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1.

Flag:
-Description:
Japan's flag is a rectangle with a ratio of 2:3, although the original ratio of the flag was 7:10. The
Japanese flag is white with a deep red disc in the center. Japan's location to the east of Asia, from the
direction the sun rises, helped Japan earn the nickname, "Land of the Rising Sun." This nickname is
reflected in the nation's flag, the sun represented by the red disc.
-Meaning
The japan flag is called hinomaru the red circle symboilzes the sun. The flag is meant to show the sun
on a white background, the naval flag is showing the rising sun. In Japan, red means luck and it is
commonly taught to children that the colour of the sun is Red, it refers to Japan's name `land of the
rising sun` because of the fact travelers always saw the sun rise when traveling there.


-When the Hinomaru was first introduced, the government required citizens to greet the emperor with
the flag. There was some resentment among the Japanese over the flag, resulting in some protests. It
took some time for the flag to gain acceptance among the people.
-During World War II in Japanese culture, it was a popular custom for friends, classmates, and relatives
of a deploying soldier to sign a Hinomaru and present it to him. The flag was also used as a good luck
charm and a prayer to wish the soldier back safely from battle. One term for this kind of charm
is Hinomaru Yosegaki . One tradition is that any writing must not touch the sun disc.

After battles,
these flags were often captured or later found on deceased Japanese soldiers. While these flags
became souvenirs, there has been a growing trend of sending the signed flags back to the descendants
of the soldier.
-The tradition for signing the Hinomaru as a good luck charm still continues, but in a limited fashion.
The Hinomaru Yosegaki could be shown at sporting events to give support to the Japanese national
team. Another example is the hachimaki headband, which was white in color and had the red sun in
the middle. During World War II, the phrases "Certain Victory" (Hissh
?
) or "Seven Lives" was written
on the hachimaki and worn by kamikaze pilots. This denoted that the pilot was willing to die for his
country.
-Before World War II, all homes were required to display Hinomaru on national holidays. Since the war,
the display of the flag of Japan is mostly limited to buildings attached to national and local
governments such as city halls; it is rarely seen at private homes or commercial buildings, but some
people and companies have advocated displaying the flag on holidays. Although the government of
Japan encourages citizens and residents to fly the Hinomaru during national holidays, they are not
legally required to do so. Since the Emperor's 80th Birthday on December 23, 2002, the Kyushu
Railway Company has displayed the Hinomaru at 330 stations.
-Starting in 1995, the ODA has used the Hinomaru motif in their official logo. The design itself was not
created by the government (the logo was chosen from 5,000 designs submitted by the public) but the
government was trying increase the visualization of the Hinomaru through their aid packages and
development programs. According to the ODA, the use of the flag is the most effective way to
symbolize aid provided by the Japanese people.



-Variants
The Japanese flag has had several variants, primarily versions that include rays of the sun. The Rising
Sun Flag is used as the naval ensign, and features an off center sun disc surrounded by sixteen red rays
of sunshine.
The Rising Sun Flag as used by the JMSDF;



2.Maneki-neko:
-The maneki-neko (literally "beckoning cat) is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman)
(usually made ofceramic or plastic nowadays) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner.
The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calicoJapanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is
usually displayedoften at the entranceof shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other
businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw
beckoning. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy
cat, beckoning cat, or fortune cat in English.
-Maneki-neko come in different colors, styles and degrees of ornateness. Common colors are white,
black, gold and sometimes red. In addition to ceramic figurines, maneki-neko can be found
as keychains, piggy banks, air fresheners, house-plant pots, and miscellaneous ornaments, as well as
large statues.
- Maneki-neko are sometimes called the "Chinese lucky cat", as it is also increasingly popular among
Chinese merchants.
-Gesture:
+Maneki-neko can be found with either the right or left paw raised (and sometimes both). The
significance of the right and left raised paw differs with time and place. A common belief is that the
raised left paw brings in customers, while a right paw brings good luck and wealth, although some
believe the opposite, or that one paw is for luck and the other for wealth. Another interpretation says
that a raised left paw attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it. Still others say that a left paw
raised is best for drinking establishments, the right paw for other stores (those who hold their liquor
well are called "left-handed" (hidari-kiki) in Japanese). Yet another interpretation is that right is for
home and left for business.
+It is commonly believed the higher the raised paw, the greater the luck. Consequently, over the
years maneki-neko's paw has tended to appear ever higher. Some use the paw height as a crude
method of gauging the relative age of a figure. Another common belief is that the higher the paw, the
greater the distance good fortune will come from.



Gold-colored maneki-neko with solar-powered continuously beckoning arm
Some maneki-neko feature battery- or solar-powered moving arms endlessly engaged in the beckoning
gesture.
-Maneki-neko is the subject of a number of folktales:
+The stray cat and the shop: The operator of an impoverished shop (or inn, tavern, temple, etc.) takes
in a starving, stray cat despite barely having enough to feed himself. In gratitude, the cat takes up a
station outside the establishment and beckons in new visitors, bringing prosperity as a reward to the
charitable proprietor. Ever after, the "beckoning cat" has been a symbol of good luck for small business
owners.
+The temple cat: This similar story goes that a wealthy feudal lord named Ii Naotaka was taking shelter
under a tree near Gotoku-ji temple (in Setagaya, Tokyo) during a thunderstorm. The lord saw the
temple priest's cat beckoning to him and followed; a moment later the tree was struck by lightning. The
wealthy man became friends with the poor priest and the temple became prosperous. When the cat
died, supposedly the first maneki-neko was made in his honor.
3.Thousand Origami Cranes ( Senbazuru
?
): is a group of one thousand origami paper
cranes ( orizuru
?
) held together by strings.

-An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be
granted a wish by a crane. Some stories believe you are granted eternal good luck, instead of just one
wish, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. This makes them popular gifts for special
friends and family. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include
the dragon and thetortoise) and is said to live for a thousand years: That is why 1000 cranes are made,
one for each year. In some stories it is believed that the 1000 cranes must be completed within one
year and they must all be made by the person who is to make the wish at the end. Cranes that are
made by that person and given away to another aren't included: All cranes must be kept by the
person wishing at the end.

-A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by the father, who is wishing a
thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. They can also be given to a new baby for
long life and good luck. Hanging them in one's home is thought to be a powerfully lucky and benevolent
charm.
-Several temples, including some in Tokyo and Hiroshima, have eternal flames for world peace. At
these temples, school groups or individuals often donate senbazuru to add to the prayer for peace. The
cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is
released. In this way they are related to the prayer flags of India and Tibet.
4. Furoshiki and Wrapping Culture in Japan


Wrapping Culture

-Japanese people seem to wrap up everything from small items to bottles of sake. The tradition of
wrapping or tsutsumu is easily seen throughout Japan. Wrapping of goods implies respect to others
on the gift-giving occasion, then giving special meanings to wrapping materials and wrapped goods.
The idea that giving someone an unwrapped item is considered impolite and deeply rooted in Japan.
For an example, a tip given to a maid taking care of your room at a Japanese inn is wrapped in a small
envelope.
-The word tsutsushimu (to mean suppressing ones feelings) characterizes partly Japanese peoples
behavior. Such behavior is considered more important than speaking out candidly. It can be said that it
is tantamount to wrapping ones feelings and suggests that it is closely related to wrapping culture.

-The name of furoshiki is a combination of two words furo and shiki meaning bath and to
spread respectively. Before becoming related to public baths, furoshiki had been called hirazutsumi or
flat folded bundle. Finally, the furoshiki served as a means for merchants to carry their goods. Furoshiki
became functional and essential to the working class in the Edo Period.

-Furoshiki started out as the cloth in which people carried their clothes but later it came to be used to
carry or to wrap almost anything of various shapes.

-The modern furoshiki are made from variety of materials including silk, cotton, and synthetic fiber with
designs depending on the use. The most commonly-used are furoshiki, squares measuring 70cm or
90cm wide.


Quiz:
1)What is the first flag of Japan?
a) Hachimaki headband.
b)Hinomaru Yosegaki.
c)Hinomaru.

2)Is there just two kinds of flag in Janpan now? (Answer: Wrong. There are many kinds of Japans flag.)

2)-True or false?
a) Maneki-neko can be found with either the right or left paw raised.
b) Maneki-neko is found just with either the right or left paw raised.
c) A common belief is that the raised left paw brings in customers, while a right paw brings goodluck and
wealth.
e) a)&c) are correct.

3)It is commonly believed the higher the raised paw, the greater the________.
a)Wealth.
b)Luck.
c)Happiness.
d)Prosperity.
e)Success.
4) Maneki-neko literally means:
a)beckoning cat
b) welcoming cat,
c)lucky cat, money cat,
d) happy cat,
e)fortune cat
f) a),b)&e).


5) True or FALSE?:
a) Wrapping of goods was used for everything from small items to bottles of sake in Japan.(True)
b) Wrapping of goods was used to wrap up something special such as gifts for wedding, birthday, or for the
staff giving to their seniors,ect. (False)
c) It can be said that it is tantamount to wrapping ones feelings and suggests that it is closely related to
wrapping culture.(True)


6) Wrapping of goods implies _______to others on the gift-giving occasion, then giving special meanings to
wrapping materials and wrapped goods. The idea that giving someone an unwrapped item is
considered impolite and deeply rooted in Japan.
(Answer: RESPECT)
7) The most common color is white, followed by black and gold, and occasionally red is used as well.
These are traditional for Maneki-neko. Some consider white to be for good luck generally, black for
good health, and gold for monetary good fortune.

a) white, followed by black and gold, and occasionally red is used as well.
b) white, followed by red and gold, and occasionally black is used as well.
c)gold, followed by black and white, and occasionally red is used as well.
d) gold, followed red and black, and occasionally white is used as well.
(Answer: a)white,black and gold,red)
8) Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the _______and________ expressed. Vaguely
similar to how the firmness of the handshake determines the level of _______and respect one has for the
individual.
a) the emotion, the respect, confidence. (Answer: a)the emotion, the respect , confidence ).
b)the emotion, the appreciation, confidence.
c)the confidence, the appreciation, emotion.
d)the confidence, the respect, emotion.

9) A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by________ who is wishing a thousand
years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple.
a)the father. (Answer: a)FATHER).
b)the mother.
c)the sisters and brothers.
d)familys members.

10) A thousand paper cranes.
a)are traditionally given as a wedding gift by the father, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness
and prosperity upon the couple.
b) can also be given to a new baby for long life and good luck.
c) can be hung in one's home is thought to be a powerfully lucky and benevolent charm.
d) Cranes that are made by that person and given away to another are included: All cranes must be
kept by the person wishing at the end.
e)a), b) and d) are correct.
f)a),b) and c) are correct.
(Answer: f)a,b,c are correct).

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