Nami Ohara teaches Japanese language and culture to students in St. John's, NL and also around the world via Skype Lessons. This blog is designed to provide Japanese lessons, notes on Japanese culture and lots of other fun Japanese related stuff to enhance the learning experience of Japanese language students everywhere.
御飯（ごはん）= Cooked rice
鮭（さけ）= Salmon
乾燥納豆（かんそう なっとう）= Dry fermented soybeans
沢庵漬け（たくあんづけ）= Takuan pickles/pickled dried radish
高菜漬け（たかなづけ）=Takana pickles
きゅうり の塩もみ（きゅうり の しおもみ）= Sliced cucumbers kneaded with salt
梅干（うめぼし）= Dried plums/ Pickled plums
海苔（のり）= Seaweed
ふりかけ = A dry Japanese condiment/rice seasoning/sprinkled on rice
お茶漬け パック= Ochaduke pack
Salmon , Takuan Pickles, Takana Pickles
Seaweed, Dry fermented Soybeans, Cucumbers
Furikake packs, Ochaduke packs, Dried Plums
Students’ Comments:
I found ochaduke to be quite delicious. It was very filling. I enjoyed it a lot and would like to have it again some time. - Jay
I didn't think I would like it because of the つけもの (Tsukemono) but I liked it a lot. The たくあん (Takuan) were fine when mixed in with other stuff and うめぼし (Umebshi) are good. - John
I was worried about what Ochaduke would taste like but it actually wasn't that bad. It was hard to eat with the chopsticks. That was funny. I love learning about the different foods in Japan. - Stephanie
It was so good that I forced a second bowl. - Tiffany
Mousugu Natsuyasumi Ukiuki. I am pleased that everyone worked very hard at learning the Japanese language. Following is a list of awards to outstanding students.
Graduation Award– Alexa
Congratulations on your graduation from high school. Good luck with your studies in Quebec.
Handwriting Excellence Award – Jordan
For always writing very neat Japanese letters.
Best Singer Award – Evelina
For always singing the song of the month with your pretty voice.
Best Homework Award – Stephanie
You studied very well at home.
Best Attendance Award – Tiffany
For super attendance and always being on time.
Best on Time Arrival Award– Brett
In spite of the early Sunday morning, you have always been on time for your class.
Most Multitalented Award – Tom
You succeeded with the International Baccalaureate Program in school and Japanese lessons.
Best Smile & Being Pleasant Award – John H.
You always took Japanese lessons so pleasantly. I like your phrase, “Mousugu Nihon-go no lesson ukiuki.”
Best Cooperation Award – Emma & Diana
Both of you helped each other so much during your lessons.
Most Independent Student Award – Stuart
After school, you walked 30 minutes to my place to take Japanese lessons every week.
Best Manners Award – Jay
Your manners in the Japanese lessons are the best. You are Japanese!
Best Progress Award – John C.
You took lessons twice a week, and made incredible progress during a short time.
Coming Back Award – Daniel & Molly
Welcome back to Japanese lessons!
I look forward to studying with Molly during the summer vacation.
Good luck with your concerts in St. John’s this summer.
Welcome Award – Catherine, Bonnie and Roxann
Welcome to Japanese lessons. I look forward to studying Japanese language and culture with you.
Best Continuous Award – Bobby
We have studied Japanese together for six years. (Stuart has studied with me for four years. Tom has studied Japanese for three years. ) "Persistence is power."
I really appreciate all of my students and your parents’ cooperation with me.
I cannot see some of my students during summer. During your summer vacations, please sometime think of Japanese words and phrases which you have learned. I look forward to your coming back in September.
Some of my students continue Japanese lessons during the summer; I am sure that we will have fun with the lessons.
I have greatly enjoyed providing these lessons for the past six years and look forward to a long future of continuing to share Japanese language and culture with you all.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful summer vacation.
This time, I would like to introduce a Canadian commercial. I asked some Canadian people which commercial they would like to introduce to Japanese people. One person recommended one of Molson Canadian Beer’s commercials, “the Rant.” This commercial was broadcast around 2001.This commercial inspired a lot of parodies such as I am a Newfoundlander, I am not Canadian, and so on.
Even though I am not Canadian, I was surprised and interested to watch this commercial. I do not think that Japanese people are brave enough to make this type of commercial. Maybe, Canadian people also are not brave enough, which is why this commercial became so popular.
This company had used the slogan “I am Canadian” to advertise Molson Beer. However, this company merged with “American” brewer, Coors in 2005. Therefore, Molson Beer stopped using this slogan, “I Am Canadian.”
Hey,
I'm not a lumber jack or a fur trader
And I don’t live in an igloo or eat blubber or own a dog sled
And I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzie from Canada although I'm sure they're really really nice
I have a Prime Minister not a President
I speak English and French not American
And I pronounce it about not "a-boot"
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack I believe in peacekeeping not policing
Diversity not assimilation
And that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal
A toque is a hat a chesterfield is a couch
And it is pronounced "zed" not "zee" "zed"!
Canada is the 2nd largest landmass!
The First nation of hockey!
and the best part of North America
My name is Joe!
And I AM Canadian!!
a lumber jack = 木こりのジャック = きこりのじゃっく = Kikori no Jakku
a fur trader = 毛皮商人= けがわしょうにん = kegawa shounin
igloo = イグルー（氷の塊で作った家）= いぐるう = iguruu (koori no katamari de tsukutta ie)
Japanese private home teachers use a special envelop called “Gessya-bukuro” when they collect a monthly fee from students.
This envelop acts as an invoice and a receipt. The last class of each month, a teacher passes a student this envelop with the next month’s fee written on it.
Then, a student brings his or her teacher this envelop with the fee in it to the first lesson of each month. A teacher puts his or her seal and date on the envelop like a receipt after receiving the fee. They usually use this envelop for the whole year. It is good for ecology.
I started using Gessha-bukuro in March this year. I wanted a pleasant way to collect lesson fees and to introduce the Japanese culture to my students.
Quiz
Please guess the meaning of each word on the envelop. (The answers are under the envelop.)
1. 月謝袋＝げっしゃぶっくろ＝???????
2. 日本語レッスン＝にほんごれっすん = Nihongo Ressun
3. 2010年＝にせんじゅうねん = Nisenjuu-nen
4. 寅年＝とらどし = Toradoshi
5. 名前＝なまえ = Namae
6. １月＝いちがつ = Ichigatsu
7. ２月＝にがつ = Nigatsu
8. ３月＝さんがつ = Sangatsu
9. ４月 = しがつ = Shigatsu
1. 月謝袋＝げっしゃぶっくろ＝Gessya-bukuro = a monthly fee envelop
2. 日本語レッスン＝にほんごれっすん = Nihongo Ressun = Japanese lessons
3. 2010年＝にせんじゅうねん = Nisenjuu-nen = the year of 2010
I will be hosting Onigiri & Ochaduke workshops this month and next month. I am very excited at the thought of getting together with all of you Japanese food lovers and enjoying one of Japan’s tastiest and easy to make cuisines.
Ochaduke Party
Date: June 26 (Saturday)
Time: 11:30 am-1:30 pm (Door Open 11:15 am)
Maximum number of participants – 6 people
おちゃづけ
Onigiri Party
Date: July 4 (Sunday)
Time: 12:30-2:30 pm (Door open 12:15 pm)
Maximum number of participants – 6 people
おにぎり
Please join these parties! You can enjoy the Japanese food, cultural activities, and study activities. I look forward to hearing you soon.
This version of sensei shows a homeroom teacher of the Class AB in Grade 9. The teacher’s name is Ebi-sensei (Lobster Sensei). She is also a teacher in charge of discipline (seito-shidou no sensei：せいとしどう の せんせい＝生徒指導の先生) in the school. It is very funny because this commercial exaggerates the strictness of the teacher in charge of discipline.
Each Japanese school has its own school rules, called kousoku (こうそく＝校則). These rules are meant to help students enjoy their school life. Japanese schools provide not only educational guidance, but also general guidance for school life. Many kousoku of schools, like the school in the following commercial, do not allow students to wear makeup and accessories.
(English Translation)
Class AB in Grade Nine - Ms. Ebi.
Ms. Ebi: Kubota-san (the name of the female student). Don’t wear a pair of pierced earrings.
You! Your bangs are too long!
Hey boy! Your nostril hair is a little long…
A female Student:
She is Kani-chan (crab) rather than a lobster.
Voice over:
Passing! Feel refreshing Fanta!
(Japanese)
Sannen AB-gumi Ebi-san sensei,
３年ＡＢ組、エビさん先生
Kubota-san Piasu kinshi
久保田さん、ピアス禁止
Soko! maegami ga nagai
そこ！前髪が長い！
Soko no danshi, hanage nobiteruzo. ufun...
そこの男子、鼻毛伸びてるぞ。ウフン...
I will introduce the language mistakes made by people who are learning the Japanese language. What kind of mistakes do native English speakers make in Japan?
1. Koroshite! （殺して＝ころして）
When Tom rode in a taxi in Japan, he meant to say “oroshite” which means “drop me off.” However, he said “koroshite.” What is the meaning of “koroshite?” It means “kill me”!
2. Oshiri! （お尻ください＝おしり ください）
In a Japanese restaurant, customers are served a hot wet towel which is called “Oshibori.” Mike found that there were not enough “Oshibori” for his group, so he said “one more a hot towel please “ in Japanese to the waitress. Everyone laughed. Why? He forgot to pronounce “bo”! He said “one more Oshiri”! “Oshiri” means buttock!
3. OkusanKowai! （奥さん怖い＝おくさん こわい）
When James was invited to his supervisor’s house, he wanted to say his wife is pretty. Then, he said his wife is “Kowai.” His supervisor was surprised at James’s words because James said that his wife was “scary.” James should say” Kawii” not “Kowai.”
4. Oshirimisete! （お尻見せて＝おしり みせて）
Nancy went to see an apartment with a real estate agent. She asked him “Oshiri Misete.” He was shocked. Nancy wanted to see the closet which is “Oshiire” in Japanese. She had to say “Oshiire misete.” However, she said “oshirimisete.” It means “show me your buttock.”
5. Unchi（私はうんち＝わたしは うんち）
Karaoke is very popular in Japan. By the way, do you know the meaning of Karaoke? Kara means emptiness and Oke means a short version of Orchestra. Anyway, Sheryl was asked to sing, but she does not like karaoke, so she refused with the phrase “I’m unchi.” After this phrase, everyone laughed. She meant that she is “tone deafness.” She should say “I’m onchi,” but she said” I’m unchi.” It means “I‘m poop.”
I laughed a lot to these mistakes in Japan; however, I cannot laugh at them anymore because I made a lot of similar mistakes in Canada.
1. How do you like your meat?
In a restaurant, I was asked “how do you like your meat?” I answered Oh, I love very much.
2. Would you like to play with me?
I asked a Canadian male roommate “would you like to play with me?” when I wanted to play a board game.
3. Do you have the time?
While I was waiting for my friend, one guy asked me “do you have the time?” I replied “No thank you,” even though I wore a watch. Why? I thought that the guy was asking me to go some place.
4. L and R
It is not easy for Japanese to manage L and R sounds. I wanted to tell my Canadian friend, you are very “elegant,” but she interpreted my word “arrogant.”
5. Virginia Monologue
I attended an audition for “Virginia Monologue” with people who also wanted to participate in the play. During the audition, other participants started saying candy, chocolate, cheese, box, cock pit, hole, down there...I do not remember anymore. Anyway, everybody laughed a lot. I totally lost what participants had to do. I asked other attendant about this audition…. Holly Smoke! It’s not “Virginia Monologue!”
Please enjoy communicating with non-native English speakers. Also, please try to use or learn another language. It’s fun!
