 Japan: Horoscopes, Zodiac, Blood Types
 Japanese
Horoscopes A Beginner's Guide To The Japanese Zodiac
There are an increasing number of Japanese who are aware of their zodiac
sign in the astrological system we use in the West; Scorpio, Cancer, Taurus,
etc, but the chances are that if you ask a Japanese "What's your sign?",
the answer you get will be "I'm a rat", or "I'm a horse". What they are
referring to is the 12 year cycle of animal years, known in Japan as junishi.
 Blood
Types You Are What You Bleed
In Japan, you are what you bleed. Blood type is a common way of defining
temperament and personality, much like horoscopes in Western countries.
It all started in 1931 in Japan. Furukawa Takeji (18911940) proposed
that there was a link between blood type and personality after working
in the administration department of a high school and observing the temperamental
differences between applicants.
by Sian Thatcher
A well-known folk artist in Japan, Obata Makoto has been making papier-mh
animals for 25 years. Each animal is individually hand fashioned and painted.
The original form is made of clay, from which a papier-mh
model is produced. Then each animal is hand painted. Many of the 12 animals
have the Chinese character for "Good Luck" painted on them.
Every animal has a "bobbing" head, which is attached with a
fine wire.
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