310-324-6611
GVJCI
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board and Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Follow Us on Social Media!
    • Join Our Email List
    • Resources
    • Testimonies/PR
  • Donate
  • How to Help
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • Donate Your Car!
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
    • Purchase a 2021 Calendar Ad
  • DOR
    • DOR 2021 >
      • CSUDH Japanese American Digitization Project
      • Densho Campu Podcast
      • Lane Ryo Hirabayashi Tribute
      • South Bay JACL Oral Histories Collection
      • Tanka Poetry
  • Events/Programs/Classes
    • GVJCI >
      • Adulting Workshop Series
      • Be the Match Drive-Thru Donor Registry Event
      • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center >
        • Book Club
      • Drive-Thru Restaurant Fundraiser
      • GVJCI Scholarship
      • Hinamatsuri & Kodomo No Hi
      • Japanese Language School >
        • JLS Graduates
      • Manzanar Immersive
      • Oysters, Bites & Biiru
      • Seniors >
        • TNK Online Classes
        • Online Smartphone Class
        • Food Distribution >
          • Greeting Card Program
        • Online Resources
        • Tomo Cafe | 友カフェ
        • Bento Program
      • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
        • Camper Registration
        • Counselor Registration
        • Testimonials
        • Camp Supporters
        • Activities
        • FAQ
      • Tomodachi Online Baking Workshops
      • GVJCI Virtual Matsuri >
        • Art Gallery
        • Entertainment
        • Food
        • Martial Arts
        • Scholarship Recipients
      • 2020 Online Art Show >
        • Artist Discussion & Performances
        • Artists A-H
        • Artists I-L
        • Artists M-S
        • Artists T-Z
    • Member Organizations >
      • Arts/Music/Dance >
        • Bando Hidesomi
        • Hawaiian Music Class
        • LA Men's Glee Club
        • Meito Calligraphy
        • Mel's Ukulele Picking
        • Taiko
      • Health and Wellness >
        • Kokoro Yoga
        • Meditation & More Class
      • Martial Arts >
        • Gardena JCI Kendo
        • Gardena Judo Club
        • Gardena Kendo
        • Gardena Naginata
        • Shotokan Karate
        • Shorinji Kempo
        • Kyudo Renmei
      • Service >
        • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
      • Sports >
        • Sansei Baseball League
        • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
        • South Bay Youth Basketball
      • Youth >
        • Resources
        • Boy Scout Troop 683
        • Boy Scout Troop 719
  • Rentals
  • Blog
    • Blog Terms of Use
    • Want to write for us?
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board and Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Follow Us on Social Media!
    • Join Our Email List
    • Resources
    • Testimonies/PR
  • Donate
  • How to Help
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • Donate Your Car!
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
    • Purchase a 2021 Calendar Ad
  • DOR
    • DOR 2021 >
      • CSUDH Japanese American Digitization Project
      • Densho Campu Podcast
      • Lane Ryo Hirabayashi Tribute
      • South Bay JACL Oral Histories Collection
      • Tanka Poetry
  • Events/Programs/Classes
    • GVJCI >
      • Adulting Workshop Series
      • Be the Match Drive-Thru Donor Registry Event
      • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center >
        • Book Club
      • Drive-Thru Restaurant Fundraiser
      • GVJCI Scholarship
      • Hinamatsuri & Kodomo No Hi
      • Japanese Language School >
        • JLS Graduates
      • Manzanar Immersive
      • Oysters, Bites & Biiru
      • Seniors >
        • TNK Online Classes
        • Online Smartphone Class
        • Food Distribution >
          • Greeting Card Program
        • Online Resources
        • Tomo Cafe | 友カフェ
        • Bento Program
      • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
        • Camper Registration
        • Counselor Registration
        • Testimonials
        • Camp Supporters
        • Activities
        • FAQ
      • Tomodachi Online Baking Workshops
      • GVJCI Virtual Matsuri >
        • Art Gallery
        • Entertainment
        • Food
        • Martial Arts
        • Scholarship Recipients
      • 2020 Online Art Show >
        • Artist Discussion & Performances
        • Artists A-H
        • Artists I-L
        • Artists M-S
        • Artists T-Z
    • Member Organizations >
      • Arts/Music/Dance >
        • Bando Hidesomi
        • Hawaiian Music Class
        • LA Men's Glee Club
        • Meito Calligraphy
        • Mel's Ukulele Picking
        • Taiko
      • Health and Wellness >
        • Kokoro Yoga
        • Meditation & More Class
      • Martial Arts >
        • Gardena JCI Kendo
        • Gardena Judo Club
        • Gardena Kendo
        • Gardena Naginata
        • Shotokan Karate
        • Shorinji Kempo
        • Kyudo Renmei
      • Service >
        • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
      • Sports >
        • Sansei Baseball League
        • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
        • South Bay Youth Basketball
      • Youth >
        • Resources
        • Boy Scout Troop 683
        • Boy Scout Troop 719
  • Rentals
  • Blog
    • Blog Terms of Use
    • Want to write for us?

GVJCI Blog
ガーデナ平原日本文化会館ブログ

Coming-of-Age Day in Japan

1/11/2021

0 Comments

 
By: Mika Matsumura, GVJCI Social Media and Marketing Intern 
Picture
In Japan, a person officially becomes an adult at the age of 20. To welcome these new adults into society, Japan celebrates Coming-of-Age Day or Seijin no Hi. This holiday is celebrated every year on the second Monday of January (January 11, 2021 this year). Before 1999, Seijin no Hi, used to be celebrated on January 15th. This day is also sometimes called Adult Day and honors young Japanese who turned 20 at any point in the 12 months since the start of April in the last year. At this age, they are able to legally drive, consume alcohol, smoke, and gamble. The voting age changed in 2015 from 20 to 18. In 1876, the age of adulthood was set, but in 2018 the government enacted a bill that will lower the age from 20 to 18 and will take effect in 2022. However, they cannot participate in adult activities until 20 still. There are several theories of the origins of this holiday and some date back as far as the 700s. The official holiday began in 1946 in Saitama (currently, Warabi City) to encourage hope for younger generations after World War II. 
Most women wear a beautiful and elaborate kimono or furisode, a long-sleeved kimono for unmarried young women. The cost of owning a kimono can well be over a thousand dollars, thus many rentals are available. Many also wear a fake fur scarf/stole, wear traditional zori sandals, and get their hair & makeup done. Men usually choose to wear a traditional men's kimono with hakama (loose trousers with many pleats in the front) or Western formal attire. Local governments usually have a ceremony called Shijin Shiki to honor the new adults. Tokyo ceremonies at the Shinjuku and Shibuya are some of the largest and enjoy lots of media coverage. Attendees and their families will be present for these ceremonies around 11:30 AM for photos and the speech. Many families will also go to their local shrine to pray for health and success. 

​

Sources & Photos From: 
https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-51091877
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-japans-coming-of-age-day/
​
Other Sources: 
https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/japan/coming-of-age-day
https://www.japanvisitor.com/japanese-festivals/adults-day
https://savvytokyo.com/seijin-no-hi-celebrating-japanese-youths-rite-passage/
​https://jw-webmagazine.com/seijin-no-hi-the-celebration-of-coming-of-age-in-japan/
0 Comments

The Meanings Behind Osechi-ryōri

1/4/2021

0 Comments

 
By Taylor Ingman, Marketing and Social Media Intern
Every year on January 1, many Japanese families get together for oshougatsu, or Japanese New Year. Traditional foods and dishes eaten for oshougatsu are known as ​osechi-ryori, and often have auspicious meanings or symbolism behind them. Here are some common osechi items and their meanings!

Datemaki

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Datemaki is an omelet similar to tamagoyaki, but with a slightly different taste and texture due to the addition of hanpen (fish cake) or mashed shrimp. Datemaki is rolled into a scroll-like shape, representing learning and knowledge.

Gobo

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Gobo, or burdock root in English, is a root vegetable commonly found in Japanese cuisine. One of its most well-known characteristics is that it grows firmly planted in the soil and can be difficult to harvest. Eating gobo on New Year's meant to bring strength, stability, and good luck to the household.

Kazunoko

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Kazunoko is herring roe, consisting of many eggs in a tight cluster. Eating kazunoko is a way to wish for a prosperous family with many children, as kazu means "number" and ko means "children". Additionally, the word for "herring" in Japanese is nishin, which can also mean "two parents" if written with a different set of kanji.

Kobumaki (Kombu roll)

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Kobu-maki consists of konbu, or edible kelp, tightly wrapped around herring, salmon, or another type of fish. The roll is tied together with kampyo, ​which are strips of calabash gourd. Kobu-maki plays on the word yorukobu, meaning "to rejoice." Eating kobu-maki ​is said to bring happiness in the new year.

Kohaku kamaboko

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Kamaboko, or fish cake, is a common Japanese food that many people eat year-round. Kohaku means "red and white," two colors that are traditionally considered to be good luck in Japanese culture. They symbolize the colors of the Japanese flag as well as protection against evil spirits.

Kurikinton

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Kurikinton is made from sweet potatoes and candied chestnuts. Its name literally translates to "chestnut gold mash," referring to the bright yellow color of the chestnuts and sweet potatoes used in the dish. Yellow is an auspicious color since it is associated with gold; eating kurikinton is believed to bring wealth and economic prosperity.

Kuromame

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Kuromame means "black bean" in Japanese, but mame can also describe a person who works diligently. Eating kuromame is said to bring health and the ability to work hard in the new year.

Renkon

Picture
​Source: justonecookbook.com
Renkon, or lotus root, is characterized by its distinctive pattern of holes when cut. Because it is possible to look through these holes, renkon represents having a future without obstacles.

Satoimo

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Known as taro root in English, satoimo is also eaten on New Year's. Because one taro plant has many roots, satoimo represents having many children and is often eaten with the hopes of being blessed with a large family.

Shrimp

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
The kanji for "shrimp" directly translates to "old man of the sea," referring to the shrimp's bent back and antennae that resemble whiskers. Because of its association with old age, eating shrimp is believed to bring longevity.

Tai

Picture
Source: justonecookbook.com
Sea bream, or ​tai in Japanese, is often eaten for special occasions such as weddings and okuizume (a baby's "first meal," eaten on the 100th day after birth). Tai is considered lucky because it sounds like the Japanese word medetai, meaning "joyous" or "auspicious." When eaten as osechi, tai is meant to bring happiness and prosperity in the new year.
Sources:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/01/05/language/impress-your-hosts-with-osechi-meanings/​
​https://japantoday.com/category/features/food/the-meaning-behind-each-item-in-‘osechi’-—-new-year-cuisine
https://www.justonecookbook.com/osechi-ryori-japanese-new-year-food/
https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2020/12/meaning-osechi-ryori-japan-traditional-new-year-food/
0 Comments

Osouji Before New Years

1/4/2021

0 Comments

 
By: Mika Matsumura, GVJCI Marketing and Social Media Intern
Picture
Picture

​Osouji is a Japanese custom that is typically done at the end of December. The word Osouji translates to "big cleaning/cleanup." Osouji is done before New Year's Day and is done to purify the home, work place, schools, and neighborhood. This custom was first seen as a purification ritual to symbolize cleaning not only one's house, but also the mind and soul. 
​
Osouji originated from another Japanese custom, known as Susuharai which translates to "Soot Sweeping." Susuharai is an annual ritual also performed in December that is symbolic when greeting the Shinto deities of the New Year. As seen in the images below, a team of people are cleaning the Matsumoto Castle. They use long bamboo sticks with brooms on the bottom to sweep the walls and clean the roof tiles. To tie it all together they hang a Shimenawa which a huge straw rope that are located on gates and the castle tower. The shimenawa acts and represents a barrier between our world and the world of the gods. The rope also prevents evil spirits from entering. These ropes are hung all year around at Shinto shrines, but specifically hung during this time by many businesses and homes.  

These historical custom of susuharai in Imperial Palaces traces back all the way from the Heian era. Later this custom spread to temples in the Kamakura period. By the Edo period, common people also took part in this annual cleaning of osouji. Another reason Japanese participate in the deep cleaning of osouji is to welcome the Shinto deity of the New Year, Toshigami-sama. Osouji must be completed before they can visit the shrine.  It is also seen as a purification ritual. Toshigami-sama is said to bring good luck and good health for the New Year. ​
Another Japanese word associated to osouji is "seiri" which translates to sorting items. For example to organize your closet.  Osouji is more than the home or shrines, but also the workplace and schools. In the workplace, everyone contributes dusting, scrubbing, and tidying up the area. The same is done in schools, students learn at a young age, the importance of cleaning.  There are many benefits to practicing osouji. Practicing osouji can help focus/clear your mind and even help develop a new/healthy habits. Of course it is difficult to clean and it is not a likable task, but it is one that must be done. It is easier to focus if you have a clean environment to work on. Cleaning your workspace will promote concentration and success. 
Picture
Although this Konmari Method Workshop is past the typical time of osouji, it is never too late to tidy up your home. Just was the saying goes, "New Year, New Me!" Join us in the New Year as we all learn a better way to declutter our homes by using the KonMari Method.  To learn more and register for this workshop, please click the button below. 
Click here to register for the konmari workshop
​

​https://jpninfo.com/36791
https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0000817/
​https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/life/home/osoji-japanese-cleaning-ritual-a00285-20190104
​https://visitmatsumoto.com/en/culture/susuharai-soot-sweeping-ritual-and-hanging-of-the-shimenawa-at-matsumoto-castle/
0 Comments

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    August 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    July 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016

    Categories

    All
    DIY
    Food And Recipes
    JA Culture
    JA History
    Japanese Traditions

    RSS Feed

Come and visit!

GVJCI's Mission and Vision

Our mission is to create a space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture.

The GVJCI envisions a vibrant network and a welcoming space for all persons interested in Japanese heritage and culture where history and tradition are honored, people are inspired to create action and change, and cultural pride and respect for all humanity are promoted.




​

Contact Us

 1964 W. 162nd St., Gardena, CA, 90247  |     (310) 324-6611    |      info@jci-gardena.org
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 9 AM - 5 PM