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

Tea Ceremony

“Chanoyu” – A Traditional Art

The origin of tea ceremony is from drinking green tea and Buddhist belief in China from fourth century to the eighth century, what is then transformed during different periods of time to become a traditional art of Japanese people. They hold different types of tea ceremony which depend on the time of day, season of the year or in some specific occasions. It could be a tea ceremony for early-morning summer, or to celebrate the first use of the portable brazier in the year. The styles of preparation for the tea ceremony is also vary based on season or the formality of events. Japanese Tea ceremony is not a drinking tea meeting or else, it is a spiritual experience that includes harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Therefore, there are a lot of rules to prepare and take part in the ceremony. 

An authentic example would be guests have to wait at the waiting room until the host done the preparation. Then they have to wash their hands and mouths from water in a stone basin to purify. They have to get in the tea room or tea house through a small gate in order to force them bow while they entry the room, the host will give back a silent bow. Then they have a range of steps and rules to really enjoy the tea. Depend on informal or formal they will serve guests with sweets and then tea or a full three course meal with sake and then tea. To become master of the art of Japanese tea ceremony, it takes years to learn and practice at tea schools. People have to learn common hosting duties, how to enter and exit the tea room probably, appropriate behavior when handling or drinking from the tea bowls.

For more information check out these links below:

• http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/preparation/
• http://www.teavana.com/tea-info/japanese-tea-ceremony
• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2096.html

Pokemon Jet!

This isn't a Pokemon Gym for Flying Types, But it does Shock!

Pokémon jets Have you ever seen such an airplane? It’s Pokémon jet! As you know, Japan has rich animation culture. The jet features Pikachu and many other popular Pokémon characters. In Japan they spell it as Pikatyuu. The inside of the planes have seat covers and curtains as well as on the surface of the jet. And also the staffs in the costumes of Pokémon serve drink cups designed Pokémon. By the way, why do they have these awesome jets? To advertise Pokémon? Or to show off Japanese culture? It's both! The livery is intended to embrace and exploit the anime culture, specifically Pokémon. ANA Airways target families through their children. It has become difficult to get tickets of Pokémon jet because of popularity. The children who luckily get a chance to take Pokémon jet are given limited item as a present.

SO! WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE YOU EAGER TO FLY?

Chasing a diverse Culture... Japan and it's Intrigue!

Around the world it is mostly understood that if you are a part of a religion you are likely to stick to the cultural beliefs and moreover celebrations! Australia is regarded as one the largest multicultural hot-spots in the world and we embrace the many different cultural events throughout the year. Our adoption of events such as the Holi Festival of Colours (originating form India) - and giving it an Aussie twist thus molding it into the annual Color Run! And the New Years Eve celebrations on the Sydney Harbor Bridge paints the picture of a diverse culture. However, across the globe Japanese people have ‘multi-religions’.

The Color Run...the Aussie adoption of India's Holi Festival!

Indeed, they combine cultural and religious aspects of Buddhism and Christianity. For example, their weddings take Christian style but their funerals take Buddhism style (Till Death Do Us Part, right?).They visit the shrines for New Year’s good luck though they celebrate Christmas. So...why does this bizarre thing happen? Why embrace multiple aspects of the different paths?

The thing is because many Japanese people aren’t willing to learn the doctrines by entering a specific religion. Instead of that, they worship ancestors. They think ancestors look after people who are alive today even though they’ve already passed away. 

Traditional Christian Wedding in Japan

Christmas in Japan - Light em Up!

A traditional Buddhist Funeral Shrine

For a more detailed view on the topic visit these great links:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2061.html
• http://gojapan.about.com/cs/traditionculture/a/japanesewedding.htm
• http://www.seiyaku.com/seiyaku/en/western-wedding.html