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Category: Culture
Soba and its cultural implication in Japan
Comparing Tokyo and Osaka, it is said that Tokyoites prefer soba or buckwheat noodles, while Osakans prefer udon or flour noodles. However, if we’re just talking about the last day of the year, both Tokyoites and Osakans are likely to opt for toshikoshi soba over udon. This custom of eating soba on New Year’s Eve is said… Read more
What is Andón – How to make a traditional Japanese lantern
He andon It is a lantern made of Japanese paper and framed with bamboo or wood that is lit with oil or a candle. It is believed to have been originally used by Buddhist monks during the Muromachi period (1392-1573) as portable lighting. In the Edo period (1600-1867), the andon was especially popular with merchants to display lanterns with… Read more
What is the Japanese Tanka たんか 短歌
Tanka is a genre of classical Japanese poetry and one of the major genres of Japanese literature. Tanka (literally “short poem”), belongs to the ancient Japanese poetry called “waka 和歌”, is a 31-syllable poem made up of five verses in the pattern of 5-7-5-7-7. Originally there were other forms in “waka” such as “choka 長歌”… Read more
Japan in the eyes of Albert Einstein
On November 17, 1922, the Nippon Yusen liner Kitanomaru carrying Einstein was approaching the port of Kobe via the Seto Inland Sea. More than a month had passed since the ship left the port of Marseille in France. Einstein described his impression of the Seto Inland Sea as follows: “My curiosity peaked when I saw countless beautiful… Read more
The Story of the Three Laughing Monks: Zen Motivation
The Zen philosophy, which emphasizes simplicity and mindfulness, offers valuable personal growth and motivational guidance. It is known that the samurai they adopted the Zen Buddhism and their main reason was the belief that it strengthened them on the battlefield. They believed that plans and strategy on the battlefield led to death, and Zen helped followers to… Read more
Characteristics of the Japanese observed 150 years ago: strengths and weaknesses
It is said that the Japanese are diligent, and that image remains despite the passage of time. If you ask a Japanese or perhaps a foreigner what are the characteristics of the Japanese, the answer is probably the same: diligence. Undoubtedly, there is some truth in this generalization, but then , what are the negative characteristics… Read more
Important Japanese gestures and how to do them correctly
Although language is an important form of communication between cultures, there is a lot of information between the lines. In every culture, there are subtleties to pay attention to in order to comply with social customs and rules of courtesy . Here’s a breakdown of important gestures in Japanese culture, from the proper way to sit on a mat… Read more
Bamboo in Japanese culture
Bamboo is a very strong plant, which, due to its solid root structure, has been a symbol of prosperity in Japan since ancient times. For years, it was said to run to the bamboo forests in the event of an earthquake, because the strong root structure of the bamboo would hold the earth together. Simple and unadorned,… Read more
Ninja Sword or Shinobi Gatana How unique are they?
Also known as Ninjato (忍者刀). The length of a normal Japanese sword is about 70 cm, but a Ninja sword is about 40 cm, which makes it very compact. Also, Ninja swords do not have the curvature of the blade, which is unique to Japanese swords. The short, flat shape of the ninja sword was created to… Read more
Why is the firefly (Hotaru) important in Japan?
In some cultures, the firefly may not have a positive reputation. But in Japan , where they are called “hotaru”, they are loved, a metaphor for passionate love in poetry since Man’you-shu (the 8th century anthology). Its eerie lights are also believed to be the altered form of the souls of soldiers who have died in war. It… Read more