Minka is the general name for traditional-style house of none ruling classes.
It is simple house that was made before the western architecture comes to influence the Japanese construction. Minka in farming village are called “Nouka” (農家) that means farmhouse, in the cities it is called “Machiya” (町屋) that means townhouse and you have the “Gyoka” (魚家) in fishing village.
Gokayama's Minka (Nouka) by Hanaemon
These houses are made of wood and were using thick beams and columns for the structure as well as for the walls, floor, ceiling and roof. Bamboo was layered between columns as laths and plastered over with clay to form walls. Clay was also baked to make roof tiles. Grass was used to make thatch for roofing, and straw was used for the coarse, thin mushiro matting and tatami mats to be used on the floor. Rock was used to lay stone foundations for support but was not employed for walls.
You can see some Minka (Machiya):
Following Minka are located in an area called Takashiba Deko Yashiki.
Deko means doll in English.
Deko Yashiki is one of sightseeing spot in Koriyama city in Fukushima prefecture where one of my good friend is living.
Koriyama's Minka "Machiya" by Itagaki-san
Inside the Koriyama's Minka "Machiya"
collection of tansu by Itagaki-san
Inside the Koriyama's Minka "Machiya" main room by Itagaki-san
Koriyama's Minka "Machiya" by Itagaki-san
You can also see some beautiful Minka "Nouka" in Gokayama city in Toyama prefecture.
Gokayama Village's Minka "Nouka" by me
Gokayama Minka's village "Nouka" by me
Gokayama village's Minka "Nouka" by me
You can also see some beautiful Minka "Nouka" in Shirakawa-go in Gifu prefecture.
Minka "Nouka" in Shirakawa go in Gifu prefecture.
Minka's roof named Kayabuki yane.
Minka's roof in Shirakawa.
How is Minka's roof done.
Next time article about Minka I will show you the inside of Minka.
Nanakusa refers to either of two sets of seven herbs: one is consisting of the seven herbs of the springs "Haru no nanakusa" and the other one refers to the seven herbs of autumn "Aki no nanakusa".
Nanakusa gayu
January 7th is the day of Nanakusa or Jinjitsu no Sekku.
It is on this day which "Nanakusa gayu" rice porridge with seven spring herbs is eaten.
The Seven Spring Herbs consist of:
Japanese parsley (seri)
Shepherd’s purse (nazuna)
Cudweed (gogyou)
Chickweed (hakobera)
Henbit (hotokenoza)
Turnip (suzuna)
Japanese radish. (suzushiro)
The belief is if you eat this porridge you will stay healthy the whole year.
Nanakusa gayu
The Seven autumn Herbs consist of:
Japanese bush clover (Hagi)
Eulalia (Suzuki)
Kudzu vine (Kuzu)
Fringed Pink (Nadeshiko)
a perennial herb of the family Valerianaceae (Ominaeshi)
Boneset (Fujibakama)
Chinese bell flowers (Asagao or Kikyou)
The Nanakusa Kouro (Incense burner) design on the surface is the seven autumn flowers (aki no nanakusa). This flower arrangement is use at the time of O'Bon Festival and moon-viewing festivities.
These seven autumn flowers are making a very beautiful flowers arrangement to enjoy in pure simplicity.
It is a national holiday and some people can have from 3 to 7 days off duty or school at this moment. Many companies are close or very low staff at this time of the year. This time is served to make a lot of “Time Honoured” to family and friends.
There is an old Japanese proverb that says like this about January 1st;
“It is the day to make new plans for the Year and start afresh with a new state of mind.”
Let’s see more about it...
Preparation for seeing the New Year were originally undertaken to greet Toshigami, or deity of the incoming year. These began on December 13th, when the house was given a thorough cleaning; the date is generally closer the end of the month now.
"Kadomastu"
Although local customs differ; the entrance of the house is decorated in traditional fashion way with “Kadomatsu” pine branches and bamboo besides the entrance way, sacred straw ropes “Shimenawa” with dangling white paper stripes (Shide) is hung over the front door to demarcate the temporary abode of the “Toshigami” and to prevent bad spirits from entering.
"Shimenawa"
A special altar, known as “Toshidana” meaning Year Shelf is piled high with “Kagami mochi” (flat round rice cake), sake (rice wine), natural salt, persimmons, and other foods in honour of the Toshigami.
"Kagamimochi"
The night before New Year is called “Oumisoka” and many people visit the Buddhist temple to hear the bells rung 108 times at midnight to dispel the evils of the past year. It is also customary to eat “Toshikoshi Soba” that means year crossing noodles in the hope that one’s family fortunes will extend like the long noodles.
“Toshikoshi Soba”
January 1st is called Ganjistu or Gankan.
This day is to celebrate the coming of the New Year in family.
On the second and third day of the New Year Holidays friends and business acquaintances visit one another to extend greetings named “Nenshi” and to sip some “Toso” a spiced rice wine.
“Toso”
New Year dishes...
In Japan during the Holiday people are eating traditional dishes called “Osechi” meaning feast for the New Year.
"Osechi"
The Typical Osechi includes rolled kelp, mashed sweet potato with chestnut, sweetened black soybeans, teriyaki style small dried sardines, fried burdock root, fish cake, salted herring roe, rolled sweet omelette and so on...
"Other Osechi"
Each dish has a blessed meaning such as happiness, prosperity, long life and so on...
This food is prepared in last days of December and placed in very beautiful lacquered boxes (Special type of Bento) so this way housewives do not have to worry about cooking during the New Year. In our days, Osechi are available in supermarkets and department stores to be even more convivial.
Otoshidama (Pochi bags)...
It is a special monetary gift to children from their parents and relatives during the New Year holiday. The money is put in a small cute envelope called pochi bag and handed to children. In old days this gift was not money but round rice cakes.
"Otoshidama"
Nengajou...
New Year postcards...in Japan there is the custom to exchange New Year postcards with personal or business acquaintances. On these cards fixed phrases of thanks for the year gone by and greetings for the New Year are written, along with beautiful design of the Oriental zodiac sign of the New Year.
This year 2011 is the year is the year of the Rabbit...
These cards fulfill much the same purpose as Western Christmas cards. Interesting facts is that Japanese are sending much more postcards the average mailing is 100 postcards by family. The cards must be posted in between December 15th to December 25th to then the postcards are held by post office and they are delivered on January 1st.
Kakizome...
First calligraphy of the year is to practice with Japanese brushes and ink for the first time in the year. It is custom to do it on January 2nd and to write favourite kanji or phrase facing the lucky direction of the year. Some people write their New Year resolutions.
We hope you have liked to read us this year... we say Bye bye to 2010 now... and we will face 2011 with new aims new goods and new articles for you .
We wish you a Happy New Year....明けましておめでとう。 Akemashite Omedetou...!!!
We hope that you will come back next year... See you soon...
The best part of the season is remembering
those who make the holidays meaningful.
We wish you all the love and happiness
this season can bring,
and may it follow you throughout
the coming new year.
Merry Christmas !!!
Thank you to have start to follow my blogs all long this year...
If you ever need anything leave me a message... I will answer to you as soon as possible.
Furisode Who is wearing a Furisode ?
This one is for young unmarried women.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
The sleeves of Furisode have an average between 39 and 42 inches (1,100 mm) in length. In fact, there are three lengths possible the oburisode that have a length of 105 cm, the chuuburisode have a length of 90 cm and the kofurisode is 75 cm length at last.
In the past, Furisode was black and with time it becomes such a beautiful and colourful design. It is richly design kimono.
When to wear it?
They are usually worn at coming-of-age ceremonies (seijin shiki).
At a wedding, unmarried female relatives of the bride are wearing it.
This Kimono is for all formal and ceremonial occasion of the unmarried women.
Hōmongi Who is wearing a Hōmongi?
Worn by both married and unmarried women
What is typical difference with other kimono?
This one is characterized by patterns that flow over the shoulders, seams and sleeves and a little more “Chic” then other Kimono (Tsukesage).
When to wear it?
At a weddings and receptions they may also be worn to formal parties.
Iromuji
Who is wearing an Iromuji?
It is worn by married and unmarried women.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
Only one color kimono (monochrome) and the material making of this kimono is satin ( mon rinzu), crepe (chirimen) or tsumugi.
When to wear it?
Those kimono are worn to do Tea ceremonies.
Komon Who is wearing a Komon?
It is worn by married and unmarried women.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
This Kimono has a small and repeated pattern throughout the garment.
When to wear it?
It is to wear all around. To make it more formal for going out to restaurant or to go for a diner you put a more formal obi.
Edo komon Who is wearing a Edo Komon?
It is worn by married and unmarried women.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
This is komon characterized by tiny dots arranged in dense patterns that form larger designs. It can be decorated with some Kamon too.
When to wear it?
May be worn as visiting wear
Mofuku Who is wearing a Mofuku?
The completely black kit is reserved for family and others that are close to the deceased.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
The mofuku is a formal garment intended for mourning. It is made of pitch black silk, without any embellishment other than the 5 kamon.
All accessories are also black.
White being symbolic of death in Japan, the mofuku was made formerly of white. These days, the modern mofuku is now a black garment, to contrast with the white kimono of the dead
When to wear it?
The mofuku is worn on the days of the wake, funeral, and cremation of the deceased in a Buddhist funeral ceremony.
Due to white being symbolic of death in Japan, the mofuku was formerly a white garment; however, the modern mofuku is now a black garment, to contrast with the white kimono of the dead.
Tomesode Iro Tomesode Who is wearing an Iro Tomesode?
It is worn by married and unmarried women.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
It is a single-color kimono, patterned only below the waistline.
An Iro tomesode may have three or five kamon.
When to wear it?
Iro Tomesode are slightly less formal than Kuro Tomesode so it worn for close relatives of the bride and groom at weddings.
Kuro Tomesode Who is wearing an Kuro Tomesode?
It is worn by married.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
It is a black kimono patterned only below the waistline.
Kuro Tomesode usually have five kamon printed on the sleeves, chest and on the back of the kimono. The length of the sleeves are more shorter then a formal Furisode and opening of the sleeves are smaller too.
When to wear it?
They are often worn by the mothers of the bride and groom at weddings.
Tsukesage Who is wearing a Tsukesage?
It is worn by married.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
It is more modest patterns that cover a smaller area under the waist.
When to wear it?
It is worn to visiting, school entrance, ceremony, parties
Uchikake Who is wearing a Uchikake?
Back in time this kimono was worn by ladies of warrior or noble families.
In our days it is only worn by Japanese bridal ceremony.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
Uchikake is a highly formal kimono.
The Uchikake is supposed to be worn otherwise then the actual kimono and obi, it is taken as a sort of coat now. You can understand that we never tie the obi around the Uchikake. It is meant to trail along the floor. The color is all white or red.
When to wear it?
It is Japanese bridal ceremony costume.
Shiromuku Who is wearing a Shiromuku?
A bride.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
It is a whole white kimono that signify the pure intention of the bride to fit into her husband’s family.
When to wear it?
It is Japanese bridal ceremony costume.
Susohiki / Hikizuri Who is wearing a Susohiki / Hikizuri?
Maiko (apprentice geisha), Geisha or stage performer.
What is typical difference with other kimono?
It is a longer kimono then a traditional one. The skirt of is supposed to trail along the floor. Susohiki literally means "trail the skirt". The length of such a kimono can be 2 m long. That’s why Geisha and young Maiko are lifting up their Kimono while walking in the streets.
Here is a chart to help you with all this:
Kimono
Formality
Occasion
Black Tomesode
Uchikake
Ceremonial
Official function
Wedding
Funeral
Tomesode
Furisode
IroMuji
Edo Komon
Tsukesage
Homongi
Formal
Wedding
Formal Reception
Formal Parties
Edo Komon
Tsukesage
Iromuji
Komon
Visiting
Visiting
School Entrance
Ceremony
Parties
Komon
Tsumugi
In Town
Shopping
Meeting friends
Traveling
I hope you enjoy this reading.
Next post on Kimono will be Part 3 – Parts of a Kimono and accessories.
Tansu seems to have made it first appearance around 340 years ago from now durin the Edo era (1603 - 1867).
The Tansu became popular by the growing demand of the Japanese society needs. The chest have many styles and there usage is different from each to the other one. They All have the same purpose and it is to store your goods.
I am sure the image you have of the Japanese chest is the one with may drawers of all size. This is one of most current Tansu and its the Isho-dansu.
This Tansu was kept in a store house named “Kura”. This store house was made of fire proof material to secure all the Tansu content. This store house was either next the house or a little upper on the street.
At the end of the winter (fuyu) the Tansu was brought back home to exchange the content for the clothes of the ending season. After that the Tansu was brought back to store house until the next season change of clothes.
In the old Japan, it was usage to give a new bride a chest made of a tree planted at her birth. Such a customs have changed these days.
Another image of Japanese Tansu you surely have is the Staircase one and this one is a Kaidan-dansu.
Wood chosen for making Tansu
The Tansu are generally made out of Kiri wood (Paulownia) because it isconsidered the ideal wood for storage furniture.The Paulownia wood repeals insects and it is old Japanese believes to repeal also the fire.
You can also have your tansu made out of Keyaki wood (Zelkova) it is said to be the best hardwood in Japan.It is strong and durable wood.
There is also many other wood species to be use for Tansu making:
Kuwa (Mulberry tree)
Hinoki (Cypress wood)
Sugi (Cryptomeria)
Hoonoki (Magnolia obovata)
Toneri (Ash)
Kaedezai (Maple)
Sakura (Cherry)
Shounou (Camphor)
Kuri (Chestnut)
Most popular wood for a daily life Tansu is the Kiri (Paulownia) it is not so expensive and it have many good advantage.
September is called Nagatsuki according to old calendar and it is coming from Yonagatsuki meaning the month where nights is becoming more long and that at the end of it autumn will slowly take place.
The autumn equinox is around September 23th and it is the day where the sun sets in the due west and the length of day and night are same. The Autumn Equinox is a national holiday in Japan and it is that day where they give respect to ancestors. This Holiday is a period of seven days 3 days before the day of equinox and 3 days after it and it is called Aki-Higan. Just like Haru higan (Spring equinox) people goes to Buddhist services or visit their family graves.
On this special occasion Japanese sweets are eaten then. This sweets are Ohagi sweet dumplings made from rice and cover with red beans jam.
Japanese traditions are to put plain dumplings and flowers to Buddhist altar for the repose of the ancestors.
"O bon" is a buddhist memorial service for the ancestors and deceased members of families. It is an event to receive and comfort and honour ancestral spirits. The formal name is Urabon-e.
It takes place in July from the 13th to 16th or August the 12th to 17th. It depends on lunar calendar and location where you are in Japan.
During this period, spirits of the dead are believed to return home families.
In the area I know, people lit fires on August 13th to guide ancestors and deceased family members to their home.
They also lite lantern inside the house to help them to find their way.
In most places, Bon stand are display and some offerings are display.
At home, Butsudan (buddhist altars) are set up and offerings are made out of vegetable and fruits and are displayed for ancestors spirits.
People visit the family's grave, clean it, offers flowers, burn incense stick and pray for their souls to rest in peace.
Here is the manners when you go visiting a grave in Japan:
Pour water onto the gravestone, clean it with sponge (or other) and wipe off the waper. Also clean the flower vase stand and water bbasin if you have one.
After, put flowers in the flower stands, light candle and a bundle of incense sticks and place them in to incense burner.
If you have brought offerings, you please place them on a sheet of Japanese paper.
Once the grave have been cleaned and all apparels being set, each visitor pours clean water onto the grave stones from pail.
They squats down facing the front of the gravestone, and take your "Juzu" in hands and prays quietly joining one hands together.
Bon dances "O bon dori" are performed to entertain ancestral spirits throughout Japan.
On the last evening of "O bon", farewell fires are made to guide the spirits back to their world.
You see more of the floating lanterns in the country sides.
Kimono is a general term for the Japanese national costume for men as for women. It consists essentially of a long dress open at the front which are crossed left over right and maintained by a fabric belt which is called "Obi".
The kimono, which succeeded the short-sleeved kosode became the standard costume. The kosode was worn as underwear since the Nara period and becomes a top dress in the sixteenth century.
Until the seventeenth century women fixed it with only a belt of flexible material and it was replaced by a hard belt equipped with a knot in the back. However, the courtesans continued to tighten their kimono with a soft belt knotted at the front.
All kimono are cut the same way, only decoration and fabrics differentiate them.
In general, men's kimono use dark colors, sometimes in the case of kimono, you can see the Kamon (family Crest) of their families. They are appointed with hakama pants and go over a large jacket named Haori.
In summer kimono made of wool and silk is usually replaced by a light cotton kimono, printed or dyed in indigo on white background, called yukata.
In winter, a large heavy cloth jacket named tanzen is brought to the house over the kimono
More explanation about the Yukata:
The Yukata (浴衣) is an unlined kimono-like garment for summer use, usually made of cotton, linen, or hemp.
Yukata are strictly informal, most often worn for festivals, by men and women of all ages. They are also worn at onsen (hot spring) resorts, where they are provided for the guests.
It is very light and very confortable in summer time. It is not wear with the tabi only with the Zori or Getta.
Some Japanese vocabulary about clothing:
Obi (帯) is the sash worn with kimono.
Tabi (足袋) are ankle-high, divided-toe socks usually worn with zōri or geta.
Geta (下駄) are wooden sandals worn by men and women with yukata.
Zōri (草履) are traditional sandals worn by both men and women, similar in design to flip-flops. Their formality ranges from strictly informal to fully formal. They are made of many materials, including cloth, leather, vinyl and woven grass, and can be highly decorated or very simple.
Do you know that there is many types of Kimono?
Today I just explained the basic knowledge about Kimono and the more simplest one the Yukata.
Next Time I talk Kimono...I will tell you more about all of them and their differences.
