Japanese Culture

Shoji is a Japanese word for traditional wood and paper screens. Still used in Japan today, the clean lines and soft light makes shoji popular around the world for interior and exterior decoration.

Japanese Calligraphy is called Shodo: Sho (writing) and Dou (road). The literal translation for this Japanese art is "the way of writing." It consists of about 48,000 different characters derived...

Japanese calligraphy, called shodou in Japanese, translates to "the way of writing." It is an artistic form written in one of three different basic styles based on the writer's skill and the...

Although paper is a prominent material in Japanese homes, it's the combination of natural materials--wood, paper and grass--that make a Japanese house comfortable in its changeable climate.

Swords formed an essential part of samurai culture---a symbol of their honor and, to some extent, a manifestation of their very souls. Samurais used a number of different types of swords, all of...

Japanese rice candy, more commonly known as Botan rice candy, creates delicious memories for children past and present. Found not only in Japan, but also in several other countries, this popular...

A well-known part of Japanese food culture, bento boxes are small, compact containers meant to hold an individual serving of rice and a few side dishes. According to JustBento.com, the Japanese...

Many people don't realize the potential risk of catching an illness when they dine out at their local restaurant. So I decided to write a small article of what you should be on the look out for,...

Learn to effectively introduce yourself in Japanese!

A katana is a type of Japanese sword that is renowned for its strength and durability. The secret lies in folding the metal hundreds of time during the forging process. When the weapon is done, it...

Samurai swords come in a wide variety of types, sizes and styles. The chokuto is considered the first samurai sword, but was not created by the Japanese: the long, straight blade was actually...

The Japanese rice bird is also known as the Java Sparrow, Java Temple Bird and the Paddy Bird. The rice bird's scientific name is Padda Oryzivora. In most parts of Japan, the bird is seen as a...

In the 1900s, China and Japan embarked on two historically divergent paths: China into economic and political disintegration, which would result in a socialist system; Japan into industrialization...

A Tsu could be one of the symbols of the Japanese syllabary, or an abbreviation for "setup time" in digital electronics, but most probably what you are referring to the acronym for Telecom...

There are many ways to read manga online. Manga is a term for Japanese comics, many of which are adapted in popular anime series like Naruto, Bleach and One Piece. Reading manga can be very...

Bonsai is the ancient art of growing miniature trees. It has become a popular hobby among American horticulturalists, who delight viewers with tiny representations of many different kinds of...

Zen gardens, also known as dry gardens, have become popular landscaping accessories all over the world. Originating in Japan and China, these rock gardens help users relax and relieve stress....

Samurai military training took a variety of different forms throughout its long history. Japan's reliance on the Samurai was extensive, and formed the backbone of its military forces for hundreds...

Japanese calligraphy, or "shodo," is the art of writing beautifully. Unlike Roman letters, Chinese characters ("kanji") have specific stroke orders that are mastered in the aesthetic practice of...

Fortune cookie messages can be inspirational, an expression of love, a gift or help celebrating a joyous occasion. Ideas can come from famous quotes or you can use your own.

Japan has the highest per capita concentration of vending machines, called Jidohanbaiki (jido: "automatic"; hanbai:"sell"; ki:"machine"), in the world. They dispense a wide variety of beverages,...

If you love food and are seeking a healthful lifestyle, convenient public transportation, quality education for your children, beautiful, historic sites and the latest in high-tech gadgetry, Japan...

The traditional process for making an authentic Japanese nihonto or katana, the iconic curved sword of the medieval Samurai warrior, begins with the extraction of iron ore from the magnetite-rich...

A city with a military past, almost destroyed by an atomic bomb, and later a center of peace, Hiroshima has a marked place in history. It continues to be a place of fascination and sorrow for...

Urabon, also known as "Festival of the Dead" or "Feast of Lanterns," is an annual summer event in which the Japanese honor deceased ancestors. The name probably comes from the Sanskrit...

Lolicon is the romanization of a Japanese term that refers to the obsession of young girls, particularly in a sensual sense, and a mental disorder known as a "Lolita complex" that is a common...

A significant cultural icon both nationally and abroad, the "nihonto," or Japanese sword, has inspired sword enthusiasts around the world.

Japan has one of the most recognized flags in the world. The flag--known as the Hinomaru or "sun disc"--features a red circle against a white background. Nippon, Japan's name among the Japanese,...

Samurai warlords emblazoned flowered designs on their kimonos as a family crest. Men and women receive gifts of flowers on their anniversaries and flower language (hana kotoba) is used in all...

Tatami are often used in martial arts training as a tool for practicing swordsmanship. Throughout Japanese history, tatami mats were made from soft rush straw that was stuffed with rice straw....

Japanese calligraphy is an art that has been practiced since antiquity. Traditional and modern poetry written via calligraphy often sells for very high prices. Skilled, well-known calligraphers...

The topography and climate of Japan is vast for the small land mass found within the borders of the country. The vastness of the climate and topography provides conditions suitable for numerous...

The issue of runaways living in Japan has received increased public scrutiny in recent years, largely due to the employment of underaged girls in the sex industry and the fact that an increase in...

Japanese symbols are beautiful and unique. They have an air of mystery and intrigue because they are not only words but also pictures. Here are some common Japanese symbols and their meanings.

Japanese gift wrapping is famous for its beauty, complexity and symbolism. For the Japanese, wrapping a gift is not about obscuring the gift to make it a surprise for the recipient. Instead,...

Japanese kimonos are long robes that literally translate to mean a "thing to wear." Kimonos first emerged in Japan in the late 700s and were used to separate ranks of formality. Today, kimonos are...

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...

Raku pottery's unique look is created by both the fire and the smoke in a raku kiln. Raku pottery is created by first bisque-firing the piece, then glazing and firing the piece in a raku kiln....

Masks have played an integral role during Japan's long history for many religious, ceremonial and performance events. The mask may signify a heroic individual, evil character, spirit, god, devil...

The Haruhi dance is a pop/hip-hop-style dance performed at the end of a popular Japanese anime TV show. It requires a lead dancer and four backup dancers - two female, two male. Fan-made YouTube...

Manga is often described as Japanese comic books. Anime is often used to describe the animated versions of Manga. However, in western circles, Manga and Anime are often used interchangeably....

In 1980, rock-pop act the Vapors released a song entitled "Turning Japanese." While we can't help you do that, there are some fun ways to learn the language. Let's jump into a few. Or as the...

While Japanese is a difficult language for many foreigners to learn, the basic pronunciations are remarkably easy. Unlike many Western languages, the pronunciation of Japanese vowels will not...

In Japan, it is customary to remove ones shoes before entering a home and many businesses and restaurants. Although this custom may seem odd to Westerners, especially Americans, it is considered...

The type of cartoons known as anime have become popular in the Western world in recent years. While outside of Asia cartoons are seen as primarily something for children, anime is more than...