2. • The Japanese flag is made up of a red
circle, symbolizing the sun, against a white
background.
• It is known as the ”Hinomaru” in
Japanese, meaning "circle of the sun."
Because Japan lies at the far West of the
Pacific Ocean, the sun rise over the sea to
the East is a spectacular sight.
• That image is the inspiration for the design
of the flag.
WHITE WITH A RED DISC :
(representing the sun without rays) in the center
• According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is
associated with colors. The colors on the Japanese flag
represent the following:
– White - peace and honesty.
– Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour.
3.
4. JAPAN GEOGRAPHY
• Location:
Japan consists of several thousands of islands,
of which
Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are
the four largest. Japan's closest neighbours
are Korea, Russia and China. The Sea of Japan
separates the Asian continent from the
Japanese archipelago.
5. AREA:
Japan's area is comparable to that of
Germany or California. Japan's northernmost
islands are located on a similar geographical
latitude as Milan or Portland, while her
southernmost islands are on a similar latitude as
the Bahamas. More than 50% of the country is
mountainous and covered by forests. Japan is
politically structured into 8 regions and
47 prefectures.
6. Population:
The population of Japan is about
125,000,000, including approximately
two million foreign residents. More
than half of the non Japanese
population is of Korean descent
7. Earthquakes and Volcanoes:
Because Japan is located in a region, where several
continental plates meet, the country experiences
frequent earthquakes. Please visit the special page
about earthquakes. For the same reason, there are
many volcanoes in Japan. Japan's most famous volcano
and highest mountain is Mt.Fuji.
8. - FOUR DISTINCT SEASON -
Winter: from December to February, is quite dry
and sunny along the Pacific coast and the
temperatures rarely drop below 0°C. The
temperatures drop as you move north, with the
Central and Northern regions experiencing
snowfall. Southern Japan is relatively temperate
and experiences a mild winter.
Spring is from March to May. Temperatures are
warm but not too hot, plus there isn’t too much
rain. The famous cherry blossoms are out during
this time and there are plenty of festivals to enjoy.
Summer begins in June and the country
experiences a three to four-week rainy season
during which the farmers plant their rice. It is hot
and humid during this time and temperatures are
often in the high 30’s. Summer wraps up in August.
Autumn is from September to November and is
characterized by light breezes and cooler
temperatures of around 8-10oC. It’s during autumn
that many exhibitions, music concerts and sports
tournaments are held in Japan.
9.
10. Let’s learn a little bit of Japanese
(のは、日本を少し学びましょう)
(No wa, Nihon o sukoshi manabimashou
Yes Hai
No Lie
Thank you Arigato
Thank you very much Arigato gozaimasu
You're welcome Douitashimashite
Please Douzo
Excuse me sumimasen, shitsurei shimasu
Hello Kon-nichiwa
Goodbye Sayounara
So long Jaamataashita
Good morning O hayou gozaimasu
Good afternoon Kon-nichiwa
Good evening Konbanwa
Good night Oyasuminasai
I do not understand Wakarimasen
How do you say this in [English]?
Kore wa [nihongo] de nan to iimasuka?
Do you speak ... Anata wa ...go wo hanasemasuka
11. RELIGION
Japan's two major religions :
1. Shinto 2. Buddhism
Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture and;
Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th
century.
Since then, the two religions have been co-
existing relatively harmoniously and have even
complemented each other to a certain degree. Most
Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or both.
Religion does not play a big role in the everyday
life of most Japanese people today. The average person
typically follows the religious rituals at ceremonies like
birth, weddings and funerals, may visit
a shrine or templeon New Year and participates at local
festivals (matsuri), most of which have a religious
background.
12. WEDDING
Contemporary Japanese weddings are
celebrated in a great variety of ways.
Many contain traditional Japanese and
Western elements side by side.
Traditionally, the religious wedding ceremony is
held in Shinto style at a shrine. Nowadays, this
shrine may be located inside the hotel where the
festivities take place. A Shinto priest conducts the
ceremony, which is visited by only the close family
members of the couple.
In the ceremony, the couple is
purified, drinks sake, and the
groom reads the words of
commitment. At the end of the
ceremony, symbolic offerings are
given to the kami. The couple is
dressed in traditional kimono
13. • After the ceremony, the couple welcomes all the guests, and the reception
party is held. Usually the party is visited by about 20 to 200 guests among
whom are relatives, friends, co-workers and bosses of the bride and
groom. The party normally starts with the introductions of the bride and
groom.
• Afterwards, a meal is held and several guests make contributions such as
speeches, songs and the like. During the whole celebrations, the groom
and especially the bride may change their dresses several times. At the
very end of the party, the couple will make a speech to all the guests and
thank everybody.
25. Dear Me, the Osaka Frog.
Kyoto is exactly like Osaka. ♥_♥
and as she spoke, she took her
hands from his friend.
& they both fell down on the grass.
26. then… they took a polite farewell of
each other.
Sayonara !!!
27. and set off for
again .
To the end of their lives, they believed
that and
28. which are as different to look,
as a 2 towns
can be, whereas a
as
