JapaneseLearning.com Friends
   
Text Size

Welcome to JapaneseLearning.com!

This is the place to learn about the Japanese Language and Japanese culture. At the moment we are working on a total site redesign but things are almost done. Have a look around the site and enjoy! Keep an eye out for all the changes coming during this week!
jlanguage
JapaneseLearning.com Friends

Vote For us!

Vote for us at Topsites Japan!
Custom Search

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Last Updated on Sunday, 21 January 2007 01:01 Written by Aaron Sunday, 27 March 2005 19:59

Taikodai

Taikodai
Taikodai
are the floats that carry Japanese drums called taiko. The taiko drums are put inside the taikodai and are carried around. Big Taikodai can be carried by about 150 people. The bigger Taikodai are just over 5 meters high and can weigh over 2 tonnes. Taikodai's belong to varies block associations which pay and maintain them. When they go to the Taikodai festival they represent their block association. Taikodai are not found all over Japan but only in certain parts, such as parts of Shikoku, Kyushu, and Western Japan.
Taikodai
Taikodai are broken down into various parts that all have important meanings. The top is called the tenmaku and is said to represent the universe. There is also a red and white coloured dome at the top and the colours represent the brightness of the sun.The big rope knots are called kukuri and represent clouds. With the clouds there is rain and the big tassels called fusa are the rain. The Taikodai is held together with four big supports called shihonbashira and represent North, South, East and West.
Taikodai are decorated with gold and contain many different types of patters and pictures.

Taikodai DragonThe most common is that of a dragon. On the picture to the right you can see what the dragon image looks like found on many Taikodai.

To see a video of Taikodai in action click the link or picture below. The file is a 3MB Windows Media Player file. The video is from The March 27, 2005 Kannonji City Taikodai Fesival in Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku. There were 40 Taikodais there. Enjoy!
 
{YouTubeVideo id=afDkUWXqucU}


{mos_sb_discuss:10}

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Written by Aaron Sunday, 20 March 2005 21:20

The March 2005 Update is now up. I have two new articles and a new poll. I am waiting for an update of a new photo gallery. The new version will allow users to upload their own pictures. If you have any suggestions for articles please let us know!
   

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 March 2005 21:08 Written by Aaron Sunday, 20 March 2005 20:16

sensusensu
Sensu are Japanese folding fans. Sensu as folding fans originate from Japan. They are based on the shape of Uchiwa which are non-folding fans that came from China. They are used to keep you cool. They are also used in many different Japanese performing arts such as dance. There are also ones used for different Japanese ceremonies.
{mos_sb_discuss:10}
{mosgoogle}

   

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 March 2005 21:59 Written by Aaron Sunday, 20 March 2005 20:11

Inkan
Inkan is the way you "sign" things in Japan it is your official seal. It works the same as a signature in Western culture. Most common Inkans are made from wood or plastic and are a few centimetres long. There are more formal ones that are mode from a type of stone. They are dipped in red ink than stamped on the form that needs the inkan. If you live in Japan for an extend time you will need to get an inkan made with your name for making a bank account many many other things.
{mos_sb_discuss:10}
{mosgoogle}
   

Page 7 of 9

Login

Facebook Fans

Twitter Feed

Social Bookmarking

Add this page to Blinklist Add this page to Del.icoi.us Add this page to Digg Add this page to Facebook Add this page to Furl Add this page to Google Add this page to Ma.Gnolia Add this page to Newsvine Add this page to Reddit Add this page to StumbleUpon Add this page to Technorati Add this page to Yahoo