Camomile tea

Did you know # 12

When I was in Japan, I got to taste Camomile tea. Though it tasted a bit bland, it had a unique fruity odour. Are you wondering what it is?

 Camomile tea

The word camomile is derived from the Greek word 'chamos'(ground) and 'melos' (apple) referring to its low growing habit and apple scented blooms. Its daisy like flowers reminded the ancient Egyptians of the sun, calling it 'herb of the sun' !

Christmas fervor in Japan

Last week, I happened to witness the Christmas decorations in Nagoya, Japan. December 25, is not an official holiday in Japan. However, the big commercial corporations do decorate their buildings and the surrounding areas. And there are celebrations around.... 

December 23 happens to be a national holiday in Japan as it is the current Emperor Akihito's birthday.

It is believed that Christmas was first celebrated in Japan since 1549 when Saint Francis Xavier visited Japan. Though the first recorded Christmas was a mass held by the Jesuit missionaries in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1552, in Japan.

Hello!

Santa's coming...

Grandeur..

Rudolf, the red nosed reindeer

Richly decorated Christmas tree

Silent night

Presents galore...

Lighted flowers

All things precious

All is bright!

The Japanese 'forget-the-year parties' called 'bonenkai'  are celebrated in December! 

World’s First Novel

Did you know # 5

In the year 1007, a Japanese noblewoman, Murasaki Shikibu, wrote the world’s first novel. Called, ‘The tale of Genji’, it tells the story of a prince looking for love and wisdom. The English translation of this novel covers over 54 chapters and over 1000 pages of text*.

As the last ten chapters of ‘The Tale of Genji’ are set in Uji, there is also 'The Tale of Genji Museum' in Uji, Kyoto, Japan, which was opened in 1998.

Murasaki Shikibu at her writing desk  Source: http://www.taleofgenji.org/

It displays the world of the Japanese classic novel, The Tale of Genji,  with projected images, models, and exhibitions. The story of these chapters is reproduced with great realism using a scrim and life-sized set. Visitors are introduced to the story line and main characters. The culture of the Imperial Court of the Heian Period, the aristocrats' costumes and the furnishings of their residences are shown here.
A short film based on the Ten Uji Chapters and created solely for the museum is presented in the movie room.
There is also a library with a collection of books about The Tale of Genji #

*Reference: Excerpts from Rashtra Deepika Children’s Digest

# Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/