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HomeTopics...Asia VacationsJapanese Culture
Modern Japanese CultureThe culture of modern Japan is inextricably linked with its history, demographics and geographic isolation from the rest of the world. Japan has a highly homogenous population and a culture deeply ingrained with a sense of collective responsibility.
Japanese LanguageThe early Japanese language has its roots in an oral-based tradition that makes it almost impossible to categorize according to a single linguistic family. The evolution of the Japanese language has been associated in turn with the Altaic languages including Korean, Mongolian and Turkish, as well as with the languages of the South Pacific. The Ainu language, however, which is spoken mainly in northern Japan, continues to baffle linguists who fail to agree on its origins.
The Japanese language is traditionally written from right to left, but more recently has been accepted in horizontal format, written from left to right.
Japanese GardensJapanese gardens in many ways symbolize the culture, values, social mores and religious principles of Japan. Numerous styles and designs of Japanese gardens exist, each reflecting a different aspect of Japanese culture. The various elements of Japanese gardens are designed for their symbolic meaning; rocks, plants and waterfalls are all important symbols of the different aspects of Japanese culture, society and philosophies.
SumoSumo, the flagship sport of modern Japan, has a proud history dating back more than two thousand years. The object of sumo wrestling is to force one's opponent out of the ring or to make him touch the ground inside the ring with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet.
High-profile matches or basho are steeped in ceremony involving lengthy introductions and solemn purification rituals. The sumo bouts, by comparison, are usually very brief. Professional sumo wrestlers undergo a grueling training regime before each match and live in Spartan stables (heya), while consuming high-calorie meals.
Your best opportunity to see top-level sumo wrestling is at one of Japan's six major annual sumo tournaments. The January, May and September basho are held in Tokyo, with the remaining three sumo matches in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November).
Other Popular Japanese Sports & Pastimes
Japan & ReligionShinto ("The Way Of The Gods")Shinto is the main religion of Japan, followed closely by Buddhism. For many centuries, Japan was a country of religious pluralism, with Shinto, Buddhism and Confucianism all making their mark upon Japanese culture and society.
Shinto, the native belief system of Japan, only became a formalized religion during the mid nineteenth century. Until that time, Shinto was very much an indigenous religion and a version of kami, a belief that reveres the powers of nature and ancestral worship. According to Shinto, the human spirit never dies; it merely loses its substantiated form after death. Buddhism, and more specifically the Mahayana or "greater vehicle" dimension of Buddhism, was introduced to Japan from China and Korea during the sixth century BC. For many years, Buddhism was practiced only among Japan's ruling nobles. Only in later centuries was Buddhism widely adopted by the common people of Japan. At first, there were clashes of belief between the adherents of Buddhism and Shinto, but conflicts were soon resolved when the Japanese population realized that both religions were actually complementary. Today, around 84 percent of the Japanese population describes itself as Shinto-Buddhists while a significant minority adheres solely to Shinto customs. Christianity is not a major religion in Japan.
Japanese Tea CeremonyThe Japanese tea ceremony, or the custom of tea drinking (chanoyu), is deeply embedded in the Japanese psyche and culture. Over the centuries, the Japanese tea ceremony has evolved as an art form that instills discipline, respect for one's fellow citizens, and a sense of Zen-like spiritual awareness. In cultural terms, the Japanese tea ceremony focuses on the four main concepts of peace, respect, purity and tranquility.
Japanese Tea Ceremony: Etiquette
Anime and Japanese CultureHugely popular in Japan, anime (animated entertainment)is an important part of modern Japanese culture. Anime is essentially a form of animated storytelling that first captured the collective Japanese imagination at the beginning of the twentieth century. Early examples of anime were inspired by contemporary Western-style techniques, but had plots based on traditional Japanese folk tales. Seitaro's Peach Boy is an example of one of the first anime to have a major impact on popular Japanese culture.
Anime creators rely mainly on pen, paper, pencils, paint and simple graphics (and a vivid imagination) to produce animated films and TV series. And contrary to popular belief, anime is not overtly violent nor is it specifically aimed at kids. Today, anime has become a cultural staple of Japan's youth. Although some of the country's older generation are critical of anime, referring to anime fans as "otaku" ("geeks"), there is no denying that anime is part of the culture of the modern Japanese population.
Japanese BathingThroughout the ages, The Japanese people have made an art form out of bathing. Even in modern day Japan, public bathhouses are viewed as a place to relax, socialize and seek healing for the body and soul. Travelers who wish to immerse themselves in the quintessential Japanese cultural experience should head for one of Japan's many hot spring bathhouses called onsen.
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