Japan Culture

I have chosen to write about japan culture as I have the understanding and knowledge about the background of the religion. Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.

Language Japanese is a member of the Japoniclanguages family, which also includes the languages spoken throughout the Ryūkyū Islands. As these closely related languages are commonly treated as dialects of the same language, Japanese is often called a language isolate.

Religion

Religion in Japan. Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century.

Food

Japanese cuisine is the food ingredients, preparation and way of eating of Japan. The traditional food of Japan is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. The side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. Fish is common in the traditional cuisine. It is often grilled, but it may also be served raw as sashimi or in sushi. Seafood and vegetables are also deep-fried in a light batter as tempura.

Apart from rice, staples include noodles, such as soba and udon. Japan has many simmered dishes such as fish products in broth called oden, or beef in sukiyaki and nikujaga. Foreign food, in particular Chinese food in the form of noodles in soup called ramen and fried dumplings, gyoza, and western food such as curry and hamburger steaks are commonly found in Japan. Historically, the Japanese shunned meat, but with the modernization of Japan in the 1860s, meat-based dishes such as tonkatsu became common.

Architecture and art

Kyoto has been the home of various events that shaped the Japanese history. The city was once the capital of Japan, therefore sheltering the imperial family. It has gone through so many wars that almost demolished its structures. Also, the city contains 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and 20% of Japan’s national treasures reside in Kyoto, making it a must-see place indeed. To top it all, the industrialization the area underwent made it more tourist-friendly, as parks and museums were opened all over the city. Many would say that Kyoto is less attractive than other famous cities in Japan; however, this is quite untrue.

Clothing

The kimono is a Japanese traditional garment. The word “kimono”, which literally means a “thing to wear” (ki “wear” and mono “thing”), has come to denote Japanese Style carries a wide variety of kimono direct from Japan. We have stunning silk kimono, cotton kimono, Japanese kimono in different colours and designs. Handmade Vintage Kimono Men’s fully lined Long Kimono 50s 60s Unisex Brown Traditional Kimono CLEAN Made in Japan Woman Size Large or Medium Traditional Japanese Clothing, vintage kimono.

Customs and celebrations

January 1 is New Year's Day, a national holiday and one of the biggest events on the calendar of annual festivities in Japan. Schools close for about two weeks of winter holiday before and after New Year's, and most companies also shut down for New Year break from around December 30 to January 3. Many people who've moved to big cities return home for the holidays to be with family and friends.

From well before dawn on New Year's Day, people flock to shrines and temples to pray for a healthy and happy year. This is called hatsu-mode and is one of the most important rituals of the year. When we greet our acquaintances, moreover, we say "Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu" (a happy new year) to convey our wishes that the year to come will be full of hope and good health.