The Energon Pub

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:25 pm

Neko wrote:This thread is so awesome and informative! If I ever visit Tokyo, can you be my guide Stormrider?

Have you ever been to Kyoto? Have you ever seen a Geisha? Or an Oiran (are they in Kyoto. I can't remember)?

Also, are Japanese? You said you've lived in Japan for 2.5 years.

Or maybe...

Gaijin desu ka?

Sure thing. I'll show you all the great spots. We can go see where the goth/maid/doll teenagers hang out. Then we can go see the elderly people with the green/pink/and purple hair (true).

Kyoto is an awesome spot. I've been there 4 times now. If you want to see traditional old Japan. This is the spot. Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan, so there are hundreds of temples, a dozen palaces, and other neat things to see. Kyoto is about 2 hours from Tokyo via the Shinkansen. Foreigners can get a special Shinkansen discount ticket that allows them to travel any where in a two week period. I am not entirely sure of the price, it might be around $200 or $300.

Here are some pictures from Kyoto, when I went there last spring:

The first two are taken in the Gion district, which is the most traditional district. It's like being in old times Japan. This is also where you'll glimpse Geishas and Maikos scuttling down the street as they go to work in the evenings. To meet a Geisha, you must be invited by a well respected friend. And be prepared to spend $1000 for one or two hours of entertainment, which includes song/dance, food, drinking, and talking (in Japanese). Geishas are not prostitutes despite what the movies describe.

These are not Geishas. Just three women dressed in Kimonos. They probably work at a ryokan or restaurant in Gion.

The last photo is of the Golden Temple:

ps - Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.

News Credits: 20 · by **Neko** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:53 pm

Stormrider wrote:ps - Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.

Sugoi.

by **Uncrazzimatic** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:30 am

When Ninja Sixshot assumed you were American I was kind of hopeing it would turn out you were from somewhere unusual, like the Federated states of Micronesia.
Anyway new question! So appart fromt the gaijin bars, how easy is it for an english speaking tourist to get around Japan? Can many Japanese speak english or is it worth getting a phrase book or something?

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 6:30 pm

Hmmm... "yes" & "no".

It depends on where you go, what you do, and who you talk to.
For instance, Tokyo has many tourists, it is a diverse city and quite often people will speak English. Especially in train stations, department stores, museums, and other touristy spots.

Kyoto on the otherhand is a very traditional city and sometimes it is difficult to find people who will speak English (even if they know how to speak it).

It's really good to bring a phrase book in my opinion. Most Japanese under the age of 40 can speak some level of English, but they are too scared to try. (Remember embarrassment means a lot to them).

The Japanese level of service is incredible. Customers are always treated like kings. The Japanese will never shun you if you can't speak their language like in Paris. Instead they will spend copious amounts of time trying to communicate with you in sign language and broken Japanese make sure that you understand train times, menu choices, directions, etc. However, with that said- when you pull out your phrase book, you will see a glimmer in their eyes and they will thank you for making their job easier.

ps - Micronesia, eh? :-?

...I'll have to add that to my wish list of afterlife choices.

News Credits: 335 · by **Down_Shift** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:05 pm

Neko wrote:
Stormrider wrote:ps - Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.

Sugoi.

... the hilly dilly did you two just say :???:

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:25 pm

Down_Shift wrote:
Neko wrote:
Stormrider wrote:ps - Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.

Sugoi.

... the hilly dilly did you two just say

We were saying Down_Shift is ultra cool...

Down_Shift-san wa sugoi desu ne!

News Credits: 20 · by **Neko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:32 pm

Down_Shift wrote:
Neko wrote:
Stormrider wrote:ps - Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.

Sugoi.

... the hilly dilly did you two just say

lol. Down_Shift-kun wakarimasen!

Oi, Stormrider-Kun! Eigo O hanasu hito O yonde kudasai! lol.

News Credits: 335 · by **Down_Shift** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:47 pm

Stormrider wrote:
Down_Shift wrote:
Neko wrote:
Stormrider wrote:ps - Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.

Sugoi.

... the hilly dilly did you two just say

We were saying Down_Shift is ultra cool...

Down_Shift-san wa sugoi desu ne!

I thought that's what you were saying.

Neko wrote:lol. Down_Shift-kun wakarimasen!

Oi, Stormrider-Kun! Eigo O hanasu hito O yonde kudasai! lol.

Sure... just don't use my toothbrush. :BLUSH:

News Credits: 20 · by **Neko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:57 pm

Nani desu ka?! :shock:

Kowai! >.<

News Credits: 2 · by **Powersurge** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:04 pm

What on earth are you two going on about?

News Credits: 20 · by **Neko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:08 pm

Just having a bit of fun...at Down_Shift's expense.

News Credits: 335 · by **Down_Shift** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:17 pm

News Credits: 2 · by **Powersurge** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:19 pm

Neko wrote:Just having a bit of fun...at Down_Shift's expense.

Well...at least its not at mine!

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:33 pm

Okay, back to questions. What do you want to know about Japan?

1. Wacky festivals?
2. Overcoming initial fears of being naked in a bath full of strangers?
3. Why are the dentist butchering their teeth?
4. What's the difference between the logical way and the Japanese way?

Something else?

News Credits: 20 · by **Neko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:56 pm

Have you ever had 'thousand year candy' (Forgot the japanese name)? The candy given to kids during Shichi Go San.

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:33 pm

Neko wrote:Have you ever had 'thousand year candy' (Forgot the japanese name)? The candy given to kids during Shichi Go San.

Wow, this is the first time that I have heard of that. What is it? Is it related to thousand year old eggs?

by **Spoon** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:35 am

I was going to say something meaning full but then I realised I just woke up. I'll just translate what was said here for the people that didn't got squat of what Neko and Stormrider were saying

Neko first asked Stormrider if he was native japanese or "Gaijin desu ka?" if he was a foreigner
on which Stormrider replied that that he is infact an american (Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.)
Which neko found to be awesome (sugoi)
Then they both fried Down_shift's brain and they were mocking him for his utter ignorance (okay, just kiddin on that part

)
Stormrider said that Down_shift was incredible "Down_Shift-san wa sugoi desu ne!" and Neko just said that Down_shift didn't understood it (Down_Shift-kun wakarimasen!)
She then said she would take Down_shift's soul and first born (Oi, Stormrider-Kun! Eigo O hanasu hito O yonde kudasai!)
Which Down_shift didn't seemed to mind: Sure... just don't use my toothbrush.

(I kid I kid, she just said to Stormrider to go back to talking english)

Now everyone can stop being confused

by **Sun Runner** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:24 am

Spoon wrote:I was going to say something meaning full but then I realised I just woke up. I'll just translate what was said here for the people that didn't got squat of what Neko and Stormrider were saying

Neko first asked Stormrider if he was native japanese or "Gaijin desu ka?" if he was a foreigner
on which Stormrider replied that that he is infact an american (Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.)
Which neko found to be awesome (sugoi)
Then they both fried Down_shift's brain and they were mocking him for his utter ignorance (okay, just kiddin on that part )
Stormrider said that Down_shift was incredible "Down_Shift-san wa sugoi desu ne!" and Neko just said that Down_shift didn't understood it (Down_Shift-kun wakarimasen!)
She then said she would take Down_shift's soul and first born (Oi, Stormrider-Kun! Eigo O hanasu hito O yonde kudasai!)
Which Down_shift didn't seemed to mind: Sure... just don't use my toothbrush.
(I kid I kid, she just said to Stormrider to go back to talking english)

Now everyone can stop being confused

i just used babelfish to translate.

News Credits: 20 · by **Neko** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:52 am

Stormrider wrote:
Neko wrote:Have you ever had 'thousand year candy' (Forgot the japanese name)? The candy given to kids during Shichi Go San.

Wow, this is the first time that I have heard of that. What is it? Is it related to thousand year old eggs?

You know what Shichi Go San (7-5-3) is thought right? Even if you do I'll explain it to thos who don't.

I don't know the exact date of it but Girls and boys age three, Boys age five, and girls age seven are taken to temples and such dressed elaboratly in kimono. It's like a coming of age ceremony. Age three is when boys are traditionally allowed to grow there hair out (before that they have shaven heads) and wear their first Hakama. Age Seven for girls is when they wear their first Obi. For the younger girls, they wear a padded Kimono (I can't recall the name of it), but obi's aren't needed to wear them.

On Shichi Go San, parents buy their kids Chitoseame (Thousand year candy. I looked it up. lol) in a bag with depictions of a turtle and a crane on them (symbols of long life in Japan).

The reason why I asked if you'd ever had it is because I was curious of what it's made of. When I first saw a pic of it I thought it looked like a pixie stick.

Here are some pics of Shichi-Go-San.

Here's the kimono little girls wear. No Obi.

News Credits: 335 · by **Down_Shift** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:03 am

Spoon wrote:I was going to say something meaning full but then I realised I just woke up. I'll just translate what was said here for the people that didn't got squat of what Neko and Stormrider were saying

Neko first asked Stormrider if he was native japanese or "Gaijin desu ka?" if he was a foreigner
on which Stormrider replied that that he is infact an american (Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.)
Which neko found to be awesome (sugoi)
Then they both fried Down_shift's brain and they were mocking him for his utter ignorance (okay, just kiddin on that part )
Stormrider said that Down_shift was incredible "Down_Shift-san wa sugoi desu ne!" and Neko just said that Down_shift didn't understood it (Down_Shift-kun wakarimasen!)
She then said she would take Down_shift's soul and first born (Oi, Stormrider-Kun! Eigo O hanasu hito O yonde kudasai!)
Which Down_shift didn't seemed to mind: Sure... just don't use my toothbrush.
(I kid I kid, she just said to Stormrider to go back to talking english)

Now everyone can stop being confused

Thanks for clearing that up Spoon. Truth be told I tried using babble fish and got no where. I truely am ignorant. I didn't mind though, I know they were only having a good time. Far be it from me to bring them down for something playful like that.

Anyways, Stormrider, I wouldn't mind knowing the answers to the four questions you proposed. My ex use to eat Thousand Year Old candy. She works beside the asian markets in Toronto so she eats there alot. Good stuff if I recall.

by **Screambug** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:35 am

And is nervous breakdowns the most common in Japan?

Any good manga/anime for ladies over uh, 35?

by **AfterImage** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:10 am

Neko wrote:
Stormrider wrote:
Neko wrote:Have you ever had 'thousand year candy' (Forgot the japanese name)? The candy given to kids during Shichi Go San.

Wow, this is the first time that I have heard of that. What is it? Is it related to thousand year old eggs?

You know what Shichi Go San (7-5-3) is thought right? Even if you do I'll explain it to thos who don't.

I don't know the exact date of it but Girls and boys age three, Boys age five, and girls age seven are taken to temples and such dressed elaboratly in kimono. It's like a coming of age ceremony. Age three is when boys are traditionally allowed to grow there hair out (before that they have shaven heads) and wear their first Hakama. Age Seven for girls is when they wear their first Obi. For the younger girls, they wear a padded Kimono (I can't recall the name of it), but obi's aren't needed to wear them.

On Shichi Go San, parents buy their kids Chitoseame (Thousand year candy. I looked it up. lol) in a bag with depictions of a turtle and a crane on them (symbols of long life in Japan).

The reason why I asked if you'd ever had it is because I was curious of what it's made of. When I first saw a pic of it I thought it looked like a pixie stick.

Here are some pics of Shichi-Go-San.

(images clipped for space)

Isn't the idea behind this ceremony a cultural belief that 3, 5, and 7 are especially dangerous ages for children? I seem to remember something about this...

News Credits: 20 · by **Neko** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:43 pm

AfterImage wrote:
Neko wrote:
Stormrider wrote:
Neko wrote:Have you ever had 'thousand year candy' (Forgot the japanese name)? The candy given to kids during Shichi Go San.

Wow, this is the first time that I have heard of that. What is it? Is it related to thousand year old eggs?

You know what Shichi Go San (7-5-3) is thought right? Even if you do I'll explain it to thos who don't.

I don't know the exact date of it but Girls and boys age three, Boys age five, and girls age seven are taken to temples and such dressed elaboratly in kimono. It's like a coming of age ceremony. Age three is when boys are traditionally allowed to grow there hair out (before that they have shaven heads) and wear their first Hakama. Age Seven for girls is when they wear their first Obi. For the younger girls, they wear a padded Kimono (I can't recall the name of it), but obi's aren't needed to wear them.

On Shichi Go San, parents buy their kids Chitoseame (Thousand year candy. I looked it up. lol) in a bag with depictions of a turtle and a crane on them (symbols of long life in Japan).

The reason why I asked if you'd ever had it is because I was curious of what it's made of. When I first saw a pic of it I thought it looked like a pixie stick.

Here are some pics of Shichi-Go-San.

(images clipped for space)

Isn't the idea behind this ceremony a cultural belief that 3, 5, and 7 are especially dangerous ages for children? I seem to remember something about this...

Actaully 3-5-7 are the ages chosen because of Japanese Numerology.

This is what Wiki says:

Shichi-Go-San is said to have originated in the Heian Period amongst court nobles who would celebrate the passage of their children into middle childhood. The ages three, five and seven are consistent with Japanese numerology, which dictates that odd numbers are lucky. The practice was set to the fifteenth of the month during the Kamakura Period.[1]

Over time, this tradition passed to the samurai class who added a number of rituals. Children—who up until the age of three were required by custom to have shaven heads—were allowed to grow out their hair. Boys of age five could wear hakama for the first time, while girls of age seven replaced the simple cords they used to tie their kimono with the traditional obi.[2] By the Meiji Period, the practice was adopted amongst commoners as well, and included the modern ritual of visiting a shrine to drive out evil spirits and wish for a long healthy life.

The tradition has changed little since the Meiji Period. While the ritual regarding hair has been discarded, boys who are aged three or five and girls who are aged three or seven are still dressed in kimono - many for the first time - for visits to shrines. Three-year-old girls usually wear hifu (a type of padded vest) with their kimono. Western-style formal wear is also worn by some children. Shichi-Go-San is also known for Chitoseame (千歳飴, lit: "thousand year candy"), a traditional treat eaten to ensure longevity and health. A more modern practice is photography, and this day is well known as a day to take pictures of children.

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:04 pm

Spoon wrote:I was going to say something meaning full but then I realised I just woke up. I'll just translate what was said here for the people that didn't got squat of what Neko and Stormrider were saying

Neko first asked Stormrider if he was native japanese or "Gaijin desu ka?" if he was a foreigner
on which Stormrider replied that that he is infact an american (Hai, watashi wa America-jin desu.)
Which neko found to be awesome (sugoi)
Then they both fried Down_shift's brain and they were mocking him for his utter ignorance (okay, just kiddin on that part )
Stormrider said that Down_shift was incredible "Down_Shift-san wa sugoi desu ne!" and Neko just said that Down_shift didn't understood it (Down_Shift-kun wakarimasen!)
She then said she would take Down_shift's soul and first born (Oi, Stormrider-Kun! Eigo O hanasu hito O yonde kudasai!)
Which Down_shift didn't seemed to mind: Sure... just don't use my toothbrush.
(I kid I kid, she just said to Stormrider to go back to talking english)

Now everyone can stop being confused

Great job Spoon. I loved the first born child part. And Down_Shift I still think you are cool buddy.

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:28 pm

Screambug wrote:And is nervous breakdowns the most common in Japan?

Any good manga/anime for ladies over uh, 35?

Yeah, nervous breakdowns seem to be more common here and it affects young people too.

I had eight students this year that had nervous breakdowns and had to quit school. I'm not sure what will happen to them because their is very little support system. Usually their problems become a burden to the parents. It's a vicious cycle- because the individuals do not have a diplomma there are few job opportunities for them, which can stress them further. Some individuals will never work and live permanently at home.

The schools here do not have guidance councelors or school pyschiatrists. Parents and students only interact with the homeroom teacher, who changes each year. The homeroom teachers are not trained to handle these type of situations. In fact, they cannot suggest psychologists/psychiatrists for the students even if the parents ask for their opinions. The school administrators feel that it will look bad for the school systems if children are diagnosed with mental breakdowns. So, the best way to solve the problem, in their eyes, is to ignore the problem and hope that it resolves itself. (That's the Japanese way of dealing with things).

Regarding mangas for lady's like yourself- yes they have all types of mangas that will suit your taste. Right now, there seems to be a big following for homosexual mangas among career oriented Japanese women. I don't know why they are drawn to them, but there are entire manga sections devoted to the topic.

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