We explain everything about the culture of Japan, its language, its religion, its artistic manifestations and its main sports. In addition, what are their influences and political relations.
How is the culture of Japan?
The culture from Japan, strongly influenced by China In its origins, he is over 2600 years oldand is characterized by having its own language, in addition to specific religions and traditions, but combined in a complex syncretism process that happened throughout the centuries.
Japan is an insular country, located in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of China and Taiwan. It consists of an archipelago of about 6852 islands and on its limited surface of 377,915 km2 It houses more than 125 million inhabitants.
Governed by one parliamentary monarchy Of long tradition, this country has played an important role in Asian and international politicsespecially in the twentieth century, when Nazi Germany and fascist Italy was allied during World War II. His surrender was one of the facts that ended war after the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were attacked with atomic bombs by the United States.
After these facts, the country’s culture suffered a deep transformation, since it adopted a new constitution that promoted democracy and individual rights, and there was a greater openness to foreign influences. So, Western cultural elements were adopted in the fields of music, fashion and cinemaand demilitarization and peace were also encouraged as central values in Japanese culture.
See also: Japan
Characteristics of the culture of Japan
Some of the main characteristics of Japan’s culture are:
- The most spoken language is Japanese.
- It is very influenced by Chinese culture, especially in religion, architecture and crafts.
- The two predominant religions are Shintoism, native to Japan, and Buddhism, imported from China.
- Interpersonal relationships are governed by Giri, a set of honors, duties and obligations that must be respected.
- Traditional typical clothing is kimono, although it is currently used only for special occasions.
- Fish, rice and algae are the basis of its gastronomy.
- In recent decades, Japanese cinema acquired a lot of relevance, especially anime.
- Short poems known as haikus They are a tradition of Japanese literature.
- It has a great sports tradition, and the city of Tokyo host the Olympic Games in 1964 and 2020.
Japan name and flag
Japan (Nippon/Nihon In Japanese, written 日本) is a term of Chinese origin, which translates as “origin of the sun”. For this reason, it is also known as “the country of the rising sun.”
Its national flag consists of a red circle on a white background and was officially adopted in 1999. It is known as NISSHOKIwhich means “disk -shaped sun flag”, or Hinomaru, which means “solar disk.”
China influence in Japan
Some of the most important Chinese influences in the culture of Japan are:
- Buddhism. Buddhism was one of the most significant influences that came from China to Japan. This religion had a great impact on Japanese society, not only on religious practices, but also on the architecture and philosophy of its people.
- The writing. Chinese writing was adopted in Japan around the fourth century. The Japanese adapted the Chinese characters to represent the sounds of the Japanese language.
- Architecture. Chinese architectural elements and construction styles were integrated into Japanese temples and palaces. For example, the architecture of the Buddhist temple Horyuji, built in the seventh century, shows Chinese architectural influences.
- The crafts. Painting, ceramics and other art forms in Japan received inspiration and techniques from China. Chinese porcelain, for example, had a great influence on Japanese ceramics.
You may be interested: Chinese Empire
Japan relations with the West
Japan closed its borders for more than two centuries to all western influencethen Shogunatemilitary regime prevailing in the seventeenth century, considered the Christian missions carried out by Portuguese navigators since 1549 as a strategy for military invasion.
This blockade continued until the nineteenth century, at which time Japan changed its political and social structure, it joined the modern world and assimilated numerous customs and Western Republican institutions.
Later, after his defeat in World War II, Japan was occupied by the US army until 1952, which led to a Intense westernization process That, together with prosperity as a result of the industrial revolution and then technological, they have made Japanese culture highly appreciated in the West.
Japan Language and Religion
The Japanese language has three writing systems: Kanjicomposed of Chinese pictograms incorporated in the 5th century; and two sets composed of syllabic signs, which are called Hiragana and katakanaand that were created in Japan during the ninth century.
Almost 50 % of the population of Japan practices the Sitist religion. The second religion in importance is Buddhism, practiced by 46.5 % of the Japanese. Other religions, such as Christianity and Islam, are also present but to a lesser extent.
Shintoism is an native polytheistic religion of Japanand its influence on Japanese mythology is deep. Is exercised in temples called Shinto either Jinja According to four principles or statements: tradition and family, love of nature, purification and commemoration of popular festivities.
Buddhism is the other majority religion of Japan. He arrived in the country from China more than fifteen centuries ago and became one of the maximum pillars of its culture. Throughout the centuries, there hasso it is common to find religious expressions that combine both beliefs.
Fine Japanese arts
In Japan, calligraphy is understood as an art When running with the traditional brush. It is usually exercised through phrases, thoughts or poems.
Regarding the latter, Japanese tradition has a way of doing poems, known as haikus. The haikus They have a three -line structure with a metric of 5, 7 and 5 syllables, that is, They are characterized by their brevity and simplicity. They usually describe the nature or events that happen in it, and seek to capture ephemeral and unique moments of that observation. The great cult of this traditional genre was Matsuo Bashô (1644-1694).
Literature has perhaps one of the richest aspects of Japan culturewith authors such as Yukio Mishim Gengi’s novel, Considered the first novel in the history of literature.
As for painting, the traditional Japanese style stands out for The ancestral ink drawing technique Sumi-ethe scroll rolls Emaki and paint on screens byōbu. Some influential artists in this field are the painter Katsushika Hokusai and the sculptor, recorder and painter Yayoi Kusama.
Other traditional forms of art in Japan are the Ikebanaart of floral arrangements that harmonizes colors and textures, and wood printing or Ukiyo-e.
In addition, Dance in Japanese culture has been an artistic expression rooted in the country’s history. Throughout the centuries, Japan incorporated dance styles of Continental Asia and developed various types of dances that were practiced in monasteries and sanctuaries.
Traditional Japanese theater has also lasted over the centuries and covers a wide variety of shapes and styles. He noh It presents masked actors representing mythical and literary stories and is accompanied by traditional music and elaborate kimonos. He Kabukion the other hand, it was developed in the EDO period (XVII-XVIII centuries), and it is a theatrical form that combines performance, song, dance and physical skills.
In recent decades, in addition, they have stood out in the film industryby the hand of directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Hayo Miyazaki, creator of the Animé Studio Ghibli study and director of very famous films such as My neighbor Totoro and Chihiro’s trip.
Japanese architecture
The architecture in the culture of Japan is characterized by a combination of structural and stylistic elements that They reflect the Buddhist, unumptive and Chinese influences over the centuries. One of the highlights is its attention to detail and the use of construction materials such as stone and especially wood.
Traditional Japanese buildings, such as temples and sanctuaries, often have wooden tile roofs and eaves that extend to provide shade and protection against weathering. Besides, The arrangement of buildings tends to respect the topography of the landscape and seeks harmony with the natural environment.
During the last century, Japanese architecture has adapted to current needs, so Try to maintain the connection with tradition while incorporating modern elements of Western architecture.
Japanese gardens
The diversity of Japanese gardens is remarkable, and some contrast strongly with others. For example, The Green Garden, where plants and flowers abound, differs from the Zen or Karesansui garden, which often consists of most rocks with very little colorful. A prominent example of this last type is the garden of the Ryōan-Ji temple, in Tokyo.
In Japanese gardens, water is an essential element, so everyone usually has a pool or pond. Rocks are also a fundamental element and are carefully selected by their shape, color and durability to achieve the greatest possible landscape harmony.
Family relationships in Japan culture
As for interpersonal relationships, Japanese culture is governed by the Giriname granted to the set of duties, obligations and honors that a person is expected to fulfill another or towards the social group to which it belongs.
Japan’s culture professes great respect for the elderly and ancestorsto those who often give up spiritual cult in home altars. It also values respect for the elderly and obedience to parents, and there is a clear hierarchy inside each family. In addition, there is a great culture of care of the elderly, and all family members assume the responsibility of attending the elderly.
This care and respect also continues after death. In Japan, the cult of ancestors is very important. Funeral rituals are very careful, and many families retain altars where they venerate the dead. This is related to what Buddhist religion believes in reincarnation and life after death.
Japanese dress
Traditional Japanese clothing stands out for the use of kimonoa long and colorful dress that can wear both men and women and infants. It is used for formal occasions, traditional ceremonies and festivities. The Yukata, For its part, it is a lighter kimono that is used in summer.
There are also a typical wooden footwear called GETAa kind of Swedish or sandal; the Hakamaa pants that are used on the kimono, and the OBIa faja of fabric that is used as a belt.
At present, most people in Japan do not use these typical clothesbut they dress mostly with modern and western clothing. In formal areas, men use costumes and women, skirts and dresses; In informal fields, jeans, shirts, blouses and sports shoes are used.
Japanese gastronomy
Japanese food enjoys a lot of popularity in the West. Sushi, prepared based on raw fish, is a typical dish of Japanese cuisine that is currently consumed in many parts of the world.
Rice, fresh fish, vegetables and algae They are fundamental ingredients in Japanese cuisine. Some typical dishes, in addition to sushi, are the Sashimihe Ramenhe Yakitori and the Okonomiyaki. In addition, the tea ceremony, known as ChanoyuIt is a traditional practice of the culture of Japan.
Sports from Japan
In Japan a wide variety of sports, both traditional and modernamong them, martial arts (Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Iaido, Sumo) and many Western sports (baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, rugby, swimming, athletics).
Throughout more than one hundred years of history at the Olympic Games, Japan has won 186 gold, 178 silver and 209 bronze medals. In addition, they were organizers of the 1964 and 2020 Olympic Games, both in the city of Tokyo. The three most winning disciplines of gold medals are gymnastics, judo and swimming.
Among his most prominent athletes, are Kohei Uchimura, considered one of the best gymnasts of all time, swimmer Kosuke Kitajima and the Naoko Takahashi runner, the first woman to run a marathon in less than two hours and twenty minutes.
Continue with:
References
- Ikigai. (2019). Japanese cinema: traditionalism, censorship and innovation. https://ikigaimatsuri.com/
- Nippon.com. (2015). The Kimono and the Yukata. https://www.nippon.com/
- All about Japan. (s .f.). Religion in Japan: Buddhism and Tintoism. https://www.todosobrejapon.com/
- Japan website. (SF). Japan and Olympics. https://web-japan.org/
