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Japan is a cultural treasure house. Check out a local museum or castle, or try your hand at martial arts, calligraphy or flower arranging. If you don’t have time for that, wear a yukata to a hanabi or bon odori festival. Here’s some words and phrases to help enjoy Japan’s culture.
“Sumo” = sumo wrestling “Kabuki” = a traditional form of drama and music performed by male actors “Ukiyo-e” = colored woodblock print “(O) shiro” = castle “Katana” = Japanese sword “(O) cha” = tea ceremony “Koto” = Japanese harp “Yukata”= summer kimono “Shuuji” = traditional calligraphy “Togei” = ceramic art “Kyoshitsu” = school “Tai” = want (iki-tai = want to go, mi-tai = want to see, shi-tai = want to do) “Suki” = like “Doko” = where “Mirareru” = can see “Honmono” = authentic “Narau” = learn “Sensei” = master, instructor “Tsurete itte” = take me “Muzukashii” = difficult “Kirei” = beautiful “Oshiete” = teach “Narau” = learn “Kachaashii” = traditional Okinawan dance “Sanshin” = Okinawan banjo
PHRASES “Sumo wo mini ikitai desu.” = I want to go see sumo. “Kabuki wa suki desuka?” = Do you like kabuki? “Ukiyo-e wa doko de miraremasu ka?” = Where can I see ukiyo-e? “Kono kimono wa kirei desu ne?” = This kimono is beautiful, isn’t it? “Chikaku no oshiro ni tsurete itte kudasai.” = Take me to the nearest castle, please. “Honmono no katana ga mitai desu.” = I want to see authentic Japanese swords. “Ocha wa muzukashii desu.” = Performing a tea ceremony is difficult. “Yukata no kikata wo oshiete kure masen ka?” = Could you tell me how to wear a yukata? “Togei kyoshitsu ni sanka dekimasu ka?” = Can I join the ceramic class? “Shuuji wo narratte imasu.” = I am learning traditional Japanese calligraphy. “Koto no sensei wo sagashite imasu.” = I am looking for a koto instructor.
WHEN ON OKINAWA – You can also say it in “Uchinaaguchi” (island dialect) like this: “Dounnagu too kachaashii udouiga.” = Show me how to dance kachaashii. “Sanshin narawashi shimisooree.” = I want to learn sanshin.
