Japan Festival in Orlando, Florida
On Sunday, Yumi, Makoto, my parents and I made the three hour trip to Orlando for the ‘07 Japan Festival.
I believe I mentioned this here (or at least at TJP) before, but just in case I didn’t, Sakurada-sensei a Japanese teacher in Orlando told me about the festival last month. I immediately decided we should go especially since she was kind enough to allow us to place our business cards and bookmarks on her table.
I will add some more pictures and video later, but here is a lesson using words found at the Orlando ‘07 Japan Festival!
祭り matsuri Festival—today’s main vocabulary word! Japan has many matsuri scattered across the calendar and across Japan. Many people plan Japan trips around certain matsuri.
オランダ oranda Holland—has nothing to do with matsuri. Just sounds like Orlando. I remember being surprised that the first guy I met from オランダ didn’t really speak English.
太鼓 taiko Taiko drums—Taiko is simply awesome. I went to a few competition Taiko festivals in Japan where players from all over competed on stage. It was quite an experience that I’d love to repeat.
居合い iai drawing out (and sheathing) a sword—as with other everyday activities (drinking tea, trimming brushes, etc) Japan has created an art form out of pulling out a sword.
茶道 sadou the tea ceremony (I had it as chadou which also seems to be in use somewhat, but the standard is sadou. Thanks for the correction Haf!)
舞踊 buyou Japanese dance
抽選 chuusen raffle—to win prizes.
Erm… While different dictionaries usually also list chadou for 茶道, it is much more common to pronounce it sadou, at least in the Tokyo area. Ever Japanese that I know from here pronounces it sadou.
Thanks! I didn’t know that, but I’m not very cultured anyway. I obviously just wrote it with the most common readings.
Kenkyusha lists both but as you said, sadou is the preferred choice. I will change that now.
I also wouldn’t call myself very cultured.
But a few weeks ago, my Japanese teacher wrote various -道 on the chalk board. When she wrote 茶道, I also said chadou and she immediately corrected me. Now sadou has been burned into my brain cells.