I find Japanese gardens fascinating, I have visited Japan twice once in 1998 and again in 2002. Japanese gardens are simple yet amazing, I particularly like the small Japanese gardens and this is what I am going to be writing about here.
There are a few basic ideas that you need to follow. Japanese gardens are very much about nature and a natural looking garden is considered to be the ‘ideal’ garden. Would you see a square pond in nature? I don’t think so! So don’t add one to your small Japanese garden. You should never create or add something to your garden that nature its self cannot.
Rocks are one of the most common things used in Japanese gardens especially the smaller ones. They are simple, natural and can be really effective. Sand is also commonly used along with a range of wild plants.
I love how the Japanese feel that they have to separate there small garden from the outside world. I don’t know why but this concept really fascinates me.
There are basically 5 types of components that should be included in small Japanese gardens.
Rock or Ishi – As I said above rocks are the foundations of Japanese gardens. Stones used are often tall, wide or arched in a natural looking way, this gives depth to the garden.
Water or Mizu – Water is calming and is a great way to make the garden look natural. The Japanese say water is supposed to remind us of the relentless passage of time.
Plants or Shokobutsu – Plants do play a secondary role to rocks and water in Japanese gardens unlike gardens from other cultures. Like water plants are said to have a meaning in Japanese gardens which is to remind us of each and every season passing away.
Ornaments or Tenkebutsu – lanterns are often used in Japanese gardens particularly smaller Japanese gardens. These ornaments add an added interest to traditional Japanese gardens.
Borrowed or Shakkei – This is usually something from outside the garden. The Japanese say it can be things from far, near, high or low.
That is the basic concepts that the Japanese use to create there small Japanese gardens. If you have a small garden which is in a sunny location I highly recommend that you look into making a Japanese garden. They are something really different!
By: Simon Newman
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Filed under Home And Family by on Sep 2nd, 2010. 
Dorayaki cake is a traditional Japanese dessert recipe that is a sweet cake with an anko filling. Anko filling consists of sweet azuki bean paste. It is a delicious addition to any traditional Japanese meal and you will love the texture, taste and flavor.
Ingredients for Japanese dessert recipe – Dorayaki Cake:
o 3 eggs
o 2/3 cup of white sugar
o
Filed under Food And Drink by on Sep 2nd, 2010.
You can easily transform your room or home into a relaxing and beautiful haven by adding Japanese decorating details.
Complementing your d
Filed under Home Improvement by on Sep 2nd, 2010.
Learning how to offer your aplogy and ask for forgiveness in Japanese can be very useful when you did or say something bad or harmful to another person by accident. In such cases you want to say that you’re sorry and if it was serious, you should ask them for forgiveness.
The most polite way to say I’m sorry is to say sumimasen. Sumimasen has many meanings but basically they all mean the same thing. You can use sumimasen as excuse me too.
Sumimasen. Kore wa ikura desu ka?
Excuse me, how much is this?
Sumimasen!
I’m sorry!
Sumimasen can also be used as thank you. You usually say sumimasen as a way to politely thank someone for taking the trouble to do something for you.
Another basic Japanese word for offering an apology is Gomen. Using gomen by itself can be a little informal and not to polite. To make it sound more polite, you should say gomen nasai.
Gomen nasai. Daijoubu desu ka?
I’m sorry. Are you alright? (After bumping into someone).
Gomen gomen, kondo harau dakara.
I’m sorry, I will pay you next time.
Gomen kudasai! Dareka imasen ka?
Excuse me! Anyone home?
Another way to casually say I’m sorry is to use the Japanese word warui. Warui means bad literally. You can think of it as fault.
Suman, ore ga warukatta.
I’m sorry, my bad (it was my fault).
Zenbu omae ga warukatta deshou.
It was all your fault.
See how easy it is to say I’m sorry in Japanese? As a rule of thumb you will want to use the polite form for people you respect and those who are older than you. You can use the informal form among your friends or anyone who don’t find casual language.
By: Rippa Sama
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Filed under Reference And Education by on Sep 2nd, 2010.
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Japanese porcelain dolls are available in a wide range of sizes, ages, and dress. Although some antique Japanese porcelain dolls are created of fine crushed oyster shells, each one holds a unique and fascinating story.
Japanese Porcelain Doll Styles
Geisha porcelain dolls are typically found in traditional dress and makeup, wearing brightly colored silk kimonos, often with accessories like a traditional fan. Small child porcelain dolls can be found wearing short sets, or more traditional clothing. There are porcelain dolls representing every age, and time period of Japanese history. With the wide variety of Japanese porcelain dolls available, it is impossible to have one of every type. Many Japanese porcelain dolls are completed with real hair to authenticate their look, and provide for a more realistic appearance. The realistic appearance and the attention to detail in the crafting of the Japanese porcelain doll is a tribute to the people of Japan.
Japanese Geisha Porcelain Dolls
The ancient Geisha was known as a performer, an entertainer and was held in very high esteem. She traditionally received many years of training, sometimes beginning at birth. The Geisha porcelain doll is often found posed in a move from one of the traditional dances. Other Japanese porcelain Geisha dolls can be found seated or standing. She demonstrates the grace and beauty of ancient Geisha. The Japanese porcelain Geisha doll often comes with accessories such as a traditional fan, small musical instrument, or flowers to demonstrate the elegance and esteem of these women. The popularity of the Japanese porcelain Geisha doll can also be linked to her colorful dress. The clothing of the Japanese porcelain geisha doll is typically a silk kimono adorned with a floral or dragon print. Her hair and makeup are crafted to complete the look of the traditional Geisha.
Japanese Samurai Porcelain Dolls
The Japanese Samurai also are portrayed as porcelain dolls. This Japanese Samurai porcelain doll is as true to tradition as is the porcelain Geisha. He is dressed in a detailed silk costume, and may come with a range of accessories from a shield for personal protection, to a traditional samurai sword, to protect his family.
Friendship Dolls
In 1929, the United States sent over 12,000 blue eyed dolls to Japan in gesture of good will. These dolls were even sent with a special passport. Japan, in return, sent 58 hand-made Japanese porcelain dolls to the United States. These dolls became known as Friendship dolls. While some of the friendship dolls have been lost over the years, most still exist and can be found on display around the country. The Japanese porcelain doll is collected by adults and children, by boys and girls.
Displaying Japanese Porcelain Dolls
The wealthiest families only display their dolls on festival days. Children are not allowed to touch them, only to look because Japanese porcelain dolls are considered works of art, like a sculpture. Many attribute the Japanese porcelain doll with thoughts and feelings, almost a life of their own. The Japanese porcelain doll is best displayed in a glass case to protect her from dust, dirt, and grime. She needs to have a calm background, such as a piece of brown, black or tan cloth. The Japanese porcelain doll’s clothing is very striking and colorful and will stand out to perfection with a calm background. Placing the Japanese porcelain doll on a background busy with other things will diminish the beauty of her traditional dress.
The wide variety of Japanese porcelain dolls available makes any collection incomplete without one. They are made with such a fine attention to detail and come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes you could collect Japanese porcelain dolls for years and never find the same one twice.
By: Patrick Cannon
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Filed under Home And Family by on Sep 2nd, 2010.
But my japanese is very poor. Therefore, are they offering courses in english?
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Filed under Studying Abroad by on Sep 2nd, 2010.
Any recommendations?
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Filed under Drawing & Illustration by on Sep 2nd, 2010.