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Category: History
Japan’s oldest writing revealed as permanent marker ink
In January 2020, archaeologists and scholars investigating the history of writing in Japan were excited by the discovery of what would possibly be ” the oldest writing in Japan” This writing was found on an inkstone dated to the mid- Yayoi period (300 BC to 300 AD) which was excavated at the Tawayama site in… Read more
Empress Suiko of Japan
Japan’s first empress regnant in recorded history Empress Suiko is known as Japan’s first empress regnant in recorded history (rather than an empress consort). He is credited with spreading Buddhism in Japan, increasing Chinese influence in Japan. She was the daughter of Emperor Kimmei, empress consort of Emperor Bidatsu, sister of Emperor Sujun (or Sushu).… Read more
Legendary Writing of Ninja Secrets, found in Japan
On June 19, 2022, officials from the municipal government of 甲賀市 Kōka City, Shiga Prefecture, famous as the center of ninja heritage, announced that they had found an Edo period ninjutsu manuscript called 間林清陽 Kanrinseiyo. The book is said to be the basis for the 万川集海 Bansenshūkai, a representative ninjutsu book that served as a… Read more
Ningyocho Mechanical Clock Towers
Long before the development of the now world-leading Japanese robotics, wind-up and mechanical automatons called karakuri had been in vogue in Japan since the 17th century . Some of these traditional wooden puppets could bring cups of tea to their guests or prepare arrows and shoot them. The people of feudal Japan were very fond… Read more
Hachimaki – Origin and meaning – JAPAN
The hachimaki has become well known in the West, just seeing it is associated with Japan. A hachimaki (鉢巻) is a ribbon, usually made of white cloth with a red circle in the center and one or two kanji written in black, that the Japanese wear on their heads as a symbol of effort, perseverance… Read more
Hachiko – A very loyal Dog
Every day for a year, the golden Akita named Hachikō accompanied his owner, Professor Ueno, to Shibuya Station and every day he waited for the professor to return to walk home. However, one day the train came but Professor Ueno was not on it. Hachiko came back the next day, and the next, but his… Read more
What is Seppuku?
Often called “harakiri” in the West, “seppuku” is a form of ritual suicide that originated in Japan’s ancient samurai class. This act normally involved burying a short sword in the lower abdomen, cutting horizontally into the stomach, and finally directing the blade of the sword upwards to ensure a fatal wound. Sometimes they gave themselves… Read more
Japan and its Centennial Companies
Japan has the largest number of century-old corporations in the world with at least 37,550 companies, a far greater number than any other country. Experts say this is probably due to the enthusiasm of Japanese entrepreneurs to work with regional communities and pass on business to their descendants, rather than just seeking profit. According to… Read more
The Story of the 47 Ronin – Truth or Legend?
The story of the 47 Ronin is known as one of the greatest tales of revenge in history. It represents the samurai’s loyalty to their master or leader and has been the inspiration for many works of art ever since. Legend has it that the 47 loyal retainers of feudal lord Asano were forced to… Read more
Torii – Gates to the Sacred Grounds
You have probably seen Torii in photos from Japan without knowing what they really are. Torii are the entrance gates to Shinto shrines . Not only do they impress us when we look at them, but they also have great significance for shrines as well as Tōrō and other elements of shrine and temple architecture… Read more