Culture Box Program

The Institute for Japanese Studies, in cooperation with the Japan-America Society of Central Ohio is pleased to offer various Culture Boxes that are designed to be used in a very hands-on approach. There are various types of boxes, depending on your needs.  The box contains an array of items from Japan such as clothing, traditional toys, maps & postcards, cooking utensils, and various other materials, along with a description and background information for each item. IJS will mail the box, free of charge, directly to schools or organizations (anywhere in the U.S.) wishing to use it. To ensure that the box is retuned promptly and in good condition, IJS has implemented the policy that a credit card (or check) is necessary to secure the use of the box. A $25.00 fee will be charged to borrowers if the box and its contents are not returned to the Institute for Japanese Studies safely and timely. The culture box is returned to IJS at the expense of the borrower, though for a limited time a grant is covering the return postage costs.
Boxes available include:

• Discovery Boxes 
• Introduction
• Request Form
• Evaluation
• Sample Contents

• Display Boxes
• Introduction
• Request Form
• Evaluation
• Sample Contents

• Toys & Games Boxes (coming soon)
• Tea Ceremony Boxes (coming soon)

Discovery Boxes Introduction

The Institute for Japanese Studies, in cooperation with the Japan-America Society of Central Ohio is pleased to offer the Japan Discovery Box which can be borrowed for use in schools, libraries and community organizations for up to two weeks, free of charge. The box contains an array of items from Japan such as clothing, traditional toys, maps & postcards, cooking utensils, and various other materials, along with a description and background information for each item. Although materials in the box may be used for display purposes, students are welcome to handle any of the items.

Request Form

Print and complete form to fax.

If you do not have a fax machine available, simply e-mail JASCO with the information in the fax form.

Evaluation

Print an evaluation form.

If you do not have a fax machine available, simply e-mail JASCO with the information in the fax form.

Discovery Sample Contents

The obi is one of the essential components of traditional Japanese dress for fixing the kimono to one's body. The obi for women was a simple waistband before the 17th century, but it has developed into the broad decorative sash of today, while those for men are still non-decorative and are dyed in a subdued color. The obi is usually tied at the back and serves as a decorative addition to the kimono with its beautiful designs. Heavy brocade and damask silk are sometimes used for obi today, and on which artistic patterns are displayed in the embroidery and gilding.
Some obi have a "clip on" bow in the back that just fits over the obi.

Geta are wooden clogs raised off the ground by two protruded parts under the sole called ha (歯), or teeth, with v-shaped thongs called hanao (鼻緒) between the big toe and the second toe on the top. Geta for men are made of plain wood, of which Japanese cedar is thought to be the best, and they usually have black thongs, whereas those for women are sometimes plain and sometimes lacquered wood and have beautifully colored thongs of silk or velvet. When worn bare-footed, they are especially good in the hot and humid summers of Japan. These geta are made of straw and do not have teeth under the sole.

The proper footwear to go with the kimono are tabi. Tabi are short socks with the toes split into two parts, between the big toe and the second toe. Because of this split, they are suited for wearing geta. They are made of cotton or silk and fastened at the ankles on their inner side by small metal clasps or hooks called kohaze (鞐). Men generally wear black or dark blue ones, whereas women wear white ones when they wear formal kimono, and with an informal kimono, they sometimes wear colored tabi.

A yukata is an informal kimono for summer. Originally, it was a kimono worn while one was taking a bath. Later it became a kind of cotton bathrobe worn after a bath. In the 19th century, people started to wear yukata in the hot season both at home and in the streets. It is usually starched and has floral or geometric patterns dyed or printed on a white or deep blue background. Most Japanese-style hotels have yukata available for the guests.

A sensu is a typical Japanese folding fan, made of paper on a bamboo frame, commonly with an artistic picture or calligraphy. It is used for fanning oneself in hot summer weather, but at the same time, it is a symbol of friendship, respect or good wishes. It is exchanged as an engagement gift. It is also an important stage prop for a Japanese dance or Noh (能楽) dance performer. One is also expected to carry a small folding fan when invited to a tea ceremony.

Ohashi, or chopsticks, are still the major eating utensil used in Japan. Originally adopted from China, Japan's chopsticks have been adapted to suit Japanese cuisine. Compared to Chinese chopsticks, Japanese ohashi are shorter, thinner, and usually made of plain, painted or lacquered wood. Even though Japanese use knives and forks when they eat Western food (such as steak or lasagna) when they eat Japanese foods, ohashi are more convenient to use. When eating Japanese food, it is polite to lift your bowl up to chest level, and then use your ohashi to lift the food to your mouth. Never pass food from your chopsticks to someone else's, and never stick your chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, because both of these gestures are associated with funeral rites, and are therefore considered very poor manners.

When Japanese food is served, it is not piled onto one or two plates the way American food tends to be. Instead, many different types of food are set out on or in a variety of vessels. Each food has its own bowl or plate. Usually the bowls and plates are chosen to make a pleasing contrast between the food and the bowl, and between the bowl and the tray on which it is set.

A maneki-neko is a cat figurine with one paw held in the air next to its ear. Most maneki-neko are white with red details, but some are black. The "beckoning cat" is a symbol of good luck. It is frequently seen in store windows or at the entrance to a shop, and it is thought to bring good fortune to the shop.

Daruma, from the Sanskrit word dharma, is a roundish red or white doll with a painted face. The eyes are white circles. Dharma was a Buddhist priest of high virtue and it has been said that he sat against a tree in religious contemplation for nine years. The posture of daruma dolls symbolize the priest's contemplation. Dharma is known for his teaching: one should never mind failures since one can start things again. A daruma doll whose bottom is round and weighted, is designed to regain an upright position even when pushed over. This falling and arising movement symbolizes his teachings. As they arise again and again, daruma dolls are considered to bring luck, happiness, health and goodness. The red daruma doll demonstrates good luck and the white ones represent pureness. When a person makes a wish, he paints in one of the eyes. If his wish comes true, he then paints in the other eye as a symbol of gratitude. Most politicians have a daruma doll at their campaign offices, and they paint the second eye if they get elected.

Based on the myth of a carp which once swam up to the heavens and subsequently transformed into a dragon, koi-nobori are colorful and often times elaborate streamers in the shape of the carp. Traditionally associated with the Japanese holiday of Boys' Day, the carp streamers can be seen flapping and "swimming" in the wind, tethered to poles outside homes with sons. The origins of the use of the carp streamer date back to 17th century military conduct, but they symbolize courage and valor more than anything else. The myth of the carp is representative of the importance and rewards of ambition.

Regarding the hanging of koi-nobori, the presence of each son in the household is signified by a streamer. Flying alongside the sons' streamers are ribbons of various bright colors, as well as two larger streamers, one for each parent.

Uchiwa are non-folding Japanese fans. They are usually made of a thin wood or plastic frame and handle with a paper covering. During the summer, they can be seen everywhere, and many companies give them away free to their employees, with the name and information about the company written on them. Organizers of special summer events usually have some made to pass out to participants and spectators as well. Since only about 40% of Japanese homes have air conditioning units, many people us them in the home as well to cool off.

A furoshiki is a square of silk, cotton or rayon cloth traditionally used to wrap things in Japan. Some are as small as a child's handkerchief and others are as large as a tablecloth. Originally, it was used to wrap up one's bath items when going to the public bath. Later, it became an all-purpose piece of "instant luggage" that could be folded and placed in a pocket or tucked in an obi when the user was done using it. These days, Japanese people use shopping bags, gift bags and wrapping paper, the same as we do in America. However, many people frequently still use furoshiki. They can be used to wrap things bought in a store, to wrap gifts, or to carry things around. To wrap something, place it in the center of the cloth and tie two diagonal corners together tightly around the object. Then take the other two corners and tie them; if you tie them tightly, you have "wrapping paper," if you tie them somewhat loosely, you can put your hand under the tie to carry, and if you tie them very loosely, you can put the package over your shoulder like a purse.

Often referred to as "door curtains" or "half curtains," and originally serving in the capacity as sunshades, noren are not difficult to come by when walking the streets of Japan. A typical decoration at restaurants, watering holes, or inns, noren can also be found hanging in the doorways of stores and sometimes homes.

As for the design of noren, white stenciling or calligraphy against a navy blue backdrop is the traditional pattern, and usually included are crests or logos representative of the establishment at which the noren are displayed.

Calligraphy brushes, or fudé, come in an incredible range of sizes and are used by students to professional calligraphers when practicing the art of calligraphy. Although students may study calligraphy in school, they use pens and pencils just like American students when completing their day to day homework assignments.

Compared to American weddings, Japanese weddings are extremely expensive. Therefore, instead of giving gifts to the bride and groom, the guests present them with money (usually a couple of hundred dollars) to help offset the expense of the ceremony, reception food, clothing and the honeymoon. Japanese funerals, too, are very expensive, so friends of the family give money to help with the costs. Another money-giving occasion is New Year's Day, when children receive money from their parents, grandparents, and other family members. It is a Japanese custom that money does not change hands as a gift without being enclosed in something. Therefore, when Japanese give money to someone, it is always enclosed in an envelope. There are special envelopes for each occasion. For a wedding, one uses a goshûgibukuro (御祝儀袋), which is a white envelope (usually made of handmade paper) with gold and silver wire ribbon. For a funeral, one uses a goreizenbukuro (御霊前袋), which is black and white. For New Year's money, various types of envelopes are used, often having pictures of popular cartoon characters.

Obento are Japanese style lunch boxes. They come in a variety of styles, sizes and decorative patterns. Children as well as adults use obento boxes. For lunch they may pack, rice, vegetables, Japanese style pickles, and some meat possibly left over from them the previous night's dinner.

If you would like a printable view that can be used to print all of the items with their corresponding pictures follow this link. If you would like a printable pdf without pictures then follow this link.

Obento are Japanese style lunch boxes. They come in a variety of styles, sizes and decorative patterns. Children as well as adults use obento boxes. For lunch they may pack, rice, vegetables, Japanese style pickles, and some meat possibly left over from them the previous night's dinner.