Signed, sealed, delivered - 印鑑

Did you know that it's very rare for people in Japan to put a signature on things? Instead, they "stamp" their 印 (いん - in - mark) using what's called an 印鑑 (いんかん - inkan - "seal" or "stamp"), also conversationally called a 判子 (はんこ - hanko). Every business, individual and often even family in Japan has one... including me. Want to see it?

Welcome to the new 一年生 (いちねんせい - ichinensei - 1st years)!

As I mentioned a while ago, 春 (はる - haru - spring) is a time of new beginnings in Japan - April is the start of the new school year. Many public highschools here have strict entrance requirements which means that prospective students have to sit an exam and wait for the results to see if they got in. On the day, big posterboards are put up that list the numbers of the students who made the cut. For the ones who passed, this marks the beginning of a string of ceremonies and events to congratulate and welcome them to the school. It's been a very busy few weeks!

Japaneats その3 - 丼 (どんぶり - Donburi)

丼, which basically refers to "a bowl of rice with stuff on top" is probably the last thing that springs to mind when most people think of Japanese food - it's hearty, inexpensive stodge that's a far cry from the delicate sophistication of 寿司 (すし - sushi). As I haphazardly introduce all the national staples to you through Japaneats though, you'll hopefully see both sides of the coin. Japan (and its food) reminds me of a scene in Titanic a little bit - quiet culture and refinement on one level and a whole bunch of boisterous singing, dancing and revelry downstairs.