Japanese Culture
Many elements make up Japanese culture. Because of this, it’s difficult to describe exactly what it encompasses in a single word (or phrase). However, it can broadly be divided into two major categories: traditional Japanese culture and popular culture. Both have helped shape—and continue to shape—Japan into what it is today. Japanese culture is also deeply important to the Japanese, reflecting their values and identity. Learning about this culture not only helps one understand what kind of country Japan is, but also offers insight into the Japanese people themselves.
Though much of this culture, brought about by the Japanese, may look simplistic, there’s (actually) much of it that’s profound. One characteristic of Japanese culture is that a large portion of it carries significant meaning. Few elements exist simply for appearance; there’s usually a reason behind them. For example, many of the delicate, refined movements in the traditional dance of 日本舞踊 (nihon-buyō) and the performing art 歌舞伎 (kabuki) have specific meanings. In the Japanese tea ceremony, each tool used to prepare a bowl of green tea serves a particular purpose. The movements and the way one conducts oneself are typically predetermined.
Much of what is considered traditional Japanese culture came about (and or fully developed) during the Edo period (1603–1868). However, many aspects of this culture originated long before that time. The Edo period was a time when Japan was largely closed off from the rest of the world—and because of this—there was relatively little influence from other countries. This allowed Japanese culture to develop in a distinctly Japanese way. Kabuki and the tea ceremony are (again) examples of this culture. Their origins predate the Edo period, but they developed into the forms we recognize today during this time. After 江戸 (edo—modern-day Tokyo) became the political and economic center of the country, much of this culture spread throughout Japan and became widely practiced among the people. As mentioned above, not all aspects of traditional Japanese culture originated during the Edo period, but this was an important era that influenced it more than (many) others.
Japanese popular culture, which has become beloved around the world, shares some similarities with traditional Japanese culture. Modern Japanese culture originated from traditional culture, but it wasn’t until after World War II (1945 onwards) that it began developing into what it is today. This is a culture that didn’t develop during a single era. Some parts of it were born in one era and further developed in others. This culture includes comic books, cartoons, video games, and much more. It’s a diverse and important aspect of Japan as a whole. As the popularity of this culture continues to grow, it has become familiar to many people around the world. There are many people outside Japan (foreigners) who have even developed an interest in Japan through this modern culture. Without a doubt, this is an important aspect of Japan and one that the Japanese people can be proud of.
Many people may see Japanese culture as something that was (and is) uniquely crafted by the Japanese. However, especially in the case of traditional Japanese culture, it was initially influenced by China. For example, the Japanese tea that has become popular around the world was first cultivated from tea seeds and seedlings brought back from China. The culture (or tradition) of drinking tea in Japan itself can also be traced back to China. In addition, the 漢字 (kanji) characters used in the Japanese writing system can likewise be traced back to characters used in the Chinese language. While the meanings of these characters have been slightly altered to accommodate the Japanese language, the characters themselves are of Chinese origin.
Although much of Japan’s culture originated from China, Japan has, throughout its long history, created a distinct and rich culture of its own. Through the ideas and ways of thinking of the Japanese people, many fascinating cultural elements unseen in other countries were born. Traveling across Japan will (without a doubt) become far more interesting and enjoyable after learning about various aspects of Japanese culture. Through the articles below, one can learn about this culture. We at MORIKOBOSHI hope that everyone will learn from these articles and that this knowledge will help all to enjoy Japan even more.
