Blogs edited and submitted by Chiho Kamioka
JOI Support staff and manager.
Yamayaki mountain burning festival in Nara
Yamayaki - traditional Japanese event
Have you heard of the practice of Yamayaki that takes place in Nara prefecture in Japan? It has become a tourist draw and a tradition in Nara.
But some people question whether it is good or bad for the environment.
山焼き
Yamayaki mountain burning festival in Nara
By YAMAMOTO Hiroshi
今週は「山焼き」を紹介します。
山焼きは春の初めに、野山の枯れた木や草を焼く伝統的な行事です。
日本で有名な山焼きが1月末に奈良で行われます。
害虫を除き、燃えたものが肥料になって、新しい草の成長を助けます。
でも、最近は環境や野生動物に良くないと、反対する意見もあります。
環境を考えながら、伝統行事を行うことが大切ですね。
To listen to this blog, please watch our Youtube video.
山焼(やまや）き
今週は「山焼（やまや）き」を紹介（しょうかい）します。 山焼きは春の初（はじ）めに、野山（のやま）の枯（か）れた木や草（くさ）を焼く伝統的（でんとうてき）な行事（ぎょうじ）です。 日本で有名（ゆうめい）な山焼きが1月末（まつ）に奈良（なら）で行われます。
害虫（がいちゅう）を除（のぞ）き、燃（も）えたものが肥料（ひりょう）になって、新しい草（くさ）の成長（せいちょう）を助（たす）けます。 でも、最近（さいきん）は環境（かんきょう）や野生動物（やせいどうぶつ）に良くないと、反対（はんたい）する意見（いけん）もあります。 環境（かんきょう）を考えながら、伝統行事を行うことが大切（たいせつ）ですね。
Daikan
This week, we will introduce "Yamayaki" (burning down a mountain - on purpose). Yamayaki is a traditional event held at the beginning of spring to burn dead trees and grass in the mountains. The famous Japanese wildfire is held in Nara at the end of January.
The burning of the forests is a traditional event to get rid of harmful insects, and the burnt materials are used as a fertilizer to help with the growth of new grass. Recently, however, some people are against it, saying it is not good for the environment and wild animals. It is important to keep the environment in mind when conducting traditional events.
害虫（がいちゅう）harmful insect
野生動物（やせいどうぶつ）wild animal
I started teaching Japanese to technical intern trainees and internship students, and since 2019, online Japanese instructor at JOI.
My main focus is on Business Japanese and JLPT grammar (N1,N2.N3) in particular. I am also available for short-term private lessons to improve your business Japanese skills before joining a company, taking an assignment, or changing jobs on your requested schedule.
I worked for a major machine manufacturer for about 40 years. During that time, I was assigned to various departments such as factories, trading, R&D, sales, general affairs, accounting, and auditing. With these experiences, I believe I can provide you with practical assistance in various situations when you are doing business in Japanese.