Hiragana Times Archive
Japanese Culture / Literature - Hiragana Times Archive
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The World of Salaryman Senryu and New Haiku Jun. 15
Senryu and haiku are traditional forms of Japanese poetry with a 5-7-5 syllable structure that makes them the shortest forms of poetry in the world. Senryu are colloquial poems that characteristically depict social conditions and life in a humorous and satirical manner, and it is said they were first created in the middle of the Edo Period (late 17th century). ...
Genuine Geisha Party in Tokyo
In the Japanese language, the word “omotenashi” is used to describe hospitality. It means to offer enough services to customers for them to be fully satisfied. “’OMOTENASHI’ Experience,” an event to experience the Japanese “omotenashi spirit,” is regularly held at “Muromachi Fukutokujuku” by Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and the Shinnichiya Tokyo Kimono Club. ...
Charter a Houseboat for a Party in Tokyo Bay
The Japanese have enjoyed yakatabune (houseboats) for centuries. It is said the origin of the yakatabune, which are defined by their low roofs and tatami-mat flooring below deck, can be traced back to the 7th century, but it wasn’t until the Edo era, when the water transport system was developed, that they really took off. ...
Tour Akihabara with a Practical Guidebook
Akihabara, in Tokyo, famous as Japan’s electronic appliances and anime/manga capital, is a popular tourist destination for many non-Japanese visitors, but surprisingly no guidebook existed targeting non-Japanese. Not, that is, until businessman NOZOE Toshimichi personally planned, produced and privately published “The Best Shops of Akihabara.” ...
Helping Cosplay Around the World
Cosplay (costume play) events are held somewhere in Japan every week. Many people from overseas want to participate, but many of them don’t know how to. Chouko, a regular attendee of the big events like Cosplay Summit, helps such people through a community site and SNS. ...
Origami – Convenient and Easy International Communication Tool
It can be very difficult to learn about the tea ceremony and martial arts, but anyone can learn origami: all you need is paper. There are lots of organizations throughout Japan that aim to promote international exchanges through origami. One of them is “Okoshiyasu (Welcome) to Origami” in Kyoto, founded in 1996. ...
Harajuku Fashion Guided Tour
Japanese fashion is building a strong reputation overseas, with Omotesando-Harajuku (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo) in particular attracting attention as a fashion center. According to the Japan National Tourist Organization, 800 thousand overseas tourists visit Harajuku annually, giving it more visitors than Akihabara. ...
Why not Try Ink Painting!
Ink painting is a painting style that expresses various subjects, such as flowers, trees, vegetables, fruits and animals, using contrasting shades of black ink. Sometimes words reflecting the season are written beside the image. The style is originated from Chinese landscape (scenic) painting that portrays grand mountains, rivers and bamboo bush. While traditional ink painting uses only black ink, modern ink painting also incorporates color. ...
Chinese Writer Wins the Akutagawa Award
The Akutagawa Ryunosuke Award (aka “Akutagawa Award”) was established in 1935 to honor the work of AKUTAGAWA Ryunosuke, a renowned writer of the Taisho era. The award is given to a new writer of “pure” literature, and is one of the most prominent literary awards in Japan. For the first half of 2008 (139th award), the twice-annual award went to the novel “Toki-ga-nijimu-asa” (Time Blurred Morning). ...
Yokai Culture: International Couple Publishes a Unique Book about Japanese Yokai
Did you know that the sushi roll called kappa maki takes its name from the kappa, one of the many legendary Japanese folk creatures known as yokai? Yokai-related phrases such as “Tengu ni naru,” an idiom that means “someone who is overly self-confident,” pop up in daily Japanese speech as well. ...
American Go Player, Successful in Japanese Professional Go
Among the many games played in the world, it is said that go is the simplest, yet most complex of all, and that it can never be mastered within a lifetime. Go is an intellectual game played on a wooden board with two people placing black and white go stones in turn. The winner covers more of the board with their stones. ...
English-speaking Shamisen Teacher Shares Japanese Culture with the World
Not many young Japanese women these days seem to take much of an interest in the traditional aspects of Japan. Some perhaps try flower arranging or practice the tea ceremony, but most seem more interested in modern pastimes. Twenty-four-year-old shamisen player and teacher FUJIMOTO Kumiya, however, is anything but typical. ...
Canadian Living by the Sword
What makes a foreigner become so interested in Japanese culture that he is willing to forego almost everything most of us take for granted to pursue and succeed in his chosen profession? ...
Creating Great Photos by Taking Slices of Daily Life
The mass retirement of Japan’s “baby boomers” began in 2007. Many of these people enjoy themselves by participating in various kinds of hobbies and voluntary work, and among these, photography is gaining popularity. Photo contests are often hosted by camera manufacturers and newspaper companies. There are also many people who will hold their personal exhibitions and invite their friends. ...
Finding Japanese Mind and Spirit Through the Movie “Tokyo Story” a Story that Influenced the World
“Respect-for-the-Aged Day” (the third Monday in September) is one of Japan’s many national holidays. It is the day for people to respect elderly people who have made a great contribution to Japanese society, and celebrate their longevity. On this occasion I would like to introduce the Japanese movie “Tokyo Story” (1953, directed by OZU Yasujirou), a drama about an elderly couple. ...
A Japanese Introducing Origami Therapy in New York
Many of us are filled to capacity with material possessions, facing an onslaught of electronic information, and coping with the dangers of terrorism — we are in a society filled with stress, and many people are seeking help — through therapy — for healing. In Japan, some of the more well known therapies include aromatherapy, foot therapy or yoga therapy. ...
A French Researcher Spellbound by Noh
“Hisureba hana nari, hisezuba hana naru bekarazu to nari.” (If the secret of the flower becomes known to the public, it is not a true flower anymore.) These beautiful words were written by a noh actor of the early Muromachi era, Zeami (1363~1443). Zeami authored a book about noh called “Fuushi-kaden” that discussed noh training, esoteric techniques and theatre. ...
Japanese Traditional Art, Origami, Adored Worldwide
Origami is a well known aspect of Japanese traditional culture. It is played by folding pieces of colorful paper in creative ways to make many kinds of shapes and objects. The word “origami” is widely known worldwide and is spelt using Roman letters these days. ...
English or Kanji? Unique "Ee Kanji" Art Form
Anew art form called "Ee kanji" is catching people's attention. Take the kanji character for "sea," for instance. In this art form, the character is written on white paper using black ink and a strong brush stroke. Stare at it for a while and be amazed that it is able to be read as the English word, "SEA." The kanji for "love," written using calligraphy, can be read as the English word, "Love" after a while. ...
Kite Lovers' Passion Soars Between Art Form
Over two days in May, tens of thousands of people from across the nation and beyond converge on Ishikawa Prefecture for the annual Uchinada World Kite Festival. The mass turn out is a sign that interest in kites is as strong as it's ever been. ...
Karakuri Craftsman Passes Down Seed of Robot Technology from Edo era to the Present
Japan is well-known as a country at the forefront of robot technology. Now, the country is becoming well-known for its technology used in making animations and movies, and in artistic fields in addition to its industrial technology. When Western culture was introduced to Japan in the 18th century, the seed of the nation's robot technology was planted. ...
Iranian Beauty Dreaming of Becoming a Novelist
Everyone who has written stories, or who wishes to write stories, will face a common challenge at some point in time regarding the difficulty of expression and choice of words. There are approximately 7,000 different languages in the world, and of these languages, Japanese - with its hiragana, katakana and kanji - is considered to be one of the more complicated. ...
Gogyohka - New Style Japanese Poem Now Quietly Booming
For the last 1,400 years Japanese poetry has been dominated by two forms; Tanka and Haiku. Since the second half of the last century, however, a new form called Gogyohka (literally "five-line verse") has been quietly on the rise. Its originator - a poet who goes by the pen name of KUSAKABE Enta - first developed the form in 1957 when he was just 19. ...
A sport widespread throughout Japan that anybody can easily play anywhere
Everyone, do you know Kendama, the cup and ball game? As you will see in the picture, Kendama involves playing with and catching a wooden ball in a 'saucer.' Now it is attracting attention as a sport. ...
Traditional Hunting Culture where Man and Falcon Collaborate
Japan is enjoying an unprecedented pet boom at present and many kinds of animals are being kept by people all over Japan. Mr. OZAKU Fumio, who lives in the town of Mizuho, Tokyo, keeps three falcons at his home. ...
Japanese-Style Drawings of Beautiful Women - Skills Used Contrast to Those Behind Mona Lisa
A movie about Dan BROWN's novel "THE DA VINCI CODE" that discloses a message hidden by the Renaissance genius in his pictures has been filmed and Leonardo da Vinci is now in the spotlight. The "Mona Lisa," the most famous picture in the world, was painted by Leonardo as everyone knows. ...
The "Chindon-ya" who Became a TV Drama Model
Do you know chindon-ya? In short, it is a group of advertising agents that wear fancy costumes, play musical instruments and parade in the streets distributing handouts to guide potential customers to their clients' stores. ...
A Sheet of Wrapping Cloth Transforms into an Artform
Due to increasing concern about the environment, a movement to stop customers from using disposal plastic bags handed out by supermarkets and other stores has been rapidly expanding recently and more people now carry their own bags. Against this backdrop, furoshiki (wrapping cloth) is now attracting attention. ...
Behind Japanese surnames
Japan has a large number of surnames compared to other countries. There are about 240,000 different surnames in Japan. On September 19th, 1870 (3rd year of the Meiji era) the Meiji government announced the law called (Heimin myouji hisshou gimurei) that required ordinary people to have surnames. ...
Talented Attractive Scholar Promoting Rakugo Worldwidet
There are many aspects of Japanese culture, but few non-Japanese know about rakugo, which can be described as a sit down comedy performed by a single entertainer and is thought to be the original style of Japanese comedy. Some theaters specialize in rakugo, which is deeply rooted in the daily lives of Japanese people. ...
Entering a Fantasy World Where Clay Animals Roam
In Japan, images of cute animal characters including Mickey Mouse, Snoopy and Hello Kitty are used on everything from stationery to T-shirts and contribute greatly to the sales of these products. Many characters are usually born from cartoons and animation, but now many new and totally unique characters are being created from clay dolls in the image of animals. ...
A Beauty Missionary who Lures Women
It was a small opportunity indeed that set Ms. TAKAHASHI Setsuko on the road to creating dolls. When Japan was enjoying a high growth economy and women began advancing in various fields, Setsuko was busy with child care every day. But all the time she was frustrated with such a routine-filled life and looking for something to fulfill herself. ...
Japanese -The Most Religious People in the World
During my first year in Tokyo, I was frustrated and bemused at the wall of silence I crashed into every time I asked a Japanese person about religion or indeed anything 'mysterious. ...
Japanese Alphabet Provokes Intellectual Excitement
Dear foreign readers - do you know that in Japan there is a family game called "Karuta" that has been played for over 200 years, especially in New Year holidays? Although there are many different versions of Karuta, "Iroha Karuta" is the most famous. ...
Zen-Behind Japanese Culture
Many foreigners who visit Japan have an interest in some aspects of Japanese culture, whether it be sumo or sake, bonsai or geisha. However, not much is known about Zen, a philosophy that is gaining popularity worldwide and said to be at the heart of Japanese culture. ...
Money Talks
It doesn't grow on trees. It's the root of all evil. It burns a hole in your pocket. What is it? Yes, money! Indeed, money may be responsible for the ills of our society and the diminishment of our culture, but after traveling to many countries, I've come to realize that money is also an important source of cultural information. ...
Taking Kanazawa Gold Leaf to the World
Kyoto's Kinkakuji temple, or "Golden Pavilion" must be one of the most impressive sights for foreign visitors, evoking their sense of romanticism with its solemn glitter. In Japan, the traditional art of gold leaf craftwork that was used to create this beautiful temple still exists today. ...
Pop Bonsai Finding Their Feet!
If you think changes occur slower than a snail in Japan, you had better watch out you don't get run over by Lisa TAJIMA. "I think it is very cool to make both traditional and pop bonsai," says the devoted fan of this ancient art. ...
