Japan Culture Navi 日本語

Wednesday, November 4 (archive)

Today in Japan

Watercolor of indigo sashiko cloth in an embroidery hoop, thread spools, persimmons, and a seasonal Japanese meal, with Himeji Castle and autumn maple leaves in the background

What day is it?

  1. 1946年発効UNESCO Constitution Dayユネスコ憲章記念日

    UNESCO, the United Nations agency for education, science and culture, was born on November 4th, 1946, when its constitution came into force. Japan joined in 1951. In Japan, people mostly know UNESCO through its heritage lists. Places like Himeji Castle are World Heritage Sites, and washoku, or traditional Japanese food culture, was added to the intangible heritage list in 2013.

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  2. Cultural Properties Protection Week (November 1st–7th)文化財保護強調週間（11月1日〜7日）

    The first week of November is Cultural Properties Protection Week in Japan. It's part of a national week for education and culture, and the idea is to help people understand and care about old buildings, art and traditions. Around this time, some temples, shrines and old houses open rooms or treasures that are usually closed, so it's a good week to check local events.

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  3. Good Embroidery Dayいい刺しゅうの日

    November 4th is Good Embroidery Day in Japan, a pun on the numbers: 11 is ii, or good, and 4 is shi, the start of shishu, or embroidery. It was set by a national association of embroidery businesses. Japan has its own stitching traditions too, like sashiko, a running stitch that farm families once used to make work clothes stronger and warmer.

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If someone asks you

Q

Is sushi on the UNESCO list?

A

Not sushi by itself. What UNESCO listed in 2013 is washoku, Japan's traditional food culture as a whole. That means things like eating with the seasons, using local ingredients, balanced meals, and sharing special food at New Year. So it's less about one famous dish and more about how people in Japan have eaten and celebrated together.

In season Kaki (persimmons) 柿 Persimmons are at their best in Japan now. You'll see bright orange fruit in supermarkets and on trees in country gardens. Some kinds are sweet enough to eat right away, while others are too bitter until they're peeled and hung up to dry. Those dried persimmons, called hoshigaki, are a classic winter treat. Micro-season 54 of 72 楓蔦黄もみじつたきばむ Maples and Ivy Turn Yellow Maples and ivy turn color. Japanese has a word just for going to look at autumn leaves, momijigari, literally "maple hunting."

Phrase of the day

This temple is only open to the public for a few days a year.

Sentence of the day

November 4th is the day UNESCO was born in 1946, and this week Japan also celebrates its cultural properties. It's a good day to talk about what Japan has chosen to protect, from old temples to everyday food.

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Sources

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