CULTURE OF JAPAN

English : JapanRomaji : nihon

Kanji : 日本

INTRODUCTION

JAPAN FLAG

SAMURAI CULTURE

Samurai were the military nobility of feudal Japan who served overlord Shoguns.

Samurais were expected to be educated, and were influenced by the religious philosophies of Buddhism, Zen, Shinto, and Confucianism.

The Samurais were disbanded in the late 1800s during the Meiji Period.

However, Samurai culture was at the base of the Japanese national identity as a martial nation.

SHINTO

Shinto is animistic and polytheistic, and devotees worship the Kami deities and spirits, and ancestors.Japan’s indigenous and largest religion.It is syncretic with Buddhism.During the Meiji Period, Shinto was declared Japan’s official state religion, and the religion of the Emperor.There are three main types:

SHRINE SHINTOSECT SHINTO

SHINTO SHRINE ON MOUNT HAKONE

SHINTO KAMI GODS

BUDDHISM

Buddhism is comprised of a variety of teachings, but a common characteristic is learning a way of life to bring personal peace and spiritual enlightenment.

THREE MAIN BRANCHES: Mahayana, Theravada,and Vajrayana.

ZEN

A particular type of Mahayana Buddhism.

Emerged in Japan around 1100, and was particularly favored by the Samurai culture.

Zen teaches meditation in order to “awaken,” and live in the immediate present, be spontaneous, and liberated from self conscious and judgmental thoughts.

CONFUCIANISM

An overall philosophy of life and society.

Neo-Confucianism was introduced to Japan in the 12th century and impacted Japanese politics and social structure.

It emphasizes harmony, nature, and humanism.

Neo-Confucianism supports a social hierarchy in which each individual fulfills the obligations of their place to the fullest for the benefit of the entire society.

BEHAVIOR IN JAPAN

They bow to greet one another and their king.They have festivals to show respect for their land.They also respect their land by not littering.Old and special people get special greetings. For example, people bow VERY low.The Japanese use the carp (a type of fish) to symbolize strength and courage.They will hide their own feelings instead of hurting another's.They bow to people even when they talk on the phone.The lower you bow the more respect you give.

Bowing In Japan [Japanese Etiquette] The nod-bow, 5 degrees

Greeting Bow, Eshaku ( 会釈 ), 15 Degrees

Respect Bow, Keirei (敬礼 ), 30 degrees

Highest Respect Bow, Saikeirei 最敬礼 , 45 degrees

Kneeling Bow, Touch Your Head To The Floor

Two pages from a 12th-century emakiscroll of The Tale of Genji from the 11th century.

A page from Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), the second oldest book of classical Japanese history.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

MUSIC OF JAPAN

CHILDREN FAVORITE STORY BOOKS

- These are watercolors paintings ,were done in a Western watercolor technique, they were drawn in 1890.

JAPANESE PAINTING

Noh and Kyogen Kabuki

Theatre of Japan

Traditional form of theatre

Bunraku Puppet Theatre Modern Theatre

Theatre of JapanTraditional form of theatre

JAPANESE HOMES AND CLOTHING

FLOOR ARE COVERED WITH TATAMI MATS OR STRAW MATS

TOKONOMA ALCOVE

JAPANESE HOME

KIMONO YUKATA

CLOTHING

WASAGA ZORI

JAPANESE CUISINE (FOOD)

They eat seafood like octopus, shark, and fish. The fish is also called sashimi. When it is called this it’s dipped in soy sauce and horseradish mustard.

Rice is an important part of their meals. It is Japan’s biggest crop. The Japanese people put raw fish over their rice.

Sushi is an important part of meals. They use chopsticks to pick up their food. The food is arranged to look beautiful on plates. Some other things they eat are soup, sour pickles, seaweed, veggies, Tofu and

grilled chicken. Present at all meals (“one soup, one side dish, and rice” for the minimum complete

meal)

JAPANESE CUISINE

Suyaki—beefFugu—puffer fish, delicacyTofu and Natto--soybeansTempuraNoodlesPickles and Preserved Seafood

Zen Chabudai

DINING TABLE

JAPANESE CEREMONIES

Festivals in Japan are occasions to celebrate with families and to wear traditional styles of clothing. They are an important part of life in Japan and can be enjoyed in cities and towns throughout the country. e.g.

Japanese cultural festival.Japanese tea ceremony.

HINAMATSURI

Japanese doll festival

Japanese Festivals are colorful celebrations that reflect the countries ancient religious beliefs, this celebration for girls. people believed the dolls possessed the power to conceal bad spirits in their bodies and will save the owner from dangerous encounters.

SHICHIGOSAN

Traditional festival

day in Japan for children.

Japanese tea ceremony

The first documented evidence of tea in Japan dates to the 9th century, when it was taken by the Buddhist monk Eichū ( 永忠 ) on his return from China.

The entry in the Nihon Kōki states that Eichū personally prepared and served sencha (unground Japanese green tea) to Emperor Saga who was on an excursion in Karasaki (in present Shiga Prefecture) in the year 815

JAPANESE GAMES

Japan has its own traditional games as well.

E.g. Shiritori (in which the players are

required to say a word that begins with the final kana of the previous word)

Shogi Sumo Reversi Kendo (Samurai and ninja do kendo

to train) Baseball Martial arts (is karate)

Literature and art of the Japanese

gardenGarden manuals

TAOISM Pronounced “Daoism,” and means “the path.”

A synthesis of interrelated philosophies and religious beliefs.

The three foundational “jewels’ of Taoism are compassion, moderation, and humility.

Taoist philosophy emphasizes union of self and nature, and non action: spontaneity, transformation, and omnipotence through emptiness.

Taoists worship nature and ancestor spirits.

ONI

Shugyo ascetics believe Mount Akakura is inhabited by dangerous oni who can possess them and cause harm.

Throughout Japan, oni are considered to be once but no longer venerated indigenous divinities that, because they are not subjugated, have become angry and dangerous.

PLACES IN JAPAN TO VISIT

Hashima Island

Mount Fuji

Rainbow Bridge

Tokyo Tower

Thank you

Presented by,Varma Ankita