Very nice podcast
And I liked Hatsumi and Sakura’s singing! Very fun!!! Also, it sounds extremely traditional Japanese, so it’s very nice to hear

Here is another photo of common hina-arare.
I found out today that hina-arare is different in Kansai (west) and Kanto (east)! The picture below is the sugar coated one in Kanto. Kansai one seems to be something like ordinary arare (soy-sauce-based round rick crackers that are not sweet).
http://www.kisetsu-kashi.com/product/17

Here is a link to the hinamatsuri song.
I came across two titles for the song. One is “Ureshii Hinamatsuri” and the other is “Tanoshii Hinamatsuri.” But I think most Japanese consider it just as a hinamatsuri song
http://www.ocochama.net/music4p.htm

Alexander-san, I’m glad you liked it I’ve always wondered why the melody was in minor and sounds a little sad, when the last part of the first verse says “kyou ha tanoshii hinamatsuri” (today is happy hinamatsuri)

Thanks for the lyrics! It’s great
You should sing more, Sakura.
OH! I got an idea! I’m sure Peter will agree with me on that! How about we take out the song part of today’s podcast (Where Sakura and Hatsumi sing) and post it as a song download from Jpod101! People will download it in the hundreds!!!

さくらとハツミの歌がきれいよ。 ^_^

Also, forgive me if this is old news to you all. I’ve been without my internet for the past couple of days, and you have way too many comments for me to read through! But guess who’s on iTunes USA’s “Fan Favorites” section?

はい

Minna,
hisa bisa

Also check out on itunes usa #58 on top 100.

I’m taking a break right now, I’ve been behind in the podcasts, I’m in the middle of mid-terms, and also trying to do my taxes by hand

hey peter-san, how does that work living in japan? do you still file taxes?

Hope all are doing well!
will talk to you all after mid-terms.

have a sake for me natsuko-san, and sakura-san, a beer for me too

ja ne
tony

WOW! Hatsumi-san and Sakura-san…what great singing voices.
And what a great podcast. I really enjoy the Japanese Culture podcasts. I did know about the dolls, but I did not realise about the order of levels or even the meaning of the different coloured rice cakes….very interesting.

Back to the old messages I need to reply too…

monkeyjay-san
The reason why my Daughter, Sakura, knows about Sadako is because she watched the film with out my knowledge…but she seems to love Sadako….Odd child…

Sakura-san
Yes, you are right
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/book/276032/
That was the book and I did make a couple of typing errors when I wrote down the story, so thanks for correcting me. I am also pleased that you found the home video of my daughter pretending to be Sadako, funny, she wanted to do it, so she helped me make the TV.. I also think it will be great to introduce repetition words.

Nathan-san.
I am also pleased that you and your room-mates enjoyed it.

Peter-san.
My website is finished…but I guess it will never be complete. it is:
http://uk.geocities.com/yasashii_nihongo
I hope it is ok. Originally I started the website as a fun way of self study, but this site encouraged me to finish it…But I do feel kind of embarrassed about it.

Today, I took up the courage and spoke Japanese to a complete stranger. I was in a Japanese shop (in which I spent £100 pounds…. ) I felt really nervous but I was determined…and it worked and the shop assistant was very pleased. My wife said I was just trying to impress her But I guess in a way I was…after all, I was the only Westener in the shop that spoke to her in Japanese and she was really surprised and pleased when I told her my daughters name.

Ok, I must end now…it is late.

Great podcast and a great song…I think Hatsumi-san and Sakura-san are going to be the next Puffy…Hehehehe

O-genki de
Steve

Wow! Great singing! I should learn that song.

This holiday sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to celebrate it when I go live in Japan one day!

Wow!

I finally got to listen to the podcast, and it was very interesting! The song was great, too!

I thought I would add some links regarding the 十二単衣 (じゅうにほとえ). On this first one, click on the picture, and then click on the green birds at the bottom (次へ) to see the progression of the layers.

http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~yae-sou/mikushigedono1.html

Also, here is actually a video demonstration of the 十二単衣 being put on at the Hakubi Kimono School in Tokyo.

http://tokyodv.com/videolog/?page_id=31

Wow wow wow! Hehe!
Really great podcast and team!

Great great singing from Hatsumi and Sakura!

sorry…that was meant to have read:
Nathan-san…Great link. That is the kind of stuff I find really interesting…Thanks

Sim-san,

Welcome to the site!

Steve-san,

My pleasure! Let me know if there’s anything else in particular you’re looking for info about. I’m sure I’ve got something laying around here

Lynnette-san,

Welcome to you, too! I agree… みなさん、頑張ってください！

Peter-san,

For some reason, in your case, my mind can come up with so many possibilities as to why you were kicked out

jp-san, woah you really do love it.

having just listened to the podcast: Sakura and Hatsumi! Sugoi! beautiful voices. And were you guys harmonising? it sounded like it!

and Peter-san, if you go karaoke, just sing YMCA, cos everyone joins in and they can’t tell if you are out of tune!

perfect.

hahaha, i’m actually singing it!!! hahaha

can’t get it off me!!!

JP-san,

You’re cracking me up

They do an excellent job indeed! Keep spreading the enthusiasm

JP-san, thank you very much!!
I’m glad so many of you liked the song
Yokatta-. Arigatou gozaimasu!
Nathan-san, Steve-san, thank you for your suggestions I’ll give them a try if I have a chance. Hehehe.

The etymology for “hina-ningyou” is here:
http://gogen-allguide.com/hi/hinaningyou.html

wow

Sakura and Hatsumi you were totemo sugoi desu ne

Omedetoo