Month: November 2024

The name “Japan” has a fascinating history rooted in its interactions with neighboring cultures and early European explorers. In Japanese, the country is called “Nihon” (日本), which translates to “origin of the sun”, highlighting it’s position east of China. 

The term “Japan” emerged from early trade interactions. The Chinese pronunciation of the characters 日本 was “Cipan”, which Portuguese traders in Southwest Asia heard as “Jipang” or “Japon”. These versions were introduced to Europe in the early 16th century, eventually evolving into the English “Japan”. 

As we settle into mid-November and the days grow colder, the Dutch have some perfect words for this time of year. 🍂

One is ‘uitwaaien’ (pronounced out-vye-en), which means taking a refreshing walk in the wind to clear your mind. Another is ‘gezellig’ (pronounced heh-zell-ikh), capturing the warm, cosy feeling of being indoors with friends and family. 

Shichi-Go-San (七五三), is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated on November 15th each year. It’s a coming of age celebration for children aged three, five, and seven, as these ages are considered significant milestones in a child’s growth. During the festival children are dressed in traditional kimonos and taken to Shinto shrines, where prayers are offered for their health and well-being.

In Italy, there’s a superstition around sitting at the corner of a table – it’s believed that sitting in this spot brings bad luck, especially for single people. The idea is rooted in historical social customs, where seating arrangements reflected one’s social status and prospects.