While being a modern country, Japan is known for having a traditional side.
The traditional arts, such as sumo and kabuki, are still popular at present, but traditional customs observed in everyday life are gradually decreasing.
For instance, the custom of wearing kimono is seen only on special occasions, such as wedding and funeral ceremonies.
Seasonal events are becoming streamlined.
The display of a set of hina dolls during the Doll’s Festival and the raising of carp banners on Children’s Day is in decline.
Instead, a collection of smaller hina dolls is displayed, or these occasions are marked only with chirashi-zushi and cake.
On the other hand, along with the change in Japanese lifestyles, Western events are now more common.
近代的な国
kinndaitekina kuni
(a) modern country
でありながら、
de ari nagara,
being while
伝統文化が
denntou’bunnka ga
(a) traditional (side)
共存していることでも
kyouzonn shite iru koto demo
for having <co-existing>
知られています。
shirarete i masu.
is known
伝統芸能は
denntou’geinou ha
(the) traditional arts
今も
ima mo
at present still
人気です
ninnki desu
are popular
日常生活で見られる
nichijou seikatsu de mirareru
observed in everyday life
伝統慣習は
denntou’kannshuu ha
traditional customs
次第に
shidai ni
gradually
減ってきています。
hette kite i masu.
are decreasing
たとえば、
tatoeba,
for instance
着物を着る
kimono wo kiru
wearing kimono
習慣は、
shuukann ha,
(the) custom of
結婚式
kekkonnshiki
wedding [ceremony]
お葬式
osoushiki
funeral ceremonies
特別な行事
tokubetsuna gyouji
special occasions
しか見られません。
shika mirare masenn.
only is seen
季節の行事は
kisetsu no gyouji ha
seasonal events
簡素になりました。
kannso ni nari mashita.
are becoming streamlined
ひな祭り
hinamatsuri
the Doll’s Festival
ひな人形のセット
hina’ninngyou no setto
a set of hina dolls
飾ったり、
kazattari,
(the) display and
子どもの日
kodomonohi
Children’s Day
鯉のぼりを
koinobori wo
carp banners
立てたりすることは
tatetari suru koto ha
(the) raising of
減っています。
hette i masu.
is in decline
小さなひな人形を
chiisana hina’ninngyou wo
(a collection of) smaller dolls
飾ったり、
kazattari,
is displayed or
ちらし寿司やケーキ
chirashi’zushi ya ke-ki
chirashi-zushi and cake
お祝いします。
oiwai shi masu.
(these occasions) are marked only <celebrates>
一方、
ippou,
on the other hand
西洋のイベントは、
seiyou no ibennto ha,
western events
日本スタイル
nihonn’sutairu
Japanese lifestyles
変化しながら
hennka shinagara
along with the change
浸透しています。
shinntou shite i masu.
are now more common