Blackcabbit's World
Bit by bit, the Blackcabbit crafts its nest of DIY handmade art and illustrates a kingdom of doodle critters to beautify the world she lives in.
Category Archives: Life in Japan
A Nerve-racking Start of a Pre-school Life
Kindergarten life begins… My son the Fireball, who is now 3 years old, had his first Nyuenshiki (入園式 / School Entrance Ceremony) on 10th April. It did not begin well. … Continue reading
Hina Matsuri – The Doll Festival
Hina Matsuri (雛祭り / the Doll Festival), which is also known as Girls’ Day or Peach Festival, is celebrated on March 3rd. For this event, Japanese families with little girls … Continue reading
Celebrating Love in Japan – Valentine’s Day & White Day
Valentine’s Day Like the rest of the world, Valentine’s Day (バレンタインデー) in Japan is pretty much hyped up with a gift-giving mindset. However, what is interesting about Japan is that … Continue reading
National Foundation Day of Japan
February 11th is celebrated as Japan’s National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no hi / 建国記念の日). This date, which Japan emerged as a nation, is actually based on an old legend … Continue reading
My Nesting Instinct & My First Garage Sale Event
Have you been wondering why I haven’t been blogging much lately? Well, it is time to share my secret… I’m 34th-week pregnant and is blessed with a baby girl. I’m … Continue reading
Authentic Home-cooked Char Siew Rice
Japanese food, especially sushi, has been my number one favorite food. However, after staying in sushi paradise for a while now, I’m beginning to crave miserably for the comfort food … Continue reading
Ring of Fire over our Chiba Sky
Early this morning, we had the opportunity to watch the rare occurrence of “Ring of Fire” in the sky, at the comfort of our home in Chiba. The Japanese called … Continue reading
Etegami for GW – 04 Children’s Day
In Japan, May 5th is Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi/子供の日): Here is the fourth Golden Week’s etegami I did, featuring Kodomo no hi. To all the children of the world, … Continue reading
Etegami for GW – 03 Greenery Day
May 4th is Greenery Day (Midori no hi / みどりの日). It is a day to appreciate and preserve Japan’s greenery; a day to express our gratitude for natures’ abundance and … Continue reading
Etegami for GW – 02 Constitution Memorial Day
May 3rd is Japan’s Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo Kinenbi / 憲法記念日). Frankly, I doubt I will know the significance of this patriotic holiday if it is not for my etegami … Continue reading
Four Etegami for Golden Week – 01 Showa Day
I realized that I had been pretty slacked with my Etegami Art Series recently. So, before I’m further delayed by motherhood, or get busy planning a new series, I decided … Continue reading
Craft Stores in Japan – Tokyo (Shinjuku)
This is actually a continuation from my previous post. Of which, I shared about my way around Nippori Fabric Town. Since I was familiar with the area, I finished my … Continue reading
Craft Stores in Japan – Tokyo (Nippori)
My hubby is so sweet! Early this week, he gave me some cash, offered to babysit our “Akuma no ni-sai” (terrible twos), so that I could spend the entire day … Continue reading
2012 Nengajo Draw Result!
Sigh, this year my husband and I did not win any prize for the Otoshidama-Tsuki Nenga Hagaki (お年玉付き年賀はがき). However, my in-laws did. They generously let me have all the fun by designating … Continue reading
My Winning Nengajo!
Last month, I sent my 2012 Nengajo for a Japanese New Year Card Contest, which is annually organized by our local newsletter “UKIUKI”. Today, the result is out. I’m happy … Continue reading
The Coming-of-Age Day
On every second Monday of January, you will probably meet a few young men and women in Japanese traditional clothing, the kimono. Especially the ladies, they have elaborate hairstyles to … Continue reading
Osechi Ryori – The Dishes of Wishes
Osechi Ryori (おせち料理) is a collective set of auspicious delicacies with symbolic meanings, beautifully arranged in Jubako (重箱/ tiered lacquer boxes), and is meant to be eaten on Japanese New … Continue reading
Have a Cozy New Year in 2012!
Dearest Friends of Blackcabbit, A Japanese New Year e-card (Nengajo/ 年賀状) for you, for the year 2012. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones with family bliss and … Continue reading
Celebrating Christmas in Japan
As a Christian, Kurisumasu (クリスマス / Christmas) is undoubtably my favorite holiday. However, being in a nation deep in Buddhism and Shinto roots, Christmas in Japan is hardly Christ-centered at all. And … Continue reading
Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars… on a Tanabata Night
Well tonight, most Japanese will likely gaze into the night sky, trying to catch a glimpse of two particular stars: Kengyu Boshi (牽牛星) aka. Cowherd Star / Hikoboshi / Altair … Continue reading
String of Bad News
From now on, 11 March 2011 will be infamously known as the day of Higashi Nihon Dai Shinsai (東日本大震災/Great Eastern Japan Disaster). The deadly duo (earthquake-tsunami) evoked one disasters after … Continue reading
Flashbacks: Terror of a Monstrous Wave
Three minute after the calamitous Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake strike on 11 March 2011 (14:46hrs), Tsunami Keiho (津波警報 / Tsunami Warning) was issued to regions facing the Pacific Ocean. Prefectures such as … Continue reading
When the Calamitous Earthquake Strike…
A Really Grim Friday 11 March 2011 (14:46hrs) is now a day that will haunt Japan forever. It was just a day after we celebrated our son’s Hatsu Tanjo (First … Continue reading
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 5 (First Birthday)
Not a Cake but a Mochi In Japan, there is a tradition that is celebrated only once in a lifetime, a special custom for all the one year olds on … Continue reading
Setsubun – Where have all the soybeans gone…♫
Setsubun (節分 / Seasonal division) – marks the end of winter and is a day before the Spring season. According to traditional Japanese calendar, it is usually on February 3rd … Continue reading
2011 Nengajo Draw Result!
Yay, we won another consolation prize. Just like the year before – a set of beautiful 2-piece New Year stamps. Felt so blessed. ^_^b. For those of you who haven’t … Continue reading
Kagami Biraki – Time to break the New Year’s Mochi!
In the olden days, before New Year, most families would pound steamed glutinous rice to make Mochi (餅 / rice cake), an event known as Mochitsuki (餅つき / rice cake … Continue reading
Nanakusa Gayu – Porridge with the Goodness of Spring
Tonight, we had something different for dinner. For the first time, I ate the Nanakusa Gayu (七草粥 / Porridge with Seven Grasses or Herbs), which was a tradition that Japanese … Continue reading
Have a Jolly New Year in 2011!
Dearest friends of Blackcabbit, Once again, here is a Japanese New Year e-card (Nengajo / 年賀状) for you. May your 2011 be filled with God’s wonderful love for you and … Continue reading
Omisoka – New Year’s Eve
The hustle and bustle of Shogatsu (正月 / New Year’s Day) actually started on the last few days of December. Most Japanese would busy themselves with their holiday shopping lists, … Continue reading
Mochitsuki – Pounding Mochi
Yesterday, we had an unplanned but delightful day at a bakery in our neighborhood. My MIL happened to notice their signage stating that there will be a Mochitsuki Taikai (餅つき大会 … Continue reading
Labor Thanksgiving Day
What do you get when you combine Labor Day + Harvest Day + Thanksgiving Day? You get Kinro kansha no hi (勤労感謝の日 / Labor Thanksgiving Day), which is celebrated on November … Continue reading
Culture Day
3rd November was originally known as Tencho Setsu (天長節 / Emperor’s Birthday), which was a holiday held in honor of Meiji Emperor (1852 – 1912). After his reign ended, and … Continue reading
Health Sports Day
I did an Etegami (Picture Postcard) for the “Health Sports Day.” Taiiku no hi (体育の日 / Health Sports Day) is a Japanese national holiday to honor the 1964 Summer Olympics … Continue reading
The Vernal and Autumnal Equinox Days
What is an equinox? It is an event whereby the center of the sun is over the earth’s equator, making the length of day and night nearly the same. This … Continue reading
Respect for the Aged Day
I did an Etegami (Picture Postcard) for “Respect for the Aged Day.” Message: Be healthy (and energetic) always! Japan celebrates Respect-for-the-Aged Day (敬老の日 / Keiro no hi) on September 20th … Continue reading
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 2 (First Shrine Visit)
Omiyamairi – Baby’s First Shrine Visit In Japan, whenever a newborn is over a month old, his or her parents will bring the child to a nearby Shinto shrine for … Continue reading
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 1 (Naming Ceremony)
Oshichiya Meimeishiki – Baby’s Naming Ceremony In Japan, we have a naming ceremony for the newborn on the seventh night, known as the Oshichiya Meimeishiki (お七夜命名式). Since I was still … Continue reading
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 4 (First Meal)
Our 100-day-old’s First Meal Today, Baby is 100 days old! We had the Okuizome (お食い初め / “First Meal”) for him. Okuizome is a Japanese tradition that parents carry out on … Continue reading
Memoirs From Pregnancy to Childbirth – Part Four
Horrifying Hospital Ordeal I was already in the end of 41-week. Baby was way overdue. Though he was in normal cephalic position, there was no big contraction. Hence, I was … Continue reading
Memoirs From Pregnancy to Childbirth – Part Three
Warming the Belly My mother-in-law said that Japanese pregnant women traditionally swaddled their abdomens for warmth and support, making the tummy a safe and snug place for their baby to … Continue reading
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 3 (First Festival)
Baby’s First Festival A Japanese baby’s first festival celebration is known as Hatsu zekku (初節句). Only the initial event that falls under the five major festivals (Gosekku – 五節句) can … Continue reading
Memoirs From Pregnancy to Childbirth – Part Two
Maternity Badge After notifying our local municipal office about my pregnancy, I was given a few items. One of them was a badge with a message – おなかに赤ちゃんがいます (I have … Continue reading
Memoirs From Pregnancy to Childbirth – Part One
Maximum Weight Gain of 10 kg In Japan, doctors believe that overweight mums-to-be may have a higher risk of pregnancy or childbirth complications. Hence, all expectant mothers are told to … Continue reading
2010 Nengajo Draw Result!
For those of you who have read my earlier post (Nengajo – Japanese New Year Card), would have known about the Otoshidama-Tsuki Nenga Hagaki (お年玉付き年賀はがき). The draw was on 24th but my … Continue reading
Nengajo – Japanese New Year Card
Whenever 25th December approaches, many of us will customarily exchange Christmas & Season greetings via cards, e-cards, emails or last-minute electronic text messages. Here in Japan, the Japanese are equally … Continue reading
Have a Blessed New Year in 2010!
Dearest friends of Blackcabbit, Here is an e-Card for you! This is the first time I learn to create a Japanese New Year card (Nengajo / 年賀状). Hope you will … Continue reading
Adventure in Shinjuku – The Search for Art Books and Craft Materials
I have been staying in Chiba (Japan) for almost a year now. Chiba, unlike densely populated Tokyo, is a better-spaced & slower-paced prefecture. Here, I am blessed with several good … Continue reading
Wa-Nuno (Japanese Fabric)
For the past few months, my life is nothing short of excitement (ya, and stress). With all the hustles of migrating to a new world with numerous culture shocks; surviving … Continue reading
Learning left and right – the Japanese way
For years, I have trouble differentiating which is Migi (Right) and which is Hidari (left). Only recently, I was told that the young Japanese are taught this connection… The Migi … Continue reading
