Japan

Japan or Nippon Koku is an

island in East Asia, located in the
Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the
Sea of Japan, People's Republic of
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.
Japan comprises over 3,000 islands making it an archipelago. The four
largest islands are Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku, together
accounting for 97% of Japan's land area.The characters which make up
Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes identified
as the "Land of the Rising Sun".

Government Seal Japan National Flag Imperial Seal

Japan has the world's tenth largest population, with about 128 million
people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the capital city of Tokyo
and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the
world, with over 30 million residents.
The first signs of occupation on the Japanese Archipelago appeared
with a Paleolithic culture around 30,000 BC.
The Yayoi period, starting around the third century BC, saw the
introduction of many new practices, such as wet-rice farming, a new style of
pottery and iron and bronze-making, brought by migrants from China and
Korea.The Japanese first appear in written history in China’s Book of Han.
According to the Chinese Records of Three Kingdoms, the most powerful
kingdom on the archipelago during the third century was called
Yamataikoku.

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 Japanese culture has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's
original Jōmon culture to its contemporary culture, which combines
influences from Asia, Europe and North America.

Geisha are professional female entertainers who perform traditional

Japanese arts at banquets.
Girls who wish to become a geisha, have to go
through a rigid apprenticeship during which they learn
various traditional arts such as playing instruments,
singing, dancing, but also conversation and other
social skills. In Kyoto, geisha apprentices are called
"maiko".
Geisha are dressed in a kimono, and their faces are
made up very pale. As a common tourist, you may be
able to spot a maiko in some districts of Kyoto, such
as Gion and Pontocho or in Kanazawa's Higashi
Geisha District.

The Samurai are best described as an elite,

warrior, social caste, surviving for some seven
centuries. They wore lacquered iron armor and
would yield a sword, together with a dagger and a
bow.
During the Heian Period (794-1185), when
strong landowners began to hire warriors for the
protection of their properties, the samurai class
grew in clout and significance. They would
emerge as military aristocracy. During the
Kamakura Shogunate (1185-1333), a military government held power in
Japan, and Minamoto Yoritomo, a samurai shogun or general-in-chief,
became the Japanese ruler. The Kamakura Shogunate is referred to as
Japan’s feudal period from the relationship between samurai and their lords.
In 1274, the Kamakura Shogunate withstood the Mongol invasion of Kublai
Khan, thanks in part to the “divine wind” (kamikaze) of a timely typhoon.

Kimono and yukata are traditional Japanese clothing.

Kimono are made of silk and are usually very expensive. Nowadays they are
worn at formal or traditional occasions such as funerals, weddings or tea
ceremonies. Only rarely kimono can still be seen in everyday life.

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 Kimono differ in style and color depending on the occasion on which
it is worn and the age and marital status of the person wearing it. To put on a
kimono needs some practice. Especially tying the belt (obi) alone is difficult
so that many people require assistance. Wearing a kimono properly includes
proper hair style, traditional shoes, socks, underwear, and a small handbag
for women.
The yukata, on the other hand, is more of an informal leisure clothing.
It is a comfortable dress on summer days or after a hot bath. Yukata are
relatively inexpensive and made of cotton. While staying at a ryokan, you
will be provided with a yukata.

The tea ceremony (Sado)

is a ritual way of preparing and
drinking tea. The custom has
been strongly influenced by Zen
Buddhism.
Nowadays, the tea
ceremony is a relatively popular
kind of hobby. Many Japanese
who are interested in their own
culture, take tea ceremony
lessons with a teacher. Tea
ceremonies are held in traditional Japanese rooms in cultural community
centres or private houses.
The ceremony itself consists of many rituals that have to be learned by
heart. Almost each hand movement is prescribed. Basically, the tea is first
prepared by the host, and then drunken by the guests. The tea is bitter
matcha green tea made of powdered tea leaves.

The cherry blossom (sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. It

has been celebrated for many
centuries and holds a very prominent
position in Japanese culture.There are
many dozens of different cherry tree
varieties in Japan, most of which
bloom for just a couple of days in
spring. The Japanese celebrate that
time of the year with hanami (cherry
blossom viewing) parties under the
blooming trees.

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 The Japanese sword (nihonto) has
been internationally known for its sharpness
and beauty since feudal times. The sword
used to be the distinguishing mark of the
samurai.
Since swords are dangerous weapons, a
permit is required to own one in Japan today.

Japanese music (hogaku),some of the most important ones are listed

below:

Gagaku: Ancient court music

from China and Korea. It is the
oldest type of Japanese, traditional
music.
Biwagaku: Music played with the
instrument Biwa, a kind of guitar
with four strings.
Nogaku: Music played during No
performances. It basically consists
of a chorus, the Hayashi flute, the
Tsuzumi drum, and other
instruments.
Sokyoku: Music played with the
instrument Koto. Later also
accompanied by Shamisen and
Shakuhachi. The Koto is a zither
with 13 strings.
Shakuhachi: Music played with the instrument Shakuhachi, a about 55 cm
long flute. The name of the flute is its lenght expressed in the old Japanese
length units.
Shamisenongaku: Music played with the instrument Shamisen, a kind of
guitar with only three strings. Kabuki and Bunraku performances are
accompanied by the shamisen.

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