In this season, you see so many KitKat (chocolate) advertisement everywhere.Especially in trains, they sometimes have "KitKat train".They are decorated with Kitkat stickers and all the posters in the train are KitKat.The reason is that KitKat is "lucky" for candidates for highschools and unversities.In Japan, usually students take the exam in February.
KitKat is pronounced "kitto katto" in Japanese."Kitto(きっと)" means "surely, certainly"."Katoo(勝とう)" means "let's win, let's pass the exam".They make posters with messages for the students like"You can do it!""You don't have to worry at all. You tried very hard!""Your parents are nervous rather than you." ...etc.Also the posters are imaged cherry blossom, so that the students can imagine spring (the season after the exam) easily.In the past, we used to eat "katsudon" for luck.(Katsudon is a pork cutlet on rice.)
Katsu (勝つ) means "to win, to pass the exam".
Maybe katsudon is old idea now...! :(Hmm... they found an interesting business chance!Is there same idea in your country?
Today's kanji is 恋.The blue part describes
"It's difficult to untie tangled threads".
The red part describes "heart / feeling".The feeling is like tangled threads.Can you guess the meaning?
Special hint : What anniversary is today? (^o^)
See the comments page for the answer!
Today's kanji is 友.The blue part describes "right hand".The red part describes "right hand", too.People who shaking hands are...Can you guess the meaning?See the comments page for the answer!
Do you know which numbers are unlucky in Japan?The answer is 4 and 9.4You pronounce “yon” or “shi” for 4.For example, “yonsai” means 4 years old.“shigatsu” means April.“Shi” has some different meanings and one of them is “death”, 死 in kanji.That’s why 4 is unlucky for Japanese.９You pronounce “kyuu” or “ku” for 9.For example, “kyuusai” means 9 years old.“kugatsu” means September.“ku” also has some different meanings and one of them is “pain, suffering”, 苦 in kanji.That’s why 9 is unlucky for Japanese, too.Especially, 4 is said to be very unlucky.Usually there isn’t room numbers including 4 in hospitals and hotels.Like, room number 201, 202, 203, 205, 206…Sometimes, even floor, they don’t have 4th floor in some hospitals.Check out it when you go to a hotel for next time!Does your country have same custom?Do people avoid the unlucky numbers?
Today's kanji is 眠.
The blue part describes "eyes".
The red part describes
"person who was stabbed his/her eyes".You don't see anything when you are...
Can you guess the meaning?
See the comments page for the answer!
