This volume examines the history and tradition of two special holidays celebrated by Japanese Americans. During the Obon Festival ancestors and others who died are remembered; but on Children's Day, games, crafts, plays and other joyous celebrations mark the day.
Hands-on activities, games, and crafts introduce children to the diversity of Asian American cultures and teach them about the people, experiences, and events that have shaped Asian American history. This book is broken down into sections covering American descendents from various Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Topics include the history of immigration from Asian countries, important events in U.S. history, sidebars on famous Asian Americans, language lessons, and activities that highlight arts, games, food, clothing, unique celebrations, and folklore. Kids can paint a calligraphy banner, practice Tai Chi, fold an origami dog or cat, build a Japanese rock garden, construct a Korean kite, cook bibingka, and create a chalk rangoli. A time line, glossary, and recommendations for Web sites, books, movies, and museums round out this multicultural guide.
Young explorers will discover the culture of Japan in this lively and easy-to-read text highlighting the country's geography, people, food, schools, recreation, celebrations, and language.
Japanese food reflects much about the country of Japan and its culture, and in this impressive book, readers are invited to learn as much as possible about the island nation as they don their aprons. Easy Japanese recipes such as shrimp tempura, vegetarian sushi, and green tea ice cream encourage young chefs to explore the delicacies of Japan with their taste buds, while interesting information is offered about what it’s like to live there, including its geography and cultural traditions. If an excursion to Japan isn’t possible, this fun book is the next best thing!
In our fast-changing urban world, the impacts of social and environmental change on children are often overlooked. Children and their Urban Environment examines these impacts in detail, looking at the key activities, spaces and experiences children have and how these can be managed to ensure that children benefit from change. The authors highlight the importance of planners, architects and housing professionals in creating positive environments for children and involving them in the planning process. They argue that children‘s lives are becoming simultaneously both richer and more deprived, and that, despite apparently increasing wealth, disparities between children are increasing further. Each chapter includes international examples of good practice and policy innovations for redressing the balance in favour of child supportive environments. The book seeks to embrace childhood as a time of freedom, social engagement and environmental adventure and to encourage creation of environments that better meet the needs of children. The authors argue that in doing so, we will build more sustainable neighbourhoods, cities and societies for the future.
Beginning with life in the home country, each book details the experiences of real immigrants coming to the U.S., including school, work, and settling down with family. Along the way are details about the culture, including traditional pastimes and celebrations. In each book, readers discover how immigrants have flourished in America.
This illustrated reference work covers a wide range of festivals that have sacred origins and are, or have been, part of a folk tradition, a world religion, or a major civilization. Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia travels around the world and across the centuries to uncover an often unexpected richness of meaning in some of the major sacred festivals of the world's religions, the hallowed calendars of ancient civilizations, and the seasonal celebrations of tribal cultures. From Akitu to Yom Kippur, its 150+ entries look at the content and context of these festivals from a number of perspectives (including those relating to theology, anthropology, folklore, and social theory), tracing their historical development and variations across cultures. Readers will get a vivid sense of what each festival means to the people celebrating it; how each captures its culture's beliefs, hopes and fears, founding myths, and redemptive visions; and how each expresses the universal need of humans to connect their lives to a timeless spiritual dimension.
A compilation of columns that appeared between 1988 and 1995 in Martial Arts Training magazine. In this ever-changing world, traditions are often being cast aside as people search for novelty and progress. The 41 essays in this book are inspired by the teachings and wisdom of the ancients who devoted their lives to instruct others. Their ideas are preserved in this volume to inspire and guide readers in training and in life for years to come.
This introduction to life and culture in Japan presents a captivating portrait of the island nation, home to 127 million people and one of the most robust economies in the world. This volume focuses on an often misunderstood nation with vast economic and cultural influence in the United States and around the world. It combines thoroughly up-to-date coverage of Japan's history, geography, politics, economics, and society, with a range of helpful reference tools. Delving deeper than typical reference books, Asia in Focus: Japan is the ideal authoritative introduction to Japanese life for students, businesspeople, travelers, and other interested readers. The volume offers a contemporary look at the Japanese economy, extensive cultural coverage, and a rich collection of photographs. This resource also dispels long-running stereotypes and misconceptions to show Japan's surprising diversity and creativity.
Japanese Festivals, known as Matsuri, are integral part of Japanese culture. Learn celebrations and seasons through 22 traditional and contemporary melodies and songs. Each song is written in Kana (Hiragana and Katakana), the romanization of Japanese, and the English translation. Includes pronunciation guide, English-Japanese glossary, and instructional and cultural notes. For all ages. Paperback book. 8.5"x 11". 32 pp. Songs include: 1. Haru ga Kita (Spring Has Come) 2. Ureshii Hinamatsuri (Happy Doll Festival) 3. Koinobori (Flying Carp) 4. Hanabi (Fireworks) 5. Kiku no Hana (Chrysanthemums) 6. Tako no Uta (Kite Song) 7. Jankenpon (Rock, Paper, Scissors) 8. Oshoogatsu (New Year's Day) 9. Usagi (Rabbit) 10. Oyako Donbori (Chicken and Egg in a Bowl) 11. Hitori, Futari (One Person, Two People) 12. Shabondama (Soap Bubbles) 13. Kata Tataki (Shoulder Patting) 14. Muramatsuri (Village Festival) 15. Onaka no Heru Uta (I'm Hungry Song) 16. Seikurabe (Who's Taller?) 17. Asa wa Doko Kara (Where does the Morning Come from?) 18. Momiji (Maple Leaf) 19. Furusato(Home) 20. Makkana Ohana no Tonakaisan (Red-Nosed Reindeer) 21. Shiawasenara Te o Tatakoo (If You're Happy, ...) 22. Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)