カテゴリー別アーカイブ: Useful Information

Funerals are never happy news. We all wish that we do not have to face our beloved ones in such a setting. However, when we do, we want to express our deep condolences by mourning and praying for them. Understanding and knowing the traditional Japanese funeral manners will help us express respect to the deceased as well as to their families and relatives.

Japanese religion lies in Buddhism and although details of practices can vary depending on sects, general practice is shared. Also, even when Buddhism is not regularly practiced in the family, funerals tend to be based on the Buddhist style when held.

FUNERAL WAKES AND MEMORIAL SERVICE
 

OTSUYA (Wake ceremony)
“Otsuya” is a ceremony where close family and relatives regret parting of their loved one by staying up the whole night in the same room with the departed. Originally, only the bereaved and close relatives attended. However, in the recent years, it has become so that persons who are unable to attend the memorial (funeral) ceremony, stop by to show their condolences. Make sure to inform the bereaved of your visit before hand in this case.
Wake ceremonies are therefore announced and usually start from 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. and lasts for 1-2 hours.

SOUGI (Funeral ceremony)
“Sougi/Soshiki” is a ceremony where close relatives gather to pray for repose of the departed soul and peace for its spirit.

KOKUBETSUSHIKI (Memorial ceremony)
“Kokubetsushiki” is a ceremony where friends and acquaintances gather to say their goodbyes.

“Sougi” is to be followed by “Kokubetsushiki”.  However, these ceremonies are often times joined together as one ceremony. At this time, this ceremony would be referred to as “Sougi / Kokubetsushiki”.

*“Osoushiki” (Funeral) refers to the whole funeral process including the above ceremonies and the cremation ceremony.

WHAT TO WEAR

Men
Black formal suit with white business shirt, black ties and no tie pins. Belts, socks, shoes should also be black
Dark navy or grey suits are okay for wakes.

Women 
Black formal one-piece dress suit or a black formal kimono.  Bags, shoes, stockings should also be black.
Shiny material such as enamel, as well as leather and furs are considered improper (Leather bags/shoes are okay). 
No ccessories should be worn except for marriage ring, and a single pearl necklace, if any.  Black or dark colored suits or one-piece dress should be okay for wakes.

OKODEN (Offering/Condolence money)
Okoden started out when incense was offered at funerals to comfort the soul of the deceased. This incense scent worked as a deodorizer after the earth burial. In the past, Okoden has turned into rice or vegetable offerings as well, however, in the present, since the host of the funeral prepares the necessities, the offering turned to cash as a meaning to bear cost of the incense and also, as a show of mutual support towards the bereaved for their unexpected expense.
Crisp new bills should never be used for Okoden. This comes from the thought that preparation of new bills suggests unfortune had been foresaw. The amount varies on your relationship with the deceased.  5,000 yen or 10,000 yen should be appropriate for friend/colleague.  Be careful to avoid the numbers 4 and 9 at funerals. 4 can be read as “shi” in Japanese, which sounds the same as death and 9 can be read as “ku” and this can suggest the word “kurushii” which means suffering.

INCENSE OFFERING
Move to the position in front of the altar and bow to the bereaved relatives. Move to the altar and bow deeply.
Take one step forward to offer incense.  After you have finished offering incense, place the balms of your hands together in prayer and slightly lower your head.
Take one step back facing the altar and bow deeply before returning to your seat.

2 types of incense: MAKKO and SENKO

MAKKO- incense powder
Using the 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) of your right hand, take a pinch of the powder incense.
Lower your head slightly and bring it to your forehead before sprinkling them into the incense burner.
Repeat this 1-3 times. The number of times for this process depends on the religious sect.

SENKO-incense stick
Pick up the incense using your right hand and light it with the candle.  Number of incense here can be 1-3 depending on the religious sect.   Use your left hand to put out the flame. Take caution never to blow out the flame.
Place it in the incense burner. Again, depending on the religious sect, the incense will be either laid down or set up.  If you will be setting up the incense, place it
slightly apart from each other to prevent smoke from clouding together and also place it in the rear section so that following attendees will have enough space to place their incense.

How old are you? – Oikutsu desuka?
We get so many questions from expats everyday.

Please see below the answers for the questions we are often asked:

1. License for Motorbikes & Vehicles
 
  Motorbikes over 50cc~under 400cc: age of 16 and over
  Motorbikes over 400cc: age of 18 and over
  Ordinary Vehicles: age of 18 and over
  Heavy Vehicles: age of 20 and over with at least 2-year driving experience of ordinary vehicle.
  About International license, please check our previous blog here.

2. Drinking and Smoking
   
  Must be over 20-year of age to drink alcohol and smoking cigarettes.

3. Voting Age
 
  Age of 20 and over

4. Marriage Age
 
  Male: 18 Female: 16  *Need parents’ permission if they are under the age of 20.

5. Mandatory Education
   
  9 years in total. 6 years in Elementary (age 7-12), and 3 years in Junior High School (age 13-15).
  School Grades’ cut off date is the 1^st of April, and a new school year starts in April.
*Fees for buses and trains, up to 12-year old (Elementary School) it will be a half price of adults’ fees.
  When they enter Junior High School they must pay the full fee.