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Japanese Culture/Questions Answered by Expert Jewel
| Subject | Date Asked |
| School and eating in Japan | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I've been hoping to become a future foreign exchange student in Japan for quite some time now. I ... A: America has school closed over the summer because (waaay back when) the children would help with the ... | |
| Japanese-themed gift | 11/29/2009 |
| Q: As the Christmas season rears its festive head, I'm panicking over a gift for my boyfriend. I would ... A: What you are thinking of doing is a great idea. The Asian markets are always adding and changing ... | |
| protocol with Japanese guests | 9/6/2009 |
| Q: The mother of our son's girlfriend is in the US visiting from Japan. She speaks no English. Her ... A: Not knowing the mother is difficult, but I think a dinner at home would be the best option here ... | |
| kami | 1/14/2009 |
| Q: Can you please tell me, what is the plural of "kami"--such as in Shinto's "Five Kamis ~five Kamies ... A: It's really difficult to know a lot of time if someone is using kami for singular or plural because ... | |
| questions on geishas | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: I was just courious as to why they paint their backs and leave those 2 or 3 points of skin on the ... A: Answer 1: For the geisha, the back of the neck and back is very sexy (sort of like short skirts or ... | |
| How to behave? | 7/16/2008 |
| Q: I often go to a very nice japanese restaurant. I went to many other restaurants before, but I must ... A: Yes, be very modest and don't accept the compliment right away. If they keep insisting, you may ... | |
| Cherri Blossom | 7/16/2008 |
| Q: ..I know my question is not relating with Geisha Culture in which you have quite an admirable ... A: Cherry blossom viewing is very popular in Japan. There are even "forecasts" that the Japanese will ... | |
| How to behave? | 7/15/2008 |
| Q: I often go to a very nice japanese restaurant. I went to many other restaurants before, but I must ... A: No, it is ok for you to try and use your limited Japanese. They will be understanding if you mess up ... | |
| "Sakura....." | 7/12/2008 |
| Q: ..I know my question is not relating with Geisha Culture in which you have quite an admirable ... A: The Japanese feel very deeply about the spring and cherry blossom viewing is HUGE! I think you're ... | |
| about a geshia | 7/6/2008 |
| Q: What is a geshia? A: A geisha is an artist that is known in traditional Japan. She caters to mostly business men and ... | |
| Geisha | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: Have You Got Any Good Sites Relating To Geisha? A: Immortal Geisha http://www.immortalgeisha.com/ig/index.html BBC News - Photo Gallery ... | |
| Shrines | 1/20/2008 |
| Q: I was training in my martial art, and couldn't help but notice that we would always bow to a shrine ... A: Shrines are usually a symbol of a God, therefore when someone bows, they are showing respect. When ... | |
| Help with Japanese American Relationship | 12/16/2007 |
| Q: I am male 24 years of age(USA). She is 32 year old Japanese woman. With our relationship it is ... A: The Japanese family can be very traditional, and in this case I think the mother is going to ... | |
| A gift to represent friendship | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: At the start of this year I had great luck in meeting a really wonderful Japanese woman. We've ... A: Without knowing the inidividual, this can be difficult. However, if you want to give her a ... | |
| Cultural Diversity | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: I Have a project on cultural diversity due. I thought it would be interesting to do it on japanese ... A: Normally I do not help with homework, but I will at least point you in a few directions. You may ... | |
| Kimono | 5/12/2007 |
| Q: My wife was left a kimono as a gift by her uncle, who used to have it displayed opn a wall in his ... A: Barry, This is rather difficult when you don't know what you have. Kimono can be VERY expensive. ... | |
| japanese culture through the eyes of a geisha | 3/23/2007 |
| Q: i am living in india; i recently read the book, memoirs of a geisha, atleast i was majorly affected ... A: Abhi, The background of the geisha consist of two points of view: from the inside and those who ... | |
| What's the most interesting about geisha? | 2/2/2007 |
| Q: What's the most interesting about geisha? A: There are a lot of interesting things about geisha. Your question is completely subjective. In my ... | |
| Usage of honorifics | 12/13/2006 |
| Q: I have a hard time understanding the intricacies of using the honorifics as the relationship ... A: If ever in doubt, ALWAYS be the most polite. If they say, "you can call me '-chan'," continue to ... | |
| i have a question about Geshia | 11/30/2006 |
| Q: I have two questions about the Geshia. I've just watched memoirs of a geshia and have a question , ... A: The okiya mother's number one issue is money. 99.99% of the time, the mother will be happy with ... | |
| cost | 11/9/2006 |
| Q: how much do kimonos cost. A: A high-quality silk kimono that a geisha would wear can cost as much as a house in Japan. It's ... | |
| courtesy | 10/29/2006 |
| Q: I have a question about courtesy and how to express something. I have maintained contact with two ... A: The Japanese culture is very different. Your concern is thoughtful, however. In Japan, the husband ... | |
| geisha | 9/27/2006 |
| Q: I wanted to know if you had to be japapnese to become a geisha? Also if you could learn the dance ... A: There has only been ONE person who was not Japanese that became a geisha. Her name is Liz Dalby. Her ... | |
| interview questions | 9/25/2006 |
| Q: I'm sorry it was not clear...I am a senior majoring in early childhood ed. and for my family studies ... A: Some of these questions are very broad. If you need me to be more detailed on any of them, let me ... | |
| Geisha Today | 9/18/2006 |
| Q: Could you please tell me... whats it like being a Geisha today? Are there many? Plus if i was to ... A: The geisha culture is much like it was in the thirties, with a few changes. They like to keep ... | |
| Japanese Tours | 9/3/2006 |
| Q: What Exactly Should I Be Looking For In Tour Packages If I Wanna Get The Real Experince Of Tokyo? A: The "Real Experience of Tokyo" depends on where you go. Do you want to see more traditional or more ... | |
| the different things asian women like to hear in relationships | 8/18/2006 |
| Q: i have been dating an asian women for about a month but have known her for about 6 months. her last ... A: Traditionally, Japanese men are much more...in control (may not be the best word to describe). They ... | |
| Dinner Do's and Don'ts | 8/2/2006 |
| Q: My middle school is hosting a homestay visit for 7 students and two male chaperones from Japan. I ... A: To be on the safe side, simply stick to our American polite ways. Welcome in the guests and tend to ... | |
| japanese women | 7/16/2006 |
| Q: i'm an indian girl and my name is aparajita.please tell whatever you can. what are the cultures ... A: Aparajita, I will try to answer your questions, however they are very long and involved. If you have ... | |
| Geshia | 6/24/2006 |
| Q: Did Geshia have sex? A: Geisha have had the choice whether or not to have sex with anyone. However, it's looked down upon if ... | |
| Geshia | 6/15/2006 |
| Q: I just saw the Memoirs of a Geshia which I thought was very good...Are there still Geshia today in ... A: Yes, there are still geisha in Japan. The numbers are much lower (around a few hundred) due to many ... | |
| Makio | 5/21/2006 |
| Q: If a makio can't attract an "older sister" what happens to her? Does she get kicked out, disgraced, ... A: Maiko don't necessarily attract their older sisters. In many cases, they are matched to them by the ... | |
| Japanese culture | 4/15/2006 |
| Q: Hi! I am a Chinese.Can you tell me something about how Japanese behave in public, when eating, when ... A: The Japanese are quite often seen as very polite in most situations, including in public. For ... | |
| geisha today | 4/3/2006 |
| Q: I was wondering if it ever was/is possible for a foreigner to become a geisha. Is it absolutely ... A: There has only been ONE case of an American becoming a geisha. Her name is Liz Dalby. She went to ... | |
| Geisha! | 3/21/2006 |
| Q: I'm doing a project on Geisha for a studies class. I'm in a group, and my part is that I need to ... A: Oh, the kimono are definately elaborate and VERY expensive. That's why the kimono are usually owned ... | |
| Geisha! | 3/19/2006 |
| Q: I'm doing a project on Geisha for a studies class. I'm in a group, and my part is that I need to ... A: Your questions are very broad, so please let me know if I'm being too general with my answers. ... | |
| Food for a visitor to the US? | 2/25/2006 |
| Q: How should I handle whether to go to an American or Japanese restaurant when hosting a visitor from ... A: The Japanese are very polite and whether you decide to ask or not. However, if they're coming all ... | |
| old customs | 12/22/2005 |
| Q: what type of toilet did japanese use in olden days? camode type or seat type?or did they do it the ... A: You're talking about a washiki. Go to: http://www.pdata.org/IMG200112/DCP_03304A.jpg to see a ... | |
| art work /calender | 9/6/2005 |
| Q: Jewel I am hoping to find out some information concerning a calender I purchased recently at an ... A: I'm sorry but I can't tell you much about it without looking at it. If you can scan it and give me ... | |
| difference of culture | 7/7/2005 |
| Q: I'm a Japanese student from Japan. Since I used to live in Swizterland and England, I'm interested ... A: Candy, Your question is very general. However, I will try to answer giving you an example. I am ... | |
| Japanese Culture | 6/14/2005 |
| Q: I have a question regarding Japanese Culture and Personality. I am Filipino-Chinese, and I am ... A: I'm not quite sure what your question is exactly, but it is true the Japanese do try to be ... | |
| edo hairstyles | 5/5/2005 |
| Q: How did the women of Edo get their hair done up so well on their heads? And if your could, I've ... A: In the time of Edo and even some today, they will go to a hair dresser to does the hair for them, ... | |
| Education | 4/25/2005 |
| Q: How long is the school day for children in Japan? A: Classes can start around 8:30am or so, so in many cases, the students leave home around 6:30am to ... | |
| Japanese mealtimes | 3/30/2005 |
| Q: What time do the Japanese eat breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? (ex: 9:00a.m.) A: Like Americans, it all depends on the individual (whether they are a student, a housewife, or a ... | |
| geisha names | 3/17/2005 |
| Q: Can you tell me about how geishas get their names? I know that they have special meanings, like, ... A: Their last name (surname) is the house name; just as if they were her family, she takes their name ... | |
| customs | 3/3/2005 |
| Q: What are the customs regarding engagement and marrige in this culture? Thanks. A: Anything more than a group date (which involve several couples) is frowned upon wihtout prior ... | |
| Japanese culture | 11/23/2004 |
| Q: I heard from someone that the Japanese very rarely say "I love you" to their loved ones, but prefer ... A: Yes, it's true. The culture is very polite and quiet a lot of the time. However, it's not to mean ... | |
Jewel
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer basic Japanese culture questions. I specialize in answering questions relating to geisha.
Experience
I have read up on a lot of the Japanese culture today. Most of my reading is in geisha, as I have quite a collection of books and art. I also continue to talk with a previous Japanese exchange student, who I speak with about her country often.
Education/Credentials
Degree in nutrition science and high school education.
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