Halloween in Japan: Kawaii or Kowai?

Posted in Festival, Japan on November 4th, 2009 by jesslee

The annual Kawasaki Halloween Parade this year was held on October 31st. It is said to be one of the biggest Halloween parades in Japan. It was my second time to see the parade and I’m still quite impressed with the participants. Their costumes were amazing. They can described as either ‘kawaii’ or ‘kowai’.

In Japan, ‘kawaii’ means ‘cute’, and ‘kowai’ is ’scary’. (Be careful when you try to use them. You don’t want to get yourself embarrassed after mistakenly saying ‘kowai’ to a cute little Japanese kid, instead of saying ‘kawaii’).

The Mario Family. Kawaii ne~!
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Screams. Uwa~, kowai~!
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HEAD, HEad, head Yeah, it looks kowai, but it has some kawaii-ness. :p
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The mummy is belong to us! The baby is so kawaii~~ ^_^
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Zoombie chick. I’m gonna cut your head off if you say she’s kawaii.
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Sweet Butterfly. Hands off, humanz. She’s mine. Kawaii ne!
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Tanabata Festival

Posted in Festival, Japan, Photography, Photowalk on July 6th, 2009 by jesslee

Tanabata was originally about a Chinese love story of a princess and a cowherd being separated by the king.  Traditionally in present-day Japan, people celebrate Tanabata by writing their wishes on colorful, small strips of paper called tanzaku…

Tanabata Festival by Jesslee Cuizon

…and hang them on bamboo branches…

Tanabata Festival by Jesslee Cuizon

The streets are decorated with huge colorful  hanging lanterns which kids enjoy watching…

Tanabata Festival by Jesslee Cuizon

…especially at nights when these lanterns are being lighted.

Tanabata Festival by Jesslee Cuizon

This was during the Tanabata Festival in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa. This is the biggest Tanabata festival held in the Kanto Area. The most famous one is held in Sendai.

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