The country we live in ; Japan is a island country. So Japan has been separated from foreign countries and developed unique culture. Today, I'll introduce some of unique Japanese culture.
There are a lot of unique food in Japan. Generally, they are called Japanese food. I think that "sushi" is one of the most interesting Japanese food. Most Japanese eat sushi on the special day such as birthday or the New Year's day. It means that sushi is expensive and affective food for Japanese. Sushi have a lot of varieties. Most of them are raw fish on polished rice. Some foreign people don't like to eat raw fish. But Japanese are fond of eating raw fish. I also love it. We can eat sushi without chopsticks, of course not knife and fork. Today, Japanese food are loved all over the world.
We can see a lot of Japanese custom in New Year's day. I think that "Kakizome" is one of the most interesting Japanese culture. The first calligraphy of the year is called "Kakizome" in Japan. Many people in Japan write their aspirations of that year with a writing brush and common Japanese writing paper. I had go to a calligraphy school for about 10 years. So I do "Kakizome" every year. I can set my objective of that year and in order to make my ambitions come true, I can keep going to the end!
I think that Japanese style room is also important Japanese culture. Japanese building is in a class by itself Japanese style room. Its Japanese name is "Washitu". For example, "tatami","syouzi","kakeziku" and so on. In these days, more houses in Japan are made in Western style. But a lot of Japanese people is very familiar with Japanese style room. The smell of "tatami" makes me relaxed. I think that we can feel Japanese history and spirits of our ancestor from Japanese style room. So I think that Japanese style room is important Japanese culture.
Thus, Japan has a lot of unique culture. I think that this is the culture about which Japan can boast to the world. We should succeed to the next generation!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Japanese culture
Japanese have a unique idea called “Ma.” “Ma” is the spatial or chronic intervals that characterize Japanese culture. It has much influence for Japanese idea and the way of expression. The range of its influence is very broad, and reach from Japanese life-style to art. Especially, “Ma” is often reminded in Japanese traditional art like “Noh”, “Kabuki” and “Gagaku.” And in art that has no motion like bonsai and calligraphy, “Ma” is reminded.
For example, in Noh, audiences tend to feel tired and troublesomeness when a performance is too perfect as audiences hardly have time to catch their breath. However performance is good, this phenomenon always happen. But if performer purposely refrain from his performance moderately, audiences enjoy that performance and concentrate on it. Saving his performance purposely like this is called in Japanese “Suki” means “an aperture,” and this aperture is very “Ma”, which makes Noh enjoyable and deeply significant. In a similar way, in other arts, “Ma” makes them enjoyable and deeply significant.
In Japanese dairy life, “Ma” is necessary. If any “Ma” like “Ma” among talks, chronic “Ma” and spatial “Ma” are not exist , we must live always feeling strictness. So, it is the Japanese idea to create emotional, chronic and spatial composure in dairy life. However, though “Ma” is very important, “Ma” itself is not usually reminded. It is on the ware and not noticeable. And this character can give us composure in dairy life that tend to be busy.
Then, how used “Ma” in modern society. Modern Japanese become very busy, and people are given many characters, roles and duties. And to make matter worse, in modern Japan, the mass say this tendency is good, and if we try to keep “Ma,” we must feel a sense of estrangement. Then, people take small “Ma” in dairy life. This means people have hobbies like travel, playing sports or game, and listening music. Modern Japanese get emotional composure by this way.
Thus, “Ma” always supports Japanese culture and dairy life from the earliest times to modern inconspicuously. I think this “Ma” is the very Japanese fundamental sensitivity.
For example, in Noh, audiences tend to feel tired and troublesomeness when a performance is too perfect as audiences hardly have time to catch their breath. However performance is good, this phenomenon always happen. But if performer purposely refrain from his performance moderately, audiences enjoy that performance and concentrate on it. Saving his performance purposely like this is called in Japanese “Suki” means “an aperture,” and this aperture is very “Ma”, which makes Noh enjoyable and deeply significant. In a similar way, in other arts, “Ma” makes them enjoyable and deeply significant.
In Japanese dairy life, “Ma” is necessary. If any “Ma” like “Ma” among talks, chronic “Ma” and spatial “Ma” are not exist , we must live always feeling strictness. So, it is the Japanese idea to create emotional, chronic and spatial composure in dairy life. However, though “Ma” is very important, “Ma” itself is not usually reminded. It is on the ware and not noticeable. And this character can give us composure in dairy life that tend to be busy.
Then, how used “Ma” in modern society. Modern Japanese become very busy, and people are given many characters, roles and duties. And to make matter worse, in modern Japan, the mass say this tendency is good, and if we try to keep “Ma,” we must feel a sense of estrangement. Then, people take small “Ma” in dairy life. This means people have hobbies like travel, playing sports or game, and listening music. Modern Japanese get emotional composure by this way.
Thus, “Ma” always supports Japanese culture and dairy life from the earliest times to modern inconspicuously. I think this “Ma” is the very Japanese fundamental sensitivity.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Japanese Culture
There are some unique cultures in Japan. I tell you something that is important to Japanese culture from them, Haiku, Sushi, Mt.Fuji.
Haiku has some features.
First, Haiku is a Japanese poem in seventeen syllables having a 5-7-5 syllabic form. It is thought that it is a very good rhythm.
Second, most haiku has a word that is called "Kigo". Kigo is a word that symbolically indicates season. It is assumed that it is preferable that one is sure to be included in haiku.
Third, in the haiku there must be one "Kire" without exeption. "Kire" is the one to sever the flow of the phrase. It is considered that Kire is important. So if a certain Haiku doesn’t have a Kire, it is not viewed as a Haiku.
Haiku is actively written in the English-soeaking countries , and not the English-speaking countries , in Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Croatia, Slovene, Serb, and Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, China, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Brazil, India, and Bangladesh , it is created. Today, the haiku is widely received and created100 in many foreign countries.
Sushi is Japanese food that combined rinegared rice with the seafood. Today, sushi shaped by hand is representative of sushi. Others, there are pressed sushi, inarizushi which flavored boiled rice wrapped in fried bean curd, fermented sushi and so on.
In these past few years, especially in conveyor belt sushi bars and foreign country sushi restaurants, such as the mini hamburger steaks, pountry, avocadoes, and fantastic idea has increased if it sees from a past sushi. It is very delicious, too. So it is very popular in not only the country but also foreign countries.
Mt.Fuji is higher any other mountain in Japan. Mt.Fuji is in the prefectural boundary in Shizuoka and Yamanashi. When it is seen from a long distance, it looks beautiful. It is widely known as a symbol of Japan in not only the country but also foreign country.
They are not in foreign countries and indispensable for Japan. We should be proud of them and inform the world of them. As a result of it, Japan might be known more.
Haiku has some features.
First, Haiku is a Japanese poem in seventeen syllables having a 5-7-5 syllabic form. It is thought that it is a very good rhythm.
Second, most haiku has a word that is called "Kigo". Kigo is a word that symbolically indicates season. It is assumed that it is preferable that one is sure to be included in haiku.
Third, in the haiku there must be one "Kire" without exeption. "Kire" is the one to sever the flow of the phrase. It is considered that Kire is important. So if a certain Haiku doesn’t have a Kire, it is not viewed as a Haiku.
Haiku is actively written in the English-soeaking countries , and not the English-speaking countries , in Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Croatia, Slovene, Serb, and Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, China, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Brazil, India, and Bangladesh , it is created. Today, the haiku is widely received and created100 in many foreign countries.
Sushi is Japanese food that combined rinegared rice with the seafood. Today, sushi shaped by hand is representative of sushi. Others, there are pressed sushi, inarizushi which flavored boiled rice wrapped in fried bean curd, fermented sushi and so on.
In these past few years, especially in conveyor belt sushi bars and foreign country sushi restaurants, such as the mini hamburger steaks, pountry, avocadoes, and fantastic idea has increased if it sees from a past sushi. It is very delicious, too. So it is very popular in not only the country but also foreign countries.
Mt.Fuji is higher any other mountain in Japan. Mt.Fuji is in the prefectural boundary in Shizuoka and Yamanashi. When it is seen from a long distance, it looks beautiful. It is widely known as a symbol of Japan in not only the country but also foreign country.
They are not in foreign countries and indispensable for Japan. We should be proud of them and inform the world of them. As a result of it, Japan might be known more.
Japanese Culture
There are a lot of wonderful cultures in Japan. The cultures have appeared and disappeared while we live casually every day. I want to introduce three cultures here from among that.
First, “karaoke” is Japanese culture. “Karaoke” makes feels of us good. Though this is what I also knew for the first time, “karaoke” seems to be a culture of Japan. It doesn’t limit to the Japanese, and music is one of the things that we can enjoy in all parts of the world. “Karaoke” is gotten at a good chance to relieve the stress. In Japan, because the stress builds up easily few at the vacation, it seems that the culture of “karaoke” established it. If the stress is removed by “karaoke”, people can spend life of the good feeling.
Second thing is “hanami”. “Hanami” promotes the interpersonal communication. It is the one to eat food and to drink while seeing cherry blossoms. We will see a lot of people of families, groups of the university students, and the company. Though we are happy only in seeing cherry blossoms, we can enjoy irreplaceable time by talking and eating with friendly people. Thus “hanami” will come in a splendid place for the person to deepen the exchange with other people.
Third thing is “keigo (the honorific)”. “Keigo” becomes the most important for building sociability. The feature of “keigo” uses the honorific expression for the other party, and the humble expression is used for oneself. If “keigo” is used in a social scene by a wrong usage, it becomes impolite to the other party. However, if we can use it well, it becomes big arms for us to associate with the person.
To defend the Japanese culture of which we can boast, we will have to pass on the culture to people. I think that everyone learns the Japanese culture, and want everyone to enhance every day.
First, “karaoke” is Japanese culture. “Karaoke” makes feels of us good. Though this is what I also knew for the first time, “karaoke” seems to be a culture of Japan. It doesn’t limit to the Japanese, and music is one of the things that we can enjoy in all parts of the world. “Karaoke” is gotten at a good chance to relieve the stress. In Japan, because the stress builds up easily few at the vacation, it seems that the culture of “karaoke” established it. If the stress is removed by “karaoke”, people can spend life of the good feeling.
Second thing is “hanami”. “Hanami” promotes the interpersonal communication. It is the one to eat food and to drink while seeing cherry blossoms. We will see a lot of people of families, groups of the university students, and the company. Though we are happy only in seeing cherry blossoms, we can enjoy irreplaceable time by talking and eating with friendly people. Thus “hanami” will come in a splendid place for the person to deepen the exchange with other people.
Third thing is “keigo (the honorific)”. “Keigo” becomes the most important for building sociability. The feature of “keigo” uses the honorific expression for the other party, and the humble expression is used for oneself. If “keigo” is used in a social scene by a wrong usage, it becomes impolite to the other party. However, if we can use it well, it becomes big arms for us to associate with the person.
To defend the Japanese culture of which we can boast, we will have to pass on the culture to people. I think that everyone learns the Japanese culture, and want everyone to enhance every day.
Japanese culture
Recently, Japan came to be paid attention by all over the world. As one of these reasons, Japanese culture has been received to the world. Japan has many various cultures. For example, Bowing, Green tea, Karaoke, Healthy food, and etc.
However, these come to be changed because of the influence of various foreign countries. In this essay, I would introduce some Japanese cultures, and change of Japanese culture in recent years.
I think the most necessary thing to live in Japan is Bow, which is very important thing. You will know that Japanese values cooperation. If you are facing trouble with someone, bowing is very useful to avoid such a situation. We have learned the way of Bowing since born moment. So, all of us know how to bow.However, it becomes severe when finding employment in the service industry etc. At least, the angle of the bow has been decided by the enterprise in Japan. For example, ”Irassyaimase”, which is used when you invite your customer, is decided 30°, and “Moushiwakegozaimasen”, which is used when you want to apologize, is decided 45°.Of course, you don’t have to do these things all day long. But, if you want to become accustomed to the culture of Japan, you should use these things. Then, people in Japan will be seeing you well. For the above-mentioned reasons, bowing is very important in Japanese culture.
Japanese foods are very healthy. It was not until recently that its importance was fully recognized. Now, many people know it all over the world. Why does it be so healthy? I think that the history of Japan is in the background. For a long time, Japanese ate fishes, and vegetables. Japanese has eaten a little meat for a long time. Because, Japan is an island nation, so they didn’t have enough space to grow domestic animals. So, the Japanese food became healthy for such reasons. Because of this, Japan became the best country of long life expectancy in the world.
However, the number of those who get the lifestyle diseases has increased along with the change of food to Europe and America recently. I think Japanese will become the people who don’t want to eat Japanese foods. And, long life world 1 will not become Japan some time.I think that we should eat Japanese food more to avoid such a situation. And I want to make Japanese food known to the world more.
There are various kinds of tea. For example, Green tea, Tea, Oolong tea, and so on. The tea most frequently drunk in Japan is green tea. (Chinese drink it, too) So, I often drink green tea, too. Green tea was transmitted from china as a panacea. (Panacea is a medicine which is used for all kinds of sickness) I often drink green tea when I want to settle down. Gradually, green tea is paid to attention in the world for its effect concerning health.However, when foreign people drink green tea at first, they will feel bitter.In foreign country, Japanese green tea is sold with sugar added. Usual green tea doesn't add sugar. Though I drank both, but I like usual green tea. Additionally, it is certain that not adding sugar is good for health. So if you have opportunity to drink it, you should not add sugar.
In conclusion, I introduce three typical Japanese cultures. One is the culture of bowing, which is very important thing. Another is about the health of the Japanese foods, which importance has been researched by a lot of researchers. It is gradually clarified.The last is the culture of drinking the green tea. We are often relieved by it. I think that there are still many cultures excluding these. So if you live in Japan for a long time, please learn many important cultures. This will help you to live easily.
However, these come to be changed because of the influence of various foreign countries. In this essay, I would introduce some Japanese cultures, and change of Japanese culture in recent years.
I think the most necessary thing to live in Japan is Bow, which is very important thing. You will know that Japanese values cooperation. If you are facing trouble with someone, bowing is very useful to avoid such a situation. We have learned the way of Bowing since born moment. So, all of us know how to bow.However, it becomes severe when finding employment in the service industry etc. At least, the angle of the bow has been decided by the enterprise in Japan. For example, ”Irassyaimase”, which is used when you invite your customer, is decided 30°, and “Moushiwakegozaimasen”, which is used when you want to apologize, is decided 45°.Of course, you don’t have to do these things all day long. But, if you want to become accustomed to the culture of Japan, you should use these things. Then, people in Japan will be seeing you well. For the above-mentioned reasons, bowing is very important in Japanese culture.
Japanese foods are very healthy. It was not until recently that its importance was fully recognized. Now, many people know it all over the world. Why does it be so healthy? I think that the history of Japan is in the background. For a long time, Japanese ate fishes, and vegetables. Japanese has eaten a little meat for a long time. Because, Japan is an island nation, so they didn’t have enough space to grow domestic animals. So, the Japanese food became healthy for such reasons. Because of this, Japan became the best country of long life expectancy in the world.
However, the number of those who get the lifestyle diseases has increased along with the change of food to Europe and America recently. I think Japanese will become the people who don’t want to eat Japanese foods. And, long life world 1 will not become Japan some time.I think that we should eat Japanese food more to avoid such a situation. And I want to make Japanese food known to the world more.
There are various kinds of tea. For example, Green tea, Tea, Oolong tea, and so on. The tea most frequently drunk in Japan is green tea. (Chinese drink it, too) So, I often drink green tea, too. Green tea was transmitted from china as a panacea. (Panacea is a medicine which is used for all kinds of sickness) I often drink green tea when I want to settle down. Gradually, green tea is paid to attention in the world for its effect concerning health.However, when foreign people drink green tea at first, they will feel bitter.In foreign country, Japanese green tea is sold with sugar added. Usual green tea doesn't add sugar. Though I drank both, but I like usual green tea. Additionally, it is certain that not adding sugar is good for health. So if you have opportunity to drink it, you should not add sugar.
In conclusion, I introduce three typical Japanese cultures. One is the culture of bowing, which is very important thing. Another is about the health of the Japanese foods, which importance has been researched by a lot of researchers. It is gradually clarified.The last is the culture of drinking the green tea. We are often relieved by it. I think that there are still many cultures excluding these. So if you live in Japan for a long time, please learn many important cultures. This will help you to live easily.
Japanese Culture
Samurai (侍 or sometimes 士) is a common term for a warrior in pre-industrial Japan. A more appropriate term is bushi (武士) (lit. "war-man") which came into use during the Edo period. However, the term samurai now usually refers to warrior nobility, not, for example, ashigaru or foot soldiers. The samurai with no attachment to a clan or daimyo was called a ronin (lit. "wave-man"). Tom Cruise in "The last Samurai" has provided a modern introduction to the way of the Samurai.Samurai were expected to be cultured and literate, and over time, samurai during the Tokugawa era gradually lost their military function. By the end of the Tokugawa, samurai were essentially civilian bureaucrats for the daimyo with their swords serving only ceremonial purposes. With the Meiji reforms in the late 19th century, the samurai were abolished as a distinct class in favour of a western-style national army. The strict code that they followed, called bushido, still survives in present-day Japanese society, as do many other aspects of their way of life. The word samurai has its origins in the pre-Heian period Japan when it was pronounced saburai, meaning servant or attendant. It was not until the early modern period, namely the Azuchi-Momoyama period and early Edo period of the late 16th and early 17th centuries that the word saburai became substituted with samurai. However, by then, the meaning had already long before changed. During the era of the rule of the samurai, the earlier term yumitori (“bowman”) was also used as an honorary title of an accomplished warrior even when swordsmanship had become more important. Japanese archery (kyujutsu), is still strongly associated with the war god Hachiman.
Shogatsu
In Japan, there are many events the people enjoy. “Shogatsu” is one example of them. I have memories that I’ve been enjoying talking with my families and eating delicious food during Shogatsu. In Shogastu, people feel happy, smile, and laugh very much.
Shogatsu, Japanese New Year, is important days for Japanese culture. Though there are differences among areas, we generally celebrate it for the first three days or the first week of January. During those days many people living away from their families return home, and their families get together. In Shogatsu, Japanese people eat special dishes, for example, sushi, "osechi-ryori," which looks colorful and splendid, and "ozoni," which is soup including rice cakes and some vegetables, enjoying talking with their families. We make it a custom to send New Year's postcards called "Nengajo" to our friends and relatives as greetings for the new year so that they arrive on New Year's Day. Nowadays many young people send them as e-mails. We enjoy writing and reading them. In Shogatsu children get money called "otoshidama" from parents and relatives, so children are looking forward to coming Shogatsu and meeting relatives. When children meet relatives, they can learn good manners, too.
Sushi is vinegar rice topped with raw fish, or rolled in “nori”, which is translated as “laver” in English, with various ingredients. Japanese people have developed the food culture of eating sushi because we tend to like eating fish since Japan is surrounded by sea. Now it is known as a famous Japanese food all over the world, you know. When we eat it, it is always dipped in soy sauce. However, it often tastes not only lightly salty owing to soy sauce, but also spicy because sushi generally contains “wasabi,” Japanese horseradish. When we are children, most of us don’t like the taste of wasabi, but the older we become, the more delicious sushi with wasabi tastes for us. Sushi is expensive, so it seems that we don’t have much opportunity to eat it, but since Shogatsu is special days, we can often eat it, which makes us feel happy.
A kotatsu is a low table frame covered with a futon or blanket on which a table is put, and its underneath is a heat source. We use it by putting our legs into it in winter, of course, in Shogatsu, too, and we warm up from its heat. It is a familiar scene for us that there are some mandarin oranges on the table of the kotatsu, and a family put their legs into it, watching TV together and laughing. The kotatsu makes us relaxed and gives us much opportunity to communicate with our families.
There are many other things we do and scenes we can see in Shogatsu. From young to elderly people, all enjoy Shogatsu, so it is important days for Japanese culture and people. We need to cherish those days.
Shogatsu, Japanese New Year, is important days for Japanese culture. Though there are differences among areas, we generally celebrate it for the first three days or the first week of January. During those days many people living away from their families return home, and their families get together. In Shogatsu, Japanese people eat special dishes, for example, sushi, "osechi-ryori," which looks colorful and splendid, and "ozoni," which is soup including rice cakes and some vegetables, enjoying talking with their families. We make it a custom to send New Year's postcards called "Nengajo" to our friends and relatives as greetings for the new year so that they arrive on New Year's Day. Nowadays many young people send them as e-mails. We enjoy writing and reading them. In Shogatsu children get money called "otoshidama" from parents and relatives, so children are looking forward to coming Shogatsu and meeting relatives. When children meet relatives, they can learn good manners, too.
Sushi is vinegar rice topped with raw fish, or rolled in “nori”, which is translated as “laver” in English, with various ingredients. Japanese people have developed the food culture of eating sushi because we tend to like eating fish since Japan is surrounded by sea. Now it is known as a famous Japanese food all over the world, you know. When we eat it, it is always dipped in soy sauce. However, it often tastes not only lightly salty owing to soy sauce, but also spicy because sushi generally contains “wasabi,” Japanese horseradish. When we are children, most of us don’t like the taste of wasabi, but the older we become, the more delicious sushi with wasabi tastes for us. Sushi is expensive, so it seems that we don’t have much opportunity to eat it, but since Shogatsu is special days, we can often eat it, which makes us feel happy.
A kotatsu is a low table frame covered with a futon or blanket on which a table is put, and its underneath is a heat source. We use it by putting our legs into it in winter, of course, in Shogatsu, too, and we warm up from its heat. It is a familiar scene for us that there are some mandarin oranges on the table of the kotatsu, and a family put their legs into it, watching TV together and laughing. The kotatsu makes us relaxed and gives us much opportunity to communicate with our families.
There are many other things we do and scenes we can see in Shogatsu. From young to elderly people, all enjoy Shogatsu, so it is important days for Japanese culture and people. We need to cherish those days.
Japanese Cuture
Japan has one of the interesting cultures all over the world. There are a lot of cultural things for example, New Year’s Day, Setubun, Tanabata, temples, and so on. In these ones, I would like to introduce Setubun, New Year’s Day, and temples.These days, Setubun was held on February 3rd. We throw beans saying, “Oni-ha-soto, Fuku-ha-uti.” And then we eat beans and Ehoumaki standing toward the direction that is decided each year. We eat beans the number of our own age plus one. In this connection, the direction of this year is the east-northeast. Setubun was one of the Imperial Court events in Heian era. Since Edo era, people came to throw beans and eat Ehoumaki like now. However, the purpose of this event which is to take away evil spirits doesn’t change since Heian era. Ehoumaki was thought between Edo and Meiji era by merchants in Osaka who desire prosperity of their business. The reason that we eat beans the number of our own age plus one comes from that people thought eating beans make us strong. In this event we can throw beans and eat a large Ehoumaki so I think children like it very much. I also like it because my mother allows me to throw beans with all my full strength like playing baseball.New Year’s Day is one of the most important days in Japan. On the day, when I get up in the morning, I rush to the mailbox in front of my house as soon as I can and take some New Year’s letter from my friends. This is one of the enjoyments in the day. The animal of the year is printed and some messages are written by my friends. It’s fun to read the messages. These days, someone sends e-mail as New Year’s letter but I think that it’s cheerless. In New Year’s Day, almost all the people in Japan eat festive food called “Osechi”. The contents in this food are decided and have their own means. Although people in Hokkaido eat it on December 31, I eat it on January 1 in Nagoya. The reason is that the night of December 31 was the beginning of January 1 in the lunar calendar in Meiji era. Another enjoyment of the day is “Otoshidama” which parents and relatives give the relative children some money. Some use them soon, other save them carefully. In this way, there are a lot of enjoyments in New Year’s Day so many children wait it impatiently.There are a lot of temples in Japan. Especially almost all of the temples were built in Kyoto or Nara. In these cities we can visit many world heritages for example Todai-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Kiyomizudera. Todai-ji was built by the Emperor Shoumu in Nara in the first half of the eighth century. Why is this temple famous? It is easy to answer. The reason is that this temple has a very big statue of Buddha. Its height is about fifteen meters. Kinkaku-ji is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Japan. I have visited there once. When I see its gold form, I could say nothing because of its beauty. This temple was burned two times but its Chinese phoenix at the top of the temple wasn’t burned both times. Kiyomizudera is famous for the high stage. We say that jump down from the stage of Kiyomizu when we do something difficult. In this way Japan has various temples and we can enter some buildings of them so I would like to visit Kyoto and Nara many time.Japan has many other cultural things. We Japanese even don’t know all of them. So I think we have to know more about it.
Japanese Culture Blog
Each of countries and areas all over the world has their own culture. Japan, too, has own culture that don’t similar to the others culture. Japan had influenced by China for long time, but Japan has influenced by Europe and America since the Meiji Restoration. Therefore, Japan has both China and the West culture and it is interesting. I am going to explain about part of the Japanese Culture.
Japan has original food culture and it surprises foreign people. I am going to introduce about "nihonryori", first, which are called "nihonsyoku" and "wasyoku", too. They are Japanese traditional food culture and they have three main characteristics. In the first place, they have developed in Japan and they are made by foods which are highly related to Japan. Second, they are seasoned weaker, and it makes the most of food's own taste. Third, they dished fine and they are very beautiful, therefore you enjoy them not only taste but also sight. They are popular all over the world. Especially, sushi, sashimi, soba and tempura are very famous. Next, I am talking about a diversity of Japanese food culture. There is very wealthy food culture in Japan, because Japan brings in various food cultures from other countries, such as Chinese, Italian, French, and so on. Mainly, they have been brought in Japan since 1970's and they have been popular. Particularly, young people in Japan like fast food and they do not "nihonryori" usually because people get fast food easily, and fast food is reasonable. Japanese food culture has been changing now.
Japan develops original and interesting games. Haiku is a poetic form unique to Japan, which is the shortest poetic form in the world with a three-line, 5-7-5 Japanese syllabic structure. It must contain a “kigo” , the word that expresses a season. You make it whenever you like, but some people often assemble and announcement their works each other. Elderly people in Japan like making it but many young Japanese seldom make it. Haiku is traditional Japanese culture, so I want many young people in Japan to enjoy it, and I hope it is passed down from generation to generation.
Japan has own New Year’s Day culture. One of it is “omikuji”, which is a kind of fortunetelling. It tells whether the lottery drawer can expect good luck or bad luck in marriage, on proposed journeys or in business. Many people in Japan go to shrines on the first of January and they ask god their wish. Then, they buy the “omikuji”. There are several ways of getting it. One method is to draw one stick out of a wooden box containing many such sticks. Another is to choose a folded sheet of paper. Japanese buy it, and pleased or be sad at the beginning of New Year. Would you like to buy “omikuji”, if you will go shrine.
Japan has its own culture and it is interesting. You can find a lot of another Japanese Culture if you will check. The more you learn about Japanese Culture, the more you like Japan. Seeing is believing. Would you like to visit Japan and experience Japanese Culture?
Japan has original food culture and it surprises foreign people. I am going to introduce about "nihonryori", first, which are called "nihonsyoku" and "wasyoku", too. They are Japanese traditional food culture and they have three main characteristics. In the first place, they have developed in Japan and they are made by foods which are highly related to Japan. Second, they are seasoned weaker, and it makes the most of food's own taste. Third, they dished fine and they are very beautiful, therefore you enjoy them not only taste but also sight. They are popular all over the world. Especially, sushi, sashimi, soba and tempura are very famous. Next, I am talking about a diversity of Japanese food culture. There is very wealthy food culture in Japan, because Japan brings in various food cultures from other countries, such as Chinese, Italian, French, and so on. Mainly, they have been brought in Japan since 1970's and they have been popular. Particularly, young people in Japan like fast food and they do not "nihonryori" usually because people get fast food easily, and fast food is reasonable. Japanese food culture has been changing now.
Japan develops original and interesting games. Haiku is a poetic form unique to Japan, which is the shortest poetic form in the world with a three-line, 5-7-5 Japanese syllabic structure. It must contain a “kigo” , the word that expresses a season. You make it whenever you like, but some people often assemble and announcement their works each other. Elderly people in Japan like making it but many young Japanese seldom make it. Haiku is traditional Japanese culture, so I want many young people in Japan to enjoy it, and I hope it is passed down from generation to generation.
Japan has own New Year’s Day culture. One of it is “omikuji”, which is a kind of fortunetelling. It tells whether the lottery drawer can expect good luck or bad luck in marriage, on proposed journeys or in business. Many people in Japan go to shrines on the first of January and they ask god their wish. Then, they buy the “omikuji”. There are several ways of getting it. One method is to draw one stick out of a wooden box containing many such sticks. Another is to choose a folded sheet of paper. Japanese buy it, and pleased or be sad at the beginning of New Year. Would you like to buy “omikuji”, if you will go shrine.
Japan has its own culture and it is interesting. You can find a lot of another Japanese Culture if you will check. The more you learn about Japanese Culture, the more you like Japan. Seeing is believing. Would you like to visit Japan and experience Japanese Culture?
Japanese Culture Blog
Culture is the result of human activity which is food, clothing, shelter, science, skill, scholarship, art, moral, religion, politics, etc. We learn a lot of things from our daily life, and take our place in adult society. Our daily life is made up of culture, so we must understand what Japanese culture is.
First, I will tell you about Japanese art, for example, Nihonga, Ikebana, Kabuki and Haiku. They are so beautiful and wonderful, so we should make effort to hand down them to posterity. A picture painted in Japanese style is called Nihonga. It is traditional Japanese painting using powdered mineral pigments instead of oils. Ikebana is Japanese are of flower arrangement, also known as Kado. We can feel even moss exhibited by Ikebana. Kabuki is a type of traditional Japanese drama which follows highly-stylized forms and takes up stories with popular appeal. Haiku is a Japanese poem consisting of seventeen syllables. We need have a lot of knowledge in order to understand Haiku. Japanese can cultivate a sense of beauty by watching them, so they should be protected by us.
Secondly, I will tell you about a superstition in Japan. One, the snake appears when I whistle at night. When I whistle with taking a bath, my parents always say be quiet. However I whistle because of taking a bath is so pleasant. I think that parents made the superstition in order to make their children be quiet, because if I whistle, the snake will not appear practically. However I think that it is important for children to grow up soundly. Another, I get over my cold when I give another person my cold. I think that someone who saw one person caught a cold when another person got over his cold made the phrase. However, I think that it happened by chance, so it is not right. Almost all of the superstition is not right chemically. I think that it is necessary for everyone to hear them, because people will come to distinguish truth from a lot of phrase. So we should hand down superstition from generation to generation.
Finally, I will tell you about Seijinnohi, which is Coming of Age Day. Coming of Age Ceremony called Seijinshiki encourages all those who have reached the age of twenty over the past year, and to help them realize that they have become adults. It is a Japanese holiday held annually on the second Monday of January. It is held in order to congratulate. Coming of Age Ceremony is held by a town hall. Most men wear suit or Hakama, most women wear Kimono. I will take part in next Coming of Age Ceremony. I look forward to it, because I will see friends of mine. Coming of Age Ceremony is needed in order to be adult.
Because Japanese culture is composed of a lot of things, I think that I couldn’t describe all of it, but I did partly. We learn something every day. Our everyday life consists of Japanese culture. It taught us how we should think, act, and live, so we must become a person of knowledge of Japanese culture.
First, I will tell you about Japanese art, for example, Nihonga, Ikebana, Kabuki and Haiku. They are so beautiful and wonderful, so we should make effort to hand down them to posterity. A picture painted in Japanese style is called Nihonga. It is traditional Japanese painting using powdered mineral pigments instead of oils. Ikebana is Japanese are of flower arrangement, also known as Kado. We can feel even moss exhibited by Ikebana. Kabuki is a type of traditional Japanese drama which follows highly-stylized forms and takes up stories with popular appeal. Haiku is a Japanese poem consisting of seventeen syllables. We need have a lot of knowledge in order to understand Haiku. Japanese can cultivate a sense of beauty by watching them, so they should be protected by us.
Secondly, I will tell you about a superstition in Japan. One, the snake appears when I whistle at night. When I whistle with taking a bath, my parents always say be quiet. However I whistle because of taking a bath is so pleasant. I think that parents made the superstition in order to make their children be quiet, because if I whistle, the snake will not appear practically. However I think that it is important for children to grow up soundly. Another, I get over my cold when I give another person my cold. I think that someone who saw one person caught a cold when another person got over his cold made the phrase. However, I think that it happened by chance, so it is not right. Almost all of the superstition is not right chemically. I think that it is necessary for everyone to hear them, because people will come to distinguish truth from a lot of phrase. So we should hand down superstition from generation to generation.
Finally, I will tell you about Seijinnohi, which is Coming of Age Day. Coming of Age Ceremony called Seijinshiki encourages all those who have reached the age of twenty over the past year, and to help them realize that they have become adults. It is a Japanese holiday held annually on the second Monday of January. It is held in order to congratulate. Coming of Age Ceremony is held by a town hall. Most men wear suit or Hakama, most women wear Kimono. I will take part in next Coming of Age Ceremony. I look forward to it, because I will see friends of mine. Coming of Age Ceremony is needed in order to be adult.
Because Japanese culture is composed of a lot of things, I think that I couldn’t describe all of it, but I did partly. We learn something every day. Our everyday life consists of Japanese culture. It taught us how we should think, act, and live, so we must become a person of knowledge of Japanese culture.
Japanese Culture Blog
In Japan, there are many foods and things which have good meanings. When spring comes, you can't live every day without seeing the pictures or decorations of cherry blossoms on TV, in school, and in shops. SAKURA, the cherry blossoms, symbolizes that something good things has happened. And we eat SEKIHAN when a member of the family enter an university. Natto have the meaning of "Never Give Up"(because the strings expand well and hardly be cutted).
To begin with, Japanese people loves cherry blossoms very much. One of the reasons is that, cherry blossoms have good indicates. For example, when someone educate from or enter school, we usually associate the view of SAKURA. It have the meaning that something good event have happened.
Second, SEKIHAN(glutinous rice steamed with AZUKI or SASAGE beans) is one of the important Japanese culture.
Japanese people eat SEKIHAN with their family on the new year's day and special day, for example, when one came of age, or one passed the entrance examination for university. Each of the regions have their favorite taste. For instance, in Hokkaido, we use AMA NATTO (it is sweetened beans) instead of AZUKI. On the other hand, people in CHIBA prefecture use peanuts.Today, we eat SEKIHAN when we are happy, and it is valuable culture for us.
Third, NATTO is one of the popular Japanese culture, too. In Japan, many people eat it every day, and it is sometimes said that, "Never give up!!" when you eat NATTO. This is because, the long strings are called "NEBA NEBA", and this pronounciation is similar to "Never Never". Therefore, NATTO have good meanings, too.
It follows from this that, there are many things which have the good meanings. When we look SAKURA, we become happy. When it is the new year's day, we celebrate the day by eating SEKIHAN. And when we take the entrance exam, we eat NATTO so as not to give up. These things are Japanese good culture!
To begin with, Japanese people loves cherry blossoms very much. One of the reasons is that, cherry blossoms have good indicates. For example, when someone educate from or enter school, we usually associate the view of SAKURA. It have the meaning that something good event have happened.
Second, SEKIHAN(glutinous rice steamed with AZUKI or SASAGE beans) is one of the important Japanese culture.
Japanese people eat SEKIHAN with their family on the new year's day and special day, for example, when one came of age, or one passed the entrance examination for university. Each of the regions have their favorite taste. For instance, in Hokkaido, we use AMA NATTO (it is sweetened beans) instead of AZUKI. On the other hand, people in CHIBA prefecture use peanuts.Today, we eat SEKIHAN when we are happy, and it is valuable culture for us.
Third, NATTO is one of the popular Japanese culture, too. In Japan, many people eat it every day, and it is sometimes said that, "Never give up!!" when you eat NATTO. This is because, the long strings are called "NEBA NEBA", and this pronounciation is similar to "Never Never". Therefore, NATTO have good meanings, too.
It follows from this that, there are many things which have the good meanings. When we look SAKURA, we become happy. When it is the new year's day, we celebrate the day by eating SEKIHAN. And when we take the entrance exam, we eat NATTO so as not to give up. These things are Japanese good culture!
Japanese Culture -religions-
Japanese people don’t belong to the Christian religion mostly while American and European do. Japanese people are said that they don’t believe any religions. But they are close to Buddhism and Shinto unconsciously at least. History of Japan is related to these religions affecting life, politics and feeling. So, there are many temples and shrines in Japan. Japanese religions have gone forwardtogether with people and history.
Japanese Buddhism is not legitimate Buddhism. Japanese Buddhism is like Mahayana Buddhism which has altruism mainly. Mahayana Buddhism came into Japan through China. Japanese used Buddhism to handle people so that Buddhism would be changed in Japan. Naturally, Japanese people are used to alter religions concepts to the concepts including blessings. So, Japanese Buddhism has many blessings to handle a nation against original. Japanese Buddhism became a major religion and was based on many minor Japanese religions.
Shinto is a unique and original religion because it was made in Japan mainly from old times. It says that there are many gods called “Yaorozu”. “Yaorozu” are gods formed by all things. So, “Yaorozu”’s own word means eight millions, referring to large number of gods. They are placid and like human in terms of character. So, Shinto has placid myths in a lot of terms. For example, Japanese country was born because gods made love together written on “Kuniumi”, one of famous myth. I think Shinto is too placid.
Their major two religions exist so that Japanese religions became uncertain notion. The age made a nation, ”Sinbutu Syugo”, which means mixing Buddhism with Shinto. I think it happens because Japanese desire benefits and structure making them so that Japanese people did not make conflict of religions but integrate them. That is why Japanese people enjoy Xmas now.
Nowadays, Japanese people don’t have enough belief, but Japanese religions are latent in them. In fact, they go to the shrine to do “hatumoude”, wishing this year to be happy, and go to the temple when you attend a funeral. They live with Japanese religions as long as our likes.
Japanese culture
Nowadays many people say that diary life about Japanese people become similar to westerner. For example, in morning man people eat bread better than rice, when we feel asleep, we always go not to futon but to bed. These are not so bad thing I think, but I want to look back Japanese old life style. This is because it has contain over 2000 years!
I introduce you to some good points about Japanese old style of life.
I think that Tatami is the most important thing in Japanese people life. This is because if your house has it , you might want to take off shoes in door room.
On flooring rooms, it is not so serious problem that the flooring has become dirty and be damaged. In Tatami room, however, if you walk on it taking shoes, it rapidly became so duty. Flooring is made of wood which is not so soft but Tatami is made of Igusa(like grass) which is very tender. So Tatami room is very soft for us to sit on.
Though you(Japanese people today)say “my house don’t have it”, I think your grand parents house have it. I think that no one has experienced it in Japan.
In fact, a survey concludes that when Japanese people sit on it, their feeling better than they are in flooring room. If you have never experienced it, you should try it once. It is very comfortable. I like it very much.
To use futon is good for Japanese people.
Nowadays many people have become use bed when you try to sleep.
Surely it has some good points. For example, mattress exist not on the floor directly so it is the benefit of not so cold in winter, when you want to sleep you don’t have to spread out the futon and you directly jump into bed then you can sleep.
However, I think there are many bad points on using bed. I introduce some good points.
You can use your room more large. This is because you only spread out it when you want to sleep and when you get up you can move it into closet.
Moreover, Japanese house approximately has one or two Tatami room.
When you use it there, Tatami became damaged rapidly, and the image of this room is too strange or bad. I recommend you to use it because futon is very comfortable. In fact I use it in my room.
I think that it is very important to Japanese culture to take off shoes in the door when you visit someone’s house. I heard that a lot of cultures, except Japan, China, Korea and so on, don’t do it.
When I was a junior high school student, I transferred to new school once.
In previous school, we took off shoes in the shoes box area, and we changed shoes from outdoor shoes to indoor shoes because it was the school rule. So we can keep our classrooms very clear. In following school, however, we didn’t take off shoes. We went into our classroom on wearing outdoor shoes. When we cleaned our classroom after school, there was a lot of dust in our classroom because we took them indoor. Most of students don’t understand why the room is dusty, I could understand why it is so dusty. To take foo shoes keep our room clean.
How do you feel about Japanese old style life?
Nowadays many people like western life: like to eat bread, like to sleep in bed.
However to eat rice and to sleep futon has some superior points I wrote.
If you have never try these things, you should try them once.
I like it very much.
I introduce you to some good points about Japanese old style of life.
I think that Tatami is the most important thing in Japanese people life. This is because if your house has it , you might want to take off shoes in door room.
On flooring rooms, it is not so serious problem that the flooring has become dirty and be damaged. In Tatami room, however, if you walk on it taking shoes, it rapidly became so duty. Flooring is made of wood which is not so soft but Tatami is made of Igusa(like grass) which is very tender. So Tatami room is very soft for us to sit on.
Though you(Japanese people today)say “my house don’t have it”, I think your grand parents house have it. I think that no one has experienced it in Japan.
In fact, a survey concludes that when Japanese people sit on it, their feeling better than they are in flooring room. If you have never experienced it, you should try it once. It is very comfortable. I like it very much.
To use futon is good for Japanese people.
Nowadays many people have become use bed when you try to sleep.
Surely it has some good points. For example, mattress exist not on the floor directly so it is the benefit of not so cold in winter, when you want to sleep you don’t have to spread out the futon and you directly jump into bed then you can sleep.
However, I think there are many bad points on using bed. I introduce some good points.
You can use your room more large. This is because you only spread out it when you want to sleep and when you get up you can move it into closet.
Moreover, Japanese house approximately has one or two Tatami room.
When you use it there, Tatami became damaged rapidly, and the image of this room is too strange or bad. I recommend you to use it because futon is very comfortable. In fact I use it in my room.
I think that it is very important to Japanese culture to take off shoes in the door when you visit someone’s house. I heard that a lot of cultures, except Japan, China, Korea and so on, don’t do it.
When I was a junior high school student, I transferred to new school once.
In previous school, we took off shoes in the shoes box area, and we changed shoes from outdoor shoes to indoor shoes because it was the school rule. So we can keep our classrooms very clear. In following school, however, we didn’t take off shoes. We went into our classroom on wearing outdoor shoes. When we cleaned our classroom after school, there was a lot of dust in our classroom because we took them indoor. Most of students don’t understand why the room is dusty, I could understand why it is so dusty. To take foo shoes keep our room clean.
How do you feel about Japanese old style life?
Nowadays many people like western life: like to eat bread, like to sleep in bed.
However to eat rice and to sleep futon has some superior points I wrote.
If you have never try these things, you should try them once.
I like it very much.
Japanese Culture
Japan has various things that can be taken pride in to foreigners. We have been exporting a lot of our culture to many countries. Therefore, Most of the cultures have taken root among foreign countries. In the essay, I will introduce three cultures: New Year’s gift, sumo, and tuna. These three cultures describe Japanese personalities and preferences very well.
I would tell you about New Year’s gift. It is the gift children get by their relatives on New Year’s Day. We call it “Otoshidama” in Japan. Children want to get it by a lot of people, and look forward to their relatives coming to their home that day. Most people can get it until they come of age, but some can get it when they are 30 years old or more. However, their parents want to deposit it, so children often fight against their parents. Then the parents often say that they deposit it in order to use something for their children in future. Yet, in fact, some give other children it for the gift. At any rate, there is no doubt whether it is important to children. We can see at school in Japan children talking about how much money they got and what they will spend it on. Some say that they will spend it on TV game, and others say that they will do on cards. As for me, I would use it for the video game software. I think the scenes about the New Year’s gift like this is very heart warming, this is why it is important and indispensable for Japanese culture.
Sumo is important to Japanese culture. It is the sport where two fighters fight at a circle ring. It is very exciting and dangerous. Its main place is Kokugikan in Ryogoku. It is very traditional. When fighting, the wrestler roll a girdle round below- the-waist. This style seems to be embarrassing, but the wrestler is always impressive. They say when the wrestlers bomb each other, its impact is like two small trucks bomb. The specter is very excites by this great collision. The wrestlers have to be humble in spite of their fierce fight styles. Moreover, the strongest wrestlers, Yokozuna, are usually very modest and salute their opponents more except for a few exceptions. Therefore sumo and the wrestlers is what we should take pride in, so sumo is necessary to Japanese culture.
Tuna is important for Japanese culture. Most of Japanese like it, do Japanese eat it most in the world. Japanese catch so many tunas that they are regulated a catch of it in near future. It is cooked as sushi, or sashimi. They are priceless, so we usually eat them when we have such a special day as the Bon festival, New Year’s Day, and so on. The parts of tuna are called various names. Toro has most fat of the parts of tuna. I like kama best, which is the parts below gill. This is because the part is very fat and good to chew. Most of Japanese like tuna and there are a lot of Japanese dishes used it, so tuna is indispensible to Japanese culture.
In conclusion, we can’t live without these cultures. They seem to have no connection at first sight, but Japanese love them equally. In addition, it probably will not be long before they make root among foreign countries.
I would tell you about New Year’s gift. It is the gift children get by their relatives on New Year’s Day. We call it “Otoshidama” in Japan. Children want to get it by a lot of people, and look forward to their relatives coming to their home that day. Most people can get it until they come of age, but some can get it when they are 30 years old or more. However, their parents want to deposit it, so children often fight against their parents. Then the parents often say that they deposit it in order to use something for their children in future. Yet, in fact, some give other children it for the gift. At any rate, there is no doubt whether it is important to children. We can see at school in Japan children talking about how much money they got and what they will spend it on. Some say that they will spend it on TV game, and others say that they will do on cards. As for me, I would use it for the video game software. I think the scenes about the New Year’s gift like this is very heart warming, this is why it is important and indispensable for Japanese culture.
Sumo is important to Japanese culture. It is the sport where two fighters fight at a circle ring. It is very exciting and dangerous. Its main place is Kokugikan in Ryogoku. It is very traditional. When fighting, the wrestler roll a girdle round below- the-waist. This style seems to be embarrassing, but the wrestler is always impressive. They say when the wrestlers bomb each other, its impact is like two small trucks bomb. The specter is very excites by this great collision. The wrestlers have to be humble in spite of their fierce fight styles. Moreover, the strongest wrestlers, Yokozuna, are usually very modest and salute their opponents more except for a few exceptions. Therefore sumo and the wrestlers is what we should take pride in, so sumo is necessary to Japanese culture.
Tuna is important for Japanese culture. Most of Japanese like it, do Japanese eat it most in the world. Japanese catch so many tunas that they are regulated a catch of it in near future. It is cooked as sushi, or sashimi. They are priceless, so we usually eat them when we have such a special day as the Bon festival, New Year’s Day, and so on. The parts of tuna are called various names. Toro has most fat of the parts of tuna. I like kama best, which is the parts below gill. This is because the part is very fat and good to chew. Most of Japanese like tuna and there are a lot of Japanese dishes used it, so tuna is indispensible to Japanese culture.
In conclusion, we can’t live without these cultures. They seem to have no connection at first sight, but Japanese love them equally. In addition, it probably will not be long before they make root among foreign countries.
Japanese Culture
In the 20th century, we can know about almost all worlds’ information. I can know what Japan in foreign countries and real Japanese culture is. I think Japanese culture becomes no sense of Japanese character.Japanese is known that they have some unique culture. Sushi is one of famous Japanese culture in the world. It is made of raw fish and rice. We always eat it to dip in soy sauce with wasabi. The rice contains vinegar and this rice makes sushi delicious. I think sushi is one of the best foods around the world. Samurai is famous in the world too. Perhaps the most famous social standing made extinct by times is samurai. In the edo period, they exist everywhere to protect people that is high rank in Japan. They wear hakama and put Japanese sword, so samurai become famous for foreigner. Anime is also one of famous Japanese culture in the world, for example, pokemon, one piece, and Mario. Nowadays, most anime broadcast in Japan can be watched in the Internet. It is not good action, but people who have the Internet can watch Japanese culture. I feel these cultures are important for me to live and understand in Japan.Japanese food is individual meal all around the world. When we eat some foods, we always use chopsticks. It looks difficult for foreigners to use chopsticks. I think that using it makes us dexterous. The staple food of the Japanese is rice. The rice with miscellaneous cereals is very healthy, so Japanese can live longer. Healthy food in not only miscellaneous cereals rice, but also almost all Japanese foods are. A unique drink in Japan is sake. It is one of alcoholic drinks and it is the best of all medicines. For these things, Japan has unique individuals.Japan has a lot of annual functions. These are divided for four seasons. For example, February 3rd is a day that is before spring and is called Setubun. We throw some beans to get rid of bad luck in this day. In summer, there is the star festival. It takes place in July 7th. This day becomes fairy tale; Vega and Altair meet each other in this day. New Year’s Eve is also annual functions. In this day, we reflect on this year and are eager to do next year. We usually eat buckwheat noodle when we hear the tolling of temple bells 108times. This is winters’ annual function. Because of four seasons, Japan could have had good culture. For these things, Japanese culture becomes famous and unique. Japanese culture has a lot of good things, so Japanese should keep this valuable Japanese culture.
Japanese Culture
I'll introduce three famous Japanese historical people, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. They dead about 400 years ago, but in Japan, there is no one in who don't know them because their existence and works have strong impact and some of their works like a castle still existing now.
Oda Nobunaga (1534 - 1582) was a major daimyo (a genetic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in premodern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings) during the Sengoku period of Japan History. He was the third son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy shugo (military governor) with land holding Owari province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuos military conquest, eventually conquering a third of Japanese daimyo before his death in 1582. One of a policy that he established is "Rakuichi-Rakuza" that forgive everyone to do business everywhere freely.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536 - 1598) was a daimyo in the Sengoku period who unified Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. One of a policy that he established is "Katana-Gari," which prohibits farmers from having any weapons. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after his castle "Fushimi-Momoyama castle.".
Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542 - 1616) was the founder and first shogun (military rank and historical title for hereditary commanders in chief of the armed forces of Japan) of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He established the Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Tokugawa-Bakufu. It was feudal regime of Japan. He seized power in 1600, but remained in power until his death in 1616.
I think the reason why most Japanese well know them is not only grateful of them and their works but also their festinating character. People love their unconventional and powerful way of life. They fascinate many people now and will keep on doing in the future.
Oda Nobunaga (1534 - 1582) was a major daimyo (a genetic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in premodern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings) during the Sengoku period of Japan History. He was the third son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy shugo (military governor) with land holding Owari province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuos military conquest, eventually conquering a third of Japanese daimyo before his death in 1582. One of a policy that he established is "Rakuichi-Rakuza" that forgive everyone to do business everywhere freely.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536 - 1598) was a daimyo in the Sengoku period who unified Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. One of a policy that he established is "Katana-Gari," which prohibits farmers from having any weapons. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after his castle "Fushimi-Momoyama castle.".
Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542 - 1616) was the founder and first shogun (military rank and historical title for hereditary commanders in chief of the armed forces of Japan) of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He established the Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Tokugawa-Bakufu. It was feudal regime of Japan. He seized power in 1600, but remained in power until his death in 1616.
I think the reason why most Japanese well know them is not only grateful of them and their works but also their festinating character. People love their unconventional and powerful way of life. They fascinate many people now and will keep on doing in the future.
Japanese Culture-Catsle-
The Japanese castle is famous for castle tower soaring highly. I think if you hear a Japanese castle, you may think large-scale things such as soaring castle tower. However, the style is a little part of Japanese castle and most Japanese castle do not have their castle tower. Japanese castles have the deep history. The role of them is different from the age. I would like to write about the history of Japanese castle.
It is said that the thing which I can call a castle in Japan was made in Yayoi period about 2,400 ago. In Yayoi period, the difference of the poverty and wealth began to appear and people build the village with a defensive function to defend their wealth. So, it is said that the beginning of the castle in Japan. After that, in 1500 years ago, the technology of construction of a castle was reached from China and Korea. In addition, in those days, large-scale feudal lord appeared. So, castles became large-scale and had the large gates and walls. In Heian era, 1000 years ago, a samurai who specialized in the fight appeared, and therefore the castles were built everywhere of the whole country. When a samurai grasped the government in the Kamakura era 800 years ago, the castles were developed from a fortress to houses of samurais.
In the age of civil strife, more than 100 years from 1467, the Japanese castle progressed drastically, and the most of the castles which had the large-scale castle tower seen today were built in around 1600. In the Edo era, for about 260 years from 1600, the role of castle, especially a castle tower, was changed from a fortress to a symbol of the authority of the feudal lord because Japan was peaceful times. In the times of the Meiji Restoration about 150 years ago, castles were built with the technology that came from Europe and America, for example, Goryokaku Fort in Hakodate. However, the castle was not built very much in the Meiji era, and the castle was just used as a fortress of the army. Therefore, they were taken bombing in World War II, so many castles disappeared.
By the way, do you know that it is said that the castle tower which is called the symbol of the Japanese castle is the fusion of a Japanese building and the European church building? Originally, the castle tower was the oar to watch the enemy and not an excellent building. However, Nobunaga Oda changed the form of it completely by building the castle tower which he built in Azuchi Castle. Nobunaga, who was interested in Christianity buildings, adopted the formality of the tower of the European church, and built the solemn castle tower which we can see. This castle tower changed the conventional role greatly, and castle towers were given a new role; the symbol of the authority.
Japanese castles have very deep history and variation. The role of them is different in the period. Japanese castle is developed by taking in a lot of things, Chinese, Korean, and European. Although Japanese castle is famous for the castle tower, other part of them is also attractive. If you know them, I am very happy.
Japanese histoy of punk rock
Japanese Culture – Japanese history of punk rock
Takafumi Seto 25090138
The history of the punk rock in Japan was influenced by the movement that happened including the success of the Sex Pistols in the U.K. in the latter half of 1970’s. I will introduce how Japanese music was influenced by the sudden rise of the flat movement in the U.K.
Punk rock is the one of the styles of rock born in the middle part in 1970's. It assumes a three cord an axis, and is the plain rock'n roll that added a power code. There was similar thing before the movement, but it was not able to call punk rock in the musicality. There were the bands which were described as the origin of punk rock band in Japan by a text which is including the aggressive message and a performance, for example, being naked, before the movement. But in the latter half of 1970’s, with the sudden rise of the flat movement in the U.K., the rock bands which received its influence was born in sequence in Japan. However, it did not reach a scale to be able to call a movement because there were many bands dissolved in a short term. When 1980’s began, the band which performed a radical live broadcasting performance was born in sequence. And after that, a youth flat boom came in 2000’s, but the boom was ended in about 2004.
There are a lot of things which we got by the flat movement in the U.K., but I think there are many bad points because it was too radical and the young people of 1980’s had a bad image for punk rock. Making use of the reflection, I hope secretly that new flat movement happens.
Takafumi Seto 25090138
The history of the punk rock in Japan was influenced by the movement that happened including the success of the Sex Pistols in the U.K. in the latter half of 1970’s. I will introduce how Japanese music was influenced by the sudden rise of the flat movement in the U.K.
Punk rock is the one of the styles of rock born in the middle part in 1970's. It assumes a three cord an axis, and is the plain rock'n roll that added a power code. There was similar thing before the movement, but it was not able to call punk rock in the musicality. There were the bands which were described as the origin of punk rock band in Japan by a text which is including the aggressive message and a performance, for example, being naked, before the movement. But in the latter half of 1970’s, with the sudden rise of the flat movement in the U.K., the rock bands which received its influence was born in sequence in Japan. However, it did not reach a scale to be able to call a movement because there were many bands dissolved in a short term. When 1980’s began, the band which performed a radical live broadcasting performance was born in sequence. And after that, a youth flat boom came in 2000’s, but the boom was ended in about 2004.
There are a lot of things which we got by the flat movement in the U.K., but I think there are many bad points because it was too radical and the young people of 1980’s had a bad image for punk rock. Making use of the reflection, I hope secretly that new flat movement happens.
Japanese Culture
Japanese people have own traditional culture because Japan is island country which did not trade with many other countries. Above all, Japanese cuisine is remarkable culture at all points, and many people in the world love it. There are many sushi bars in the U.S., and sushi is one of the most famous Japanese cuisines. Then again, Japanese people also brought in some kinds of cuisine and beverages. For example, Japanese love Chinese noodles and coffee, but they are not Japanese cuisine and beverages. In addition, Japanese invented canned coffee and instant noodles in order to they eat or drink them without circumstance.
First, Japanese cuisine is one of the most important things to Japanese culuture. It has been familiarized to many countries in recent years because it is good for their health. Of course, it is delicious. Most Japanese cuisine is plain because it is not added extra seasoning. In addition, meat is rarely used. These are the reasons why it is good for your health. Its appearance is very beautiful too. Some people say that its appearance is as important as its taste, so most cooks see that the color matches the dish when they cook Japanese cuisine. If you want to make it more delicious, maybe you should add a whisper of condiment. Then you will feel that the dish is more delicious because the smell is good. For example, Japanese pepper makes the dish more flavorful. And texture is also an important element of Japanese cuisine. For example, first-rate cooks add proper amount of seasoning, and it depends on temperature and humidity on that day. When people eat it, they hardly make a sound, and they also appreciate the quietness. Therefore Japanese cuisine is very delicate, and I think this reflects the national character.
Second, canned coffee is also typical Japanese culture. It was first marketed by Mr. Kato in 1969, and it is ubiquitous in Japan, more specifically, a lot of canned coffee is sold in vending machines, which are also ubiquitous in Japan. So Japanese people are able to drink coffee without circumstance, but non-Japanese rarely drink canned coffees, because they want to drink full-dress coffee. I want it to know that canned coffee is not tasteless. Of course, its taste is good, and it is portable and inexpensive, and there are many kinds of it in Japan. I think it is one of the greatest things which were invented by Japanese.
Third, instant noodles are also famous Japanese culture. Chinese noodles are not Japanese cuisine, but instant noodles were first marketed by Mr. Ando in Japan on August 25, 1958. Today many people in the world eat them, and they can eat Chinese noodles without circumstance. Japanese sometimes call them “Sokuseki Ramen,” and it is not too much to say that they are necessaries for them. Many Asian people eat it by using chopsticks, but others generally eat them by using forks. In addition, the members of the emergency services and policemen in Japan also eat them, because they are portable and inexpensive.
Above all things, they help people in the world not to be hunger, so I think they are important to Japanese culture.
Therefore Japanese people have original cultures which match the national characters, and new cultures are created by active cultural exchanges. From these things, you understand that Japanese people develop some cultures which is bringing in from other countries, and these are probably interesting for people from other countries. So I want many people to know Japanese culture.
First, Japanese cuisine is one of the most important things to Japanese culuture. It has been familiarized to many countries in recent years because it is good for their health. Of course, it is delicious. Most Japanese cuisine is plain because it is not added extra seasoning. In addition, meat is rarely used. These are the reasons why it is good for your health. Its appearance is very beautiful too. Some people say that its appearance is as important as its taste, so most cooks see that the color matches the dish when they cook Japanese cuisine. If you want to make it more delicious, maybe you should add a whisper of condiment. Then you will feel that the dish is more delicious because the smell is good. For example, Japanese pepper makes the dish more flavorful. And texture is also an important element of Japanese cuisine. For example, first-rate cooks add proper amount of seasoning, and it depends on temperature and humidity on that day. When people eat it, they hardly make a sound, and they also appreciate the quietness. Therefore Japanese cuisine is very delicate, and I think this reflects the national character.
Second, canned coffee is also typical Japanese culture. It was first marketed by Mr. Kato in 1969, and it is ubiquitous in Japan, more specifically, a lot of canned coffee is sold in vending machines, which are also ubiquitous in Japan. So Japanese people are able to drink coffee without circumstance, but non-Japanese rarely drink canned coffees, because they want to drink full-dress coffee. I want it to know that canned coffee is not tasteless. Of course, its taste is good, and it is portable and inexpensive, and there are many kinds of it in Japan. I think it is one of the greatest things which were invented by Japanese.
Third, instant noodles are also famous Japanese culture. Chinese noodles are not Japanese cuisine, but instant noodles were first marketed by Mr. Ando in Japan on August 25, 1958. Today many people in the world eat them, and they can eat Chinese noodles without circumstance. Japanese sometimes call them “Sokuseki Ramen,” and it is not too much to say that they are necessaries for them. Many Asian people eat it by using chopsticks, but others generally eat them by using forks. In addition, the members of the emergency services and policemen in Japan also eat them, because they are portable and inexpensive.
Above all things, they help people in the world not to be hunger, so I think they are important to Japanese culture.
Therefore Japanese people have original cultures which match the national characters, and new cultures are created by active cultural exchanges. From these things, you understand that Japanese people develop some cultures which is bringing in from other countries, and these are probably interesting for people from other countries. So I want many people to know Japanese culture.
Japanese Culture
I think Japanese people should come to learn harder about Japanese cultures. Japanese people may not notice that Japan has a lot of important cultures. Of course, there are a lot of unique cultures in Japan, and every culture has its history. Histories are very important and without histories, there may be no culture in Japan. For example, Sushi, Haiku, and Kana Letter have its histories.
Sushi is a dish on behalf of Japan and is made by riding raw fish on rice seasoned with vinegar called “shari”. It is said that the origin of Sushi was Edo era. It was an opening of Sushi that a merchant sold dishes which were cuttlefish and lobsters on rice. In those days, the rice didn’t contain any vinegar and fish was not raw but boiled. In this way, the Sushi is pretty different from current Sushi. Then, 200 years later, Sushi became the food which was known in the world. Although Sushi was originally luxury food, after the expanse of belt-conveyor Sushi shop occurs in 1970s, we can eat Sushi cheaply.
Haiku is Japanese short poem with lines of five, seven, five syllables. In Haiku, a Haiku poet expresses his idea and feeling in this short style of poem. When we talk about Haiku, we mustn’t forget this person, who is the most famous Japanese historical Haiku poet, Matsuo Basyo. He lives in Edo era and he wrote a lot of Haiku while he lives and one of the most his famous Haiku is this.
“古池や 蛙とびこむ 水の音”
In English, this Haiku is translated as follows.
“An old pond
A frog jumps in
The sound of water”
In this Haiku, Basyo tells us the silence around him. He can hear the very small sound of water because it is very silent around him. So he attempted to express that silence. From this, we can understand that Haiku let us imagine many things even if it is not written in Haiku.Haiku is especially popular among old people, and Haiku poems which are written by old people are placed in newspapers every day. Haiku is very profound, so writing Haiku is very interesting.
Kana letter is a letter whose figure Kanji changed a little into, so some figures of Kanji resemble that of Kana letter, for example, 安 (Kanji) and あ (Kana letter). Kana letter was first used in the 8th century which was in Nara era. At that time, Kana letter was a letter for women, so men didn’t use Kana letter so much. It was in about the mid 10th century that men came to use Kana letter. Then, why men didn’t use Kana letter in old days? In old days, people regarded Kana letter as the letter for the people whose position was low. And because men’s position was higher than women’s position, women use Kana letter, and men didn’t use Kana letter. Now, we all normally use Kana letter and Kana letter is a special letter to Japan.
From these, you can understand that each Japanese culture has its own history. Current Japanese cultures owe entirely to old cultures. We must not forget that every culture has its history and that thanks to a history, there is a culture.
Sushi is a dish on behalf of Japan and is made by riding raw fish on rice seasoned with vinegar called “shari”. It is said that the origin of Sushi was Edo era. It was an opening of Sushi that a merchant sold dishes which were cuttlefish and lobsters on rice. In those days, the rice didn’t contain any vinegar and fish was not raw but boiled. In this way, the Sushi is pretty different from current Sushi. Then, 200 years later, Sushi became the food which was known in the world. Although Sushi was originally luxury food, after the expanse of belt-conveyor Sushi shop occurs in 1970s, we can eat Sushi cheaply.
Haiku is Japanese short poem with lines of five, seven, five syllables. In Haiku, a Haiku poet expresses his idea and feeling in this short style of poem. When we talk about Haiku, we mustn’t forget this person, who is the most famous Japanese historical Haiku poet, Matsuo Basyo. He lives in Edo era and he wrote a lot of Haiku while he lives and one of the most his famous Haiku is this.
“古池や 蛙とびこむ 水の音”
In English, this Haiku is translated as follows.
“An old pond
A frog jumps in
The sound of water”
In this Haiku, Basyo tells us the silence around him. He can hear the very small sound of water because it is very silent around him. So he attempted to express that silence. From this, we can understand that Haiku let us imagine many things even if it is not written in Haiku.Haiku is especially popular among old people, and Haiku poems which are written by old people are placed in newspapers every day. Haiku is very profound, so writing Haiku is very interesting.
Kana letter is a letter whose figure Kanji changed a little into, so some figures of Kanji resemble that of Kana letter, for example, 安 (Kanji) and あ (Kana letter). Kana letter was first used in the 8th century which was in Nara era. At that time, Kana letter was a letter for women, so men didn’t use Kana letter so much. It was in about the mid 10th century that men came to use Kana letter. Then, why men didn’t use Kana letter in old days? In old days, people regarded Kana letter as the letter for the people whose position was low. And because men’s position was higher than women’s position, women use Kana letter, and men didn’t use Kana letter. Now, we all normally use Kana letter and Kana letter is a special letter to Japan.
From these, you can understand that each Japanese culture has its own history. Current Japanese cultures owe entirely to old cultures. We must not forget that every culture has its history and that thanks to a history, there is a culture.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Japanese Culture Blog Essays
On this blog, please add your essay about Japanese culture. The deadline is Monday morning, December 8.
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