Pictures of Japan continued The kagami mochi first appeared in the Muromachi period (14th-16th century). The name kagami ("mirror") is said to have originated from its resemblance to an old-fashioned kind of round copper mirror, which also had a religious significance. The reason for it is not clear. Explanations include mochi being a food for sunny days,[2] the 'spirit' of the rice plant being found in the mochi,[1][2] and the mochi being a food which gives strength.[2] The two mochi discs are variously said to symbolize the going and coming years,[2] the human heart,[2] "yin" and "yang", or the moon and the sun.[3] The "daidai", whose name means "generations",[4] is said to symbolize the continuation of a family from generation to generation.[1] Traditionally the kagami mochi was placed in various locations throughout the house.[3] Nowadays it is usually placed in a household Shinto altar, or kamidana. It has also been placed in the tokonoma, a small decorated alcove in the main room of the home. Contemporary kagami mochi are often pre-moulded into the shape of stacked discs and sold in plastic packages in the supermarket. A mikan or a plastic imitation daidai is often substituted for the original daidai. This article copied from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagami_mochi     Singer: Ho Moi Fan Columbia-Orchestra Lyrics In Japanese Shi-na-no yoru Shi-na-no yoru yo-o Minato no akari murasaki no yo ni Noboru Yuko no yame Shi-na musume Aumm-humm    wasurare nu kokya no ne-e Shi-na-no yoru Yu-ma no yoru Shi-na-no yoru Shi-na-no yoru yo-o Yanagi no madoni rantan yurete Akal torikago Shina musume Aumm-humm    yarusenai-i ai no utah Shi-na-no yoru Yu-ma no yoru Shi-na-no yoru Shi-na-no yoru yo-o Kimi matsu yoi wa obashima no ame ni Hana mo chiru chiru beni mo chiru Aumm-humm     wakarete mo wasuraryoh ka-a Shi-na-no yoru Yu-ma no yoru Yume no yoru Lyrics In English What a night in China, What a night in China Harbor lights, Deep purple night, Ah, ship, The dreamship I can't forget The sound of the Kokyu. Ah, China night, A dream night. What a night in China, What a night in China, Over the willow window, A ramp was shaking, Chinese lady Was there like a bird, Singing love songs, Sad sounding love songs Ah, China night, A dream night. What a night in China, What a night in China, I was waiting in the parapet There was this girl in a rain The rouge on her cheeks Like flowers were in bloom, Forever, I will remember Even after we separated, Ah, China night, A dream night. China Night was popular during the years preceding WWII.   Sumo Wrestling Sumo is a Japanese kind of wrestling and Japan's national sport. It originated in ancient times as religious performances to the Shinto gods. Nowadays, still many rituals are followed. The basic rules of sumo are simple: The wrestler who either first touches the floor with something else than his sole or leaves the ring before his opponent, loses. The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds and in rare cases up to one minute or more. The samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class, the Japanese warriors. Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of Bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Strongly Confucian in nature, Bushido stresses concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline and respectful, ethical behavior. After a defeat or similar event, many samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by cutting their abdomen rather than die a dishonorable death.   TIMELINE OF JAPANESE HISTORY: 1185-1868 FIRST SHOGUNATE *1185 - 1333 Kamakura Bakufu (rule of the Minamoto family)  SECOND SHOGUNATE *1336 - 1574 Ashikaga Bakufu THIRD SHOGUNATE 1567 - 1600 Period of Unification FORTH SHOGUNATE *1603 - 1868 Tokugawa Shogunate 1868 - Age of Modern Japan Begins (Imperial Restoration) *PERIOD OF MILITARY RULE HEIAN PERIOD                                 794   -  1185 KAMAKURA PERIOD                        1192  -  1333 MUROMACHI PERIOD                      1333  -  1573  AZLICHI    MOMOYAMA PERIOD       1573  -  1603 EDO PERIOD                                    1603  -  1868 x