Samurai Grace - What Makes Japanese Culture
Discussion about Japanese Culture and Samurai
Articles
Koto
2010-02-16 20:44:00
The Koto is a traditional Japanese instrument that first made its way into Japan in the 7th century. It was brought over by Chinese and Korean musicians who came to play in the Japanese court, this instrument known as the guzheng gave way to the development of the koto. Beyond this there are a number of different Japanese myths that relate the creation of the Koto. One of these myths states that the Koto was created in the form of a crouching dragon. The Koto consists of 13 strings stretched out against a soundboard made out of hallowed out paulownia timber. Traditionally these strings were made out of silk but modern Kotos use synthetic fibers. The strings are tuned using moveable bridges that are made of either ivory or plastic. In order to play the Koto one puts ivory pectrum on the th
2010-02-16 20:44:00
The Koto is a traditional Japanese instrument that first made its way into Japan in the 7th century. It was brought over by Chinese and Korean musicians who came to play in the Japanese court, this instrument known as the guzheng gave way to the development of the koto. Beyond this there are a number of different Japanese myths that relate the creation of the Koto. One of these myths states that the Koto was created in the form of a crouching dragon. The Koto consists of 13 strings stretched out against a soundboard made out of hallowed out paulownia timber. Traditionally these strings were made out of silk but modern Kotos use synthetic fibers. The strings are tuned using moveable bridges that are made of either ivory or plastic. In order to play the Koto one puts ivory pectrum on the th
Kabuki
2010-02-11 22:43:00
Kabuki is a form of Japanese theater that began in the 17th century. Kabuki is a type of dance/drama that is renowned not only for the performance itself but also for the elaborate make-up that is worn by all of the performers. Kabuki traces its origins back to 1603 when Okuni of Izumo began performing a new style of dance and drama in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto. The performances were done by women who portrayed both men and women and feature comic stories about everyday life. These performances gradually gained in popularity until Okuni was even asked to perform for the Imperial court. With the increased popularity rival troupes quickly formed and the performances would be solely performed by women. Many of these performances became very suggestive and this only increased due to the fa
2010-02-11 22:43:00
Kabuki is a form of Japanese theater that began in the 17th century. Kabuki is a type of dance/drama that is renowned not only for the performance itself but also for the elaborate make-up that is worn by all of the performers. Kabuki traces its origins back to 1603 when Okuni of Izumo began performing a new style of dance and drama in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto. The performances were done by women who portrayed both men and women and feature comic stories about everyday life. These performances gradually gained in popularity until Okuni was even asked to perform for the Imperial court. With the increased popularity rival troupes quickly formed and the performances would be solely performed by women. Many of these performances became very suggestive and this only increased due to the fa
The Japanese Tea Ceremony - Manner
2010-02-08 20:35:00
The Japanese Tea Ceremony is steeped in tradition and it is filled with rituals that all have a deep and significant meaning. If you are a guest of the tea ceremony you are expected to know the importance and the tradition of the ceremony as well as the host. All guests are first led to a waiting room while the host prepares for the ceremony. Once the host is prepared the guests are lead through a dew garden, where no flowers grow. The garden is meant to cleanse the guests of the dust of the world. After walking through the garden they sit upon a special bench to await the appearance of the host. Before greeting the guests the host must cleanse his hands and mouth with fresh water in a stone basin. The guests are then welcomed with a bow, but no words are spoken. The guests will then enter
2010-02-08 20:35:00
The Japanese Tea Ceremony is steeped in tradition and it is filled with rituals that all have a deep and significant meaning. If you are a guest of the tea ceremony you are expected to know the importance and the tradition of the ceremony as well as the host. All guests are first led to a waiting room while the host prepares for the ceremony. Once the host is prepared the guests are lead through a dew garden, where no flowers grow. The garden is meant to cleanse the guests of the dust of the world. After walking through the garden they sit upon a special bench to await the appearance of the host. Before greeting the guests the host must cleanse his hands and mouth with fresh water in a stone basin. The guests are then welcomed with a bow, but no words are spoken. The guests will then enter
Ikebana
2010-02-04 19:07:00
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. The oldest school for ikebana was a Buddhist school formed in the 15th century. The tradition of ikebana schools began with a priest at the Rokkakuda Temple in Kyoto. It was said that he was so skilled at flower arranging that other priests would seek him out for instruction. This led to the priests being known at Ikenobo because they spent their time learning and practicing their arrangements by a lake. During Ikebana silence is a must because the creation of the arrangement is meant to be a time to appreciate things in nature that people most often overlook. The process allows one to feel close to nature and to appreciate and find beauty in all art forms. It also inspires patience and tolerance of differences, not only in nature but in lif
2010-02-04 19:07:00
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. The oldest school for ikebana was a Buddhist school formed in the 15th century. The tradition of ikebana schools began with a priest at the Rokkakuda Temple in Kyoto. It was said that he was so skilled at flower arranging that other priests would seek him out for instruction. This led to the priests being known at Ikenobo because they spent their time learning and practicing their arrangements by a lake. During Ikebana silence is a must because the creation of the arrangement is meant to be a time to appreciate things in nature that people most often overlook. The process allows one to feel close to nature and to appreciate and find beauty in all art forms. It also inspires patience and tolerance of differences, not only in nature but in lif
Japanese Castles
2010-02-01 17:00:00
Japanese Castles as they are known today evolved from traditional fortifications. These fortresses were built for the main purpose of military defense. For this reason they were placed in very strategic locations. These fortifications were also built to serve as governing centers which meant they needed to be well protected. By the Sengoku (1467 – 1603) period these fortifications became the homes of daimyo’s (feudal lords). The fortifications served as a way to not only show other lords their strength and power but also to impress them with the beauty and elegance of the interior. As these fortifications became more and more elaborate they became known as Japanese castles. The first one of these castles was built in 1576 by Oda Nobunaga. This was the first fortification or castle to i
2010-02-01 17:00:00
Japanese Castles as they are known today evolved from traditional fortifications. These fortresses were built for the main purpose of military defense. For this reason they were placed in very strategic locations. These fortifications were also built to serve as governing centers which meant they needed to be well protected. By the Sengoku (1467 – 1603) period these fortifications became the homes of daimyo’s (feudal lords). The fortifications served as a way to not only show other lords their strength and power but also to impress them with the beauty and elegance of the interior. As these fortifications became more and more elaborate they became known as Japanese castles. The first one of these castles was built in 1576 by Oda Nobunaga. This was the first fortification or castle to i
Japanese Gardens
2010-01-27 21:52:00
Japanese gardens first came into prominence during the Asuka period( 538-710). These original gardens were meant to express Buddhism and Taoism by replicating the mountainous regions of China. These gardens can be found in ruins in Fujiwara and Heijyo castle towns.The next type of garden that emerged was during the Heian Period. (794-1185) this is when the gardens began to move from being purely religious to becoming a place for ceremonies, amusement and even contemplation. These gardens would often be featured in front of mansions or what was called the south side. These gardens would include water that would flow through artificial waterways before ending in a pond that would have small floating islands. Very few of these gardens exist today but their formation and description is found i
2010-01-27 21:52:00
Japanese gardens first came into prominence during the Asuka period( 538-710). These original gardens were meant to express Buddhism and Taoism by replicating the mountainous regions of China. These gardens can be found in ruins in Fujiwara and Heijyo castle towns.The next type of garden that emerged was during the Heian Period. (794-1185) this is when the gardens began to move from being purely religious to becoming a place for ceremonies, amusement and even contemplation. These gardens would often be featured in front of mansions or what was called the south side. These gardens would include water that would flow through artificial waterways before ending in a pond that would have small floating islands. Very few of these gardens exist today but their formation and description is found i
Samurai Armor
2010-01-26 20:53:00
The samurai were well known throughout Japan and the world for their fighting skills. Despite the fact that they were most commonly remembered for their swords and skills, their armor was also a very impressive sight. The first dedicated attempt at armor for these highly trained warriors was plate armor in the 5th and 6th centuries. This armor was short lived and popular culture recognizes the armor as wearing a different type of armor. The lamellar armor is what the samurai are most known for. This armor is made by binding metal scales together to create a plate. These plates were then covered with lacquer so that they would be able to withstand water. The plates were bound together with leather in a way that each plate slightly overlapped the other. This reduced the ability of an enemy t
2010-01-26 20:53:00
The samurai were well known throughout Japan and the world for their fighting skills. Despite the fact that they were most commonly remembered for their swords and skills, their armor was also a very impressive sight. The first dedicated attempt at armor for these highly trained warriors was plate armor in the 5th and 6th centuries. This armor was short lived and popular culture recognizes the armor as wearing a different type of armor. The lamellar armor is what the samurai are most known for. This armor is made by binding metal scales together to create a plate. These plates were then covered with lacquer so that they would be able to withstand water. The plates were bound together with leather in a way that each plate slightly overlapped the other. This reduced the ability of an enemy t
Japanese Tea Ceremony
2010-01-21 18:50:00
Contrary to what many people may believe but the practice of drinking tea it not native to Japan. Rather it was brought to the country in the 9th century by a Chinese monk. According to the legend tea had already been known to China for thousands of years before it was introduced to Japan. The practice of drinking tea became popular in Japan first for medical reasons and later simply for pleasure. In China a writer named Lu Yu wrote a Treatise on Tea that described the proper preparation and cultivation of tea. He belonged to a religion that would later be known in Japan as Zen Buddhism. Many of his ideas would later be incorporated into Japan’s tea ceremony. Tea as a matter of ceremony did not truly develop until the 12th century when a new type of tea was introduced called matcha. This
2010-01-21 18:50:00
Contrary to what many people may believe but the practice of drinking tea it not native to Japan. Rather it was brought to the country in the 9th century by a Chinese monk. According to the legend tea had already been known to China for thousands of years before it was introduced to Japan. The practice of drinking tea became popular in Japan first for medical reasons and later simply for pleasure. In China a writer named Lu Yu wrote a Treatise on Tea that described the proper preparation and cultivation of tea. He belonged to a religion that would later be known in Japan as Zen Buddhism. Many of his ideas would later be incorporated into Japan’s tea ceremony. Tea as a matter of ceremony did not truly develop until the 12th century when a new type of tea was introduced called matcha. This
Kimono
2010-01-19 20:38:00
The Japanese kimono has become a very striking part of Japanese culture and one of the most popular aspects of Japanese culture. It is perhaps surprising that these traditional garments were influenced by traditional Han Chinese clothing. It was around the 8th century that Chinese garments began to gain popularity in Japan. It was during the Heian period (794-1192) that the kimono became very stylized but was still featured with a half-apron over it. Then during the Muromachi age (1392-1573) that the kimono went through another transformation, the Kosode which was considered to be underwear began to be worn without the hakama over it. Without the hakama (trousers, divided skirt)the kimono needed a way to remain closed, and so a belt or Obi was added. The final major change to the kimono ca
2010-01-19 20:38:00
The Japanese kimono has become a very striking part of Japanese culture and one of the most popular aspects of Japanese culture. It is perhaps surprising that these traditional garments were influenced by traditional Han Chinese clothing. It was around the 8th century that Chinese garments began to gain popularity in Japan. It was during the Heian period (794-1192) that the kimono became very stylized but was still featured with a half-apron over it. Then during the Muromachi age (1392-1573) that the kimono went through another transformation, the Kosode which was considered to be underwear began to be worn without the hakama over it. Without the hakama (trousers, divided skirt)the kimono needed a way to remain closed, and so a belt or Obi was added. The final major change to the kimono ca
Japanese Maiko & Geisha
2010-01-16 05:08:00
The Geisha are traditional entertainers in Japanese culture. Many parts of their profession are still shrouded in secrecy but they are not considered to be prostitutes. Their focus has always been upon learning the traditional Japanese arts and using their skills to impress wealthy men. In the past Geisha girls (Called Maiko) would spend nearly their entire lives training for their future profession. Geisha houses would buy young girls from poor families and then take over the responsibility of caring for them and raising them. A geisha girl (Maiko) would then spend the rest of her training living within the Geisha house. She would pay for her education and board by eventually becoming an assistant to a senior Geisha and then becoming a Geisha herself. In order to become Geisha, Maiko had
2010-01-16 05:08:00
The Geisha are traditional entertainers in Japanese culture. Many parts of their profession are still shrouded in secrecy but they are not considered to be prostitutes. Their focus has always been upon learning the traditional Japanese arts and using their skills to impress wealthy men. In the past Geisha girls (Called Maiko) would spend nearly their entire lives training for their future profession. Geisha houses would buy young girls from poor families and then take over the responsibility of caring for them and raising them. A geisha girl (Maiko) would then spend the rest of her training living within the Geisha house. She would pay for her education and board by eventually becoming an assistant to a senior Geisha and then becoming a Geisha herself. In order to become Geisha, Maiko had