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.

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 

Ninja

The conspicuous covert warriors known as Ninja (忍者) specialized in unconventional warfare. Otherwise known referred to as shinobi (meaning those who act in stealth) had been around as early as the eleventh century. This was around the age of the samurai venturing through and well beyond the sixteenth century. Unlike the Samurai the Ninja were not given an honourable image because of their mercenary class skill level and expertise in said warfare. Samurai warlords often would seek the assistance of the Ninja hidden in the remote villages of Iga and Koka. Now these villages serve as museums in which original buildings and training grounds still exist.

Ninja specialized in infiltration, sabotage, and assassination of samurai feudal lords. Ninjutsu is an art form referring to the many attributes of the ninja such as stealth, combat skills, vast knowledge of poisons and weapons control. Military strategy, meteorology and geometry were a part of their expert tracking and sense of direction. Female ninja were amongst the most prominent, especially when it came down to infiltration during the night 

There is little factual information about ninja and thus many rumours and mysteries remain unanswered. So much so that anime and manga utilize these as a fun way of interpretation through shows such as Naruto. Ninja remained active until the beginning of the Edo Period when social order was restored. Jinichi Kawakami is the 21st head of the Ban clan and he says the ninja way will die with him as ninja do not fit in with modern day japan.

 

Jinichi Kawakami - 21st head of the Ban clan

Read more at these great sites to paint a clear mental picture of the truly skilled Ninja:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2295.html
• http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/history/q4.html
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316547/Japans-ninja-Jinichi-Kawakami-63-hear-needle-drop-room-kill-20-paces.html

Casual Yukata or Luxurious Kimono?

Every culture has their traditional clothing to be proud of and the yukata is no exception. Japan’s finest garments, reserved for special occasions are a sight to see, with many unique and benevolent designs. Firstly, there are two distinct traditional garments known as the kimono and the yukata. Kimonos in particular are worn at traditional weddings, tea ceremonies, formal events and funerals. However keeping true to the beautiful kimono is the yukata which is of a more casual attire. In modern day Japan, people often wear the yukata to summer festivals called “Omatsuri” which feature fireworks displays called “Hanabi taikai”.

Women's Yakuta and Omatsuri Summer Festival

Kimono_Hanabi taikai_Yakuta

Often when we think of traditional Japan images of cherry blossoms, the great Mt. Fuji, the legendary samurai, and even though many of us may not have been able to name them – the kimono and yukata come to mind. And at first glance the two may be indistinguishable to many foreigners. However if you pay attention to the finishing touches, the yukata resembles a robe, reflecting its original intended use, and is fastened around the waist with a sash called an obi. Literally translating to “bathing cloth” and its strong relation with Japanese onsen (natural hot springs) and ryokan (Japanese style Inns) the yukata portrays an authentic Japanese culture of the Edo period (1603 -1868) as they are typically provided by the ryokans and hotels for guests to wear about. For this reason, the yukata is usually made of cotton for absorbability and breathability.

Women's Kimono

The kimono on the other hand, is a luxurious endeavour made of the finest silk (although modernized polyester variations are available) characterised by artistic designs of embroidery, yuzen painting and dyeing. Kitsuke is the term addressing the many specific rules for when and how to wear kimono and yukata. The cultural etiquette of which kitsuke entails consists of perplexing steps to so much as wear either garment. Furthermore, an appropriate style and colour of kimono is to be worn depending on the occasion and the person's age and marital status. As such, a furisode which is another variation of the kimono may be worn by unmarried women throughout the year indicating their single status. On the other hand a komon can be worn by both married and unmarried females.

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

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2101.html
• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2103.html
• http://www.fromjapan.co.jp/blog/en/fashion/all-about-kimono-and-yukata-the-differences-how-to-wear-buy.html#whatyukata