February 3rd is "Setsubun." On setsubun there is special ritual called, "mamemaki (bean-throwing)" to expel demons and invite fortune. I enjoyed doing mamemaki when I was little. We opened the windows of the house at night and my mom threw roasted soybeans saying "Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi (Get out Ogre! Come in Happiness!)." After mamemaki, we'd eat one soybean for each year we'd been alive. By doing so, it is believed people won't get sick during the year. When I was a child I wished I could eat more beans than my age, but now I have to eat too many! By the way, The Japanese astronaut, Souichi Noguchi, tried "mamemaki" a few days ago in the International Space Station, although he used small chocolates instead of soybeans. You can check out some pictures.
Japanese translation

The "National Center Test for University Admission" was held on January 16th and 17th. It is a universal examination for Japanese universities. All national/public universities require applicants to take this exam. During the exam season the superstitious nature of the Japanese becomes apparent. In fact you will find various lucky charms being sold around this time. The most popular are charms purchased from a shrine or temple. However, the Kit Kat (a chocolate bar) is also popular. Why? The Japanese pronounce it as, "kitto katto." It sounds like "kitto katsu" which means, "You will surely win". Parents often buy Kit Kats for their children for exam days. It is just a fun play on words, but if it makes them feel better why not!
Japanese translation

When it snowed I was excited to make a snowman. I tried to put two large snowballs together, just like how I used to do it in Japan, but I was told that it has to be three snowballs in North America. The Japanese word for snowman is "yukidaruma". "Yuki" means, "snow" and "daruma" is a round wish doll with no arms or legs. It represents the Zen monk, Bodhidharma, and snowmen in Japan are modeled after it. It is always very interesting to find out culture differences, even when it is only snowmen. How do you say a snowman in your language and what do they look like?
Japanese translation

It is the year of the tiger. The Japanese zodiac is divided into 12 years. Each year is named after an animal: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar. If you are born in1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914, 1902..., you are born in the year of the tiger. You might wonder how twelve animals are chosen for the zodiac. There is a Japanese folk tale called, "The Origin of Juunishi". You can watch a cute animated version of this story on Youtube. It is in Japanese with no sub-titles. However, since the narrator speaks rather slowly, and uses simple phrases, I think it will make for a fun listening practice. Enjoy!
Japanese translation