1. Japanese History
2. Japanese Culture
Calligraphy and Small Trees
3. Religion in Japan
4. Japanese Landscape and scenery
5. Working in Japan
6. Recreation in Japan
7. Japanese Entertainment
8. Shopping in Japan
9. Japanese Food
1. Japanese History
(COMING SOON)
2. Japanese Culture
Castles and Culture
Samurais dressed in their battle garb.
An ancient castle silhouetted against a
darkening sky.
Lovingly cared for gardens; a piece of nature’s
harmony sheltered behind stone walls.
One
of the most popular tourist destinations
in any given Japanese city are the castles.
From Kumamoto in the south to Sendai in
the north, each castle has its own unique
character and presence amongst the rapidly
evolving cityscapes; a prominent anchor
point to the feudal and often bloody past.
Any visitor to Japan must experience at
least one castle. Fine examples of these
fortresses can be found in many prefectures.
Himeiji castle is the largest in Japan,
whilst the Nagoya castle incorporates more
modern facilities for visitors (including
a 3D virtual tour) as this stone giant was
completely reconstructed after World War
II bombing raids by American planes ravaged
the original structure and surrounding area.
Of particular note when visiting almost
all of Japan’s castles are the precision
of the stone works which make up the castle’s
defenses. Especially evident in the large
moat walls are massive blocks of stone forming
perfect joins. This is even more remarkable
given that the walls were built on an angle
between about 70 and 80 degrees off the
y-axis, aiding the strength of each wall.
In most castles these days only remnants
of Japan’s evolution from feudal and
classical periods to the economic powerhouse
of industrialized Japan reside. Despite
the nature of modern Japanese life, more
than just armour and artifacts have survived
and defined what visitors believe is ‘Japanese’
and what actually is.
Green
Tea, Calligraphy and Small Trees
Charcoal black ink reflecting pure white
parchment.
The scent of bitter green tea overlaying
musty fragrances of straw tatami flooring.
Graceful curves of elm and birch skillfully,
subtly, patiently coerced by weathered hands.
To
explore a little more than just the surface
of Japan, one needs to adventure into areas
of Japanese culture resulting from Japan’s
classical period beginning in 550 AD; Japan’s
time of cultural development and enrichment.
One such activity which still remains popular
(predominately with women) is the tea ceremony.
On the face of it, the tea ceremony appears
to be an overly complicated, rule bound
procedure which inhibits the opportunity
for conversation. It is not until you dig
a little deeper that you begin to understand
the symbolic nature of a ritual that emphasizes
perfection. In fact, the tea itself is merely
a vehicle to recognize that every human
encounter is a moment in time which will
never be repeated. Therefore each part of
the tea must be savored for what it gives
those involved. The preparation, carried
out by all who are to participate, involves
purification with water (to wash the marks
of the physical world away) and the journey
into the spiritual world of tea can begin.
Reflective of the ceremony’s notion
of equality, guests must enter the tea room
through a 36 inch doorway requiring all
to crouch and bow, regardless of status
in the outside world.
The ceremony is a highly spiritual affair.
Each component represents a spiritual element.
Each part of the ceremony is highly structured
with each participant contributing to the
entire process.
The tea itself is very bitter and quite unlike the consistency of the Indian and English varieties people from the west enjoy. Japanese green tea is made from a powder, mixed with boiling water. You won’t find the host adding sugar either. For a taste of quintessential Japan, the tea ceremony is a must.
To the trained eye, the difference between good calligraphy and bad calligraphy is easy to spot. As someone interested in appreciating this fine art, keep the following things in mind when viewing shodo:
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There is a natural balance in the characters as well as the composition in its entirety. This doesn’t necessarily mean perfect symmetry but to the eye, the composition ‘appears’ natural and not forced within any particular constraints.
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Following the philosophy of maintaining a natural balance, there needs to be rhythm apparent in the work.
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Straight lines are precise and clear.
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Curved lines are subtle and fluid.
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There is variance in brush stroke; not all lines are thick or thin.
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There is consistency in the amount of ink for each stroke. If you have seen any ‘shodo’ you will probably remember strokes which appear to have been made with a brush ‘light’ on ink. This is intentional.
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Each character is appropriately sized to further the appearance of rhythm and life in the piece.
Still taught in school today, calligraphy has become more of a hobby for most, though a great deal of modern design, including western design, borrows from this ancient art form.
If
your visit to Japan will last only a short
time it may be unrealistic for you to enroll
in a course. However, there are places to
view this remarkable art form across the
country.
To get more information about shodo, ‘the
way of writing’ please click here:
ww.englishtreejapan.com/shodo_locations
. Like ‘shodo’, ‘bonsai’
is an art and form of expression that takes
many years to become proficient and viewing
bonsai in Japan is almost compulsory.
Bonsai, like shodo was first practiced in China. Originally tree trunks and roots were considered highly prized if they resembled animals such as dragons or tigers. After its introduction through Zen Buddhism into Japan in the Kamakura period, bonsai practitioners started to refine the process. Originally trees which held the characteristics of bonsai in nature were collected but as the art form’s development proceeded over the centuries, bonsai enthusiasts began incorporating the horticultural practice of pruning and training. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the main philosophy behind Japanese bonsai had evolved to focus on a refinement of nature; eliminating everything not necessary for the plant. From this point, the practice of bonsai became an art form with many sub-categories including reproducing landscapes found in nature and landscapes incorporating miniature buildings and people.
Today visitors to Japan can find examples of bonsai in many cultural museums or gardens. Some of the best and oldest example can be found in Kyoto however, when visiting Nagoya, one should definitely investigate little temples like Shimpukuji in Toyota (see photos and pay this link a visit: http://www.englishtreejapan.com/Central_Japan_Lifestyle/Shimpukuji.htm )
3. Religion in Japan
(COMING SOON)
4. Japanese Landscape
and scenery
(COMING SOON) (Photo Gallery)
5. Working in Japan
Developing your career or starting a business
in Japan is an exciting idea. Not only will
you be entering a community unlike anything
you have ever experienced before but because
of relatively high salaries and good working
conditions for foreign nationals, you will
have the opportunity to enjoy a rich business
and social life. Often people who have spent
time working in Japan and returned home
find themselves back in Japan for a second
and even third time. Working life in Japan,
in the main, is a rewarding experience with
lifelong friendships being forged due to
the large diversity of nationalities mixed
in companies utilizing foreign nationals
as a resource. If working in Japan is something
that interests you, please read the section
title: Teaching in Japan
6. Recreation and Entertainment in
Japan
(COMING SOON) To learn about recreation
and entertainment try: http://www.englishtreejapan.com/Central_Japan_Lifestyle/index.htm
7. Shopping in Japan
The shopping experience in Japan can be
endless. There are thousands of stores in
any given area with the variety almost as
endless and intriguing as the experience
itself. Perhaps the most famous type of
store for visitors to Japan are the electronics
denizens like Yamada Denki, Eiden, K’s
Denki or Bic Camera. Being at the forefront
of technical innovation in terms of electronics
means that visitors to Japan often get a
sneak peak into what will reach the international
market in the near future. This is perhaps
most evident in mobile phone technology,
where Japan, along with Korea are on the
cutting edge of design, technology and functionality.
With SIM card technology, even visitors
to Japan can purchase the latest 3G phones
in Japan and use them back home.
If electronics aren’t of particular interest to you, Japan is also a major player in the fashion industry. Japan is perhaps one of the main markets for European fashion designers; Gucci, Louis Vuiton, Chanel and the list goes on. It will be rare for you NOT to see at least 1 major fashion label in the form of bag, shoes or bracelet draped over one of the many shopping enthused Japanese women. There is something to keep in your mind when shopping for fashion goods; Japanese are, on average, physically smaller than Western people. This translates into a hard time in the fitting room with the dress or pair of trousers that you just have to have. Accessories, on the other hand, will rarely cause you problems in this area. A word of advice: make sure you try clothes and shoes on before you buy. If you are intending to live in Japan for more than just a brief visit, it might be wise to purchase clothes and footwear at home first.
After a hard day abusing your credit card there are countless places to sit down and unwind in. Café’s, traditional Japanese, French, Italian eateries, and all the fast food restaurants found in Western countries are but within a short walking distance from virtually all of Japan’s shopping area centers. Even if your travels have taken you outside of the central business districts, small and medium sized restaurants can be easily found. If your shopping day has wound up late, a host of night spots are easily accessible. Indeed the rich nightlife is perhaps one of Japan’s best kept secrets.
Owing to fierce competition in the catering, recreation and entertainment industry, a vast array of specialized bars and nightclubs make life after dusk an amazing experience. No matter where your interests lie, you will find a place that will match the music and atmosphere of your ideal bar or club.
If
you are planning to visit central Japan,
pay http://www.englishtreejapan.com/business_portal/index.htm
a visit to find a bar, restaurant or hotel
right for you.
8. Japanese Food
(COMING SOON) To find out more about Japanese
grocery items check:
http://www.englishtreejapan.com/Central_Japan_Lifestyle/shopping_guide.htm
