About Japanese Culture

Japanese culture is unique in many aspects. Japan is characterized for not forgetting its traditions, which means modern Japanese culture is made up of both old and new ideas, a point obvious in both the arts and the social rules practiced by all.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Significance

1. Japanese popular culture is marked by a mix of the old and the new. Among the influx of technology and modern-day art like anime and manga, you can find clear and direct references to the past, including figures of warriors and geishas. The Japanese entertainment industry, known as Geinokai, includes the game industry, publishing and audio and video and produces over $120 billion a year, putting it well above most of the industrialized countries in the world. In modern-day culture, game centers and karaoke bars are especially popular among the young, while Shogi (a form of chess) is popular among retired people, who are known to play it in parks or game parlors.

Identification

1. The art scene in Japan is rich and surprisingly classic, at least by Western standards. Painting and sculpture by modern artists often reflects traditional images, such as Buddhist images and calligraphic art. Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement, is considered part of the cultural scene and represented in museums and art galleries all around Japan. It is also taught in schools. Traditional theater has four main forms, which basically cover every aspect of life and culture, both traditional and modern. Kabuki theater, which is characterized by performers who mainly sing and dance (rather than speak) is one of the most popular forms.

Types

1. Because of its complexity and varied grammatical system, the Japanese language plays an important part in the culture of the country. Written Japanese has scripts that come from three different origins: katakana, kanji and hiragana. Latin script has become more commonplace over the past few decades, especially within large companies or in advertising. The importance of the language is especially obvious in the use of the honorific speech, known as keigo, sokeigo or kensongo, depending on who you are addressing and how much respect and humility you want to demonstrate. Polite language is extremely complex and contains numerous variations in verbs and sentence construction.

Considerations

1. Japan's social rules are complex and require a deep understanding of etiquette and tiered society. The first clue to this may be the language differences (honorific speech) related to speaking to superiors or those in a position of power. Basic things like avoiding eye contact and speaking in turns are considered a sign of education and politeness in Japan. To avoid confrontations, they also are known for hiding their emotions and closing their eyes or smiling (even through a discussion), as face-offs are considered impolite. The Japanese tea ceremony or cha-no-yu is a clear example of social interaction, where tea practitioners are expected to know not only how to present the tea itself but also the history and social customs surrounded the action. Guests to a tea ceremony should learn the appropriate gestures and phrases to use and the proper way to drink the tea.

Expert Insight

1. Some cultural points that are exclusive to Japan have become a modern symbol known around the world. One of them is the Geisha, the noted entertainers who are versed in music, poetry, traditional dance and ikebana. Another is the popular fashion style known as Harajuku or Goth Lolita, in which young girls dress in black suggestive clothing, which often includes oversized shoes and piercings.