Kaminari-sama (Mr. Thunder)

Feb 21, 2016 12:57
In Japan, there is a popular belief that Kaminari-sama (Mr. Thunder) falls from the sky and picks your belly button.

Therefore, we are taught to hide our belly buttons when we hear a peal of thunder.

It might sound strange, but there are rational reasons.

When a thunderstorm comes, especially it is due to a cold front, it causes an extreme drop in temperature.

For this reason, you have to cover your belly button so as not to cool your stomach.

It is said that this belief was created to prevent children from catching a cold.

Also, there is also another reason to avoid lightning strike by hiding your belly button and lowering your head position.
雷さま

日本には、雷さまがへそを取りにくる、という俗信があります。

そのため、雷が鳴ったらおへそを隠すように教わります。

不思議な話に思えるかもしれませんが、これには合理的な理由があります。

雷雨、特に寒冷前線による雷雨の場合、気温が急激に低下します。

そのため、へそを隠してお腹を冷やさないようにする必要があります。

雷さまがへそを取りにくる、というのは、子ども達が風邪を引かないようにするための工夫です。

また、へそを隠す姿勢によって頭の位置を低くさせ、雷が落ちにくくするようにという理由もあるそうです。
No. 1 nateenglishlab 's correction
  • Thunder) falls from the sky and picks your belly button.
  • Thunder) falls from the sky and picks your belly button.
     I can't imagine what "pick your belly button" means. mo hitotsu no bunsho de motto setsumei shittara omoroi to omoi kedo...
  • Therefore, we are taught to hide our belly buttons when we hear a peal of thunder.
  • Therefore, we are taught to hide our belly buttons when we hear a peal the roar of thunder.
     tabun "a peal" ha daijoubu kedo, watashi "roar" toka "clap" iu, tabun amerikajin dakara "peal" kitakotonai
  • It might sound strange, but there are rational reasons.
  • It might sound strange, but there are is a rational reasons for this.
  • When a thunderstorm comes, especially it is due to a cold front, it causes an extreme drop in temperature.
  • When a thunderstorm comes, especially it is frequently due to a cold front, it which causes an extreme drop in temperature.
  • For this reason, you have to cover your belly button so as not to cool your stomach.
  • For this reason, you have to cover your belly button so as not to let your stomach get too cold. cool your stomach.
     watashi no ime-ji ha "cool" ga ii koto dakara "too cold" tsukatta.
  • Also, there is also another reason to avoid lightning strike by hiding your belly button and lowering your head position.
  • Also, there is also another reason is that hiding your belly button and lowering your head position is a way to avoid getting hit by lightning.
     "hit by lightning" to "struck by lightning", dochidemo ii.
Cool info! You should write a blog for people learning Japanese! omoroi!
nateenglishlab
  • It might sound strange, but there are is a rational reasons for this.
ah, there are two reasons, so I made a mistake, "...but there are a few rational reasons for this." g ii
Toru
Thank you very much for correcting my post!
I'm glad to hear you say that :)
I'd like to write a blog in the near future.

> I can't imagine what "pick your belly button" means. mo hitotsu no bunsho de motto setsumei shittara omoroi to omoi kedo...

I'm sorry, it might be difficult to imagine indeed.
It's said that Kaminari-sama picks your belly buttons using a tool just like a bottle opener to eat them. I think the scene is similar to opening bottles of beer.
nateenglishlab
I see, thanks for the explanation. In this case, what does "pick" actually mean? Pick has lots of meanings. I can imagine opening a bottle of beer with a bottle opener, but I can't imagine using that tool to "open" your belly button? hmmmm... also, you say "to eat them", what is "them"? omoshiroi ne!
Toru
Oh, sorry for my confusing English.
I think "pick" means something like "dig" in this case.
(Or, "pick" of "pick your nose," or "take" of "take boogers out")
Kaminari-sama digs your belly button, and eats the belly button.
Actually, it's also difficult for us to imagine it.
nateenglishlab
I got it! thanks for the example.
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