Pray for Japan
Cultural Notes
by Elanor Sakamoto and Michelle Klein-Hass

Table of contents:


Tohoku Region / 東北


koi-nobori / 鯉のぼり


gaman / 我慢


Japanese teacher/student relationships / 生徒と教師の絆


Family graves / お墓


Baths and Community / お風呂と社


Removing one’s shoes / 靴を脱ぐこと


Taiko (Wadaiko) / 太鼓（和太鼓)


Obon and tourou-nagashi / お盆と灯籠流し


kokoro wo hitotsu ni / 心を一つに


takumashiku ikiyo (rendered as “Live Tough” in the film’s subtitles) / たくましく生きよ


sakura / 桜


Curry, Chai, and Kobe / カレーとチャイと神戸


tsunami / 津波


omoiyari / 思いやり


yuzuriai / 譲り合い


Ogatsu suzuri: Ogatsu slate and the art of the inkstone / 雄勝硯：雄勝からの粘板岩と硯


Mikoshi (Palanquin for spirit beings, or kami) / 神輿

English Translation: Song Lyrics