Japanese Culture

Warriors in medieval Japan were known as samurai. They were bound by oaths of loyalty to their lord, and they practiced a code of honor similar to that of a European knight. Like knights, samurai...

Don't spend hundreds of dollars at sushi restaurants! Instead learn how to make sushi at home by following this easy sushi making guide.

Japan was founded as a land of fishermen and hunters. While the fishing industry may still thrive to some degree, other jobs have popped up in a variety of markets. Some require lots of training,...

The celebration of New Year is called "Shogatsu" in Japan and it is the most important holiday there. Most Japanese exchange New Year card called "Nengajo". If you have a...

Katakana is one of three main Japanese scripts. Katakana is used for foreign-origin names and words and also often used for onomatopoeia. This section shows you how to write first 10 letters of...

The Japanese national song is titled "Kimi ga Yo," which can be translated as "May your reign last forever," or "May the emperor's reign last forever." The song has...

Japanese Kamikaze pilots are legendary for their willingness to sacrifice their lives for their emperor and country during World War II. The Kamikaze campaign was a last ditch effort by the Empire...

Hello Kitty is a popular fictional character by the Japanese company Sanrio. She is best known as the white mouthless cat with a bow on her ear. To many, she is the symbol of cute.

Origami fruit bats are fun to make any time of the year, but you could make several to serve as Halloween decorations. Hollywood horror movie directors often use fruit bats to represent vampires...

You can use origami, the ancient art of paper folding, to make an adorable panther cub. Panthers are also known as pumas, mountain lions and cougars. In fact, the panther holds the world record...

Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. It gives both children and adults a glimpse into Japanese culture while learning to make something fascinating with a simple piece of paper....

Yukata is a Japanese traditional clothing which is considered as a Summer Kimono or a Casual Kimono. Yukata can be worn by Men and Women, and Children. Yukata is much easier to wear compared with...

The ancient Japanese art of origami isn't restricted only to colorful strips of paper. All you need to make this beautiful origami heart is any bill, be it $1 or $100. Giving a folded origami...

The next time you're out at a restaurant with a date, be sure to wow them with this napkin trick. All you need is a paper napkin and a little know-how to make beautiful napkin roses for friends...

If you watch the anime cartoon Bleach, you're aware of the unusual footwear worn by the shinigami, or "soul reapers" as translated in the English version. These woven sandals, known as waraji, are...

Shuriken, or a ninja star, are a traditional Japanese weapon. They're thrown or held in the hand as a striking weapon. Modern ninja stars are typically made of stainless steel and come in various...

You can transform yourself into a stealth ninja of the night with just a t-shirt. Conceal your identity in seconds and leave your friends wondering who was that masked ninja who just stole their...

These are some basic steps to becoming a Buddhist of the Nichiren Shoshu sect

Heading to Japan on business? Studying abroad? Just curious? This How To article will tell you how to master pronunciation, how to identify good resources and some basic phrases you will NEED TO KNOW.

Learn how to speak Japanese today! This free video covers adjectives, articles, and grammar in Japanese. Start speaking Japanese now.

Want to sound like a pro at the sushi bar? Or maybe you are learning Japanese and need a little extra help pronouncing things properly. This How To article will teach you how to pronounce Japanese...

The Japanese love of gifts may seem harmless, but the act of giving gifts in Japan is actually laden with meaning and social obligation. Japanese gift-giving is a relentless cycle, and you are...

Although psychologists long ago determined some of the prerequisites for cuteness (large eyes, for example), the Japanese have turned it into an art form. Furthermore, Japan has turned cuteness...

A tatami room, or washitsu, is a traditional, Japanese-style room that has several standard elements. Years ago, all rooms in a Japanese house were designed and built as tatami rooms. Today, most...

The noble warriors of feudal Japan continue to fascinate admirers the world over. But just because their era has passed doesn’t mean you can’t still become a samurai today. It takes tremendous...

Hakama pants are very wide, pleated pants that are worn over a kimono. They can either have two defined legs or are undivided like a skirt. Hakama pants are the traditional costume of many types...

The Japanese bath house is commonly referred to as the sento. The sento means cleanliness, togetherness and nakedness. The sento is a daily tradition in Japanese culture and doesn't have the aura...

In Japan, White Day is celebrated one month after Valentine's Day, on March 14, when men send cakes or chocolate to women. This tradition is in direct response to Valentine's Day, when the women...