Home and Daily Life in Japan

Home and Daily Life in Japan

Shōji - is a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood which holds together a lattice of wood or bamboo. While washiis the traditional paper, shōji may be made of paper made by modern manufacturing processes; plastic is also in use.

Tatami - is a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms.

Kotatsu - is a low, wooden table frame covered by a futon, or heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. Underneath is a heat source, often built into the table itself.  Kotatsu are used almost exclusively in Japan, although similar devices are used elsewhere.

Seiza - The formal way of sitting for both genders is kneeling (seiza) People who are not used to sit in seiza style may become uncomfortable after a few minutes.

Itadakimasu - In Japan, you say "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") before eating.

Gochisosama - "gochisosama (deshita)" ("Thank you for the meal") after finishing the meal.

Some Table Rules:

* Blowing your nose in public, and especially at the table, is considered bad manners.

* It is considered good manners to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.

* Talking about toilet related and similarly unappetizing topics during or before a meal is not appreciated by most people.

* It is considered bad manners to burp.

* After eating, try to move all your dishes back to the same position they were at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or back into their paper slip.

Hashi - are shaped pairs of equal length sticks that have been used as the traditional utensils of China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan for thousands of years.

Some Rules of using Chopsticks:

* Hold your chopsticks towards their end, not in the middle or the front third.

* When you are not using your chopsticks, or have finished eating, lay them down in front of you with the tips to left....