[colum]Story of My Name

~Story of My First Name~

Thank you so much for having curiosity towards the origin of my name!

Here’s the story for you!

Before I start telling the story about my name, you have to understand this specific general knowledge of Japanese FISH.

 Yes.

 

This tiny fish is dried sardine and we call it “IRIKO” in Japanese.
We normally use this fish as the stock of the miso soup, and other Japanese food.
The best part of this fish is, though this fish is staying in this mini-size, it contains huge amount of calcium and it help us-human keep our bones healthy.

 Well, I think fish-talk is enough for us!

So let me talk about how my parents came up with my name ERIKO.

 

My mother is from Nagasaki, in Kyushu area, where you can eat the best quality of fish!
For my grandma, it is impossible not use IRIKO the fish for their miso-soup.
When I was in my mother’s womb, my mom was wishing that I will be a tall healthy child and she was calling me as “IRIKO” the fish’s name.
But after I was born, she and my father thought, I would get bullied if they actually named me “IRIKO.”

So they used some Chinese letters which sounds “IRIKO”, and fortunately, my current Chinese letter “E”(衣) actually has two sounds- “I” and “E.” So they decided to use these Chinese letters and called me “ERIKO.”

 

Actually, as I explained in the another article (http://erikoyaybeejapanlife.blogspot.jp/2012/08/history-cultureorigin-of-japanese.html),
this “E”(衣) has the meaning of “cloth.” Fortuity, I was grown up to be a girl who loves sewing materials, o I pretty much like my name:).

Japanese YUKATA I sewed:)

So, yea, anyway, I’m just a fish. (^^)

 

 

[history & culture]Origin of Japanese People’s Names!

Konichiwa!

Today, I would like to guide you guys to the knowledge for origin of Japanese people’s names!

As people from specific ethnic group like Indian and Native American do, Japanese people have special meaning for their names.

But the biggest difference between Native American and Japanese names is that; while some group of letters (=words ) express its meaning in Native American’s names, each letters has meaning in Japanese names.

some parents write the babies name like this!

 

In today’s article,
I’m going to cover the first name of Japanese names.

So, here are some examples.

"AI"

 

There is a girl whose name is Ai.

Ai often being written like this in Japanese : 愛

(If you cannot see Chinese letters on your computer/phone, see the picture below.)

Well, this Chinese character, Ai means “love” in Japanese.

So without saying, this girl’s name means “love.” J

Ai is beautiful, and one of the most simple names in Japan.

So, let’s talk about more complicated one - my name!

 My name is Eriko, and I use three letters to express my name in Chinese letters like this: 衣里子 and each letter has the sound like this “E RI KO.”

"Eriko"

 

Then, first letter “衣” means “cloth, especially, the soft material worn by angels”, and the second letter “里”　means “old home town” in Japanese. And the third letter “子” means “child.” This letter is often used in Japanese girls’ name to make the entire name sound comfortable.

SO! Did you get what my name means??

Well, I don’t think so! Haha.

Actually, those Chinese letters in the meaningless names like mine are phonetic equivalents that are put to express the original meaning the sound already had when my parents came up with this name “ERIKO.”

If you are interested in my name’s story, take a look at another article:

http://erikoyaybeejapanlife.blogspot.jp/2012/08/columstory-of-my-name.html
 

Since I’m a girl, I always tend to forget boys’ stuff…lol

Well, here’s a boy name’s example for you!

Daiki!

Daiki (DAI KI) is one of the frequently used Japanese boys’ name and it may be express like this in Chinese letters : “大輝” (There are plenty of other ways to express this name though!)

"Daiki"

Then, the first letter “大(Dai)” means “big” and the second one “輝(Ki)” means, “shine” in Japanese.

So this name may be including his family’s wish for this boy: “grow to be a big shinny man.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those examples are just a tip of the iceberg!

So if you got any chance to talk to Japanese when you are traveling in here, try asking them about their names. Many of them might have some interesting stories for you!

And I think I have a funny story for my name, too. My parents were unique.

So if you are interested, stop by at this article:http://erikoyaybeejapanlife.blogspot.jp/2012/08/columstory-of-my-name.html

 

Bye!

ERIKO

[food & location] Japanese Manhattan: Marunouchi, Tokyo

Marunouchi is a business area located just around Tokyo Sta. and designed by one of the most powerful acreage estate companies "Mtsubishi-Corporation" in Japan.



Tokyo Sta. is under construction to regain its original historical figure:)

 



Mitsubishi Art Museum

As a person of Mitsubishi Corporation says, they wanted to create Japanese version of Wall Street in NYC where all of business, food, fashion and life combines together in harmony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The centre of Marunouchi is called BrickSquere where you can see various branded restaurants and boutiques of the expensive cloths.

 

 

 

 But don't forget. This blog suppose to be the travel guide for people like me - university student who cannot save so much money for leisure:P

 So, I would like to recommend an affordable restaurant from BrickSquere!

It is... La Boutique de Joel Robution!!

 

As you know Joel Robuchon is one of the most famous chefs in the world.

In BrickSquare's La Boutique de Joel Robution, you can enjoy its gallete lunch only with 1000 yen. ($10)

 

Galette Lunch 1.000 yen

It's totally lovely, isn't it??

 

The mood of La Boutique de Joel Robution is very much opened and you would feel few hesitation when you get into this restaurant though Joel Roubuchion is such a high branded restaurant.

Inside of the restaurant

 

entrance of both bakery and the restaurant

 Also you can buy some freshly baked bread from the bakery corner located next to the sitting space of this restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit La Boutique de Joel Robution in Marunuchi BrickSquere, and spent dreamy time by enjoying the taste of their galette and recognizing that you are in "that" Robuchon's restaurant!!

 

La Boutique de Joel Robution: http://www.robuchon.jp/en/

 

Have a nice week!

Eriko

[souvenir]Hottest Stationary in Japan:Erasable-ink pen "FRI XION" by Pilot

Konichiwa!
Have you ever experienced griming your paper by using too correction liquid to erase what you wrote with a pen??

Well, I do have, especially for my schedule note book. I always re-schedule my life again and again.lol

Anyways, there is a revolutionary pen that helps our papers from the dirt.

It's the Erasable-ink pen "FRI XION" by Pilot.

 


Three colors in a pen:)

This pen enables you to erase what you wrote easily by rubbing the silicon rubber with the paper.



This silicon rubber on the top is the secret eraser for the ink.

According to the inventor of this pen, their ink is easy to be erased by the heat, especially over 60 degree.

That's why this pen requires you the "friction" movement:)

This pen is too popular in Japan currently. Usually those stationeries get popularity among teenagers or children, but this FRIXION pen is more popular among adults who have more desires to erase their past...jk. Haha.

Well, personally, I really adore this pen.

What I would like to say through this article is that JAPAN HAS THE BEST STATIONARY IN THE WORLD…!

Well, I know other countries especially in Europe have prettier designs sometimes. But talking about its functionality, Japanese stationeries are always too awesome. I’m so proud of those stationary makers. ;)

Japanese stationary including FRIXION PEN are easy to find at any kinds of stores in Japan. Even in small convenience stores, you may find themJ

But if you want to see all of them at the same time, you can visit one of the mega stationary stores called ITOYA in Ginza, Tokyo.

You can find 90% of the entire variety of pens there or you can ask the store stuff to find best pen for your writing style!

love always,

Eriko

More info about…

FRIXION PEN: http://www.pilot.co.jp/frixion/info/#/home/

Pilot Corporation (FRIXION PEN’s maker company):

http://www.pilot.co.jp/products/pen/index.html

ITOYA: http://www.ito-ya.co.jp/

[location & souvenir]TOKYO CHARACTER STREET!

OHAYO GOZAIMASU, guys!!

OHAYO GOZAIMASU is the Japanese way to say “hello” in the morning time!

What I want to introduce you today is…TOKYO CHARACTER STREET!

TOKYO CHARACTER STREET!(10:00-20:30

TOKYO CHARACTER STREET is the arcade consisted of 21 character shops, located under ground of Tokyo Sta.

That means… you can enter the place for free!:Dhaha.

In TOKYO CHARACTER STREET, you can get Japanese popular characters’ stationary, furniture, snacks etc.

 The characters that live in TOKYO CHARACTER STREET are so various- from merchandise based characters like Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma to TV programs and film characters like GIBURI’s and NHK’s.



Hello Kitty Store



Rilakkuma Store

Giburi's shop "Donguri (acorn shell) Garden"

See the globaly known character "DOMO" in NHK TV station store.

TOMICA (mini-car) SHOP

PLARAIL (mini-railway) SHOP

TOKYO CHARACTER STREET is connected with other amusement areas like TOKYO OKASHI (candy) LAND, where you can enjoy freshly made potato chips, and also TOKYO RAMEN (noodle) STREET, where you can try on several Chinese noodles!

TOKYO OKASHI (candy) LAND



TOKYO RAMEN (noodle) STREET!

TOKYO has other enchanting places where you can see those Japanese characters all over the city, but in TOKYO CHARASTER STREET, you can take a glimpse of the current hottest characters at same time!

More info about TOKYO CHARACTER STREET (can’t believe they don’t have an English web page!):

http://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/feature/characterSt/

[souvenir] Prefecture Representative Kewpee Key Chain Sized Dolls ♥

Hey guys!

I would like to introduce you my babies todayJ

They areeeeee, Kewpee dolls!!

I think Kewpee is a familiar character for not only Japanese people but also those who staying in the outside of Japan.

Kewpee was created by the American illustrator Rose O’Neil in1909, and in 1922, Japanese mayonnaise company called Kewpee Corporation officially registered Kewpee as their trade mark.

After that, Kewpee often appears on Japanese TV commercials, and got recognition in Japan.

So currently, Kewpee is no more just a trade mark of mayonnaise company, but one of the most familiar characters in Japan and you can get each prefecture’s representative Kewpee key chain sized dolls all over Japan!!!

SO,

I’m going to show you my collection of each prefecture’s Kewpee dolls!!

Too cute, aren’t they??

The price of each dolls is like 420 yen ($4) per a doll and you can find them at the each prefecture’s souvenir stores, drive through, station, or air portJ

When you got to visit Japan, please just remember thinking about these cute angels and don’t forget to mention on the back side of the small paper in the package.

It’ll tell you some short story about the prefecture and the costume of Kewpee.♥

Eriko

more info about these representatuve Kewpees for Japanese prefectures:

http://item.only-one.co.jp/item_search/rootCategoryId,361/