Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) is very similar to Anhydrite (CaSO4). The chemical difference is that gypsum contains two waters and anhydrite is without water. Gypsum is the most common sulfate mineral. Gypsum wallboard and plaster: Wallboard and construction plaster are the primary industrial uses of gypsum in the United States.
Hoshi (æ) is a Japanese word which means star. It is also a surname. Hoshi (ä¿å¿) is a Japanese surname with a similar pronunciation. HÅshi (æ³å¸«) is unrelated to the preceding words, and pronounced differently. It is a technical term in Buddhism (see below).
Flag of Japan. The national flag of Japan is a white rectangular flag with a red disc in the center. This flag is officially called NisshÅki (æ¥ç« æ, sun-mark flag) in the Japanese language, but is more commonly known as Hinomaru (æ¥ã®ä¸¸, circle of the sun). The flag embodies Japan's nickname as the Land of the Rising Sun.