DNA

Yesterday, there was this tv program talking about DNA where I found it quite interesting. Since technology have improved so much... they are now able to know the connection of DNA with one's ability and maybe even characteristic!! 

Through yesterday's program, we happen to know that it is very common now in China that parents have their children's DNA tested, so as to know what are their abilities where they can focus in educating that then allowing their kids to learn this & that!! And eventually, they will become a genus at that ability!!

For example, while each strand represents something, they are able to know if you are good at music notes, or have sense in rhythm. If you have these strands and have a high rate in it, then you may become a genus in music!! With these results, the parents will focus on bringing the kids to music training schools, hoping that they will have a success in music in the future.

This association was run by the government where 1 test will cost 4100rmb. Which will be around 1-1.5 month salary in china. But still, lots of middles class parents done this test for their children. There is no such test in Japan, how about in your country? Do you think this will be a good thing and a short cut to success for your children? Indeed it is very efficient, like I still sometimes doubt on my ability... if I'm able to know what I'm good at, maybe I can be more successful and have more confidence in myself. But at the same time, because I have been through so many things, trying this & that to ensure myself, the path is what that helped to make me 'Me'... 

Notice Board?? Folder??

Here is another Japanese culture that I would like to share. We don't have this in Hong Kong, how about in your country?

This is a notice folder that will be going around the district you lived in. So you will know what kind of events will be held, and how was the annual district fee been used. (for our district, it is around 3000 yen a year.) According to different district, the fee will be different. Some districts have traditional festivals which may cost more. However, I only come up to this after we bought the house. We did not get this when we were renting a flat. 

Don't you think this system is awesome? This helps to link up the relationship with your neighbor hood. I think it is so warm and nice. I know it is quite troublesome when it is your turn to be the leader of the year, or you have to attend road patrol for the school kids during safety traffic events. But I think this is a good route to help to reminds us that we are not living by ourselves, and everyone is responsible for tidying and helping out children in the place we lived. 

At the same time, this also reminds me of someone saying that Kyoto is a very beautiful place where people are really very kind to foreigners. But, if you are an outsider (even for japanese) planning to live in Kyoto, it will be rather difficult to fit in. I didn't realized why before, but I think I know now!!

Hinamatsuri - The Doll Festival

3rd March is the festival of Hinamatsuri - The Doll Festival. Where you celebrate for the good health and prospects of the girls. Most of the family will have their set of dolls decorated to celebrate. Because I love dolls so much, this is one of the festivals that I love in japan.

But in late years (maybe 10-20 years), due to the less number of children, grandpas & grandmas love their grandchild so much that they buy a whole new set for them. But a good set of Hina dolls really can cost a fortune. So, as far as I've seen, mostly you only get the main tier... What's the main tier?? → For the most traditional set, you will have 7 tiers!! Here it is:

The 1st tier: The Emperor (お内裏様 Odairi-sama) & The Empress (お雛様 Ohina-sama)

The 2nd tier: Three court ladies (三人官女 San nin kanjo), 

one will have no eye browns and with black teeth!! 

to show that she is married or the eldest court lady 

that will never get married!!) Besides the ladies, 

there is also little table-top stands for you to 

put in the seasonal sweets. 

The 3rd tier: Five male musicians (五人囃子 Gonin bayashi) 

as same the japanese 'Noh'

                        The small drum (太鼓 taiko)

                        The large drum (大鼓 Otsuzumi)

                        The hand drum (小鼓 Kotsuzumi)

                        The flute (笛 Fue)

                        The singer that holds a fan (謡い方 Utaikata)

The 4th tier: Two ministers, the left minister (左大臣 Sadaijin) & 

the right minister (右大臣Udaijin) In between,

there will be small tables to put seasonal sweets again.

The 5th tier: A mandarin orange tree on the right and a cherry tree 

on the left. Where 3 helpers will be in the middle.

The 6th & 7th tier: Furnitures, carriages etc.

So the main tier will be the Emperor & Empress. Mostly, you will either have the main tier, 3 tiers, 5 tiers or the whole set. You don't get them in 2 tiers or 4 tiers!! Some family only shows the main tier even if they have the whole set, because of all the trouble to take them out and pack them in again!!

You usually start decorating them around a month before the 3rd March. However, it is known to pack them in soon after the 3rd, or else the girl it represents will get married in a late years!! Some sayings even say that if the girl gets married, you don't take out the dolls to decorate anymore!! But like my mother-in-law, she still takes them out every year so as to give them some air and refresh their spirit. This year, due to we have a new baby girl from my sister-in-law, the dolls have been passed to her bringing her good health and prospects!!