Folklore and more

Written by Mauro.

On the UNESCO list of Intangible Heritage Namahageナマハゲ

Among the most famous Japanese rituals, the Namahage ナマハゲ, has entered the list of intangible assets UNESCO, we discover the differences that are found according to the original prefectures.

Traditions, Namahage, Mauro Piacentini

I Love You in Japanese Dialets

ti amo in giapponese 2 Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, each of which has its own traditions, dialects and accents. We find out how a "simple" word like "I love you" sounds different around Japan.
In a commercial campaign of a few years ago, presented by the Shiseido cosmetics company, that had proposed a video where 47 girls representing of their prefectures (after the well-publicized makeup obviously) said "I love you" in the dialect of their prefecture.

Traditions, Japanese Dialets, Mauro Piacentini

Tsukumogami 付喪神 When Objects Take Life

tsukumogami yokai japan

In Japanese folklore the Tsukumogami 付喪神 or つくも神 is usually associated with any object that, once it reaches the age of one hundred, becomes alive because it is "possessed" by a spirit (some would call it a sort of new yōkai).
Japan folklore is always something special because can have different points of view. The historical context, the area from which it comes, and the use made of it (social or even political), so for the same phenomenon it is easy to see different versions.

Folklore, Tsukumogami, Mauro Piacentini

Yubikiri Genman The Promise of the Little Mouth 指切りげんまん

yubikiri genman 1

There is a small "cantilene" in Japan associated with the gesture that is used when two people exchange a promise crossing the little fingers, Yubikiri Genman 指切りげんまん.

To remind the promise you sang a small ancient rhyming (with several variables) that reminds you of the fact that something has to be kept upside down:

Folklore, Yubikiri Genman, Mauro Piacentini

Teru Teru Bōzu てるてる坊主 The Rain Chaser

teru teru bozu The only, inimitable and well-known Teru Teru Bozo てるてる坊主, tradition, legend, we find it in all movies, anime series, manga, is everywhere in Japanese tradition; the only rainfall we all know and love.

It's hard don't know the "little rain doll" this little talisman that everyone knows, from the kids to the adults and the elderly. A notoriety that goes beyond Japan, finding it as a habit in other countries of the world.

Folklore, Teru Teru Bōzu, Mauro Piacentini