Q. Why do the Japanese change to a different pair of slippers when using the lavatory? Answer: Some of the elderly, born during the Meiji (1868– 1912) and Taisho periods (1912– 26) sometimes refer to the lavatory as gofujou, or “filthy.†Lavatories in Japan were formerly a large opening into which feces and urine were […]
Q. Why do Japanese husbands call their wives gusai (my foolish wife)? Answer: Gu (foolish) is one of the humble forms used when the Japanese refer to themselves or to members of their family. Another humble form used is setsu meaning “bad†or “clumsy.†Sessha, a term used during the Edo period (1600– 1868) by […]
Q. Why is money always wrapped when given? Answer: There are Japanese who are not Christians but who buy a Christmas cake to celebrate Christmas at home with a Christmas party. Nearly all Japanese families give their children Christmas presents on Christmas. In other words, the Japanese are unconditionally able to adopt Western customs, similar […]
