Positive – Comparative – Superlative
Category Archives: Obentō 02-031
Japanese household appliances
May I have one … , please?
Tallest buildings in Japan 日本の いちばん 高い ビル nihon no ichiban takai biru
Japanese house
All of the above words have internal links. Please type the word you need into the websites search engine and the page will come up.
406 Places and location ところ
Maglev train
リニアモーターカー
りにあもーたーかー
This is the prototype of the Maglev Train, or Linear Motor Car that is being developed to initially run between Tokyo and Osaka. The train has no wheels, but works on the principle of magnetic levitation. It can achieve incredible speeds. However, one of the problems the designers have to overcome is the fact that between Tokyo and Osaka there are many hills, mountains and cities – Mt Fuji for one and that is a volcano. The cost is phenominal, but obviously worth it. It should be noted that China has now got a slower version of this Maglev train. Nevertheless, Japan is still the front runner for this type of super-speed transportation.
いちばん はやい the fastest
いちばん たかい the most expensive
いちばん きれい the most beautiful
いちばん ながい the longest
電車 でんしゃ
Train
未来の電車 みらい の でんしゃ
Train of the future
リニアモーターカー
Linear Motorcar
Bullet train models 新幹線のモデル しんかんせんのもでる
すご～い でんしゃ
amazing train
Stunning! すご～い!
はやい
fast
もっと はやい
faster
もっと スムーズ
smoother
もっと きれい
more beautiful
もっと べんり
more convenient
もっと たくさんの ひと
more people
もっと けいざいてき
more economical
いちばん はやい
fastest
つぎの モデル
next model
とても きれい
very beautiful
もっと たくさんのひと
more people
わーー すごい！
ah~~ amazing!
グリーンカー ぐりーんかー
Green Car [= First Class]
The Green Clover leaf next to the door indicates First Class
また すごい！
again amazing!
のりたい！
I want to ride on it!
きれいね！
beautiful, isn’t it!
JR700モデル
JR700 model
Butsudan 仏壇 ぶつだん Family Altar
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
The butsudan, or Family Altar, is a religion space in a house where earlier generations – immediate family members who have passed away – are remembered and honoured. This is a family’s personal cultural expression and therefore varies widely from family to family. The butsudan has its origins in the Buddhist religion. Another religious space that has its origins in the Japanese Shinto religion is called ‘Kamidana‘ (see kamidana page on this website).
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
There are many different kinds of butsudan as this depends on the individual families. Often butsudan are built into a house and as several generations live in the same house, the butsudan gains antique status. In a butsudan family photos may be displayed, as may be ashes of those family members passed before, or small mementos. Of course, ashes may be more problematic, so they may also be kept at a local cemetery plot. Again this depends on the individual family. As you can see from the photos, flowers and fruits may be offered symbolically as a sign of respect and affection.
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
In a western household perhaps one does not find an altar-looking structure, but religious crosses, photos of family members passed away, flowers for those who are remembered and mementos are certainly more commonly displayed. Jewish families, Hindu families and Muslim families each have their own cultural ways of paying respect and remember those to whom they owe gratitude. This cultural expression is closely related to the family’s overall religious views and observances.
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
Sometimes western visitors have strong feelings regarding a butsudan. This is again a personal expression and should be kept to oneself. Overriding any cultural practices are the fundamental principles of personal choice and hospitality. You need not join in, but you should maintain decorum.
In western households one also finds a range of religious observances and views that are as different and diverse as one can imagine. The overriding guiding principles for both sides: do not offend by intruding or insisting.
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
仏壇 ぶつだん butsudan
Lami Japan 
