DECEMBER 1998 QUESTIONS

  • (Ashley, Erica, Joanne)
    How is Christmas celebrated in Japan?
    For most people in Japan Christmas does not have a very strong religious association, but many people celebrate Christmas by holding parties, eating cake, and exchanging presents.


  • Who was Takeda Shingen?
    Takeda Shingen (1521-73) was a warrior-lord of the Muromachi (1338-1573) and Azuchi-Momoyama (1573-1600) periods. Go to Japanese History to learn about other important people, places, and dates from Japan's extensive history.

  • (Sarah)
    What are the most popular boys' and girls' names?

    The top five names for baby boys and girls in 1996 were:

    Girls NamesBoys Names
    AyakaYuuta
    MisakiRyou
    HarukaDaiki
    MaiTakumi
    MikiKazuki

  • (Rachada)
    What are the characteristics of tatami?
    Tatami is a mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms. Since the Muromachi period (1338-1573) tatami have been made of a thick base of straw covered with a soft surface of woven rush. A single tatami usually measures 1.91 by 0.95 meters (6.3 by 3.1 feet). In Japan the size of rooms, Western and Japanese-style alike, are often measured in terms of "mats of tatami." Tatami flooring is cool in the summer and warm in the winter and remains fresher than carpet during Japan's humid months.

  • (Maemie)
    We are studying Japan in school and would like to have a copy of the Japanese alphabet.
    Check out our Language Lab.

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