Hi David,
I also learnt the word 'konkatsu' recently. I'll write about this topic later.(I'm a bit busier than usual today because my son and my daughter are having a day off.)

By the way, we've got a new commenter called Green, but she/he posted the comment on the last entry. I think she/he did it while you were writing the new entry. Anyway, here's Green's comment, so please have a look at it.

『How do you do, David and team!

This is my first coment to you.
I enjoy readind Dvid's blog and your coment.
It is very usefl for my English study!
I have only 445 TOEIC score.(I got the score about 4 yers ago.)

If you don't mind. may I join you?

Green 2009年06月01日 12:38』

Hi Green,
Welcome to the blog! Of course you can join us!＾＾ Look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Speak to you later,

Tomo

PS David, I checked 'konkatsu bra' on the Internet and saw some pictures of it. It also has a pen and a personal seal(印鑑) on the side of it. It's so funny!

•  Tomo
• 2009年6月 1日 15:49

Hi Green. Welcome to the blog. Nice to to have you with us.

•  David
• 2009年6月 1日 15:52

Hi David,
It's nice to know that you got a time riding on your bike and also enjoyed watching the bike racing. It's very interesting for me that Bridgestone tyres are the best. I thought that Michelin is the best company.

As for the new tpic; "konkatsu", I saw the bra on Triumph website. It's a kind of joke, isn't it? "婚避け"?! "避" has a Chinese reading; "hi", so that "konhi(pi)"?! Hummm....I will talk about this topic more later, because I feel so sleepy tonight. I can't manage to write something in English any more.

Hi Green,
Welcome to the blog! Please feel free to join us.;-)

By for now,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2009年6月 1日 22:11

Hi David,

As for the topic, I have watched a documentary program about a woman who was on 'konkatsu' before, and I learnt the word at that time. When I heard that word, I thought it sounded a bit strange. As you said, it compares looking for a marriage partner with looking for a job. The Japanese expression 就職活動 reminds me of the English expression 'job hunting', so I thought the word 'konkatsu' sounds like 'a marriage partner hunting'..
Anyway, I think it's a good idea to go out and be proactive in order to find a marriage partner if you want to get married(I know you don't, David:)), but I don't really like the word 'konkatsu'. I don't think it conveys a good image of marriage. It's not romantic.

See you soon,

Tomo

PS About the commentator you mentioned, even a native speaker make a lot of mistakes, and it made me feel better!

•  Tomo
• 2009年6月 1日 22:25

>David
I was satisfied with your opinion about mask. As you say, many Japs catch a cold in spite of wearing a mask.
But I even believe that masks have effection only to prevent virus from coming into our bady but it's not parfect.I'm not talking about the ability of masks. We can't use masks properly. We have to pay attention not to touch the surface of the mask some virus sticking on. Taking that in consideration, we can't stop all virus entering our bady by using a mask.
By the way, why are you avoiding konkatsu? Please tell me if you don't mind answering it.

e them properly. Moreover, we can't rather use them perfectly.

If you put off it by your hand, some virus moved from the mask to your hand and anyway come into your body.

>Mie, Tomo and Anne
Thanks you, Mie and Tomo, for correcting my expression. And Anne, I was surprised to hear your lots of ideas for what I wanted to express. Are you always thinking about what you should write in English in detail like that? I felt as if I was reading a book about grammer.

It's really difficult to choice the proper word puted on just before a noun, 前置詞.

•  yuu
• 2009年6月 2日 00:10

>David
You don't avoid konkatsu, right?
Sorry for my misunderstanding.
You told us that you dare not to do konkatsu, didn't you?

I think finding actively our own partners is very important! But talking about me, I can't be active for it. Haha.
By the way, do you know konkatsu bar?

•  yuu
• 2009年6月 2日 01:04

Hi David and everyone,
David, glad to hear that you had a lovely time with your bike.

As for this week's new topic, I know this word, and I think people have started to call these situation 'konkatsu' since a book '婚活時代'　was published last year. We often hear this name recently and a new TV program 'konkatsu' is now aired . As you said, it compares looking for a marriage partner with looking for a job, and I don't like the name 'knokatsu', but I think this idea itself is same as Omiai party or other opportunities which have been done for many years. So it's not a bad idea for people who want to marry; it's one of the opportunities or chances, but I also watched some TV program about it , and only parents were having a konkatsu party there .It's was a bit strange and weird.

I know Triumph's 'konkatsu bra'; I watched it on TV, and this bra looks like '婚避け？or konhi' bra for some men,doesn't it?
Actually Triumph has been invented new type of bra which reflected social conditions every year, and this year's key word is 'konkatsu'.
You saw the article in a British newspaper about a 'konkatsu ? The British newspaper not the Japanese newspaper? I didn't think about that.
By the way, if you are interested in other bras and name, just type the following name I'll writeon the blank.
2006----少子化対策ブラ
2007----投票率アップブラ
2008----裁判員制度ブラ

You'll know these name really reflect social situations.

Hi Green,
Welcome to the blog! Looking forward to hearing from you again.

Hi Yuu,
You are welcome. I don't always think this way^^;)

See you soon,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年6月 2日 05:38

少し訂正
these name →these names

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年6月 2日 06:08

Hi David,

My comment is belated. I'm sorry.
David thank you for correcting my sentences! I didn't say it to you, a reason that time was a good chance for studying English, but my English brain didn't work well.
I am glad to hear you enjoy riding on your bike, and watching bike racing.
I didn't know Bridgestone tires are so famous in the world.
This time your topic 'konkatsu' is really the new word, so I want to learn from all of you.
I didn't notice the news 'konkatsu bra' here in Japan.

Everyone have a good day!
eeko

•  eeko
• 2009年6月 2日 09:35

Ｈｅｌｌｏ，Ｄａｖｉｄ　and team!!
Do you know "Imado shrine" in Asakusa.
It is called "the god of marriage".
And the shrine hold a kind of casual meeting with a view to marrige.
It supports KONKATU PEOPLE, dosen't it.

Hi,Tomo!
Thank you to introduce me to David and team.
I am going to enjyoy writing comment !!!

•  Ｇｒｅｅｎ
• 2009年6月 2日 14:14

Ｈｅｌｌｏ，Ｄａｖｉｄ　and team!!
Do you know "Imado shrine" in Asakusa.
It is called "the god of marriage".
And the shrine hold a kind of casual meeting with a view to marrige.
It supports KONKATU PEOPLE, dosen't it.

Hi,Tomo!
Thank you to introduce me to David and team.
I am going to enjyoy writing comment !!!

•  Ｇｒｅｅｎ
• 2009年6月 2日 14:16

Maki,How do you do!
Thank you for sending a message to me!

•  Green
• 2009年6月 2日 14:28

Hi,David! This topic was so interesting! Don't you wanna get a marriage? Do you avoid to get a marriage actively? If you do so,me also too! I love my job,my life style,and,my first priority of life is standing on my own two feet,so,not to depend on anyone. So,how can I describe it ＜婚避け＞・・・？＜
避け＞is not correspond with ＜katsu＞,isn't it? How about ＜hikon＞? Hikon is ＜非婚＞, in kanji. Apparently,非婚　was　from a title of a book,we used to hear the word.<非＞means ＜denial＞　as you knew. I'm so active everyday! But so I don't wanna get a marriage,so,my activity is doing nothing!!! BUt the word ＜非婚＞means much more about ＜a person's cause＞than ＜activity＞.I can't conceive anymore! Sorry!!

•  匿名
• 2009年6月 2日 15:12

Hi Green,

Welcome to the blog!
Nice to have you with us.
Let's have fun.

Hi David and everyone,

This time's topic is "Konkatu"
Wow, it is interesting topic.
I don't know exactly about it.
It's not bad seeing in the crystal ball their life.
But I wonder if they have a exact target of a person or not.
My image of "Konkatu" is like some contract.
They try to find them good value out.
They size them up.
I agree that if that activity has a purpose to improve themselves.
I disagree that it is only finding a person who are win-win without mind.
On the other hand,it is fact that a lot of people who are unmarried want to get a opportunity to meet someone.

I think the most important thing is how you'll take advantage of a good opportunity.

I want a crystal ball which can see the future.(^_^;)

Kazu

•  Kazu
• 2009年6月 2日 18:37

Hi David and Everyone,

"Konkatsu" compares looking for a marriage partner with looking for a job, as you said. One of my collegues does it these days, because he doesn't have a chance to find his partner, as he works from early in the morning to late at night every day. I think it is the same idea as Omiai and it's a nice opportunity for such people who want to marry. But I watched, maybe the same program as Anne did and I felt it was very odd. There were only parents with their son's or daughter's photo in a konkatsu party. What do you think?!

Anne, I didn't know that Triumph has made a lot of "unique bras" since 2000!

Talk to you later,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2009年6月 2日 21:57

Hi David and everyone,

I didn't give my views on the mask, so I talk about it simply.
During the influenza was upping overheat, I was having the mask for etiquette manner. And also, I did mouth washing and hands washing carefully for me. Still I'm having the mask when I go out.
In Japan, when one media gets an interesting word or funny expression way and become popular, many another medias try to get same reputation, and modifies next naming. In this way, huge number words are born and disappeared. So I'm being watching and seeing.

As for the new topic 'konkatsu' I learnt this word in my English learning circle. Don't burst out laughing, our members mostly don't need 'konkatsu', 'syukatsu'. However, 'rikatsu' may be need, because many wives complain about retired spouse. The other day, I had a chance to ask my grandson about my 'konkatsu'. His answer was just no, so I didn't ask him anymore.

Hi Green,
Welcome to the blog! I'm learning English on this site since last year, but I'm not good at English conversation yet. However, I believe the proverb 'continuing is perfect ', and I'm sometimes making comments.

Have a good day,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2009年6月 3日 11:15

Hi David and everyone,

I didn't give my views on the mask, so I talk about it simply.
During the influenza was upping overheat, I was having the mask for etiquette manner. And also, I did mouth washing and hands washing carefully for me. Still I'm having the mask when I go out.
In Japan, when one media gets an interesting word or funny expression way and become popular, many another medias try to get same reputation, and modifies next naming. In this way, huge number words are born and disappeared. So I'm being watching and seeing.

As for the new topic 'konkatsu' I learnt this word in my English learning circle. Don't burst out laughing, our members mostly don't need 'konkatsu', 'syukatsu'. However, 'rikatsu' may be need, because many wives complain about retired spouse. The other day, I had a chance to ask my grandson about my 'konkatsu'. His answer was just no, so I didn't ask him anymore.

Hi Green,
Welcome to the blog! I'm learning English on this site since last year, but I'm not good at English conversation yet. However, I believe the proverb 'continuing is perfect ', and I'm sometimes making comments.

Have a good day,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2009年6月 3日 11:21

Hi David

When I heard “konkatsu” at the first time, I could not imagine what it stands for.
Now I know it stands for “kekkon katsudo”, but I really don’t know how it works.
I mean if konkatsu is just for finding a marriage partner, is there any difference between konkatsu and Omiai party?
I think it is good for some people who want to get married. I don’t like the word “konkatsu”, actually I don’t like these kinds of abbreviation.

Hi everyone

I have been busy with my work since Monday, so I am suffering from lack of sleep.
I know I should go to bed before midnight, but as you see my posting time, it’s past my bedtime.

Good night and sweet dreams.

•  amo
• 2009年6月 4日 00:45

Hi everyone,

There was a really sad story in the news in Britain this week. A British man and his Japanese wife killed themselves after their five-year-old son died of meningitis. He was already paralyzed following a car accident he was in when he was just a baby. If you want to read the story, go to Google news and search for 'Beachy Head'. Beachy Head is the name of the place where they committed suicide. It is a very high cliff, and the parents jumped off the top carrying their son's body in a rucksack. As I said, it is an incredibly sad story, and because the mother was Japanese, I was wondering whether it has been on the TV or in the newspapers in Japan.

•  David
• 2009年6月 4日 10:24

Hi David,

I just read some articles about it both in English and Japanese.(It's been on the news called ‘日テレNEWS24’.) It's a really sad story..

•  Tomo
• 2009年6月 4日 11:15

Hi David,

I have a question about a sentence whoch you wrote in your last post.

You wrote, 'I was wondering whether it is been on the TV or in the newspapers in Japan.'

IS the part,'it is been' correct grammatically?

•  Gussan
• 2009年6月 4日 12:10

Hi Gussan,

Sorry, that was a typing mistake. I'll change it.

•  David
• 2009年6月 4日 17:26

Hi David,
I didn't know that sad story.
I saw the article on the website you showed, and I found out that article.
Sam's parents had a big shock with their son's illness and death.
I guess that probably it was too sad for them to live without Sam.
I can say nothing, and I think that their parents and friends also really have been grieved.

•  eeko
• 2009年6月 4日 20:43

Hi David,
I didn't know about that tragedy, and didn't read in the newspaper in Japanese, so I'm not sure it's been on the TV except ‘日テレNEWS24’. I just read some articles about it in English. It's really sad....

Hi Maki,
Yes, when I first saw it in the newspaper a few years ago, I felt it strange and weird, but it is actually an advertising strategy for the company, right?

Hi Kiyoko,
'Rikatsu'? I didn't know the name, hmmm...

Hi amo,
I hope you'll have time to relax and sleep this weekend.
As you said, I also don't like this way of naming.

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年6月 4日 22:18

Hi Daivd,
I didn't know about the story and read some articles on the internet. It's really sad...

Hi Anne,
Yes, I think so, because all are not on sale.

Hi amo,
Hope you will have a relaxing weekend.

Good night.

Maki

•  Maki
• 2009年6月 4日 23:52

Hi David

I did not know that news, so I’ve just read the news in the net.
It is really sad…. They couldn’t bear losing their beloved son.
I haven’t watched TV lately, so I don’t know this news was on the air in Japan or not.

Hi Anne

Thank you for your comment.
My busy days will last until this end of month.
But I can relax on weekends.
Tomorrow(already today) is Friday, so there is only one more day to go.

Take care

•  amo
• 2009年6月 5日 00:11

Hi everyone, good morning!

I want to correct my sentence I wrote June 4.

I saw the article on the website you showed, and I found out that article.→ I found out that article you showed, and I read the article on the website.

Is this correct, everyone?

•  eeko
• 2009年6月 5日 07:54