Obon is a period for honoring and paying respects to our ancestors. Some of you may return to your hometown every year for this occasion. Actually, the timing of Obon varies by region. Additionally, some regions hold their own unique events during this time. Knowing the regional differences and history might make each year’s Obon a little more enjoyable. In this article, we’ll introduce...
The “yukata” is one of the quintessential symbols of Japanese summer. It’s commonly worn at summer festivals and fireworks displays, but few people who wear one actually know what a yukata originally was, or how it evolved into the garment we recognize today. Since it’s a piece of Japanese culture we encounter so casually, it’s worth learning a bit about its history. In this...
The zabuton (Japanese floor cushion) helps ease the strain on your legs and back when sitting on the floor in a tatami room. Beyond everyday use at home, zabuton also play a role in various settings, such as rakugo (comic storytelling) performances and ozagishiki-style comedy quiz shows. Although we tend to use zabuton without much thought, do you know about their history and the...