're coming on a trip to Japan:
Traditionally, the Japanese have a gift giving season twice a year, but as a foreigner in Japan it is not necessary for you to observe them. The midsummer gift giving is called O-chugen and the year-end gift giving is called O-seibo. The end of the year gift giving is more widely observed, with gifts going to anyone you are indebted to - in most cases simply a New Years card (nengajo) is enough. If you are working in Japanese company it's standard practice to bring some gifts for your co-workers after you return from holiday - whether this is in Japan or abroad. What do you give as a gift?
What do you NOT give as a gift?
How to give/receive a gift? The presentation and wrapping of the gifts is sometimes more important than the gift itself (it seems that this is worth more than the gift inside!) Use both hands to give the gift and a bow. Often you say, "This is just a small thing" or "This is just a box of cookies." Receive the gift with both hands and a bow. Traditionally, gifts are not opened at the time they are received, but as a Westerner you might want or be expected to open the gift. It would be best to ask if you may open it, opening it carefully and respectfully. Do not crumple up the wrapping paper, but fold it nicely.
Information taken from:
|
||||||||||||||
| C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S | |||
|
|||
www.yamasa.org content is created and maintained by
Declan Murphy and the students and
staff of the
Yamasa Institute's Multimedia Studio. This site is Yamasa - All rights reserved.
