People and Traditions in Japan

People and Traditions in Japan

Visit Japan today, and you’ll find some HUGE, almost New York-style cities and buildings, just like the ones here! In the big cities, we saw things like fast-food restaurants, businesses, and plenty of taxis, loud cars, and busy people. I took the opportunity to learn about how to communicate with others in the traditional way.

One thing I picked up on was bowing. People bow when they say hello, goodbye, thank you or sorry. It’s used to show respect and greeting. I decided to use a simple head nod instead of a full bow, and to shake hands occasionally when greeting others. [Left: People bowing as greeting when passing at the mall]

Another simple tradition is removing your shoes when entering a home. I had to take my shoes off when entering people’s homes, a traditional ryokan (guesthouse), a temple, and even some restaurants. It makes sense, considering how the dirt would get on the tatami matted floors where we eat, sleep, and sit. Often when entering buildings there were signs asking us to remove our shoes in the genkan (entrance hall), and sometimes even lockers for them to go in. If you’re lucky, they’ll even give you a pair inside shoes to use! [Right: Changing shoes when entering a building]

One of the biggest parts of Japanese culture is values. People show a lot respect for elders, and normally take care of them in the home instead of sending them to a retirement home. Even in stories, the elderly are shown as wise, calm and enchanting. I noticed this in the story "The Jay".

‘“Grandmother understands well,” Yoshiko said.

Her grandmother’s eyes were bad...she could only see dimly out of her left eye...This nearly blind grandmother, simply from having heard the jay’s voice, spoke as if she had seen everything. Yoshiko was filled with wonder.’

“The Jay”

-Yasunari Kawabata

In the story, Yoshiko loves and respects her grandmother. She also becomes enchanted with her grandmother's wise and spiritual knowledge. Many children in Japan see their own grandparents in a way similar to this.

When you meet an older person, you should always bow, though you won’t see much of them out and about. Also, older japanese are sometimes known to be quiet and serious, but very wise. Non-verbal communication is seen as more important than verbal, especially since a lot of communicating used to be done through art.

A couple other simple manners I learned (through trial and error) were:

• Before eating a meal, you should put your hands together and say Itadakimasu (I humbly receive). It’s kind of like saying grace. After eating, it is polite for you to say Gochiso sama deshita (thank you for the meal).
• Don’t pass food around with your chopsticks (this is normally a part of japanese funeral ceremonies, and is frowned upon if done otherwise)
• Drowning your rice in soy sauce can be taken as offence to the restaurant owner. (saying sorry doesn’t help)
• Walking and eating is bad manners

And a big one that caught us way off guard

• No tips necessary

Seriously. When we left one, they just gave us our money back. [Left: Not everyone's chopstick method is pretty, but it gets the job done!]

I really liked learning about how people in this culture act. They’re extremely well-mannered (almost to a fault). I am a little tired of having to remember all these rules on how to operate in public, though. Guess it’s time to pack up for our next stop!

http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Japan.html#b
http://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/social-conventions/
http://acad.depauw.edu/~mkfinney/teaching/Com227/culturalportfolios/japan/values.htm
http://blog.alientimes.org/2011/09/on-respect-for-the-aged-day-keiro-no-hi-a-look-at-japans-other-traditional-celebrations-of-longevity/

The influence of nature in Japan

The influence of nature in Japan

Nature is an unusual way, but yet unique, to base your everyday life on. I traveled to Japan, and I was elated because the attractions are mostly based on nature and I love the fact that there are places where these things are valued. Why am I amazed? Because I once read a story called “the Jay” In which a mother bird, the jay, looked ceaselessly for its chick. In this story, a girl was about to make a big decision in her life and she based her final decision in the example set by the mother bird. The little girl wanted her family to be as persistent and loving as the mother bird, but the girl was also concious that even nature is sometimes more reasonable that humans. This is the reason why I came to understand that nature is the root of Japanese beliefs, Shinto principle; which "is a basic belief that humanity and nature are the offspring of the same parents," is extremely important to Japanese people. I love nature, because it delivers a message of peace and harmony through its variety of colors, scents, and sometimes even flavors. When I traveled to Japan, I felt freedom walking through the beautiful gardens; I could smell the sweet scent of the pink blossoms, the kids laughing and playing between the long rows of thousands and thousands of flowers. What I loved the most?  The astonishing waterfalls; in which crystalline water runs through, and  to my surprise there was a beautiful jay flying freely and singing. Others birds singed songs that could resurrect any soul. But yet sometimes we harm all this beauty that has been given to us. Why? Why can’t we, just like Japanese people, value nature? We have lost the respect that small things such as nature, place, time, and wisdom deserve. Therefore, I definitely love the idea of expressing one’s love and respect towards different things through the arranging of flowers and the special nurture of gardens.

 

 

NATURE: a way to reflect our life 

 http://www.fox-moon.com/shinto.html

http://rushmorecasinocouponcode.us/japan.htm

http://www.charliefoxtrotblog.com/2011/03/japanese-gardens-bliss.html

http://columbusmmug.com/sakura-cherry-blossom-festival-in-japan/

Japanese Food!!!

Food!!!

I  got to experience some of the most of the very delicious here meals consist of a bowl of rice or noodles (very popular for light meals)! To go with that is usually a bowl of miso soup, pickled vegetables, and fish or meat. The Japanese also love their well seasoned seafood and so do I! Actually got a chance to eat at a restaurant called They have plenty of new things for you to try and maybe some of the things you are already familiar with. Some of the seafood that they have plenty of is fish, squid, octopus, eel, and shellfish that you may see in all types of dishes. Some of the dishes that you may come across, that I also came across while here maybe Tempura, Yakitori grilled chicken, Udon noodles, and Soba noodles. Green tea is also a very important beverage. This tea is used in the Japanese tea ceremonies. I actually got a chance to go to a tea ceremony, which is held in a Chashitsu,  to see how things are done. I also learned a lot about the Japanese culture and how things have changed overtime. Like wearing the kimono!! They are very beautiful pieces of traditional clothing. The kimono use to be something that was mandatory, but now no one really has to wear them although some still wear them. Seeing these made me think about Yoshiko in the story The Jay and how Yoshiko had to prepare for a meal and had to wear a kimono. To me it just made me see that  this is really an important piece in their culture and that  it’s so important that it’s worn in many different important meals and ceremonies. I had my experience with this tea ceremony at Choushukaku Residence in Sankei Garden, but there are many others!

Citations:
http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/food.shtml
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e631.html

Historical Sites of Japan

When visiting the great country of Japan I found very interesting locations which indeed are very historical. Visiting these sites I noticed Japanese people relate nature to them as if it was the same thing. This experience reminded me of a story “The Jay” about a baby bird’s life being compared to a girl’s life in Japan. In the other hand, my three main favorite sites I got to see were Usuki Stone buddhas, Yoshinogari Ruins, and Toro Ruins. In the Usuki Stone Buddha’s picture I’ve took there would be about 6 Buddha’s in it. One Buddha was carved from a free standing rock and the others were from a side of a hill.  The Second one is the Yoshinogari Ruins, Which lasted from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. These ruins are still up but they’re not being occupied cause of their history. My third favorite site is the Toro ruins. The Toro Ruins mark where a village used to exist around AD100 to AD 300, it’s still standing, now it’s being used as a tourist site.

  

 This  the picture of the 6 Buddha's, the one in the center is the one carved from the free standing rock.

 These are the Yoshinogari Ruins, its a small village that is still standing for centuries already.

 These are the toro ruins and only a few huts are still standing, and its a very well known tourist site and it is also has been standing for many many years also.