Friday, July 2, 2010

Kawaii

This week I want to take you with me to Japan. A fascinating country. So foreign but still close to my heart. I have visited it just once, but it is at the very top on my travel list. I love its food, its culture (or at least the bit I understand), its people, its script, its shopping craze, its bathing traditions, its fabrics,... So come with me to the “Land of the Rising Sun”.
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One of the most used words I heard in Japan is Kawaii. You cannot say it in a normal tone of voice, you have to charge it with excitement and a certain high pitch of your voice. KAAAAAWWWWAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!
Translated it means something like cute. I think, however, kawaii is more than cute and it is the only appropriate terms for many things in Japan. It is really hard to explain what kawaii means, but as you know a picture can tell more than a thousand words.

So here is a description in 5 pictures or more than 5000 words:
Little kittens showing you that you can hurt your fingers resp. tail in the subway door are KAWAII...
... Hello Kitty things are always very KAWAII, even as a bunch of flowers...
... pot lids in the shape of a piglet nose are definitely KAWAII...
...flower hats are obviously KAWAII (even on grown up men)...
... and pink sheep hats don’t look stupid, but KAWAII!
Beware highly addictive! For an extra dose of Kawaii, please also have a look here:
KAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

When you're in Japan, definitely make sure to *not* spend the majority of your time in Tokyo. You'd be missing out the real Japan.

* Ninotschka * said...

I know!!! Last time I was on a business trip and glad to have a little time away from the office. But next time I want to go to Kyoto and country-side Japan. I cannot wait!!!