JAPAN-The land of rising sun.

Japan is famous for…

Technology Anime/Manga Ninjas/Samurai/Sumo Warriors Cherry Blossoms Origami Fashion Art

Festivals Landmarks and Architecture Legends Music Etiquette in Japan Religion Japanese Cuisine

Japanese Technology

Gatebox – Human Communication Robot (Spouse Free Smart Home Robot) Talking Vegetables – Communication by using moisture difference in Human and

Vegetables IJC Virtual Museum – Virtual Museum of Japanese Art Shinkansen – High Speed Railway Network of Japan (Bullet Train) Finger Toothbrush, Umbrella Tie, Chopstick with Fan, Sweeping Slippers etc

Anime and Manga

Anime is not cartoon. Cartoon have short stories. Anime has series. Cartoons are made to laugh while anime concentrates on life issues, human emotions etc.

Manga is anime in written form which appears in magazines like shonnen jump. Some of the famous anime series are One Piece, Naruto Shippuden, DeathNote, Fairy

Tail, Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, Full Metal Alchemist – Brotherhood, Accel World, Kuroko no Basket, Attack on Titan, Sword Art Online, Pokemon, Beyblade, Digimon, Sailor Moon etc.

Ninjas, Samurai, Sumo Wrestlers

A ninja (shinobi) were covert agents or mercenary in feudal Japan. They played big roles in espionage, sabotage, assassinations and countermeasures during feudal Japan time.

They used tools like hand claws, climbing cleats, climbing hooks, swords etc. Samurai (Bushi) were warriors of premodern Japan. During Edo Period Samurai were at

the top of Japan’s social system. They used swords mostly especially murasame swords.

Sumo is a full contact wrestling game where the rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force another wrestler out of ring.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

A cherry blossom is the flower of several trees of genus Prunus. These flowers called sakura in Japanese.

In Japan the flowering season is from April to early may.

Origami

Origami (Orikami) where ori = folding kami = paper is the art of paper folding and is often associated with Japan culture.

Different types of origami are action, modular, wet folding, pureland and kirigami. Japanese origami began after some Buddhist monks carried paper to Japan during 6th

century.

FASHION

Kimono was the main form of dress worn by men and women in Japan until 19th century. The art of assembling Kimono dress was passes on from mother to daughter.

There are multiple types and subtypes of kimono that a woman can wear: furisode, uchikake, shiromoku, houmongi, yukata, tomesode and mofuku depending on her marital status and the event she attends.

Geta are a form of traditional Japanese footwear that resembles flip-flops. They are sandals with wooden elevated board.

JAPANESE ART

Ink Wash Painting: They use washi (Japanese paper) which is highly absorbent. Black ink is used in various shadings and concentration.

Japanese calligraphy is a form of artistic writing of Japanese language. Ukiyo-e (Pictures of floating world) is genre of art that flourished in Japan from 17th to

19th century. Its artists produced woodblock prints. Japanese sculpture also influenced due to silk road. Materials like bronze, wood,

lacquered, gilded or brightly painted metals.

FESTIVALS

Festivals are named by prefixing name of place to the festival. Snow festivals are one of the largest festivals of the year. Snow sculptures are made and

concerts and events are held. Ice festival is celebrated inside a cave which is covered in ice. Ice sculptures are made.

Fireworks show is held. And Amasake (hot sake) is available to enjoy. Nebuta festival is held annually and features colorful lantern floats called nebuta which

are pulled through the streets. This festival is held in August. There is also a dance festival which is part of nebuta festival.

Cherry blossom festivals are held to celebrate the entire season of cherry blossoms. Doll festival is held in march. Families pray for happiness and prosperity of their girls and

to help ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful.

LANDMARKS AND ARCHITECTURE

Mount Fuji (Fujisan) is a highest mountain in Japan. It is an active stratovolcano and it last erupted in 1707-08.

Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima and is best known for its floating torri gate. This shrine survived even typhoons and is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage.

Kinkaku-ji (Temple of Golden Pavilion) is a Zen Buddhist temple. It houses the relics of Buddha (Buddha’s Ashes).

Nijo castle is a flatland castle in Kyoto Japan. It has several support buildings and gardens. It is also listed as world heritage site by UNESCO.

Much of the traditional Japanese architecture is not native. It was imported from china and other Asian cultures.

LEGENDS

Some of the urban Japanese legends are: Human Pillars (Hitobashira), Cow Head, Split Mouth Woman etc.

Hachiko was an Akita dog and is remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner which continued till many years after owner’s death.

Hiro Onoda was an Imperial Japanese Army Intelligence officer who fought world war II and is known for never surrendering even after war was over. His former commander traveled from Japan to personally issue orders relieving him from duty in 1974.

MUSIC

In traditional music instruments like biwa (short necked lute) was played by a group of itinerant performers who used it to accompany stories. Taiko is a Japanese drum that comes in various sized and is used in variety of musical genres.

J-Pop an abbreviation for Japanese Pop is a loosely defined musical genre that entered the mainstream of Japan in 1990s. AKB48, Arashi, Happy End, Yellow Magic Orchestra etc are some of famous Japanese bands.

ETIQUETTE IN JAPAN

Bowing is best known outside the Japan. Bowing is considered extremely important in Japan. An inferior bows longer, more deeply and more frequently than a superior.

Japanese meals begin with phrase “Itadakimasu” (I humbly receive). It is said to express gratitude for all who played a role in preparing, cultivating, ranching or hunting the food.

In Japan it is considered as an honor to be invited to someone’s home. Shoes are not worn inside. Shoes are removed in Genkan (entrance) and replaced with uwabaki (slippers).

Greetings are considered to be of extreme importance in Japanese culture. People attending Japanese funerals bring money called Koden either in special funeral

envelopes or small plain white envelopes.

RELIGION

Shinto and Buddhism are the two major religions of Japan. Shintoism is an ancient religion of Japan. It started at least as long ago as 1000 B.C but

is still practiced today by at least 5 million people. The followers of Shintoism believe that spiritual powers exist in the natural world.

Buddhism has been in Japan since at least 552 AD introduced from Korea, through some Chinese sources place the first spreading of the religion during the Kofun period.

JAPANESE CUISINES

Sushi is a famous Japanese cuisine. It is raw fish served with rice and vinegar. Ramen, egg noodles is said to be Japan’s favorite night meal. Sake is a brewed rice beverage that contains 15 – 17% alcohol and is made by

multiple fermentation of rice. Japanese noodles often substitute for a rice based meal. Soba and Udon are main

traditional noodles. Proper usage of chopstick is most important table etiquette in Japan.

THANK YOU-AMOD TAWADE (AJT)