logo
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
OP Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
Most countries in the world sell souvenirs, mainly to tourists - domestic or otherwise. But perhaps none can compare to Japan in terms of variety and volume when it comes to souvenirs. In addition, the Japanese are masters of souvenir marketing strategy.

Omiyage - Japanese Souvenirs

Last edited by Tas - Japanese Culture; 01/25/13 01:30 AM.

Ching Kin Min
Japanese Culture
Sponsored Post Advertisement
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,963
BellaOnline Editor
Chipmunk
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Chipmunk
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,963
Oh, yes. I am very familiar with the practice of omiyage. I discourage my family from following it because I do not wish to place a burden upon them to shop for, carry around and pack up souvenirs for me. frown



Lori Phillips
Dreams editor

Bellaonline.com Dreams site
The Dream Collective
Dreams: What are you trying to tell yourself?
Twitter: @tweetdreams4u
and @flutterby03

Marriage editor
Bellaonline Marriage site
Twitter: @BellaMarriage
Lori-Dreams #788745 10/21/12 06:23 AM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
OP Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
Haha, good for you! Only buy things you really need/want - That's my motto.


Ching Kin Min
Japanese Culture
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,963
BellaOnline Editor
Chipmunk
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Chipmunk
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,963
I completely agree. I do not own a lot of things and it feels liberating! smile


Lori Phillips
Dreams editor

Bellaonline.com Dreams site
The Dream Collective
Dreams: What are you trying to tell yourself?
Twitter: @tweetdreams4u
and @flutterby03

Marriage editor
Bellaonline Marriage site
Twitter: @BellaMarriage
Lori-Dreams #789083 10/23/12 06:07 AM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
OP Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
I mentioned about the Shuincho and Goshuin in the article. Here's a pic of the cover of my Shuincho. I bought this at Yamadera, a series of temples constructed on the mountain. It's in Yamagata prefecture in the Tohoku region.

And here're a few of the inside pages. The 2 Goshuin on the right are from temples, while the 2 on the left are from shrines.

The 2 shrines where I got the Goshuin from are in Kyushu. As for the temple Goshuin, I got them from Osorezan and a temple that houses a mummified buddhist monk. Both are in Tohoku.


Last edited by Tas - Japanese Culture; 10/23/12 06:25 AM.

Ching Kin Min
Japanese Culture
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
OP Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
Today, I got this souvenir from the principal of the school where I work...



This is a "manju", a type of Japanese confection. But that's not I want to highlight here. Take a look at the pic of the guy on the plastic.

It's a cartoonised Shinzo Abe, the current Japanese prime minister.

This manju is sold at a souvenir shop outside Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine. Japanese prime ministers' visits to the shrine have been a source of conflict between Japan and its neighbours China and South Korea, because Japanese World War 2 Class A criminals are enshrined there.

Anyway, you'll notice two birds in the picture too. What is their significance here?

Well, as I had mentioned in the article on Traditional Japanese New Year Period Food , the Japanese are very fond of word play. You gotta understand this first...

Now, in the recent general election in Japan, Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party's slogan was "Restore Japan" (nihon wo torimodosu". 日本を取り戻す

"Bird" in Japanese is called "tori". 鳥

Get it now? smile

Oh, and the Shin-chan (Little Shin) manju comes in two flavors. According to the principal, this souvenir is very popular...

And the taste? Like any other generic manju that's sold everywhere.

Japan never ceases to amaze me.


Ching Kin Min
Japanese Culture
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,963
BellaOnline Editor
Chipmunk
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Chipmunk
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,963
Nor me. I am fascinated by all these cultural tidbits you bring to us!

How funny about the manju. Can you imagine if the US sold Obama cookies? Too funny.

As for the tori...my middle name is Chidori.


Lori Phillips
Dreams editor

Bellaonline.com Dreams site
The Dream Collective
Dreams: What are you trying to tell yourself?
Twitter: @tweetdreams4u
and @flutterby03

Marriage editor
Bellaonline Marriage site
Twitter: @BellaMarriage
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
OP Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Jellyfish
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 158
LOL maybe you should come to Japan and buy those manju! smile

A Japanese friend of mine - who's a supporter of Shinzo Abe - actually thinks that "tori" idea is cool and ingenious. Seriously.

Only in Japan do you get this kinda stuff...


Ching Kin Min
Japanese Culture

Link Copied to Clipboard
Brand New Posts
Make It Sew Easier
by Cheryl - Sewing Editor - 03/27/24 04:34 PM
2024 - on this day in the past ...
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/27/24 01:31 PM
Planner Template Kit - Weekly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:39 PM
Planner Template Kit - Yearly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:37 PM
How to Use Digital Planner Template Kit
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:36 PM
Review - 20 Illustrator Color tips Helen Bradley
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:32 PM
March Equinox to June Solstice
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/26/24 12:27 PM
Hobotrader unleashes never seen opportunity with i
by Jamal molla - 03/26/24 11:55 AM
Psalm for the day
by Angie - 03/25/24 09:05 AM
Genealogy, Sort of
by Angie - 03/24/24 05:39 PM
Sponsor
Safety
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
Privacy
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!


| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2022 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5