Japanese Activities Before Going To Bed

JAPANESE ACTIVITIES BEFORE GOING TO BED

Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Some times ago, I have told you about  “Activities After Waking Up Japanese People”. But today, I’m going to tell you about “Japanese Activities Before Going To Bed”.  Activities that Japanese people do after waking up are like washing their face, brushing their teeth, breakfast and preparing a lunch box (Bento) and after that go to work or go to school. Do you want to know what Japanese people do before going to bed? So don't leave to read on this blog and I'll tell you about it.

Japan is a country that always has very unique rituals and habits in contrast to other countries. Even before going to bed they also have activities that are very often carried out by Japanese people both children and adults.

The following are activities that Japanese people do before going to bed and the reason they do it.

1.    Taking A Bath

The habit of Japanese people before going to bed is bathing. Bathing is an activity carried out by Japanese people when they come home from work. They will not take a shower again after waking up in the morning. Why did they do that? Although not all Japanese do not take a shower in the morning, there are also Japanese people who are used to bathing in the morning before work even though at night they have bathed. But water in winter in Japan often makes them lazy to take a shower in the morning.

They did this because of the Japanese habit that bathing was seen as a closing activity on that day. When they are going to sleep, they usually like to take a shower first. So, they feel relaxed after a day of activities. Interestingly, Japanese people only take a bath once a day, which is when they are going to sleep. In the morning, they will not take a shower again, but only wash their face and brush their teeth, after which they do their activities.

2.    Soaking The Body

Picture. Onsen (natural hot spring)

Picture. Sento (public baths)

The  next habit that Japanese people often do before going to bed is to soak in Ofuro (soaking tub). Maybe you already know, that Japanese people like to bathe in Sento (public baths) and Onsen (natural hot springs). Almost every city and village in Japan has public bathing facilities where everyone can take a bath there.

 So, besides they bathe they will often soak after work, whether at home or at the public bath. But sometimes they are Japanese people who prefer to bathe in public baths because maybe they don't have complete bathing facilities at home and in public baths they can clean themselves while being able to socialize with other people at the public bath.

That's the life of Japanese people, like the fathers who come home from work or career women who go home from work, surely they will always do that, because that is their culture. So, if Japanese people are asked to choose to take a bath or soak in a bathtub, they would prefer to soak. Because soaking will make them relax. Japanese people are known for their hard work and overtime even if the weather is not very good, so relaxation after work is part of their lives. Japanese people are known to respect timeliness, and to reduce the time spent in the morning to get ready, they prefer to relax and cleanse themselves at night before going to bed.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.
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The Independence Of The Children In Japan

THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE CHILDREN IN JAPAN

 Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Today, I’m going to tell you about “The Independence Of The Children In Japan”. Why is the independence of the children in Japan must discussed as the topic in this blog that related with family life in Japan? Because the independence of the children in Japan are very different with other countries.

         Independence is something that can be done alone without disturbing others. Japan is a country that has many people who are accustomed to being taught by parents to be independent from childhood and even before the children go to school. So there's no need to be surprised if you go or visit Japan, you can see many school children who are still in elementary school going to school alone and carrying lots of their belongings to school such as books, other supporting equipment for their school or bento that can be done by themselves without asking for help from parents or other people to bring their belongings. This is very different for several other countries in this part of the world.

         Establishing the independence of children in Japan is not something that automatically happens. It takes a long time to get used to it. Independence does not come just like that, but it requires training from parents, the government, and the surrounding environment.
         The following are supporting factors for children's independence in Japan:

1.    The Supporting Factors for the Independence of Children in Japan

a.    Parents Factors (Family)

The independence of children in Japan starts from the education of parents (family). Japanese children are slowly being left to the outside world at a very young age by their parents. Many parents believe that walking to school is the first step in teaching children to be independent. Independence is one of the Japanese attributes that distinguishes them from other countries. At the age of 3-5 years, children in Japan begin to be trained in independence with simple tasks inside or outside the home. Like, helping parents clean the house, helping parents to buy things in stores that are close to entrusting their parents' money to them. That can lead to a sense of responsibility for these children to be responsible for the assignments they are given.

When children start entering the age of kindergarten and elementary school, they are taught to organize their own school needs. They also began to learn about various types of public transportation, the ethics of crossing, and how to solve problems when getting lost on the road.

b.    Environmental Factor

The environment in Japan strongly supports children who are still small enough to start studying or who are starting to enter school. The Japanese government sees many school children who go alone or shop on the market alone because they help parents. Because of this, the Japanese government made facilities for these children. Parents in Japan also strongly believe in the surrounding environment to come into direct contact with their children. The surrounding environment is used to seeing children walking alone without their parents. Because of support from the government, the local environment also tried to install signs that were easy for children to understand. Moreover, there is a distance limit determined by the government so that elementary school children do not go to school far away. And the government also rules that schools in Japan must have the same quality standards as other schools.

According to the US Department of Security, Japan is one of the countries with a far lower crime rate than America. That's why Japanese parents are brave and believe to let go of their children to interact in a crowded environment like markets or on highways.

c.    School Rules Factor

Some schools in Japan prohibit their students from being picked up by their parents at school. For children who are just starting out in school, they naturally need practice, especially for children aged 5-6 years. In the first month, children are still delivered by their parents. But schools always encourage students to use public transportation, bicycles, or on foot. Because schools have regulations such as using public transportation, cycling, or walking when going home from school, so the school also explains exactly how these school children can do when they are out of school to go home like signs and ethics what they have to do in public places.

So, that is some of the things that become a factor of children in Japan who are very independent, not only because parents are very supportive but environmental factors strongly support the development of the independence of these children to continue to learn independently and not disturb others but is useful for people other. And the beliefs of parents with the environment around their children. Hopefully one day, the government, schools, neighborhoods and parents in Indonesia can adopt this method so that children become more independent in the future.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.
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The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan

THE TRADITION OF DRINKING TEA IN JAPAN

Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Some times ago, I have told you about “The Manners To Visit Or Stay In A Japanese Family House”, so if you want to stay at Japanese family house, you have to know the manners or procedures if you want to stay there. Today, I’m going to tell you about “The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan”, it is related to the last topic because the tradition of drinking tea in japan is activity that must do if there are guests.

            Tea ceremony (茶道 sadō, chadō) is a Japanese tradition of serving tea to guests. In ancient times it was called chatō (茶 の 湯) or cha no yu. A tea ceremony held outdoors is called nodate. The host is also responsible for preparing pleasant situations for guests such as choosing wall paintings (kakejiku), flowers (chabana), and ceramic bowls that are suitable for the season and the status of invited guests. In general, the tea ceremony uses matcha powder tea made from finely ground green tea. The tea ceremony using matcha is called matchadō, while when using green tea the type of sencha is called senchadō. In daily conversations in Japan, tea ceremony is called ocha (tea). The term ocha no keiko can mean learning to practice etiquette for serving tea or learning etiquette as a guest in a tea ceremony. In this ceremony there is also a sweet cake called Okashi. When doing a tea ceremony, each guest and homeowner must use a kimono and sit down like the Japanese person.

            So, this ceremony reflects the personality and knowledge of the host which includes the purpose of life, ways of thinking, religion, appreciation of tea ceremony equipment and how to put art objects in the tea ceremony room. So do you know what the tradition of drinking tea is in family life. Family in Japan know what and how the tradition of drinking tea is done. They have been taught by their parents what the tradition of drinking tea is. So, the tradition of drinking tea is done to welcome guests who come to their homes, namely Japanese family homes.

            These are the benefits, purpose and the kinds of tea are served in the tradition of drinking tea in Japan:

1.    The Benefit Of The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan

-       Tea served is good for health.

-       The procession of the tea ceremony is the process of learning manners.

-       Exchange of spiritual experiences between the host and the party being treated.

-       The existence of tea cultivation adds to the Japanese business field.

2.    The Purpose Of The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan

Tea ceremony is one way to communicate with humans and the environment. The tea ceremony aims to create relaxed (relaxed) communication between the host and the guest.

3.    The Kinds Of Tea Served In Tea Ceremonies In Japan

a.  Green Tea, or often called Matcha is a powdered green tea that is of very high quality. Green tea has many benefits, so green tea is often used in tea ceremonies.

b.   Gyokuro, this tea grows without receiving direct sunlight, this makes the aroma of this tea very fragrant.

c.    Sencha, this tea is very common. In tea ceremonies in Japan often using this tea can be due to the ease of raw materials. This tea is planted by getting direct sunlight and Kabusecha same like sencha but it is a tea that is protected from the sun's leaves before being harvested.

Sencha Tea

Kabusecha Tea

d.    Genmaicha, a mixture of roasted maicha tea and brown rice.

e.     Bancha, is a sencha harvested in the second season.

f.    Houjicha, is baked green tea.

g.   Kukicha, comes from each top of a tea plant, by picking the parts of flowers and three leaves.

h.    Tamaryokucha, is a tea that has a very sharp aroma.

So, this is the tradition of drinking tea in Japan. This tradition is still do until now, if there is guest come to japanese family house although not always done if there are guests who come because this tradition is done quite formally such as welcoming honored guests, families, or people who first came to the Japanese house.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.
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The Life Of Japanese Women After Marriage

THE LIFE OF JAPANESE WOMEN AFTER MARRIAGE

 Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Today, I’m going to tell you about “The Life Of Japanese Women After Marriage”. Do you know? How the life of Japanese women after marriage? So keep reading on my blog and I’ll tell you about it.

          Marriage is where an event or ceremony takes place to bind two people namely a man and a woman. A man and a woman who are having marriages are called brides, and after the ceremony is finished then they are called husband and wife in marital ties. Same like other countries, each family can choose how their life after marriage such as husband and wife work or husband works and wife only as housewife or vice versa but all those go back to each individual how they want. So, in Japan there is a uniqueness that some women in Japan prefer to be housewives than becoming career women.

             Here are the lives of japanese women after marriage:

1.    The position of men and women after marriage

In Japan, the position of men in Japan is very comparable when after marriage and before marriage. Because during courtship, Japanese women sacrificed a lot. There is a tradition, for example lovers do traveling or just eat dinner then pay for each one. There is no obligation for the man to treat. Of course this is rather rare in Indonesia. But when they got married, many women take control of the family because there are regulations where all the husband's salary is for his wife. In Japan there is also a culture that the wife is the pillar of the family. The wife is trusted to regulate the family economy. In general, husbands are allocated pocket money by their wives.

2.    A wife prefers to be a housewife

Some Japanese women prefer to be housewives rather than becoming career women after marriage. The common mindset of Japanese women and still do is that the role of husbands who work and earn a living, while their wives are at home to care for their husbands and children. It is true but many countries have given freedom to their citizens, especially women, to be able to work after marriage and the Japanese government has imposed laws for gender equality on employment opportunities since 1986. As for some countries and even Indonesia, it is considered normal if a woman (wife) will continue to work after marriage.

3.    Rarely leave children with other people

Married couples that have child, in Japan rarely leave their children in other people's places such as in relatives or neighbors if the couple wants to leave the house. But in the west, married couples may leave their children with relatives or neighbors if they want to go to restaurant or other like courtship.

4.    Expression of love

A boyfriend, husband, wife in Japan rarely say 'I Love You' to their partners. This does sound a little cold and weird. However, Japanese people prefer to express what they think and feel. So, they express love with action. If the family of japanese people have got children, they can adjust to call her husband or his wife according to the call of his children to his mother or to his father like okaa-san (mother) and otou-san (father).

         Those are some the lives of japanese women after marriage. So, if you want to married with japanese woman, you have to know these so you can adapt with their culture or you can teach them how is the culture of your country.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.

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The Manners To Visit Or Stay In A Japanese Family House

THE MANNERS TO VISIT OR STAY IN A JAPANESE FAMILY HOUSE

Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Some times ago, I have told you about “The Procedure of Entering A house In Japan”. Japanese people are clean and polite people . They have good habit. One of them is the procedure of entering a house. So, You have to know that thing if You want to go to Japan or visit Japanese people’s house. Today, I’m going to tell you about “The Manners To Visit Or Stay In A Japanese Family House”, it is related to the last topic.

            Japan has been known for its discipline, hard work, clean and has good manners. Everyone would want to go to Japan and want to know the unique things there. Quite a lot of visitors come to Japan such as to go on tours, meet relatives or business affairs, school affairs and others. So, when you want to vacation or meet with business partners or do other things in Japan, you can stay at the inn, because in Japan there are so many inns available that are in suitable with the desired and suit to the costs incurred. So you can book by online or other. But if you want other options when you visit Japan, you can also stay at a Japanese family house. Don’t worry if you want to stay at a Japanese family house because Japanese houses will always be open to tourists who come to Japan such as business or school affairs. But because you stay at someone else's house, you have to follow their procedures and there are things to know if you want to stay overnight or just visit Japanese houses.

So the following is what should be done if you want to visit or stay at a Japanese family house:

1.    Make Appointment

Before you come to your relative’s or friend’s house, you have to make appointment before come to their house. Because as we know Japanese people are very timely, even if you want to come to their house, you have to tell them exactly what time you will come to their house.

2.    Greeting And Giving Souvenirs

Before you enter the homeowner’s house, you have to greet them, it will make the homeowner is respected by you. Japanese people have a habit that often gives small gifts as thanks. So you can give souvenirs to them for thanks because you have been allowed to stay at their house. So you make them happy and they feel valued by what you give.

3.    Footwear

At the last topic, I have told you about “take off footwear”. One of the manners to visit or stay at a japanese family house is taken off footwear. As like Indonesians, Japanese people also take off their shoes or sandals before entering the house. In Japanese house, there is “Genka”. Genka is terrace or small room in front of the entrance of the house. On the terrace or in this small room, they can take off their footwear before entering the house and make sure the shoes or sandals that they use are stacked facing out. But if there is sandals rack, they can put the sandals or shoes on the rack. This is done so that it is easier for them to want to come out later. If they use socks, make sure don't open them because it's more polite than without socks. So you have to know these things because japanese people really like cleanliness.

4.    Try To speak Japanese

They will also accept you if you speak English but you have to try to speak Japanese because it makes them happy with you and they will respect you even though you can't speak Japanese very well.

5.    Tell Them What You Can Eat

Homeowners will feel disappointing to their guests if they give food that is not in accordance with what their guests like or want. So make sure to let the homeowner what meals that you can eat.

6.    Respect For Eating Rules

You have to respect their eating rules, like how to sit when eating, using chopsticks, and ways to hold chopsticks and then say something before eating. Japanese people have quite a lot of procedures for using chopsticks, so if you don't know, you have to try it, if you do it wrong, it won't be scold but they just laugh at you because they feel funny.

            So, those are some of the manners to visit or stay in a japanese family house. Before you come to Japan or go to Japan, you have to know these things, so you can adjust to Japanese families and know how good behavior must be done there.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.
Don't forget to comment, follow and share. Thanks.

The Procedures of Entering The House In Japan

THE PROCEDURES OF ENTERING THE HOUSE IN JAPAN

Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Some times ago, I have told you about “The Procedures of Greeting In Japan”, so the parents of japanese people have taught their children from the age of a toddler to respect others that they know like greet them and the family factors are important in teaching their children with polite and kind things to children from childhood. Today, I’m going to tell you about “The Procedure of Entering The house In Japan”, it is related to the last topic.

Japanese people are clean and polite people . They have good habit. One of them is the procedure of entering a house. Same like others countries, they will greet before entering the house. And after thet they will do something that in others countries don’t do this. Do you know what is that? I’ll tell you how do they do to enter a house.

Here are some the procedures of entering a house in Japan:

1.    Greeting

The last topic, I have told you about greeting. One of greeting that they do is when we enter a house. Greeting is a way for someone to intentionally communicate awareness of the presence of others who are related to each other. The children in Japan have been taught by their parents to always say hello to people that they know and greet when they enter the house. So when before we enter a house in Japan, we must greet like bend and say something at the same time in front of the house. There are some expressions that we use before entering a house in Japan.  

a.    Tadaima (ただいま), it means “I Go Home” (the word that is said when returning to residence).

b.    Gomen kudasai (ご免ください), it means “Excuse Me” (used  when visiting other people's homes).

If you are a fan of Japanese cartoons (Anime), you will often hear some of the above expressions used in the story before entering a house by some characters like one of them is Nobita characters in the Doraemon cartoon. Although you hear in Bahasa language or other language but you know about how they enter the house. So we can use these expressions before entering a house.

2.    Take off Footwear

One of the procedures of entering a house in Japan is “take off footwear”. As like Indonesians, Japanese people also take off their shoes or sandals before entering the house. In Japanese house, there is “Genka”. Genka is terrace or small room in front of the entrance of the house. On the terrace or in this small room, they can take off their footwear before entering the house and make sure the shoes or sandals that they use are stacked facing out. But if there is sandals rack, they can put the sandals or shoes on the rack. This is done so that it is easier for them to want to come out later. If they use socks, make sure don't open them because it's more polite than without socks. So you have to know these things because for some tourists who come to Japan they often experience culture shock because they are not used to doing these things in their country.

3.    Wearing socks and sandals

Before entering the house of Japanese people must take off their shoes or sandals, after doing this they must wear special socks and sandals used in the house. So using socks and using different sandals when from outside and entering the house, this is done so that the house is clean because all activities are done on tatami and using socks in Japanese people's homes to look more polite than not using socks. Tatami is like a traditional Japanese made mat and usually made from woven straw. But they will change sandals if they enter a bathroom, and usually they will take off their sandals when they enter the bedroom.

            So those are some procedures of entering the house in Japan. Those are some of the things that Japanese families life do when entering a house. You have to know these things if You go to Japan or visit Japanese people’s house because for some tourists who come to Japan they often experience culture shock because they are not used to doing these things in their country.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.
Don't forget to comment, follow and share. Thanks.