Shizen (自然)** - Nature

 

1. Today's Japanese words

Here are some basic Japanese vocabulary words about the nature world with romaji:

* **Shizen (自然)** - Nature

* **Sora (空)** - Sky

* **Taiyou (太陽)** - Sun

* **Tsuki (月)** - Moon

* **Hoshi (星)** - Star

* **Yama (山)** - Mountain

* **Kawa (川)** - River

* **Umi (海)** - Ocean

* **Ki (木)** - Tree

* **Hana (花)** - Flower

* **Kusa (草)** - Grass

* **Tori (鳥)** (tori) - Bird

* **Kumo (雲)** (kumo) - Cloud

* **Ame (雨)** (ame) - Rain

* **Yuki (雪)** (yuki) - Snow

* **Mizu (水)** (mizu) - Water

* **Hoshizora (星空)** (hoshizora) - Starry sky

2. Today's topic

Mount Fuji

Here's a depiction of a scene that captures Mount Fuji, Japanese characters, and religious elements:

**Setting:** The tranquil shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, reflects the majestic form of Mount Fuji. The early morning mist hangs low, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

**Characters:** A lone Shinto priest, clad in a white robe and black hakama pants, stands on the lakeside. He holds a shakujo, a staff with rings along its length, used in purification rituals.  

**Religious Elements:** A bright red torii gate, a traditional Shinto entrance marking the boundary between the sacred and the secular, stands at the water's edge. 

[Image of Shinto torii gate Mt Fuji] 

**Story:** The priest performs a morning misogi ritual, a purification ceremony where he chants prayers and splashes water from the lake to cleanse himself symbolically. 

This scene represents the deep connection between Mount Fuji, a sacred mountain in Shinto belief, and Japanese religious practices. Mount Fuji is considered a dwelling place for deities and a conduit between the earthly realm and the divine. The Shinto priest embodies the act of maintaining spiritual purity in the presence of such a sacred place.  

3- Today’s news

BASEBALL/ First Japanese player in MLB feels pride on 60th anniversary

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15211979

During the walk, the 20-year-old left-handed pitcher hummed “Ue o muite aruko," a song by Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto.

The popular single was called “Sukiyaki” in English and had reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard chart the year before. 

Mt. Fuji's Yoshida route to cap entry at 4,000 daily, limit hours, collect toll

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240419/p2a/00m/0li/029000c#cxrecs_s

Starting this summer's climbing season on Mount Fuji, the maximum number of climbers per day on the Yoshida route will be 4,000, the Yamanashi Prefectural Government has announced.