Japan's Special Customs and Culture
Japan has various customs and customs that were formed based on its unique history and culture. Below, we introduce Japan's representative customs and unique customs culture.
1. tea ceremony (茶 road, apostle)
Description: Tea is a traditional Japanese tea culture that involves the artful process of preparing and drinking tea. It mainly uses matcha (抹茶) and is carried out according to strict procedures in a tea room.History: Tea culture was introduced from China around the 9th century, and from the 15th century, Japan developed its own tea culture.
Characteristic: The purpose of tea ceremony is not just to drink tea, but to find peace of mind and to share emotional connection.
2. Geisha (芸)
Description: Geisha is a woman who has honed traditional Japanese art, performing various arts, including singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, and preparing tea.History: It first appeared in the Edo period in the 18th century and then became a representative of Japanese traditional culture.
Features: The geisha wears the traditional kimono, a unique make-up, and entertains guests.
3. Omikuji (おみくじ)
Description: Omikuji is a piece of paper that predicts fortune in shrines and temples, and it is written on the paper that is drawn out.History: A tradition that dates from the Heian period (794-1185), often performed during the first visits to the New Year.
Characteristics: There is a belief that when good luck comes out, you take it home, and when bad luck comes out, you tie it to a shrine or temple to prevent bad luck.
4. Hanetsuki (羽根つき)
Description: Hanetsuki is a traditional Japanese play, a game similar to badminton. It is enjoyed as a wooden racket (Hagaita) and a feathered shuttlecock (Hanet).History: It has been enjoyed a lot by children since the Heian period, and it is usually played during the New Year.
Feature: It's fun for the winner to doodle with ink on the opponent's face.
5. Godomatsu (Moonsong)
Description: Kodomatsu is a traditional Japanese ornament that celebrates the New Year, and it is made with bamboo and pine trees at the entrance of the house.History: A custom dating from the Heian period, it was considered a symbol of blessing in the New Year.
Characteristics: Bamboo symbolizes growth and prosperity, and pine trees symbolize eternal youth and longevity.
6. golden week (ゴールデンウィーク)
Description: Golden Week is a long holiday season in Japan that runs from late April to early May. It is a time when the Japanese people enjoy traveling and relaxing.History: holidays created under the 1948 Public Holidays Act, including show and day, constitutional anniversary, green day, children's day, and more.
Characteristics: It is an important time for the Japanese to travel with their families or enjoy leisure activities.
7. sumo (撲)
Description: Sumo is a traditional Japanese wrestling match in which two players (Rikishi) fight in a circular ring.History: A traditional Japanese sport from ancient times, it is still very popular today.
Features: The various rituals performed before and after the game, and the traditional costumes (mawashi) of sumo wrestlers attract attention.
8. Tanuki Cuisine (狸料)
Description: There is a culture of cooking and eating tanuki all over Japan.History: Tanuki is an animal that often appears in Japanese traditional folk paintings and myths, and its eating culture has been around since ancient times.
Characteristic: Tanuki dishes are cooked differently from fat to fat, and they also come in different flavors.
9. "Washuku" (食)
Description: Wasuku is a traditional Japanese dish based on rice, soybean paste soup, fish, and vegetables.History: From the Heian period, Japanese food culture was formed, and a variety of dishes developed thereafter.
Features: We value seasonality and fresh ingredients, and we value the beauty of food as well as the taste.
10. Obong (お盆)
Description: Obong is a traditional Buddhist event in Japan, a holiday honoring ancestors.History: An event that began around the 7th century under the influence of Buddhism, and is still held in August every year.
Features: Families gather together to perform ancestral rites and enjoy dancing (bonodori).
In addition to this, Japan has many unique and interesting customs and customs. These cultures reflect Japanese history, lifestyles, and religious backgrounds, which allow us to understand Japanese lives and ways of thinking.