I would like to ask you what are the special wedding customs in Nagoya?

Japanese Customs (1)

National Flower and National Bird

The Japanese have regarded cherry blossoms as their national flower since ancient times. There are many legends about cherry blossoms in ancient Japanese mythology. The cherry blossoms are neat and tidy when they are rewarded, and people associate it with the samurai's outlook on life. There are cherry blossom viewing spots all over Japan. Every spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, family members and company colleagues hold banquets under the cherry blossom trees. Drinking, singing, dancing, admiring flowers, and communicating are a kind of fun for the Japanese. During the flower viewing season, people's happy scenes have become a charming scenery in Japan. The pheasant, often mentioned in myths and legends, is the national bird of Japan. Pheasant is a bird unique to Japan. There are obvious differences in size and color between the male and female. The male pheasant has a red face, dark green neck, chest and abdomen, a slightly purple back, and a long tail with many black band-like feathers. . The female pheasant is light brown with black markings on her body and a short tail. Pheasants live in grasslands and bushes near farmland. They build their nests on the ground and feed on fruits and insects.

Mount Fuji

Futuyama is the highest peak in Japan, with an altitude of 3776 meters. It is a typical cone-shaped dormant volcano. In winter, more than halfway up the mountain is covered with heavy snow. The snow scenery adds to the beauty of Futusan. A beauty that has become one of the symbols of Japan. Mount Fuji is like a huge, perfect cone. When the weather is clear, you can watch the sunrise and the sea of ??clouds standing on Mount Fuji. The scenery is beautiful and beautiful. It is also a tourist attraction, attracting tourists all year round. All foreign tourists who come to Japan also go here. , a panoramic view of Fuji scenery. Affected by its mountainous terrain, most of Japan's rivers are short and rapid. The longest Shinano River is only 367 kilometers. Although Japan's rivers can be used for hydroelectric power generation due to their large drops, almost none of them can be used for water transportation. There are lakes in the mountains, which are crystal clear and have beautiful scenery, but they are not large in area. The largest lake is Lake Biwa, covering an area of ??674 square kilometers; the deepest lake is Lake Tazawa, with a water depth of 423 meters. In addition, Lake Kasumigaura, a saltwater lake formed by sand dunes and sandbars separated from the open sea, covers an area of ??168 square kilometers.

Climate

The Japanese archipelago is 3,000 kilometers long from north to south, spanning the subtropical to subarctic zones. Due to the great influence of complex terrain and ocean currents, the climate of each region varies significantly. Due to the influence of regular monsoons, cold currents move southward in winter and tropical airflows move northward in summer. Under the influence of these two airflows, winter and summer last for several months each, while spring and autumn at the turn of the monsoon last for about 2 months each. Due to the influence of the warm ocean currents, most areas of the Japanese archipelago have abundant rainfall, with annual rainfall reaching 1,600-1,700 mm. It often rains during the crop growth period from early spring to summer, especially the rainy season from June to July, and every year From August to October, the southwest region is often hit by typhoons. In winter, the cold monsoon from the northwest hits, and there is a lot of snowfall along the Sea of ??Japan, making this area one of the few snowy areas in the world. Every year, the snow in Niigashi County and other places is as deep as 4-5 meters, which is different from that on the Pacific side. The sunny and dry climate is in stark contrast. Southern Honshu has hot summers, almost the same as those in Southeast Asia, and has a typical foliage forest climate. For 3-4 months in summer, the climate is the same as that of Southeast Asia. Therefore, southern plants such as potatoes and rice have become the basis of Japanese farming culture, which in turn gives Japanese culture typical southern characteristics.

Culture

Japan can be called the fastest-changing country in the world. Because the Japanese nation is very conservative, modern Japanese culture reflects both the long history and the general outlook of Japan. It is traditional and has quite a European tendency. Japanese literary works, film and television art, and even calligraphy all show the characteristics of a combination of old and new, and a blend of east and west. When you visit a Japanese city, you will see simple and elegant temples and shrines adjacent to modern skyscrapers. Folk songs played with silk strings and disco with strong rhythms are also loved by the Japanese people. There are many symphony orchestras in Japan, and their musical standards are recognized as world-class. Tea ceremony and flower arrangement are arts that the Japanese are proud of. The tea ceremony expresses elegant art through a set of exquisite etiquette for serving tea. Ikebana is the practice of inserting cut flowers, plants, branches and leaves into vessels to express beauty and vitality.

Tea ceremony and flower arrangement are compulsory courses for Japanese women and have become an aspect of culture and upbringing.

Japanese people love sports. Playing golf is a regular sports activity in Japan. Many people love this sport. Almost 1 in 10 people is a golf enthusiast. Judo and kendo have been included as compulsory subjects in Japanese elementary schools. Baseball is very popular in Japan and is Japan’s national sport. "Sumo" is called Japan's "national quintessence" and has a history of more than 2,000 years. Japan's Go level is very high, and there are frequent exchanges of Go between China and Japan. Go and Shogi (Japanese chess) are loved by the Japanese people.

Food

When it comes to food, it is not only Japanese-style meals with rice as the staple food and vegetables, fish and meat as non-staple food, but also Chinese meals in Western Europe are generally very popular. You can enjoy a wide variety of meals in Japan. Japan is a country rich in high-quality water resources and has excellent sanitation facilities, so tap water can be drunk anywhere in Japan. Modern Japanese culture is even more colorful. The girls were learning traditional Japanese culture from ancient times, such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement, while also dancing disco. It is not unusual to see urban areas, ancient monasteries and high-rise buildings built next to each other. Therefore, modern Japanese culture is formed by combining ancient, emerging, Western and Eastern cultures.

Industry

The same goes for industry. Since ancient times, Japan has been an agricultural country. However, in this century, it has rapidly industrialized and has become one of the few industrial countries in the world. In universities, there are various academic fields ranging from electronic engineering to international business studies, and almost all academic fields can be studied in Japan. Japan is a country that combines traditional culture from ancient times with the most advanced and cutting-edge technology.

Transportation

The international airports in Japan include New Tokyo International (Narita), Tokyo International (Haneda), Nagoya, Kansai International, Kamioka, Sapporo, Hakodate, Aomori, Sendai, Niigata, Toyama, Komatsu (Ishikawa Prefecture), Okayama, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Nagasaki, Oita, Kagoshima, Okinawa, all ***20 airports. The representative entry airports for foreigners coming to Japan are Tokyo International (Narita) and Kansai International Airport. The means of transportation from the airport to the city include trams, buses and taxis. Public Security As we all know, Japan is one of the countries in the world with a low crime rate and a high arrest rate and good public security.

Japan’s currency

Japan’s currency is the yen. There are three types of banknotes: 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen, and six types of coins: 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen, and 1 yen. Major currencies can be exchanged at banks that offer currency exchange. The exchange rates of all banks are the same. You can often get the best exchange rates at a bank or U.S. consulate. The currency exchange offices at the airport have the lowest exchange rates. The hotel cashier is somewhere in between. In Japan, cash is generally used for payment, but recently there has been an increase in the number of stores and individuals using credit cards. Cash checks are generally not required.

Japanese Customs (2)

Entertainment and Others

In Tokyo alone, there are tens of thousands of bars, beer houses, nightclubs and other entertainment venues. , among which places that cater specifically to business people are more expensive. There are also many that target the general working class and are relatively cheap. After a hard day's work, many working-class people in Japan like to have a drink and rest in places such as bars attached to hotels and summer rooftop beer gardens in department stores. Foreign tourists can also use these places.

In addition, it should be a good choice to watch Japan's time-honored classical dramas, songs and dances, and experience the rich connotations of Japanese culture. Of course, in today's modern Dubry, movies, concerts, and ballets are all available.

Ballet and concerts

Such activities are very active in major cities, and theaters or concert halls are also well equipped. Famous song and dance troupes or symphony troupes have regular performances. World-famous orchestras or soloists often come to Japan to sing.

Kabuki is a more popular dramatic art than Noh drama. Its success is due to the welcome and support of the broad audience, unlike the success of Noh drama, which was sponsored by the shogunate and the court.

The distinctive features of Kabuki are: rhyming lines, fantastic dances, sweet music, luxurious costumes, colorful makeup, and other elaborate decorations. The heroines in the drama are always played by men. Large theaters have program notes in English.

Bunraku

This kind of puppet show is another stage entertainment in Japan. It is not only loved by the Japanese public, but also famous internationally. Puppet shows are usually operated by three people, and each puppet has three joysticks to make the puppet perform vivid movements. The accompaniment is traditional music and folk songs, and the puppets' costumes are gorgeous and moving.

Sakura Dance

The Sakura Dance during the cherry blossom season is popular in Kyoto. The dance of people wearing bright kimonos, amidst the sounds of Japanese traditional music, is particularly moving. The most famous ones are Toyun (April 1st to 30th) and Kamogawa Yun (May 1st to 24th and October 15th to November 7th).

Japanese and foreign movies

Like major cities around the world, Japanese metropolises have many cinemas showing international films. There are also many cinemas that specialize in showing Japanese movies. The content of the film ranges from very new to old versions with historical significance. Japanese films are all in Japanese, while foreign films are in the original foreign language and have brief Japanese explanations.

Musicals

Musicals are very prosperous in Japan. The famous ones include Takarazuka, Shochiku Revue, etc. The actors are all young women who have received strict training.

Japanese Customs (3)

Japanese Puppet Festival

Red, pink and white plum blossoms bloom with smiles and come to us with spring greetings. In this spring season, families with girls will be busy preparing for the Puppet Festival on March 3. Doll Festival is a traditional festival in Japan, also known as Doll Festival or Peach Blossom Festival, which originated from China. It is said that in early March in the ancient Chinese calendar, people would come to the river to wash their hands and feet to wash away sins, filth, and bad luck and seek peace. In the Han Dynasty, it gradually evolved into chanting poems, drinking wine and enjoying the lake and spring scenery by the river. In the early Heian period (794-1192), there was a long period of absorption and integration. The Taoist color is very strong. After absorbing advanced Chinese culture, Japan gradually formed its own "Japanese culture". At that time, it was very popular for women, especially girls, to enjoy dolls among the nobility. Later, combined with the custom of praying for physical well-being, a doll was used to caress the body, and then the doll and the offerings were placed on a woven straw fabric, and then they were put into the water together and allowed to float away. This custom of "sending away dolls" is said to be able to take away diseases and disasters. This ancient tradition is still preserved in central Japan. At the earliest, puppets were simple standing human figures made of paper or straw. As time went by, lovers were made more and more elaborate, so people were no longer willing to put them into the river and float away with them, but put them away. Place it in your home and watch carefully. Entering the Edo period (1600-1868), a wide variety of dolls appeared, and then imitated the customs of the ancient palace. The dolls of a harmonious and loving royal couple sat on the steps covered with red carpets. On the top floor of the large display rack, three girls and five musicians were arranged in front, along with various props. Later, in the middle of the Edo period, March 3rd every year was officially designated as Doll Festival. Since then, it has become popular among the people as a girls' festival. Through this ceremony, people pray for women's healthy growth and happiness, which also includes the feeling of being blessed and grateful.

Nowadays, dolls are made very sophisticated and gorgeous, and the price is naturally high. These wonderful puppets with different shapes have not only become precious collections in every family, but also rare national art treasures. A brocade with gold threads and flowers, swaying paper-shaded wax lamps on both sides, lined with delicate peach blossoms, and a seasonal feast in spring, symbolizing beauty and abundance. It is every parent's blessing that their daughter will be as happy as a doll princess in the future. With the changes of the times, the Puppet Festival has also been given more meanings. In Japan, families with girls will buy a set of puppets. Every year in mid-February, people put out the dolls early in the hope that their daughters will find a suitable husband sooner and get married.

Emperor Hirohito did not always stand there. He came out about once every 15 minutes and stood in the large glass window on the second floor to receive the crowd. It is said that there were no large glass windows in the past. Once, an extreme person came forward to assassinate the emperor. After that, bulletproof glass windows were installed for safety. The emperor appeared, walking slowly and slowly in the glass window with the queen, waving to people, and said "Hello" and "Thank you for your hard work" through the microphone. After waving, he walked back to the inner room. People were there to wave, too. I didn't hear people shouting "Long live the Emperor" or anything like that.

Japanese Customs (4)

Japan has admired foreign technologies and items since ancient times. As long as they think they are good, they will actively introduce them and then "localize" them to make them more popular. It becomes part of Japanese culture. Japanese festivals are no exception, and most of them are deeply influenced by China. Most Japanese festivals are inherited from the sacrificial activities of shrines (temples) in various places, so Japan calls festivals "matsuri". In ancient Japan, "matsuri" was purely an act of praying to gods for blessings, but today's "matsuri" is full of entertainment, drama and commerce. According to statistics, a "matsuri" is held in a region in Japan almost every day.

Japan’s statutory holidays: During statutory national holidays, schools, agencies, and companies all have holidays.

New Year’s Day: January 1st. According to Japanese customs, before New Year's Eve, a general cleaning is required, and straw ropes are hung at the door, oranges are inserted (called "shuren rope"), and pine, bamboo, and plum trees (called "kadomatsu") are placed in front of the door. Nowadays, pictures are used instead. ), meaning auspiciousness. On New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers together to eat New Year noodles and listen to the "New Year's Eve bell" at midnight to stay up late. Eat rice cake soup (called "zazhu") on the morning of New Year's Day.

On Adult Day, young men and women over 20 years old wear traditional clothes to celebrate adulthood

Adult Day: the second Monday in January every year. Japan's Coming of Age Day originated from ancient coming-of-age rituals, which were influenced by the Chinese "crown ceremony". The so-called "crown ceremony" refers to a crowning ceremony held when a man reaches adulthood. From the day of crowning, the crowned person is recognized as an adult by society. Japan imitated my country's old ritual system and implemented the crowning system in the eleventh year of Emperor Tenmu (AD 683). According to the ancient Chinese Yin-Yang theory, Jiazi and Bingyin are often chosen as the auspicious days for the crown day, especially the first month as the most auspicious day. In 1948, the Japanese government stipulated that people over the age of 20 must live an "adult ceremony" based on folk customs. The purpose was to make young people realize that they had become full members of society. On Adult Day, all young men and women who have reached the age of 20 must wear traditional clothing to participate in adult ceremonies organized by official or private groups for them, including young people taking oaths, congratulations from elders, visiting shrines, and participating in various traditional entertainments. Activities etc.

National Founding Day: February 11. According to Japanese mythology, Emperor Jimmu unified Japan and established Japan on February 11, 660 BC. The predecessor of "National Founding Day" was Japan's "Era Day" before World War II. Before and during World War II, in order to cultivate the militaristic ideology of worshiping the emperor among the people, the rulers at the time used this day as a commemoration day to commemorate the achievements of the ancestors of the Japanese emperor in "founding" Japan. When the National Holidays Law was formulated in 1948, this holiday was denied. When the Holiday Law was revised in 1952, February 11 was renamed "Foundation Day". Since then, there have been two different opinions in Japanese society, for and against.

Vernal Equinox: The autumnal equinox on the calendar varies around the year. Praise nature and care for living things.

Constitutional Day: May 3. On May 3, 1947, Japan abolished the Meiji Constitution and implemented a new constitution.

Boys’ Day (Dragon Boat Festival): May 5th. On this day, "carp streamers" are hung in front of the doors of families with sons to wish the boys healthy growth. In Japan, May 5th of the Gregorian calendar is the Dragon Boat Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the same day as Boys' Day, so on this day, calamus leaves are placed on the door of every house, pictures of Zhong Kui to drive away ghosts are hung in the house, and cakes (called "cypress cakes") or rice dumplings are eaten to ward off evil spirits. "Calamus" and "Martial Arts" are homophonic, and "carp flag" means carp jumping over the dragon gate.

Carp flags are hollow carps made of cloth or silk. They are divided into three colors: black, red and blue. Black represents the father, red represents the mother, and green and blue represent the boys. The number of green and blue flags represents the number of boys. The Japanese believe that carp is a symbol of strength and courage, expressing the parents' desire that their children and grandchildren will become brave and strong warriors. According to the principle of "respecting the personality of children, seeking their happiness, and thanking their mothers at the same time", this day is designated as a national public holiday.

Sea Day: July 20. Established in 1941, it has become a national day of commemoration since 1996. Japan is surrounded by the sea. It was formulated to express gratitude for the blessings received from the ocean and to pray for Japan to become a maritime country with prosperous national fortunes.

Respect for the Aged Day: September 15th. Japanese people can only call "Shou" as their birthday when they are 42 years old, and they are usually called "the first old people". At the age of 60, it is called "returning calendar". The age of 77 is called "Xi Shou", the age of 88 is called "Mi Shou", and the age of 99 is called "Bai Shou", that is, one hundred words are missing. If you live to be 100 years old, it will be "Hundred Life". On September 15th every year, activities to respect the elderly are carried out across Japan, including physical examinations, house repairs, giving souvenirs, and organizing condolences for the elderly. The elderly carry out activities that are beneficial to the body and mind according to their own hobbies. On this day, Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare will also publish a "list of long-lived people", which will be published in newspapers across the country. Only people over 100 years old can enter the palace.

Autumnal Equinox: The autumnal equinox date on the calendar, which varies every year according to the calendar, is the day when the emperor worships his ancestors in autumn.

Sports Day: the second Monday in October. To commemorate the opening of the 18th Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in 1964.

Cultural Festival: November 3. Before 1945, this day was celebrated as the birthday of Emperor Meiji. After the war, its theme was set as "Love freedom, love equality, and promote cultural development." On this day, those who have made outstanding contributions to cultural undertakings were awarded the "Cultural Medal."

Hardworking Appreciation Day: November 23. Promote hard work, celebrate the development of production, and express mutual gratitude among citizens.

The Emperor’s birthday: December 23. Emperor Akihito was born on December 23, 1933.

Japanese folk festivals:

New Year’s Day: January 1st. This is the day to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. The three days from New Year's Day to January 3 are called the "first month", and no work is done. During the New Year, everyone goes to visit shrines or go to friends’ houses to pay New Year greetings, drink wine, and eat unique New Year delicacies. The children played Japanese cards, flew kites and shuttlecocks. During the New Year, straw ropes are also tied on the door and pine branches are inserted, which means "inserting trees to welcome the arrival of the gods." The time for decorating pine branches is from the 1st to the 7th, and this period is also called "Matsunouchi".

Kamakura Festival: February in the Yokote area of ??Akita Prefecture. On the eve of the Kamakura Festival, children gather in a snow house called "Kamakura", which is about 2 meters long and horizontal, drinking sweet wine and eating sweet cakes. There is an altar in the middle of the house to worship the water god. During the two-day Kamakura Festival, visitors are invited into an igloo to taste Japanese rice wine and rice cakes.

Girls’ Day (Puppet Day): March 3. This is a day for Japanese girls. This festival originated very early, dating back to the Heian period 700 years ago. The way we celebrate today is passed down from the Edo period. Families with girls will offer small dolls (also called "hina dolls") to wish the girls in the family growth and good luck. These little dolls are expensive, and a girl’s parents, especially her maternal grandparents, almost always have to buy a set of exquisite little dolls for her. Some of them are placed on one level, and some are placed on several levels with "puppet stands". The most can be placed on seven or eight levels, and the top level is mostly an emperor and a queen. Girls get these little dolls when they are one year old, and they must be put on display on March 3 every year until they are taken away when they get married.

Qixi Festival (Qixi Festival): July 7th, Altair and Vega, which are separated on the east and west sides of the Milky Way, can only meet on this day every year. This is a fusion of Chinese legends and ancient Japanese garrison customs. On July 7, people offer corn and eggplants in front of the courtyard, tie colorful poems with lyrics and wishes on bamboo poles, and pray that girls will be as skillful as the Weaver Girl. It is said that in Japan, the Tanabata Festival began in the sixth year of Emperor Shomu’s reign.

Every Chinese Valentine's Day, women play various games together, the most common of which is "begging for skill".

Obon Bon Festival: around August 15th. Obon Festival is Japan's largest traditional folk festival, also known as "Soul Festival", "Lantern Festival", "Buddhist All Souls Festival", etc. It was originally a day to honor ancestors and pray for good fortune, but now it is a day for family reunion and harmony. Village joy festival. Every Bon Festival, Japanese companies take a 7 to 15-day holiday, and people rush back to their hometowns to reunite. People living in small towns and rural areas also wear summer kimonos to dance Bon Odori.

Moon Appreciation: On the nights of August 15th and September 13th of the lunar calendar, when the moon is full, doors and windows are decorated with wheat awns, wine and dumplings are offered to the moon god, and prayers are given for a smooth and beautiful autumn.

The other shore: 7 days before and after the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. During this period, sacrifices are made to the souls of ancestors, Buddhist services are held, and graves are visited.

"Shichigosan" Festival: "Shichigosan" is a unique festival in Japan. Every November 15th, 3-year-old and 5-year-old boys and 3-year-old and 7-year-old girls put on bright kimonos and visit the shrine to pray to the gods to bless them with smooth sailing on their growth path. This custom is said to have started in the middle of the Edo period. On this day, children eat "red bean rice" and "Chitose candy", a red or white candy bar specially made to celebrate "7-5-3". It is hoped that children will be lively, strong and immortal after eating it. In ancient times, the Japanese regarded odd numbers as auspicious numbers, among which "seven, five, and three" were the most taboo numbers (on the contrary, four and nine were the most taboo numbers for the Japanese).

New Year’s Eve: On the night of December 31, people eat buckwheat noodles while listening to the 108 New Year’s Eve bells from the temple. It symbolizes people's prayer for happiness, may it last as long as buckwheat noodles.

In addition, Japan also has many various festivals and anniversaries:

Northern Territory Day: February 7. On February 7, 1855, Japan and Russia concluded the Treaty of Amity between Japan and Russia (the "Treaty of Shimoda"), which stipulated that the four northern islands were Japanese territory. On January 6, 1981, the Japanese government formally decided at a cabinet meeting to designate February 7 as "Northern Territory Day" to promote the movement to recover the Northern Territory.

Bikini Day: March 1st. On March 1, 1954, the United States exploded a hydrogen bomb over Bikini Island, killing more than 20 Japanese sailors. The Japanese people hold activities on this day every year to oppose the US policy of aggression and nuclear war.

Entrance Ceremony: In Japan, the new school year, the kindergarten entrance ceremony, and the company's welcoming of new employees are all held in April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. To the Japanese, it is natural for everything to begin this way.

Takayama Festival: April 14-15. The Takayama Matsuri is an annual festival held at Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture to worship the "God of Native Land" Hie Shrine. Luxurious floats organized by all walks of life in the city participate in the festival and parade through the streets of the city.

Summer Festival: Tens of thousands of people celebrate the arrival of summer at the three-day Summer Festival in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The "opening" day of Mount Fuji: July 1st. This kicks off the climbing season every year.

Kyoto’s “Daimonji” Fire Festival: August 16th. The Obon Festival is held at Mt. Mt. Nishiki (also known as Mount Daimonji) on the eastern outskirts of Kyoto City. In the middle of the mountain, there are 75 fire beds, forming the character "big". In the fire beds, you can relax and chop firewood, and light a fire at the same time around eight o'clock in the evening. The first stroke of the character "大" is 73 meters long, the second stroke is 146 meters long, and the third stroke is 124 meters long. According to legend, when a fire broke out in a temple at the foot of Mt. Nyoidake, Amitabha Buddha, the main Buddha of the temple, ascended to the top of the mountain and emitted light, illuminating all directions. From then on, the "Fire Sending Festival" has been held every year to commemorate the miraculous achievements of Amitabha Tathagata.

Disaster Prevention Day: September 1st. After the Great Kanto Earthquake occurred in Japan, all Japanese governments have to conduct disaster prevention training or drills of different scales on September 1st every year.

Toilet Day: November 10th. The Japan Toilet Association decided at the "First Toilet Symposium" in January 1986 that November 10th of each year would be "Toilet Day".