Monday, September 5, 2011

"Sit like you Shit" - My Favorite Japanese Words

Maybe this is actually worth a separate label, but since I've just done a few posts on the subject of my favorite words in Japanese I can't really be bothered...
The way it's done!

But I thought I should highlight one very popular way to relax and chill out here in Japan, which also has a very suitable name given to it. I will let the picture to the right illustrate this for you, demonstrated by a true master in the art. The word in question is うんこ座り "Unko Suwari" and literally translates into something like "crapping sitting" as the way of chilling out without a chair is reminiscent of how you need to place yourself to utilize the traditional Japanese toilet.

This particular way of sitting works very well with a cigarette in one hand and a cheap Japanese "fake" beer (the happoushuu stuff that is very close to beer but can avoid the higher beer taxation through a lower malt percentage in the brewing). It just reeks of class, I'm working on it but haven't yet nailed it down perfectly but will keep working on it!

8 comments:

Chris said...

Oh man....haposhu...that stuff single candidly (like 30 per day for 4 days in a row) made me go clean and sober permanently. I have to surpress gaging just pronouncing that word in my head.....uhhhhh

**shivers**

Momotaro said...

I wish they would make special Autumn beers for something other than that rubbish.

You forgot to mention the cheap sake cups for the squatters.

Anonymous said...

the "delincuent wannabe sitting possition" :D

Jeffrey said...

For one to sit in that manner, or the more torturous seiza, one has to still be able to bend his knees, no?

Momotaro, they once did make Autumn beers. While they would never be mistaken for those made by micro breweries in the U.S. or those crafted for Oktoberfest, they were real beer and had pretty leaves on the can/label!

Mr. Salaryman said...

Chris - Yeah, nasty stuff... I can fully related even if I wasn't up to that volume. I felt inspired to actually post on the subject no, thanks for that!

Momotaro - Well, as Jeffrey says, there are seasonal beers, but they really aren't that much different from the regular stuff as far as I know

Canthushme - Haha, well, if you're mastered it yuo're well past the wannabe stage I would say ;)

Jeffrey - Yeah, I find it extremely uncomfortable...

drich said...

Many years ago I took an acting class in the Suzuki Method. That position was the "resting" position. Maybe it's restful if you are used to it, but for me it gives new meaning to pain!

I just can't get my feet flat on the floor in that position without my calf and hamstring muscles screaming in pain. Maybe it's a good thing I have never tried a squat toilet when I have been over there...

Dom said...

Hah, I didn't know it was called that. Most countries in SE Asia also practice this shitting pose.

I actually don't find it difficult at all, although a lot of people go on about how tough it is.... maybe I just shit in old-style toilets too much.

jlpt2kyu said...

Squat toilets are like torture when you wake in the middle of the night with a killer hangover and needing to dump out a mage portion of COCO CURRY HOUSE extra spicey curry.

I had a squat toilet for 2 years so I got used to it. But yeh, you nailed it when you said that this pose really 'reeks class'.

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