Portrait of smiling confident woman Best Way to Learn Japanese – This article is for whom wants to learn Japanese, but doesn’t know where and how to start. We start with defining your goal, that’s the...
What did Geishas do and now? The roles of Geishas today
Kyoto, Japan – May 19, 2019: Young geisha in training, called a maiko, tunes her instrument prior to the performance in a traditional Japanese inn Geisha – Japanese traditional female entertainers boast its...
Real Ninja: History of Master of Stealth, Intelligence, and Communication
futuristic samurai standing on a building in cyberpunk city at rainy night, digital art style, illustration painting Real Ninja – usually they farmed the land in peacetime, yes, farming. The most important factor...
Shinto Shrine: Layout, History, and Functions
Kanenotorii Gate of the Izumo Taisha Shrine in Izumo city, Japan Shinto Shrine – from the Imperial shrines to local shrines with various Shinto shrine layout, there are more than 80,000 Shinto shrines all over...
Chiyogami Crafts: History, Paper Dolls, and Bookmarks
Chiyogami paper and Temari, paper balls Chiyogami Crafts – It was back in the Edo period Chiyogami became accessible to townspeople which were only for the court nobles before. Originally used for wrapping things...
Prince Shotoku: Constitution, Rank System, and Japanese Buddha
Prince Shotoku-taishi (Umayato), Portrait from Japan 5000 Yen 1957-1986 Banknotes. Prince Shotoku, autonym Umayado-no-Miko, was a regent under his aunt, Empress Suiko, who ruled Japan in the early 7th century. He...
Shinto Beliefs: 5 Core Values of Japanese Indigenous Religion
The wedded rocks (Meoto Iwa) in Ise, Japan on sunset. The larger of the two rocks represent the husband and the smaller one represents the wife. Shinto beliefs – there is no sacred scripture to read on and follow...
Japanese Mythology: Creation of the Universe and Kami
Waterfall in the forest in Takachiho, Miyazaki, Japan Japanese Mythology – “kami” is a deity or deities in Japanese, and there is numerous kami in Shinto, Japan. There is no sharp distinction between...
Shinto: Overview of Japanese Indigenous Religion
Torii – gateway of shrine in the sea in the early morning by long exposure Shinto – an indigenous faith or religion in Japan which permeated in people’s lives so much, Japanese people don’t even...
Shogi Strategy: Winning Patterns of the Defense
Japanese chess, Shogi board Shogi Strategy – Shogi is Japanese chess, which is a two-player strategy board game belong to the same family as the Chess, Chaturanga of India, and Makruk of Thailand. Playing Shogi...
Ikebana: History and Styles of Japanese Flower Arrangement
Ikebana – also known as “Kado”, the way of the flowers, is the art of traditional Japanese flower arrangement. It is more than a simple floral decoration but appreciated as a piece of art like a...
Noh Theatre: Meanings of Dreadful and Eerie Masks
Japanese mask “Noh-men” Noh theatre – Japanese traditional musical drama, Noh, has been played for more than 600 years, which invites us today to experience the world of “Yugen” and “Myo”...
Taiko: History and the Effect of the Sound Awakens Your Soul
Traditional Japanese drummer Taiko is a Japanese drum which has played important roles on many occasions. Their size and shape range widely and the sound they make differ as well. Let’s take a look at the Taiko...
Sake: Drink Guide to the Whole Wellness
Pour sake into a transparent sake set Sake – Japanese alcoholic beverage (rice wine) made from fermented rice which has an effect of raising the body temperature, not like other alcoholic cousins. Let’s take...
Japanese Castle: Layout and Architecture for the Defense
Matsumoto castle against blue sky in Nagano city, Japan. Japanese Castle – Fortresses constructed mainly of wood and stone built which always incorporated the landscape into their defenses. It featured massive...
Soroban: Japanese Abacus Origin, History, and Tutorial
Soroban – a traditional abacus used in Japan, nowadays replaced by electric calculators Soroban is Japanese abacus which has been used for centuries for calculation. Even in this computer age, this ancient and...
Origami Art: Origin, History, and Fantastic Folding Works
Origami Art with Dynamic Sophistication Origami Art- Japanese paper folding works are widely popular around the world and its elaborate design is being updated vigorously. What is unique about it is to transform a flat...
Sakura: History of the Most Iconic Flower of Japanese Spirit
Sakura – Cherry Blossom – is by far the iconic flower of Japanese spirit in comparison with other flowers or plants. Why? Japanese people find Sakura the most beautiful not just in its bloom, but also in its...