Word of the Month: March
March: 花道 (hanamichi) Hanamichi. The “Flower path” is a raised passageway that joins the stage on the audience’s left and passes straight through the auditorium. This is Kabuki’s most characteristic stage element. It is...
Word of the Month: February
February: Yago たまや～ かぎや～ Yago.”Shop name.” Kabuki actors of the early Edo period were considered too lowly to be allowed surnames. Many, therefore, used a name derived from a sideline business in which they...
Word of the Month: January
January: Kabuki The etymology of Kabuki(歌舞伎) is Kabuku(傾く). “Kabuki dance,” which is said to be the origin of Kabuki, was started by people who dressed like “Kabuki mono(かぶき者) “who do not care, are off the beaten...
Word of the Month: December
December: スープカレー （Soup Curry) Soup curry is a Japanese style curry dish originating from Sapporo in Hokkaido. It is said that a chef of the cafe called “Ajanta” took the idea of Chinese and...
Word of the Month – September 2015
September: 秋の七草 (Aki no Nana Kusa) This month’s word is Aki no Nana Kusa. Aki no Nana Kusa, or the Seven Autumnal Flowers, refer to Hagi (Bush Clover), Obana (Chinese Silvergrass), Kuzu (Japanese Arrowroot),...
Word of the Month – August 2015
August: 帰省（Kisei） This month’s word is Kisei. Kisei is a term that means homecoming; the event of someone returning to one’s home town after a long time away. More specifically, this term is normally...
Word of the Month – July 2015
July: 風鈴 (Fuu-rin) This month’s word is Fuu-rin. Fuu-rin are wind-chimes that are hung outdoors and are traditionally hung during the summer. Although originally crafted from bronze, they have come to most commonly be...
Word of the Month – June 2015
June: 簾 (Sudare) This month’s word is Sudare. Sudare, or more honorifically, misu, are traditional blinds that are made of thinly shaved strips of wood or bamboo bound together with string, colored yarn, or...
Word of the Month – May 2015
May: 茶摘み (Chatsumi) This month’s word is Chatsumi/Tea-picking Green Tea is the main drink of Japanese people. Picking the young sprouts and leaves of the tea bush occurs over some three weeks from mid-April...
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