Culture of Japan

Culture of Japan
The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's
prehistoric Jmon period, to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines
influences from Asia, Europe, and North America. The inhabitants of Japan
experienced a long period of relative isolation from the outside world during
the Tokugawa shogunate, until the arrival of "The Black Ships" and the Meiji
period.
Literature
Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact
with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. Indian
literature also had an influence through the diffusion of Buddhism in Japan.
Eventually, Japanese literature developed into a separate style in its own right
as Japanese writers began writing their own works about Japan. Since Japan
reopened its ports to Western trading and diplomacy in the 19th century,
Western and Eastern literature have strongly affected each other and continue
to do so.
Music
The music of Japan includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both
traditional and modern. The word for music in Japanese is (ongaku),
combining the kanji "on" (sound) with the kanji "gaku" (enjoyment).[1]
Japan is the second largest music market in the world, behind the United
States, and the largest in Asia,[2] and most of the market is dominated by
Japanese artists.
Local music often appears at karaoke venues, which is on lease from the record
labels. Traditional Japanese music is quite different from Western Music and is
based on the intervals of human breathing rather than mathematical timing.[3]
In 1873, a British traveler claimed that Japanese music, "exasperates beyond
all endurance the European breast."
Painting
Painting has been an art in Japan for a very long time: the brush is a traditional
writing and painting tool, and the extension of that to its use as an artist's tool
was probably natural. Chinese papermaking was introduced to Japan around
the 7th century by Damjing and several monks of Goguryeo,[5] later washi was
developed from it. Native Japanese painting techniques are still in use today, as
well as techniques adopted from continental Asia and from the West.
Sculpture
Traditional Japanese sculptures mainly consisted of Buddhist images, such as
Tathagata, Bodhisattva, and My-. The oldest sculpture in Japan is a wooden
statue of Amitbha at the Zenk-ji temple. In the Nara period, Buddhist statues
were made by the national government to boost its prestige. These examples
are seen in present-day Nara and Kyoto, most notably a colossal bronze statue
of the Buddha Vairocana in the Tdai-ji temple.
Wood has traditionally been used as the chief material in Japan, along with
traditional Japanese architecture. Statues are often lacquered, gilded, or
brightly painted, although there are little traces on the surfaces. Bronze and
other metals are also used. Other materials, such as stone and pottery, have
had extremely important roles in the plebeian beliefs.
Architecture
Japanese architecture has as long of a history as any other aspect of Japanese
culture. Originally heavily influenced by Chinese architecture, it also develops
many differences and aspects which are indigenous to Japan. Examples of
traditional architecture are seen at temples, Shinto shrines, and castles in
Kyoto and Nara. Some of these buildings are constructed with traditional
gardens, which are influenced from Zen ideas.
Some modern architects, such as Yoshio Taniguchi and Tadao Ando are known
for their amalgamation of Japanese traditional and Western architectural
influences.
Clothing
Traditional Japanese clothing distinguishes Japan from all other countries
around the world. The Japanese word kimono means "something one wears"
and they are the traditional garments of Japan. Originally, the word kimono was
used for all types of clothing, but eventually, it came to refer specifically to the
full-length garment also known as the naga-gi, meaning "long-wear", that is
still worn today on special occasions by women, men, and children.
The kimono of a woman who is married (tomesode) differs from the kimono of a
woman who is not married (furisode). The tomesode sets itself apart because
the patterns do not go above the waistline. The furisode can be recognized by
its extremely long sleeves spanning anywhere from 39 to 42 inches, it is also
the most formal kimono an unwed woman wears. The furisode advertises that a
woman is not only of age but also single.
The style of kimono also changes with the season, in spring kimonos are
vibrantly colored with springtime flowers embroidered on them. In the fall,
kimono colors are not as bright, with fall patterns. Flannel kimonos are ideal for
winter, they are a heavier material to help keep you warm.
One of the more elegant kimonos is the uchikake, a long silk overgarment worn
by the bride in a wedding ceremony. The uchikake is commonly embellished
with birds or flowers using silver and gold thread.
Kimonos do not come in specific sizes as most western dresses do. The sizes
are only approximate, and a special technique is used to fit the dress
appropriately.
Popular Culture
Japanese popular culture not only reflects the attitudes and concerns of the
present day, but also provides a link to the past. Popular films, television
programs, manga, music, and video games all developed from older artistic
and literary traditions, and many of their themes and styles of presentation can
be traced to traditional art forms. Contemporary forms of popular culture, much
like the traditional forms, provide not only entertainment but also an escape for
the contemporary Japanese from the problems of an industrial world. When
asked how they spent their leisure time, 80 percent of a sample of men and
women surveyed by the government in 1986 said they averaged about two and
a half hours per weekday watching television, listening to the radio, and
reading newspapers or magazines. Some 16 percent spent an average of two
and a quarter hours a day engaged in hobbies or amusements. Others spent
leisure time participating in sports, socializing, and personal study. Teenagers
and retired people reported more time spent on all of these activities than did
other groups.
Many anime and manga are very popular around the world and continue to
become popular, as well as Japanese video games, music, fashion, and game
shows;[12] this has made Japan an "entertainment superpower" along with the
United States and the United Kingdom.
Gastronomia de japon (Traduce el titulo)

Traditional Japanese cuisine is dominated by white rice. Any other dish served
during a meal is considered a side dish. These are used to enhance the flavor
of rice. A traditional Japanese breakfast consists of miso soup (miso shiru), rice,
and a pickled vegetable. The most common food, however, is called ichijsansai ("a soup, three side dishes") with a technique different for each
preparation. The three side dishes are usually raw fish (sashimi), a dish on the
grill, and a cooked dish to simmer. This unique Japanese view of the food is
reflected in the organization of traditional Japanese cookbooks. The chapters
are organized according to cooking techniques: fried foods, steamed, grilled
foods, for example, rather than on specific ingredients (eg chicken or beef) as
in Western cookbooks. There are also usually chapters devoted to soups, sushi,
rice, noodles, and sweets.

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