Emperor Akihito

You may be familiar with the almighty emperor watching over Japan, being regarded as the highest power of authority there is – and that his word is the only word. Let me introduce you to the current emperor – Emperor Akihito! He’s regarded as a symbol of strength and peace for the country and of unity of its citizens. Born on the 23^rd of December, one day before Christmas Eve the date is set as national holiday. The Japanese word for Emperor is Tennou (天皇) meaning a great king come from heaven. Once upon a time, China was so strong that Japan was about to be taken over especially about cultural disputes. However, the emperor at that time dared to be called Tennou, such a name that sounds like ‘superior’ to Chinese king. Then, the Chinese king got angry but luckily they didn’t attack Japan because they didn’t have spare resources as they were fighting against Korea. Since that moment, Japan has developed its uniqueness which are different from China. Historical dilemmas aside, what does Emperor Akihito do?

Firstly, his humble demeanour resulted in him marrying a commoner – and at one stage vowed to consider lifting the rule in which only males could be heir to the throne. Common misconceptions of the role he plays can include the execution of political decisions however practically the prime minister does that duty. The Japanese government always respects and adheres to his word but is independent of royal family.  Rather, Emperor Akihito is humanitarian whilst he prays for peace of Japan and happiness of citizens every day. He occasionally conducts diplomatic activities to keep peaceful relationship with other countries. Japan has not engaged in war since World WarⅡ, thanks to this duty. He is indeed at the top position of Japan and as such – you may recall from our bowing post - even American president, Barrack Obama bows at 45 degrees (Saikeirei) toward him; even if he did end up in handshake bow!

For a more detailed understanding on this topic and check out these links:

• http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/imperial/q1.html
• http://www.biography.com/people/akihito-9178272
• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2135.html

Special Announcement!

Hi bloggers, I'm excited to announce and invite you to the 2015 Japan Culture and Art Festival!!!


When: Sunday 11th October 2015
Address: 140 Hoddle Street, Collingwood,Vic, 3067, Australia.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1640468042838114/

Manga and Anime

Manga is Japanese comics which are normally printed in black and white while Anime is Japanese animation with diverse of colour, movement and sounds that bring anime to life. Anime ( ア ニ メ), the word "animation" means "cartoon" also known under the name Japanese animation, as the Japanese animated film. Many people mispronounce this word. It is pronounced as ‘ani-may’ often misread as ‘an-eye-m’. When you hear "anime," images of large eyes, funny and colourful hair, and peculiar fashion come to mind. Like the more internationally renowned anime series Pokémon is One Piece, one of the longest running anime series was derived from manga written by Eiichiro Oda. Most visitors to Japan simply skim the surface of manga and anime by visually appreciating the characters which pop up wherever you go with no real knowledge of who they are. However, a little research into this fantasy world can enrich your time in Japan as your knowledge of characters will create instant common ground with Japanese people you may meet and you will find yourself actively searching for and spotting the characters you know. 

If you do decide to dive deeper into these vast worlds then be careful: once you are in it is very difficult to find your way out and before you know it, you may be considered (or even call yourself) an otaku. Anime, like drama, including a lot of different genres (action, comedy, melodrama, adventure). Currently "anime" occupies 60% of the cartoon was produced worldwide. In Japan, anime is mainly on television (in Japan, most of the channels are private). The anime series aired on TV often found seasonal (season), known as the TV series, each half season usually includes 12 episodes (episodes), so the 12-episode TV series often (half season) or 26 set (one season), or 52 sets (two seasons). There are individual so long as InuYasha anime (167 episodes), Doraemon, or Naruto, and Bleach newest. 

Anime often aired at midnight, on the famous channel TV Tokyo, TBS. Having premiered on TV channels, production companies often give voice to anime in English and released DVDs in foreign markets in order to earn more profit. Japan is the only country where the audience is often go to theaters to watch the cartoons shown on screens (called Movie). These films may have a completely new storyline (like Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away), or sometimes just a film stripped of a TV series (Movie Shakugan no Shana Rahxephon or content exactly the same TV series, but was shortened to 90 minutes). Movie studios most famous anime Studio Ghibli. Also, the anime can have "OVA" (Original Video Animation), usually of about 3 or 4 episodes.

Further information:

• https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/manga-and-anime/
• http://www.manna-anime.com/faq.html
• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2070.html

Japanese Bathrooms & Etiquette

The etiquette and practices when using a Japanese bathroom or ‘ofuroba’ are very similar to that of an onsen. If you recall from our onsen article, the Japanese love to soak in the warm relaxing waters of the hot springs, but not everyone can go to an onsen every day. The solution? Well of course you turn your own bathroom into a personal yet diversified relaxation room – or shall I say rooms! Firstly, the typical Japanese household will have 3 individual spaces (or rooms) for the sink, the toilet, and the bathroom itself. Every anime fan knows of the traditional tatami rooms and Japanese bathing culture which is quite different from the western world. Because the bathwater is used for relaxation and is usually kept warm (often through technological means in modern day Japan) it is primarily kept clean for the whole family. How you ask? Well the first area which includes change area and the sink in which a place to rinse and wash your body and then proceed to the next room/area with the bathtub. Some toilet rooms include a completely separate sink so to keep it all in check regarding dirt and bacteria.

If you’re a little more removed from the traditional low tech Japanese bathroom, it would really pay off to check out the high tech ones which even fit in a small apartment building. I would highly recommend you to watch the video link below and gather a really clear idea of what goes on in Japan and this awesome practice.

For more reading check out these links:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2002.html
• http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/12-awesome-features-of-japanese-bathrooms-you-wont-find-in-the-west

Origami

Origami (折り紙) means paper folding in Japanese. In Edo period, origami started being popular among common people. Then, it has become an art form which has been passed down through several generations.  The principal purpose is to change a flat square paper into a finished object by folding it.  Modern origami style doesn’t usually include cutting or markings on the paper.  The object can be animals, birds, fish, flowers or other shapes. Indeed, learning origami is mostly so easy that even very young children can make in a few minutes. In Japan, at one time origami was taught in schools but today, children are generally taught origami at home. 

Actually, origami can bring children mathematical interest because of its symmetric shape and develop insights along with passing down traditional art form. People celebrate national holidays with colourful origami decorations made by the family. On children's day, children make colourful paper carp as a carp recognized to swim upstream, against the current. This symbolizes vitality of children. On Tanabata day, The Star Festival is celebrated. Origami stars decorate bamboo branches. The most well-known and popular origami object is the crane. It has been created by several generations thanks to its ease. Almost every origami guide book has how to make the crane.  

Paper crane has become the international symbol of peace. In Japan almost every child has learned how to make the crane at least once. Some people try to make tiny paper cradle to show off dexterity. Interestingly, you will see a bunch of paper cradles at patient’s rooms in a hospital. It is called Senbazuru (千羽鶴) which means a thousand of cradles. It has the belief that senbazuru brings curing of illness. Therefore, a patient gets a thousand of paper cradles piled up created by his family or friends even though it takes much time to complete.

Ikebana – The Art of Flower Arrangement

Ikebana (生け花) is an art form of flower or plant arrangement that began in the Heian period in which flowers and plants are particularly set in a vase for showing appreciation. It is said the arts like Ikebana were developed as Japanese people had been close to nature. In Ikebana, not only flowers but also grass, trees, and all different kinds of plants can be used unlike flower arrangements. Practically, people arrange flowers to look more beautiful and tidier overall with other materials. People in Japan enjoy its seasonal events with decorated flowers Therefore, Ikebana, the unique culture, originated as Japan has distinctive four seasons. Ikebana has been popular among many generations as a hobby. Actually, there are about more than 30000 styles in Ikebana. Also, women have learnt Ikebana as a part of bridal training. Even some schools take Ikebana as classes to train student’s minds. 

People sometimes run across Ikebana exhibitions at exhibition spaces at department stores, train stations and post offices. In Ikebana world, flowers and plants represent human life and express its beauty and preciousness. They also represent surroundings of humans, such as heaven and earth, so, practitioners need to arrange them in a good balance. In fact, people think flowers, which bloom strongly even on windy or raining days, have souls like human beings do. There is a traditional way of observing other’s Ikebana. Firstly, you will bow once towards the flower with Seiza (正座), sitting on your heels. Then, you will overview the structure first, and enjoy watching in detail like arrangement of the flowers, harmony with flower base and garden tub. Finally, you will bow to the person who created the work to show appreciation.

Here are some reading suggestion for further interest in Ikebana:

• http://www.ikebanahq.org/whatis.php
• http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/ikebana/ikebana01.html
• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2098.html

Shinto

Shinto Shrines

Shinto (神道) means the way of the gods. It is the ethnic religion of Japanese people rooted 6th century B.C.E. along with Buddhism. Shinto does not have a founder, sacred text like the bible nor official doctrine. It has contributed to develop unique Japanese attitudes and sensitivities as well as distinct Japanese consciousness. Shinto worshipers are supposed to get peacefully along with both nature and other humans. That’s why Shinto have existed in good balance with other religions. Gods of Shinto are called kami (神). They are sacred spirits which form nature, such as mountains, rain, wind, trees, rivers and even geographic regions. Therefore, people worship nature so that they think it has gods inside itself. Humans become kami after death and are admired by their descendants. In this regard, kami have the abstract forces in nature, not like the gods with human shapes having clear power found in Western religions. There are lots of Shinto shrines which are regarded as the homes of kami. Practitioners throw one coin like 5 yen toward wooden box called saisen (賽銭). Then, they have things to do, bowing twice, clapping hands twice and then bowing once again. 

This behaviour means that people show respect for kami by bowing twice and they summon kami to clap hands. Then, they prey or wish anything like good health or academic achievement. After that, they show appreciation and send kami back to nature by bowing once. Paper fortunes called O-mikuji (おみくじ) are available at shrines. People rely on O-mikuji to predict the chances of succeeding their dreams, of marriage, good health, etc. When they get bad prediction, commonly, they fold up the strip of paper and tie it to a pine tree or a wall of metal wires. Actually, pine tree (松 matsu) and the verb 'to wait' (待つ matsu) sound the same in Japanese, so the bad luck will stay at the pine tree attached the paper.

Good Fortune Note

For a more detailed inquiry into this topic visit these great sites:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2056.html 
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/
• http://www.patheos.com/Library/Shinto
• http://www.religioustolerance.org/shinto.htm

Japanese Names and Titles

Do you know any Japanese names? Most Japanese names are composed of first name and family name. Different thing from Australia is that family name is followed by first name. In that sense, first name turns to ‘last name’ as middle names aren’t commonly used. As a matter of fact, family names vary. In Japan, Sato, Suzuki, Takahashi, Tanaka and Watanabe are the most common family names. Actually the family names have meanings come from locations, nobles and nature. For instance, one of our bloggers, Kohei’s family name is Nishimura (西村) standing for ‘western village’ as Nishi (西) means west and Mura (村) means village.

In terms of first name, parents name new baby as they like. First names usually include positive meanings like wish, love, elegance, intelligence and so on.  Kohei (康平) consists of two words, representing Ko (康) as good health combined with hei (平) implying wish for world peace according to his parents. As parents can give any name for baby, problems has occurred currently. Here is an example. A baby is named Pikachu (光宙) as his parents like Pokémon. It sounds lovely name, but when it comes to workplace, he might be looked down by the boss or even colleague because it’s unusual name and sounds undisciplined.

People in Japan commonly put one of several honorific suffixes at the end of names to address each other except when they are close. San (さん) mostly can be appropriate as it implies gender- neutral. On the other hand, kun (君) is only applied for males while chan (ちゃん) is for kids or females. In most elementary schools, teachers put san on every student’s name whenever they call in order avoid gender discrimination.

Japanese Literature and Poetry

Stop what you’re thinking. Although the topic may be of “Literature” which some people might not be so hyped up to read about, this is Japanese literature and you may be surprised to find an interesting fact or two – or your money back guarantee – just kidding, no refunds. If that were to be the case perhaps a Haiku or two might change your mind. In the Edo period, it was the renowned seventeenth century poet Matsou Basho who perfected a new condensed poetic form of 17 syllables (5-7-5) known as haiku, an embodiment of elegant simplicity and tranquillity.

At a time when Japan had no written language, Chinese literature was introduced. Early work was heavily influenced by Chinese literature, but Japan quickly developed a style and quality of its own. Japanese literature consists of almost two millennia (two thousand years) worth of scriptures - however vague the first millennium might have been. It is the body of written works produced by Japanese authors which is regarded as one of the major literatures of the world, comparable in age, richness, and volume to English literature.

A rich collection of folklore derived in a rural village named Tono had transcribed the oral tradition into a collated book in the early nineteenth century involving legends of spirits, animals and supernatural creatures – the book was dubbed the ‘Legends of Tono’. Story telling performances (in Japanese) at these folk villages, museums and at some of the hotels around town illustrate the wonderful inner working of this special folklore. Unfortunately the oral nature of the early seventh century poetry meant that it couldn’t be transcribed and almost entirely lost.   

After the renaming of the city of Edo to Tokyo, Emperor Meiji would seek knowledge from the entire world. The Kojiki (record of Ancient Matters: myths, legends, and other stories,) and Nihon shoki (chronological record of history) were completed in 712 and 720, respectively, as government projects. Man'yoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), an anthology of 4,500 poems composed by people ranging from unknown commoners to emperors.

For hours of reading and a complete knowledge-base on the topics visit these great sites:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2110.html
• http://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-literature
• http://www.gojapango.com/culture/japanese_literature.html
• http://www.tofugu.com/2014/08/05/a-crash-course-in-japanese-poetry/
• http://www.kanzaki.com/jinfo/jliterature.html
• http://www.gojapango.com/japanese_language/kanji.htm 

Japanese Architecture & Tatami Rooms

Generally speaking, Japan’s weather is mild in winter, hot and humid in summer. In addition, Japan is situated in a volcanic zone, where earthquakes is inevitable. Thus, wood has been the main component to Japanese architecture. However, as the influence of western architecture, there are changing in the way they design the buildings, expanding in usage of concrete and steel. Let’s have a further look into its history and transformation due to time changing and trend.

Traditional Architecture

At early stage, dwelling were built directly over an earth floor with a wood foundation and a thatched straw roof. Built in the earth ground explains why the floor may have hollow and it is called “pit dwelling”. Then at Jomon period, because of expanding in population and increasing in rice farming, the houses were built on stilts to avoid mice, especially for granaries. The rich of Japanese architecture is reflected by shrines and temples. These were influence by the arrival of Buddhism from China in the 6th century. During time, they were increasing design to suit local tastes. However, natural disasters and they lost overtime, only few are existing under strict reservation. It would be a pity if tatami room is not mentioned when talking about Japanese homes. It is named tatami room because of its unique interior design with tatami mats as flooring. Once upon a time, it is served as study rooms for wealthy only because it costs an arm and a leg. The tatami mat is suitable with Japan’s unique climate and help regulate interior humidity, this leads to common use of every home.

 Modern Architecture

Growth of big cities and Western influence, the contemporary architecture appear with appearances of skyscrapers and creative buildings. They could be a combine between traditional materials and concrete, steel.The nature of small cities with high population leads to a result of side by side buildings.

 Fore further information check out these great links:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2111.html
• http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/cultural/experience/a.html
• http://www.busyboo.com/tag/japanese-architecture/

Tatami rooms:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2007.html
• http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/quick-history-tatami-matsretro-154420

Kabuki

Kabuki (歌舞伎) is a classical Japanese play beginning in the Edo Period, about 400 years ago. It is regarded as one of Japans three major traditional plays along with Noh (能) and Bunraku (文楽). In fact, Kabuki was chosen as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. That’s why I should introduce this important Japan’s culture. The actors put glittering costumes and eccentric wigs on and stand out through bizarre make-up. The highlight of kabuki is the exaggerated actions performed by the actors. Kabuki’s contents are usually based on historical events, sympathetic dramas, love stories and common people’s lives. Interestingly, only a part of a whole story (usually the best part) is performed in one show. Therefore, Kabuki fans read a little about the story to get ready to understand fully before heading for the play. Some theatres allow buying headsets with English narrations and description. Women used to be allowed to perform in kabuki. However, Tokugawa shogunate prohibited women to play, and until today it has been performed only by men. So some male actors play female role by making-up well - called onnagata (女形).

There are dynamic stage sets, such as revolving platforms and trapdoors, helping actors appear/disappear when changing a scene. Another uniqueness of the kabuki stage is a footbridge, called hanamichi (花道) enabling them to reach the audience, which allows dramatic entrances or exits. Also, live music performed using traditional instruments like syamisen (三味線) makes peculiar atmosphere. Currently, there are several kabuki theatres in Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka. Each day’s performance usually has two or three segments (one in the early afternoon and one towards the evening), and each segment is further separated into acts. Depending on the seat position, the price of ticket varies and at the highest, the ticket can be about $300. 

For more hot information on the hilarious demeanor that is Kabuki, check out these links:

• http://www.unmissabletokyo.com/kabuki-za
• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2090.html