Name of my neighborhood

I sometimes think how the stations names are called; Hirakatashi, Gotenyama, Makino, Kyobashi.....Do the names sound strange? Where did the names derive from?

I am living Nara city. I realized a name of bus stop in my neighborhood. The bus stop is named “Akahada-yama (赤膚山).” Why does it called?

As I look back to ancient times, there is the answer. The region of Akahada-yama traditionally produced high quality clay. This great climate for making potteries developed Akahada area.

When I was an elementary school student, I had a chance to make my original pottery in a handicraft class. That’s called “Akahada-yaki (赤膚焼)”, a traditional pottery in Akahada region. I remember that I had really fun of creating my own pot by using hand with mud! Akahaha-yaki has been inheriting in this neighborhood for generations since 1573.

It tells me that we cherish tradition in my neighborhood. The importance of history and tradition was taught to kids as a part of education. I did not realize this kind of deep meaning through playing with mud when I was a kid though…I think that tradition has been coming down not only by just a successor as an Akahada-yaki maker but also by neighborhood.  Akahada-yama, the name of the bus stop and the name of my place, links to Akahada-yaki. I think it shows our idea of cherishing tradition as a whole neighborhood.

Recommendations about Japanese culture for foreigners:"Mottainai"spirit

Do you like sushi?

Do you want to save money?

If your answer is YES! “My-Hashi” is a good way to have sushi with less money.

We tend to use wooden chopsticks in the restaurants and throw them away after use them just once, but this habit has spurred the environmental destruction. 

 “My-Hashi” is an ecological idea to carry our own chopsticks for especially eating out. It will help not only to prevent environmental destruction but also save your money!

Actually, when you bring your chopsticks to the one of sushi restaurants, you can get 10 yen discount for a pair of chopsticks on your check. 5 people with chopsticks for each can get 50 yen discount on their check. This is a good idea for business and environment, isn’t it?

The idea of “My-Hashi” shows Japanese “Mottainai” spirit. According to MOTTAINAI Campaign official site, the Japanese word “Mottainai” represents meanings of 3R; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Respect for nature. I think that as we show our gratitude and respect to nature, we naturally put the idea of 3R into action. Wangari Maathai, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, was fascinated with this spirit and spread it to the world.

When I was in the United States, I was surprised that recycling system in the United States is not as good as Japanese one. One time, I asked my friends how to throw battery away. They said “I don’t know how. Just throw away”! In Japan, we are very strict about it. We have to bring it to an electronic store and ask to dispose of.

We tend to think only about ourselves. It is kind of difficult to think about the earth and get in the act even for Japanese. However, everyone in the world should concern about health of the earth and contribute to global nature. Everyone should be aware of responsibility.

I hope you learn about “Mottainai” spirit as Japanese culture and bring back to your home country with your own chopsticks! :)