Japanese Culture

From teacher feed, in lessons, etc. https://www.upu.int/UPU/media/upu/PostalEntitiesFiles/addressingUnit/jpnEn.pdf

unlucky numbers

- 4: し is a way of saying death, so it's associated with misfortune and evil
- 9: also pronounced as くwhich means struggle, hardship, and pain, so it's associated with negative concepts

lucky numbers

- 7: still lucky
- 8: sacred and brings happiness and good fortune
(800 gods+goddesses of Japan) (written八 in kanji)

You use this name for people you don't know well

family names
- given names only used among close friends and family
- disrespectful to call someone you don't know well by given name

せんせい

title used for someone knowledgeable in a certain field or is an expert/master in it
- used for teachers, doctors, scholars, researchers, instructors, even fortune tellers
- comes after family name

しつれいします

excuse my rudeness (apology)
- entering a teacher/supervisor's room
- leaving work before others
- used when entering/exiting public, work, or office areas

すみまそん

excuse my rudeness (apology)
- getting someone's attention
- apologizing to a public figure
- replying to a scolding

えと

Japanese zodiac
- 12 animals

はし

chopsticks
- not shared, people have their own pair

はなみ

cherry blossom viewing

にほんしょく

foreign cuisines that are modified to suit Japanese people

おじゃまします

used when visiting someone's house

おんせん

natural hot spring baths
- mineral rich water

もみじがり

autumn (maple)-leaf viewing
- describes the viewing of trees in the fall

saying “you”

can be rude, especially when talking to someone more important

- use name and title of respect (usually "san")

さん

an honorific that can be used with almost anyone (except professionals where you would use せんせい)
- attached to first or last name
- similar to Mr, Miss, etc
- do not use for yourself

shrine

is Shinto (Japanese religion)

- typically has a torii gate

- 81,000 in Japan

- worships gods in their dwelling place

- Yaorozu: the 8 million gods who live in natural objects

temple

is Bhuddist

- typically has sanmon roof tiles

- 76,000 in Japan

- a place where Bhuddist monks study and practice

いえいえ、とんでもない

no, no way

• used to show humbleness after a compliment

Before taking a bath…

shower

• to keep the dirt away

Before entering a house…

take off your shoes

Use a special pair of slippers for…

the bathroom

Take off your slippers for when…

there are tatami floors (traditional weaved)

〒

postal symbol

- number set that follows is the zip code (postal code)

mailboxes

only for receiving mail

- on the house

- find a post office or post box to mail things out