Blogs edited and submitted by Chiho Kamioka
JOI Support staff and manager.
Boys' Day celebration
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Japanese Event in May
If you happen to journey through Japan during the month of May, you will undoubtedly be met with a stunning spectacle of vibrant streamers adorning the rivers and residences throughout the country. For a more comprehensive understanding of the origins and significance of this tradition, please refer to Yamamoto Sensei's blog post found here.
端午の節句
Boys' Day Celebration
By YAMAMOTO Hiroshi
今週は端午の節句を紹介します。
5月5日に男の子が元気に育って、りっぱになるように願って行われる行事です。
家の前に、鯉の形をした旗を三つ立てます。大きなものは長さが10mもあります。 鯉は濁った池でも育ち、滝も登って上に行くと言われています。 これは、男の子が苦しくてもがんばって、偉くなることを願っています。
また、侍のかぶとやよろいの飾り物も飾ります。 これは、大きくなって、社会の戦いに負けないようにと願ったものです。
我が家でも、子供が小さい頃、１ｍくらいの鯉のぼりを立てていました。
To listen to this blog, please watch our Youtube video.
端午（たんご）の節句（せっく）
今週は「端午（たんご）の節句（せっく）」を紹介（しょうかい）します。
5月5日に男の子が元気に育（そだ）って、りっぱになるように願（ねが）って行われる行事（ぎょうじ）です。
家の前に、鯉（こい）の形をした旗（はた)を三つ立てます。大きなものは長さが10mもあります。 鯉は濁（にご）った池（いけ）でも育（そだ）ち、滝（たき）も登（のぼ）って上に行くと言われています。 これは、男の子が苦（くる）しくてもがんばって、偉（えら）くなることを願っています。
また、侍（さむらい）のかぶとやよろいの飾（かざ）り物（もの）も飾ります。 これは、大きくなって、社会（しゃかい）の戦（たたか）いに負（ま）けないようにと願ったものです。
我（わ）が家（や）でも、子供が小さい頃（ころ）、１ｍくらいの鯉のぼりを立てていました。
Boys' Day celebration
This week we introduce the Boys' Day celebration.
This event is held on the 5th of May in the hope that boys will grow up healthy and successful.
Three carp-shaped flags are set up in front of the house. The biggest one is 10 metres long. It is said that carp can grow in muddy ponds and climb waterfalls. This is in the hope that the boy will work hard and become a great man, even if he has to suffer.
Samurai headdresses and Yoroi ornaments are also displayed. This is in the hope that they will grow up and not be defeated in social battles.
In my family, we used to put up a carp streamer about a metre long when the children were small.
節句（せっく） Boys' Day celebration
鯉（ こい） common carp
滝（たき）waterfall
かぶと helmet (of a samurai warrior)
よろい armor
飾り物（かざりの）ornament, decorations
I started teaching Japanese to technical intern trainees and internship students, and since 2019, online Japanese instructor at JOI.
My main focus is on Business Japanese and JLPT grammar (N1,N2.N3) in particular. I am also available for short-term private lessons to improve your business Japanese skills before joining a company, taking an assignment, or changing jobs on your requested schedule.
I worked for a major machine manufacturer for about 40 years. During that time, I was assigned to various departments such as factories, trading, R&D, sales, general affairs, accounting, and auditing. With these experiences, I believe I can provide you with practical assistance in various situations when you are doing business in Japanese.