Category: Society
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The Hidden (But Cute) Side of the “Undokai” Sports Festival
Many of you have probably already heard about the undokai sports festival in Japan. A celebration full of physical tests, sports competitions, dances and rhythm tables, which are an unmissable tradition, especially in schools in Japan. These are organized from kindergarten or kindergarten, through all school grades, universities, and even in companies and neighbors in Read more
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Japan’s centenarian count reaches record 86,500 and women make up 88% of them
The number of people aged 100 and over in Japan is estimated to have reached a record 86,510 and the number of men reaching the milestone topped 10,000 for the first time, data from the Health Ministry showed. The number of centenarians as of September 15 represents an increase of 6,060 from a year earlier, Read more
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Why do Japanese people eat RAW FISH?
You have probably wondered why we Japanese eat so much raw fish? Well, to begin with, I think it’s a very subjective answer, that is, it depends on the person you ask this question to. However, the first answer that I would give you if you asked me would be “We eat raw fish because Read more
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Akihito, the oldest Emperor Emeritus of all the emperors of Japan
Emperor Akihito, 87, along with Emperor Showa, is the longest-living emperor of all time, who is said to have a strong record. Emperor Emeritus, who was born on December 23, 1933, like Emperor Showa, his father, who died during his reign, is the longest-living emperor in Japanese history, since Empress Suiko (554 – 628 AD) Read more
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The Sankin-kōtai System – Feudal Control in the Tokugawa Era
During the Sengoku period (戦国代) or the “Warring States Period”, which lasted for around one hundred years (1500 to 1603), Japan was plagued by endless civil wars. Feudal warlords fought for supremacy in Japan. Finally, Ieyasu of the Tokugawa family was able to gain the upper hand in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and Read more
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Superstitions and Curiosities of Japan
Every culture has its own very unique set of superstitions, and with its rich mythology, Japan is no exception. Here are some Japanese superstitions that will certainly surprise you, and maybe even scare you a little! Don’t whistle at night! They say that if you whistle at night, snakes will come out. There are two Read more
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The Secrets of the Ojigi, The Act of Expressing with the Bowing
Ojigi is the act of bowing or lowering the head and upper back, typically used as a greeting, bow, apology, or gratitude in social and religious situations. Historically, the ojigi was closely linked to samurai culture. During the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333) there was a growth in the figures of samurai warriors, which led Read more
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Why Japan became a World Power
There is the idea that Japan grew rapidly to be a power after the second world war, as something unexpected, surprising. But the reality is that Japan’s most recent growth was a calculated and slow growth of at least 90 years since the Meiji period. How was it then that the growth and industrialization of Read more
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Be a SAMURAI today! / Codes of Bushido in your Life JAPAN
The Bushido code arose in Japan from the Samurai social class, the high-ranking Japanese warriors, who followed these ideals within their society. Inspired by Confucianism, which is a relatively conservative philosophy whose beliefs are based on the importance of loyalty and mission. Bushido contains 8 main rules or virtues, which the samurai had to maintain Read more
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The Pheasant – National Bird of Japan
You have probably thought that the national bird of Japan is the tsuru or the crested ibis , however the answer is the pheasant which is called Kijiキジin Japanese. This graceful bird is endemic to Japan (with the exception of Hokkaido) and features in many Japanese folk poems and stories. In Japan, many people claim Read more