Animated Pictograms

Fun and easy-to-understand presentation of historical culture and traditional customs that are uniquely Japanese.

  • VISIT TO TEMPLE / SHIRINE
  • BOWING
  • POUNDING RICE CAKE
  • HAILING A CAB / TAXI
  • TAKING A BATH
  • WATER ABLUTION
  • TEA CEREMONY
  • RHYTHMIC CLAPPING AT CELEBRATIONS
  • RIDING THE TRAIN
  • WINNING MOVES IN SUMŌ
  • AWA DANCE FESTIVAL
  • Coming Soon

About The Project

EXPERIENCE JAPAN PICTOGRAMS were developed to provide visual support for tourists in Japan.
For more information about the objectives and design concept of the project, please click here.

Request

If you would like us to create new PICTOGRAMS for you or have other requests, please contact us here.

SHRIMP(PRAWN/LOBSTER)

えび [EBI]

Japan is one of the top consumers of ebi. It is very much a part of Japanese culture where some people even carry the word “ebi” in their family names. Ebi is used in a variety of Japanese dishes from sushi and tempura to fried rice and gyoza dumplings and to senbei and other snacks. The kanji for ebi consist of two characters: 海 (sea) + 老 (old) because ebi resembles an old man with a long beard and bent back. Thus, ebi is often served as a symbol of longevity in celebratory occasions. I choose whole tiger prawns today, instead of frozen shrimps I usually buy, to celebrate the 77th birthday of my grandpa. I’m sure he will love them.