#mikan is also the common name for the japanese mandarin

[whatsaudreythinkingabout]

went to the international market the other day to get some sparkling orange j hey WAIT A MINUTE—

she’s in her natural environment now…

wait

by talos, it can’t be—

THEY FUCKIGN JUICED HER

[liesonthefloordramatically]

Annotations for “the seventh day of the seventh month”

(Link to the fic if you’ve somehow managed to stumble on this.)

As usual, I am only annotating the big things!  If you wanna know more, feel free to hit me up in the comments on AO3 or on Tumblr!  There are also a bunch of little jokes and Easter eggs hidden throughout the fic, if you have more knowledge of Japanese religion/Japanese language/my other fics.  If you find any of them, please let me know and I will give you a virtual gold star.

Festivals in general - “Wow, Queenie, have you been to a festival before?” you ask.  Yeah, you might say that.  If I have managed to capture a fraction of the colorful, weird, liminal, sweaty, noisy, marvelous mess that is a summer festival, I will be content.

Tanabata - Tanabata is a festival based on a legend about the weaving maiden (Orihime) and the cowherd (Hikoboshi).  They are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet (via a magpie bridge across the Milky Way) once a year.  If it’s raining on Tanabata, the magpie bridge can’t form and they can’t meet.  Orihime and Hikoboshi correspond to the stars Vega and Altair, respectively.  There is a lot more Tanabata Lore that I didn’t really get into in this fic; look it up if you’re interested in learning more!

Tanabata in Morioh - Morioh is based on real world Sendai (S City), which is famous for its Tanabata celebrations (held August 6-8).  Morioh’s Tanabata isn’t a one-to-one reproduction of Tanabata in Sendai, but look it up if you want some visual references (and because it’s cool)!

Shrine geography - The exact layout of each shrine is different, but some common features: a main shrine building (that people usually pray outside of), one or more shrine gates, and a shrine office (which is where they dispense charms and fortunes and amulets for household altars).  In case you need a refresher, Jotaro’s local shrine looks like this.  Assuming that I’ve done my mapping correctly, this is the real-world analogue of Josuke’s local shrine, although the layout of the Morioh shrine in this fic is fictional.

Japan’s two-part summer - Japanese summer is split into the “rainy season” (mid-June to mid-July) and “after the rainy season” (mid-July to September).  The rainy season is appreciably cooler and less humid but also...more rainy.  July 7 and August 7 thus have pretty wildly different weather patterns, even putting aside geographical differences.

Tanabata wishes - A common way to celebrate Tanabata is to write wishes on little slips of paper and tie them to bamboo.  Here’s a visual.

Yukata - A yukata is a summer version of a kimono; please do not ask me to describe clothing and instead look at this visual reference.  An obi is the sash used to tie a yukata.  Children’s yukata have different patterns than adult yukata (which also have different patterns based on gender); here’s a visual reference.  The joke here is that the only yukata Koichi could find that fit him was made for a child.

Gagaku - Traditional court music; it sounds like this.  The taiko drum is the big drum (which is also used at shrines, independently from gagaku performance).  Festivals will sometimes have live gagaku music...or will sometimes play the same 30-minute cassette on loop over the shrine A/V system for thirteen hours.  It’s fine.

The One-Month Delay - All facts offered in this fic are true and accurate.  Tanabata has a really wide range of dates when it gets celebrated in Japan, including: the seventh day of the seventh month under the Gregorian calendar (July 7), the seventh day of the seventh month under the Gregorian calendar + one-month delay (August 7), and the seventh day of the seventh month under the lunar calendar (dates variable depending on the year).

Obon - A Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of the dead.  Traditionally held on the fifteenth of the seventh month under the lunar calendar, but now officially recognized as a national holiday on August 15 in Japan.  Like Tanabata, different areas of Japan celebrate it on different days.  The Obon holiday (August 13-15, although some schools and workplaces may give more time off) is one of the biggest travel holidays in Japan.

Festival food - Each region of Japan has its own specialty foods, but there are a lot of Festival Foods™ you can find anywhere.  I’m not going to annotate most of the individual foods because I think they’re pretty easy to uncover via Google if you’re interested!  “Queenie, is Jotaro right about cucumber on a stick?” you ask.  I skillfully dodge the question.

Wait, hold on, it’s just a cucumber?  On a stick?  It’s (lightly) pickled but, essentially, yes.

Frozen mikan can - Okay, I’ll actually gloss this one, since I do think it’s one of the less common festival foods in this fic.  Basically, you take a can of mikan (sometimes called “Satsuma oranges” or “mandarin oranges” in the States) and you...freeze it.  Visual reference here.  It turns into a solid block of ice and fruit that you painstakingly chisel out with a plastic spoon.  Highly recommended.

Miko - If you’ve seen an appreciable amount of anime, you probably already know what a miko is, but they’re the young women (sometimes called “shrine maidens”) who staff shrines.  Here’s a visual reference.  Some (bigger) shrines have full-time miko, but smaller ones tend to hire high school and college students part-time.  Yukako is correct that some people claim serving as a miko is good training for marriage.

Charms - Shrines sell charms for different benefits--they tend to be made out of brocade, often with the benefit and/or the name of the shrine embroidered on them.  Here’s a nice visual of a bunch of different types.  Some common charms you can find at pretty much any shrine: traffic safety, success in academics, good health, recovery from illness, safe childbirth, success at work, peace and prosperity in the household, business prosperity, etc.

Happi - A type of straight-sleeved coat, primarily worn at festivals.  Visual reference here.

Japanese toy guns - Surprisingly common at festivals and pretty unnerving for Americans, since they’re not legally required to make them look fake.

[lovemohamadus]

Japanese Cat Names – 180 Awesome Ideas Inspired By Japan

What are the foremost popular Japanese cat names right now? we will assist you to find the right one to fit your pet!

These names come from the foremost recently released list of the foremost popular Japanese cat names supported owner surveys conducted by Isis Pet:

Koko – cocoa Hana – flower Kuro – black Momo – peach Chibi – tiny Mike – tortoiseshell Hime – princess Fuku – lucky Reo – Leo Rin – bell Mei or Mii – reliable sprout Tora – tiger Tama – ball Shiro – white Sora – sky Kai – ocean Chiro – bare (great for a hairless cat!) Mikan – mandarin orange Kotetsu – small iron Sakura – cherry blossom Maron – chestnut Azuki – sweet red beans Miruku – milk Maru – circle Moka – mocha Kinako – yellow flour Kurumi – walnut Chobi – small Haru – spring Minto – mint

Japanese Cat Names Are you checking out the simplest Japanese cat names for your new feline family member? you've got to come to the proper place!

Japanese cat names

In this article, you'll find carefully curated lists of a number of the simplest Japanese pet names for cats and kittens.

One of the foremost fun parts of selecting your kitty’s new name is learning more about the history of cats in Japan, which is both ancient and interesting!

Without further ado, let’s get to the great stuff – the lists of Japanese cat names!

About Japanese Cat Breeds The Japanese Bobtail cat is widely considered to be an ancient purebred cat breed that hails from Japan.

While modern genome analysis suggests the breed can also be influenced by felines from China or Korea, the Japanese claim the breed as their own.

The nearby Kuril Islands even have their cat breed, the Kurilian Bobtail cat.

The Kurilian Bobtail looks strikingly almost like the Japanese Bobtail cat – sufficiently so that researchers suspect a shared ancestor.

About Japanese Cat Names If you're not conversant in the Japanese language, it can feel a touch confusing to navigate initially.

This is because there are three different alphabets wont to write in Japanese: katakana, hiragana, and kanji.

Which alphabet is employed, and whether it's syllabic or symbolic, can affect the Japanese cat names meaning.

If you've got seen equivalent Japanese names meaning cat given different meanings, this is often likely the rationale why.

Short Names are Best Regardless of which alphabet you employ, you'll notice most Japanese cat names are short.

This will add your favor during training since a team of Japanese researchers recently revealed proof that cats can learn and recognize their names.

Picking a brief, percussive name that sounds unlike common commands or other loved one names (including other pets) will help your new kitty learn his or her name quickly.

How well does one know your cat? Discover the key world of cats.

The Happy Cat Handbook - a singular guide to understanding and enjoying your cat! the happy cat handbook Famous Japanese Cat Names If there's any doubt left in your mind that the entire country of Japan loves cats, inspect Maru.

Maru is that the official Guinness record holder for the “most-watched animal on YouTube.”

Also referred to as Mugumogu, Maru may be a Scottish Fold cat whose YouTube videos are watched quite 325 million times!

Other famous Japanese felines hail from anime series, feline J-pop idol spinoffs, popular product mascots (like the Min Min Daha catgirls) and more.

Maru – feline YouTube sensation Shironeko, aka “basket cat” – another feline YouTube sensation Meowth – Pokemon Luna – Sailor Moon anime feline Artemis – Sailor Moon anime feline Diana – Sailor Moon anime feline Mugumogu – Maru’s YouTube name Doraemon – popular Japanese robotic cat Kirara – Inuyasha Japanese anime Fusasa – Fiona (HarMEOWny leader) Raina (HarMEOWny member) Solana (HarMEOWny member) Topatopa (HarMEOWny member) Aria (HarMEOWny member) Yuria – Isabella (NKB48 member) Rena or Renacchi – Ariana (NKB48 member) Mako or Kojimako – Elena (NKB48 member) Rina or Rican – Rebecca (NKB48 member) Haruka or Paruru – Petunia (NKB48 member) Jurina – Julia (NKB48 member) Kirika – Twitter cat Gupitaro – Instagram cat Map U Chin – Twitter cat Rai – Instagram cat Ito-san – Instagram cat Hakusama – Twitter cat Jun – Twitter cat Naomiuno – Instagram cat Soramoon – Twitter cat Maruruna – Instagram cat Japanese Female Cat Names Japanese girl cat names are easier to identify if you recognize a number of the normal endings utilized in Japanese culture.

For example, names ending in ko, mi, ka, e, na, no and ri are more likely to be female names.

Emi – beautiful blessing Mimi – from Japanese manga “ChocoMimi” Ran – orchid Fuji – sort of flower Tenshi – angel Ren – love Cho – butterfly Minako – beautiful child Miki – beautiful princess Ayaka – colorful flower Ara – Japanese manga name Ina – Japanese manga name Fumiko – abundant beauty Ayame – iris flower Kimi – noble Browse through 250 more female cat names here.

Japanese Male Cat Names Japanese boy cat names are often relatively easy to identify by how they end.

For example, if you see a reputation that ends with kazu, dai, shi, ji, ro, ichi, o, kichi, hiko, nobu, or ta, this name is probably going a masculine name.

Kotarou or Kotaro – dreamer, smart Akira – bright boy Suzuki – bell tree Taro – big son Akio – hero Kameko – long life Akihiko – bright prince Michio – journeyman Rikuto – right down to earth Sho – to fly (great for a climbing or jumping cat) Tadao – loyal Yoshiro – righteous son Tamotsu – protector Kouta – peace Hitoshi – motivated Check out 250 more male cat names here.

Japanese fisher Names In many parts of the planet, a fisher is taken into account to be bad luck, but not so in Japan.

Not only are black cats considered good luck, but this effect is amplified for single women in search of suitors!

Choco – chocolate Sumi – black calligraphy ink Jiji – fisher companion to the witch Kiki in Japanese anime “Kiki’s delivery service” Kuroi – black Burakku – black Kuroba mu – black or blacken Kokukoku – black Kuron – black or dark-skinned Hei zhi – black mark Kuro neko – fisher Shirokuro – black and white Burakkupeppa – black pepper Yami – black Kage – shadow Kurai – dark

Did you recognize that thousands of research papers are published on cat behavior and health? No time to read them all? Don’t worry - we’ve done it for you! And picked out the simplest bits! The Happy Cat Handbook - a singular guide to understanding and enjoying your cat! the happy cat handbook Cute Japanese Cat Names Kawaisa, or Kawaii, is that the word describing the fashionable “culture of cuteness” that's so popular in Japan today.

Perhaps the foremost universally well-known icon of this culture of cuteness is Hello Kitty (Haro Kiti in Japanese), a hybrid human/Japanese Bobtail cat with wide eyes and a bow over one ear.

These cute Japanese kitten names and cat names could be perfect for the lovable kitty in your life.

For an additional dose of cuteness, add the honorific “Chan” to the front of the name you select.

Let’s Take a glance Ringo – apple Ichigo – strawberry Mikan – orange Yuzu – citrus Mochi – sticky rice Anko – red bean paste Ocha – Japanese tea Kawaii – cute Yoshiko – good child Hanako – hippie Mew – Pokemon Hoshi – star Kyoko – happy Haiku – short Japanese poem Hotaru – firefly Find even more cute cat names during this article.

Funny Japanese Cat Names Does your cat have you ever in stitches?

One of these funny Japanese cat names might just suit your feline’s laugh-worthy antics!

Pochi – spot Puss (in Boots) Pero – Japanese character supported Puss in Boots story Nyan Cat – famous Japanese meme Nyan Nyan – cat’s meow Waru Nyan – bad cat Kyapi Nyan – perky cat Genki Nyan – energetic cat Dame Nyan – not a good cat Bonito – fish flakes Skitty – Pokemon Shinx – Pokemon Purrloin – Pokemon Bento – Japanese box lunch Nintendo – leave luck to heaven Enjoy more funny cat names during this article.

Cool Japanese Cat Names If there's any cooler character than a cat, we've yet to get it!

These cool Japanese cat names are inspired by Japanese culture and history.

Mi-kay – tri-color cat Maneki-Neko – Japanese Bobtail cat statues in many Japanese restaurants Koneko – Japanese word for a kitten (“child cat”) Neko – Japanese word for cat Sensei – teacher Yamakawa Sutematsu (“Stematz”) – first Japanese woman to graduate from college Kounna – lucky Osamu – studious Kaneda – rich, wealthy Kimono – the traditional name for a cat with a black marking on its back Ryou – cool Hotoke – Buddha-nature, merciful Bishamon – Japanese god of war and happiness Haya-Ji – whirlwind Kami – a deity of the wildlife Find lots more cool cat names here.

Tough Japanese Cat Names These tough Japanese cat names evoke a number of the qualities of a brave, strong, loyal feline.

Ryu – dragon Katsuo – hero or victory Nekomata – supernatural forked cat from Yokai folklore Nekomata – similar sort of supernatural cat from Yokai folklore Kinnikou – muscle (strong) Tomoe – a Japanese warrior woman Takeko – Japanese warrior woman Musashi – Japanese samurai Kojiro – Japanese samurai Kenta – big, strong Kashi – oak Noriko – thunder Reiko – courageous Honcho – leader Isamu – courage Judo – fighter Daiki – great glory Makoto – true Mitsuo – shining man Sumo – wrestler Taiki – large Katashi – firm Ryuunosuke – noble, herald Shinobu – endurance Takumi – skillful Yuudai – a great hero Hiraku – support Daisuke – big help Daiki – great tree Haruki – bright just like the sun

[countrymadefoods]

10 Quirky finds that will help you celebrate the Year of the Pig

(via 10 Quirky finds that will help you celebrate the Year of the Pig)

Chinese Year of the Pig: What does 2019 have in store for you?

“Like Western astrology, Chinese astrology gives each person a sign of the zodiac to each lunar year in a cycle of 12 years.“Those 12 animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig are a different form of energy we can all be born under”...Your animal is determined by your date of birth and is said to reflect your strengths, weaknesses and character traits.

“A common misconception is that being in “your year” is good luck...Actually being in the year of your sign brings a close to a 12 year cycle, and your luck becomes largely dependent on the karma you have generated during this time.”

Here’s what else year of the Pigs have to look forward to.

“Love...If you are single, the year can help you meet someone who will mirror your own energy but you’ll need to step up your game...Work. It is a time when you are evaluating how far you have come up so far. Some of you might be frustrated by the results (or lack off), especially if your hard work has not been acknowledged enough. The best advice this year would be to sit still however, or to train to evolve in your career... Personal evolution. It is a great year for personal development, to delve into some form of spirituality, and to take some therapy if you need to get rid of some luggage...”

(via Chinese Year of the Pig: What does 2019 have in store for you? | Yahoo Finance)

Keep Your Head Afloat with Traditional Pig and Rooster Tattoos

“Here’s why sailors got tattoos of pigs and roosters on their feet to avoid watery graves... as good luck charms to stave off drowning?

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, body art became prevalent within the shipping industry, and certain images took on meanings that reflected the lives of the sailors who wore them. Images of anchors became synonymous with stability, illustrations of lighthouses stood as beacons of hope, and list goes on, which brings us to the most meaningful cargo of all — tattoos of pigs and roosters on seamen’s feet.

In the case of a shipwreck, there was really only one viable option when the lifeboats filled up: find the most buoyant object within arm’s reach...pigsty or chicken coop. The cages of these delicious animals prevented so many drownings (although exposure and the sharks got pretty much everybody if another ship didn’t come by soon) that the lore surrounding their protective properties lives on today in traditional tattoos.”

(via Keep Your Head Afloat with Traditional Pig and Rooster Tattoos | Tattoodo)

Rooster and Pig Compatibility

“The Rooster and Pig may need lots of mutual understanding to get along smoothly, since their differences aren’t exactly complementary...The Pig is generally an easy-going sign that gives in to stronger personalities, which may have to be the case with the Rooster. The Rooster likes to be in charge, to keep everything and everyone in order...

If you are a Rooster, your Chinese zodiac sign reveals that you are a perfectionist who has a lot of success because of your attention to detail. It can be hard for you to relax, so you sometimes have a hard time getting along with people. Checking your Chinese zodiac sign can give you valuable insight into your personality and help you understand why some romantic partners are better for you than others.”

“No one misses the entrance of a Rooster. You are dashing and cut quite a figure, and you know it. It’s important to you that you take care of your appearance, and you will always be clean, with a tidy hairstyle and the latest clothes that flatter your body perfectly. You analyze everything quickly, think fast, and are a perfectionist.

Pigs do not have a lot of drama in their lives, because they dislike tension and always strive to cooperate and find resolutions... Pigs will support a partner until the end, and they work steadily at any project they take on. They are intelligent, and think carefully before making decisions. You respect their thoroughness, even though you don’t always agree with their decisions.”

“If these two are lovers, their smooth communication might rely, again, on the Pig’s affable nature. Especially if these two live together, conflict is almost a certainty. The Pig loves creature comforts: fine food, lovemaking, sleeping in a deliciously soft bed … The Rooster loves practicality and perfection and can’t tolerate laziness. The Pig isn’t lazy; this sign is actually very hardworking, but the Rooster may mistake its sensuality for indolence. The saving grace between these two as lovers may be their mutual dedication when in love. The Rooster is very loyal to its intimates and the Pig makes a generous, dedicated mate.

The Rooster woman is more aggressive than when the Pig man and her began dating in many cases, as the Pig man is often more attached than the Rooster female first believed according to the Chinese horoscope. Although the Rooster female is often jealous in relationships, the Pig is able to prove his loyalty, helping to rid her jealousy to keep both partners happy and satisfied. Both the Pig man and the Rooster woman excel with handling finances, allowing them to work well together in their home and even in running their own business together.”

(via Rooster and Pig Compatibility | Astrologyk blog)

We've been using the Gregorian calendar for 434 years. It’s still bizarre.

“[A]stronomers in Alexandria, Egypt, who helped Julius Caesar devise a new calendar in 46 BC. Until that point, the Roman calendar was a messy hodgepodge, with extra days tacked on in February every now and again based on the whims of politicians. Caesar wanted a steadier, more reliable way to mark the dates. But the new Julian calendar that resulted was still flawed. It had a leap day every four years, which turned out to be an overcorrection...By the 1570s, those slight differences had added up. The calendar was now out of sync with the solar year by about 10 days.”

”So, in 1577, Pope Gregory XIII appointed a commission, led by physician Aloysius Lilius and astronomer Christopher Clavius, to solve the problem...Gregory was able to persuade Catholic countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal to adopt the new calendar immediately. But Protestant countries were wary of this new popish initiative, seeing it as a suspicious Catholic intrusion.

Great Britain and the American colonies didn’t actually switch over until 1752. (When they finally did, they had to erase 11 days.) Sweden only made the change in 1753. Turkey was split between the Julian and Islamic calendars until 1917...Nowadays, the Gregorian calendar has largely conquered the world, and most countries now follow it for coordination purposes.”

(via We've been using the Gregorian calendar for 434 years. It’s still bizarre. | Vox)

Pork for Thought at Carpineto Sinello’s Museum of the Pig

“Carpineto Sinello’s Museo del Maiale (Pig Museum) is almost worth visiting just for the rolling vistas and technicolour fields on a Spring drive up to this small but beautiful Chieti town, just 40 minutes outside of Vasto...Carpineto Sinello’s main street that winds you up to its the museum does leave you feeling that you are walking in a thousand foot-, hoof- & trotter-steps as you take its steep incline, admiring beautiful views out across & down into the vines of the Sinello Valley; the burning calves is worth it!  

The Museo del Maiale, one of Abruzzo’s smaller museums, employs a three pronged pitchfork on Abruzzo heritage:  rural society, the relationship of culture & traditions on society, and historic agri-food traditions.  The first level of the museum is devoted exclusively to piggies which formed one part of the protein so vital in these small farming communities historically.  What could be done from head to trotter so to speak with from the sacrifice of the pig was regarded as an art form and one which was handed down generation by generation.” 

(via Pork for Thought at Carpineto Sinello’s Museum of the Pig | Life In Abruzzo blog)

(via Learn to Make Sausage at South Korea's Pig Museum | Inside Edition Youtube)

What Is Buddha’s Hand Fruit & How Do You Eat It?

“Buddha’s hand is natural variation of the regular citron (Citrus medica). Historians believe the fingered variety was brought to China by way of India thanks to traveling Buddhists and hence, the origin of its name. Also known as fingered citron, this yellow fruit splits in segments that look like fingers.

Its exact history is a bit murky, though evidence points to it making its way to the Far East sometime after the 4th century AD. Following the collapse of the famous Tang dynasty, historical records from the empire of Min (909 to 945 AD) confirm it was in existence and considered to be an important fruit.”

”In Traditional Chinese medicine and folklore, it is believed to symbolize happiness, longevity, and wealth. Giving a potted Buddha’s hand tree as a gift for Chinese New Year is believed to bring good fortune to the recipient. It was and still is used as a sacrificial offering at their temples. In fact, it is such a prized object there, the plant gets depicted in jade, ivory, and wood carvings.

The Japanese Buddhist monk, Myoan Eisai, is believed to be responsible for bringing the tea plant from China to his homeland, where the art of how to make matcha would be born. No one knows who brought the citron Buddha hand to Japan, but it has also been held in high esteem there for centuries. They call it bushukan and it’s popular for their New Years, too.”

(via What Is Buddha’s Hand Fruit & How Do You Eat It? |Superfoodly)

Kishu mikan

“The fruit is also known as Baby Mandarin, Tiny Tangerine, Mini Mandarin and Kishu Mandarin. It is sold under the brand name "Cherry orange" in Europe...The cultivar was developed for commercial production starting in 1983 at the University of California Citrus Research Center, and the fruit is now commercially available at specialty markets throughout California.The fruit was made available in Europe in 2006. It started to be widely grown in the United States around 2010.”

Kiyomi

“Kiyomi (清見 kiyomi) is a Japanese citrus fruit that is a hybrid...The new breed was the first tangor created in Japan in 1949. It was named Kiyomi after the temple Seiken-ji (清見寺) and the lagoon Kiyomi-gata (清見潟) near its experiment station in Shizuoka city...Kiyomi are sweet...The flavor is similar to that of a mikan, while the aroma is similar to that of an orange.” 

All About Key Limes

“where it was carried on by Spanish settlers to Florida.It flourished in South Florida, particularly the Florida Keys, hence the current common name of Key lime. Due to hurricane-depleted soils, locals switched from pineapple commercial crops to limes in 1906, and business boomed until a hurricane once again reared and wiped out the lime groves. They were never to be restored. Today, most Key limes come from Mexico.“

(via All About Key Limes |The Spruce Eats blog)

How a 19th-century lemon craze gave rise to the infamous Sicilian mob

“Before there was organized crime in Sicily, however, there were lemons — lots of them.According to the researchers, the island’s lemon industry exploded in the 19th century as doctors around the world realized the fruit cured scurvy, a condition caused by lack of vitamin C. That created a huge global demand for lemons, which grow well in the Sicilian climate, but had not been a major export previously.Lemon-growing became hugely lucrative. Some historians have estimated that, by the mid-1880s, it was 60 times more profitable to grow a hectare of lemons (roughly 2.5 square acres) in Sicily than to grow other crops, like olives, grapes or wheat.”

”But lemon growers also faced challenges, among them, dealing with brokers who sold the fruit abroad and fending off thieves who raided groves by night. As a result, many growers began contracting “protectors” to watch their trees and enforce their contracts...This gave both money and structure to a loosely affiliated band of brigands and businessmen, helping them consolidate into the Mafia as it's known today...further evidence for the link between high-value export crops and organized crime — a link that continues to vex many places, including Italy. The Mafia's agricultural holdings there topped $23 billion in 2016, according to the Italian farm lobby... Similarly, in Michoacán, Mexico, where the production value of limes nearly doubled between 2003 and 2011 on the back of growing U.S. demand, the Templarios cartel has grown rich seizing lime farms from owners and pocketing the profits.”

(via How a 19th-century lemon craze gave rise to the infamous Sicilian mob |The Washington Post)

How Citrus Fruits Became an Ancient Status Symbol

“Lemons were a sign of privilege and wealth in ancient Rome.

The first citrus to arrive in the Mediterranean was the citron, which followed a path of westward migration, starting in Persia before traveling through the Middle East, arriving in the Mediterranean region around the 4th or 5th century B.C. Lemons arrived next, around four centuries later...

Since the citron was the first to reach the Mediterranean, the whole group of fruits (citrus fruits) is named after it. As both of these early fruits were incredibly rare, they were coveted by the ancient elite, who boasted of their healing and cleaning powers and their pleasant smell. The fruits even took on a religious significance in some early civilizations.”

“While citron and lemon arrived in the Mediterranean as elite products, all other citrus fruit most probably spread for economic reasons,”...It wasn’t until the 10th century A.D. that other citruses such as the sour orange, lime and pummelo were introduced to the Mediterranean Basin by invading Muslims, and sweet oranges and mandarins didn’t arrive until even later still (in the 1400s and 1800s, respectively, as part of lucrative new trade routes).” 

(via How Citrus Fruits Became an Ancient Status Symbol | History Channel)

Jeju’s fruitful citrus history

“In the 2nd year of his reign in 476, King Munju of the Baekje kingdom was offered mandarins from the Tamna kingdom (present day Jeju Island).The fruit was used for ceremonies to honor people's ancestors, for medicinal purposes and for entertaining honored royal guests.It was so popular that it was not long before the Goryeo rulers were managing an official orchard on Jeju.

Modern industrialized citrus cultivation began in the 1910s, supported by governmental policies seeking to increase production.Since then the reputation of the fruit has only increased, and now it is one of Korea’s best-loved fruits.”

(via Jeju’s fruitful citrus history | Jeju Weekly)

Dutch “Marco Polo” of Joseon Dynasty Gets Jeju Island Statue

“In 1653, 364 years ago, the first man to leave a written record about the Korean people set foot on Jeju Island soil. Hendrick Hamel and his crew of Dutchmen were on a merchant ship christened “De Sperwer” headed to Japan when fearsome waves and winds in the seas wrecked their vessel.  Thirteen years later, Hamel and eight others escaped to neighboring Japan (they were not allowed to leave Joseon), where it is believed that Hamel recorded his stay in Korea, titled “Hamel’s Journal and a Description of the Kingdom of Korea, 1653-1666”. 

To commemorate the courage of the Dutch sailors and mark the meeting of East and West, the Ocean Exploration and Culture Research Institute, the Hendrick Hamel Memorial Society and the neighborhood of Sindo 2-ri have announced a memorial to be built in memory of Hamel’s crew.”

(via Dutch “Marco Polo” of Joseon Dynasty Gets Jeju Island Statue | Koreabizwire)

Happy Landing in Jeju

“A volcanic island off the Korean peninsula’s southwest coast, Jeju has a trio of UNESCO World Heritage sites, with Mount Halla, Korea’s tallest peak, at its center. Two and a half times the size of Singapore with a more temperate climate than peninsular Korea, Jeju is a lush green lung for urban dwellers with a network of hiking trails, dramatic vistas and dozens of conventional and quirky museums.Jeju is also home to half of South Korea’s 16 foreigner-only casinos...”

“Shinhwa World is the largest foreign direct investment in South Korea’s history, a quantum leap beyond anything previously seen in Jeju. When phase one is completed in the coming months, Shinhwa World will top 2,000 guest rooms, along with family attractions, a full range of F&B, retail, the first hotel-linked convention center in Jeju and the island’s largest casino...Shinhwa World’s two dozen food options run Korean, Chinese and Japanese fine dining to American chain Johnny Rockets and local fast food. YG Republique is inspired by talent agency YG Entertainment’s performers, notably K-Pop icon G-Dragon, a member of boy band Big Bang.”

(via Happy Landing in Jeju | Inside Asian Gaming)

[kyotocollection]

Japanese Cat Names

Japanese cat names are an interesting window onto the culture. Are you looking for a Japanese name for your kitten?  Or maybe you've seen a famous cat or two in manga or anime and are curious about what sort of names Japanese people choose for their feline friends.  Whatever the basis for your curiosity, I'll do my best to share what I've learned as an animal lover living in Japan since 1997.  I've enlisted the help of Japanese friends in this pursuit, to be sure that my understanding squares with theirs, and ended up learning as well as confirming a lot in the process!

Let's look at some names for male and female cats. More than just giving a name with a translation,  I want to pass along some related information that will give you a better idea of naming conventions in Japan so that if you're looking for a name, you'll have more confidence in going with your inspiration and choosing something whether it's on a list or not.  

I also want to introduce you to katakana, the relatively simple Japanese syllabary that's most often used to write pet names.  And I'll mention a point that's often overlooked, natural intonation so that when you call to your cat, it sounds pretty much the same as it would if the owner were a native speaker.  We'll also take a look at an important aspect of names in general in Japan, suffixes that add warmth and familiarity when used.

Foreign Pet Names-It Goes Both Ways

So let's dive in. First off, it's worth noting that In Japan, pet owners sometimes choose a western name over a Japanese one for the same reason you might be considering something Japanese-it's a novel way to express your interest in a culture outside your own and to be a bit different.

And when Japanese people choose a western name for a pet, it's often a person's name.  A Japanese friend once had a dog named John, for example.  I never asked her why she it, but I'd bet she liked an actor or singer by that name.  The most famous Japanese cat with a western name is probably Michael of 'What's Michael?' fame. The manga was such a hit that it spawned a long running animated TV series in the 80's. 

Japanese people sometimes choose the names of Japanese celebrities for their pets as well.  So if there's a Japanese actor or musician you like, you might consider using a version of their name.  Ichiro isn't likely to be offended if you're a baseball fan and name your cat after him!

Speaking of stars, Leo the Lion isn't just a constellation, he's also one one reason why there are so many cats in Japan with the name, pronounced 'Lay-Oh.'

In similar fashion, the Japanese word for tiger, Tora, works quite well as a name because it's short and it's no stretch to imagine most cats as mini tigers, especially if they have stripes. Most cat names in Japan seem to be two syllables, with some three-syllable monikers in the mix.  Keeping it short and sweet is a good angle to approach things from, it seems.

Japanese Cat Names from Flowers and Plants

Flowers and plants are another source of inspiration. Japanese girls are often named after flowers and cats are, too. The Japanese word for flower is hana, and Hana is a very popular name for female cats. 

You might well already know some Japanese plant names like Sakura(cherry) and Ume(plum).  Momo(peach) and Sakura are also among the most popular female cat names in Japan.  But don't stop there-other flowers such as Kiku(chrysanthemum) are also prime candidates! Mums have a rich, regal history in Japan and are associated with the Imperial family.

I thought up some names of fruits in Japanese and ran them by some Japanese friends, wondering if they would work as cat names. These are the ones that passed muster as cute, easy to say possibilities for female cats-Ichigo(strawberry), Suika(watermelon), Anzu(apricot), and Mikan(mandarin orange.) 

Think of various aspects of these names and others. If for example, you got your cat in summer or she was born then or just strikes you as having a summery personality, referring to her as the Japanese word for watermelon might hit just the right note.

Another fruit name that got the thumb's up from Japanese friends was Ringo(apple), but I nixed it because though it's indeed catchy, you might be mistaken for a die-hard Beatles fan with that one, and could soon get fed up with explaining the real meaning behind the choice!

Use Your Cat's Appearance as Inspiration

Another fertile filed to plow when it comes to names is your cat's coloring.  In Japan, the words for black(kuro) and white(shiro) are both standard choices for cats and dogs of both sexes.

If you happen to have a calico cat, you might consider the name Mi-ke. I added the hyphen to try and differentiate it from the common western name Mike, as it's pronounced Mee-kay.  It literally means 'three-hair' and refers to the three colors of fur that calicoes sport. Japanese calicoes are usually predominantly white along with two other colors, and are a very popular breed in Japan and abroad. Many Japanese cat owners in fact name their calico Mi-ke, just as countless western dog lovers over the decades have named their pooches Spot.

Is your cat small?  Then maybe something like 'Mame(pronounced (Mah-may) would be just right.  Mame means bean in Japanese, and has a cute, diminutive sound to it.  You might know this word already, as it's part of the word for soy beans, edamame(literally, branch bean). In a similar way, the name Mikan mentioned above has an endearing connotation, as it brings to mind something small and round.

Speaking of beans, the most popular female cat name in Japan taken from something edible might be 'Azuki.'  Azuki is a type of bean that's often used in Japanese cuisine, especially in making traditional sweets.  The notion of eating beans in sweets seems odd to many westerners, but take my word for it, bean based sweets are delicious and you shouldn't come to Japan without trying some!  

So naming your female cat Azuki, pronounced 'Ah-zu-key, would be a great choice if you're looking for a name that is 'authentic' in the sense that Japanese cat owners favor it.  And as with Mame, being a type of bean it carries with it the same cute, petite connotation. Since azuki beans are reddish brown, this name would work especially well if your cat has similar coloring. Do a net search for 'azuki' and you'll find photos of this culinary staple.

Traditional Seafood and Sweet Names Add a Wealth of Possibilities

All this talk about food is getting me hungry, so let's brainstorm with some words from Japanese cuisine that might strike your fancy.

Wasabi anyone?  How about Matcha(green tea)? Or Toro(fatty tuna, a delicacy)?  Then there's Wakame(a variety of seaweed), Ikura(salmon eggs), Saba(mackerel), Awabi(abalone), and the list goes on. In a similar way, many Japanese dog and cat owners choose names like 'Latte' and Mocha' these days. I think that names taken from seafood cuisine can be especially good fits with cat names, since they seem to enjoy such delicacies at least as much as we do!

I have a sweet tooth, so I'm partial to Mochi(pounded rice cake) sweets of all kinds. I also have a weakness for Dango(usually 3-4 small balls of mochi pounded rice on a stick).  We could go on and on brainstorming with foods, and I encourage you to have some fun with this. But with foods and with this process in general, take care not to get too esoteric, because you might well come to regret choosing a name that only you and a friend or two can remember and understand.

Japanese culture is finely tuned to the seasons and the natural world, and the cuisine reflects that.  You'll see ample evidence of this focus on nature in names like Sora, the word for sky. It's a staple on recent ranking lists for popular Japanese cat names and can be used for both males and females.  Note that the 'r' in sora is pronounced a bit differently than in English.

Famous Japanese Cats

I've already mentioned a famous cat, Michael, though he only exists in the world of comics and animation.  Ask about the most famous Japanese cat who's ever lived, and the name Tama is bound to come up. Perhaps because she gained fame so recently. In any case, she was certainly a phenomenon!  

Tama was a female calico who died in 2015 after going viral as the station master at Kishi Station in western Japan.  She gained an international following and was responsible for a huge surge in tourism to the area.  The name Tama is a cat name with a long history in Japan, much as the name Socks is thought of as a traditional cat name in some English speaking countries.  As a name it doesn't carry any special meaning, its popularity is mainly due to the way it sounds-short, easy to say and somehow endearing.

Sometimes a good name can boil down simply that.  And having such a common name certainly never held Tama back!  If anything, it made her even more memorable.  Of course the little station master's cap she wore at a jaunty angle also made her hard to forget!

If you happen to be a fan of the perennially popular manga Sazae-san about a family and their foibles that was first published in the 40's, you'll also know that the family's male cat was called Tama.  

And Tama was also the name chosen by the company that produces a series of cat themed furoshiki Japanese fabric cloths that I feature in my shop, as well.  This particular Tama is quite active with an eye for scenic spots, including the charming traditional buildings accented by cherry blossoms in full bloom on the furoshiki cloth below:

Other Key Cultural Notes

Now let's move to some general points about Japanese cat names.  First, intonation for names is basically flat. So all syllables get similar stress. It's common for native English speakers to pronounce the names of Japanese people as well as pets as they would in English, which often results in unnatural pronunciation. This often happens with three syllable words, as the middle syllable often gets stressed when it shouldn't get such special attention.  I have a Japanese friend named Yumiko who lives in the states, for example, who is often called 'Yu-MI-ko with the middle part stressed.  Similarly, Yukiko is known as 'Yu-KI-ko.'  

This tendency doesn't manifest much in two syllable words, and since most common pet names are short, like Tama, they end up being pronounced pretty much as they should be, with equal stress given to both syllables. But others, like Azuki that we looked at above, can become 'Ah-ZU-ki' if you're not aware of this aspect of Japanese language.

Then there's the custom of adding suffixes to names.  This is a key point to keep in mind, as it might steer you toward choosing one cat name over another, depending on how the name sounds in this form.

If you're an anime or manga fan, you're probably already well aware of the propensity to add 'chan' and 'kun' to the end of names.  Kun is basically used for boys and men, and like chan, conveys a familiarity and warmth.  Chan can be used for young boys as well as for girls and women. Adults can use these honorific suffixes with friends to show affection, though it's rude to use these suffixes to address a superior.  The first three letters of 'chan' are pronounced as in the name of the Cuban dance known as the Cha-Cha.

When we consider pet names, chan is the one to focus on, because it covers both sexes when it comes to animals.  And since pets are more often than not seen as cute and endearing, it's very natural to add chan to the end of their names. So, Sora becomes Sora-chan.  Tama is Tama-chan.  Presto! What was a cute name to start with gets even more so. 

Some names lend themselves better to the 'chan' treatment, in terms of how easily it all rolls off your tongue. Take for instance the sweets mochi and dango I mentioned above as possibilities.  'Mochi-chan'  is a bit harder to say than 'dango-chan' so based strictly on that, the latter would win out.

One thing to keep in mind with this-chan is usually something you use to refer to someone else's child or pet, not your own.  It's not rude or inappropriate to use it for your own pet, but it's most often a way for others to express a sense of affection and closeness for someone outside their own immediate family. So if you choose a Japanese name for your cat, informing those around you of this 'chan' add-on will pay dividends!

Finally, I'd like to make a list of all the names we've covered here, includes my brainstorms and some cat names that are among the most popular in Japan. When there's a meaning, I'll include that, and I'll also add the name as it's written in the katakana alphabet.  Often there is a kanji character for a name, but even then, the katakana is preferred when its used as a pet's name.  I've included the kanji characters mainly to illustrate just how simple the katakana is by comparison!

So if you have an interest in what a name looks like when written, don't make it unnecessarily hard by considering kanji characters.  Katakana characters are not only simple in their minimal number of angular strokes, but they're also preferred according to convention in this context. Knowing a bit more about Japanese cat names, including not only their meanings but how they're used can be a great way to delve more deeply into the culture in general.  If you have any questions related to this topic, please leave a comment!

Name Katakana/Kanji sex meaning/reference Ichiro イチロー M Baseball player Tora トラ 　        虎 M/F tiger Hana ハナ　         花 F flower Sakura サクラ　     桜 F cherry, cherry blossom Ume ウメ　         梅 F plum, plum blossom Momo モモ　　　  桃F peach, peach blossom Ichigoイチゴ　      苺F strawberrySuikaスイカ　    西瓜F watermelonAnzuアンズ　F apricotMikan ミカン　F mandarin orange Kuro クロ　        黒M/F blackShiroシロ　        白M/F whiteMi-keミケ　       三毛M/F calicoMameマメ　       豆M/F beanWasabiワサビ　M/F Japanese horseradish Matchaマッチャ　抹茶M/F Japanese green tea ToroトロM/F high grade cut of tuna IkuraイクラM/Fsalmon eggs Sabaサバ　　     鯖M/FmackerelWakameワカメ　   若布M/F seaweedAwabiアワビ　 M/F abaloneMochiモチ　         餅M/F pounded rice cakes Dangoダンゴ　   団子M/F skewered pounded rice cakes Soraソラ　        空M/F skyTamaタマM/F ------ Kikuキク　        菊F chrysanthemum

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