Japanese Unique Culture and Customs

Umar Zai

What Sets Japan Apart: Uncovering the Country’s Unique Culture and Customs

Here is a peek into the magnificent world where traditional culture and modern technology and beliefs live nicely whether you are planning a trip to Japan or just want to learn more about Japanese culture and customs. Japan is a diversified nation with a wide range of traditions and cultures, yet it is also one of the most technologically sophisticated nations in the world. Its blend of heritage and modernity, which provides a fascinating contrast and draws travellers from around the world, is what makes it so distinctive. We shall explore Japanese culture and customs in this post to better understand what distinguishes this nation from others. Japan has unique culture and customs.

Japanese Culture

The depth and breadth of Japanese culture, which emphasizes supreme beauty, allow for several essays to be written on each kingdom. But here, we’ve made an effort to give you a sense of the numerous facets of this enormous culture.

Traditional Japanese Clothing

Almost everyone is familiar with the kimono, a traditional Japanese outfit. In the past, all forms of apparel were referred to collectively as kimonos. Japan has unique culture and customs. However, the meaning given in modern times is that of a long garment used by both adults and children. In actuality, the kinds of kimonos worn change depending on the situation, one’s marital status, and even the time of year. Here are three kimonos that Japanese ladies typically wear.

• Tomesode: The fact that its designs are not overt above the waistline identifies this kimono as belonging to a married woman.
• Furisode:This kimono is worn by single ladies and is recognised by its extraordinarily long sleeves. These kimonos are exclusively worn by single females on extremely formal occasions to signify that they are of marriageable age. Japan has unique culture and customs.
• Uchikake: Japanese brides don a unique kimono known as the uchikake. It is substantially longer than a typical kimono and is composed of silk. As in Western culture, where bridesmaids are expected to carry the bride’s train, this is a distinguishing aspect of the bridal kimono, and guests are required to assist the bride walking in the uchikake.

Aside from these particular kimonos, it’s intriguing to see how the designs on kimonos change with the seasons. Winter ones are constructed of heavier materials like flannel, while fall ones are less light than spring ones. A cotton yukata is a common type of kimono used in the summer. In Japan, it is a casual kimono that is worn at most summer festivals. Men’s and women’s kimonos can be distinguished by the colours they choose to wear. Japan has unique culture and customs. Women dress in brighter hues and patterns, whereas males favour lighter, more neutral colours. The obi, a sash placed around the kimono at the waist, is another feature that sets these kimonos apart from others. Men wear thin obi, whilst ladies wear obi that is considerably broader. Nowadays, kimonos are mainly reserved for special events and are not worn every day. However, while hosting visitors at home, both sexes don kimonos.

Source: Pexels.com

Japanese Festivals

• Girl’s Day – Hina Matsuri:Every year on March 3rd, Hina Matsuri, also known as the Doll Festival, is observed. On this day, the parents of the girls display dolls of an ex-imperial couple in their houses, and occasionally they also show the dolls of the couple’s courtesans and other servants in a lavish display with peach blossoms and rice cakes. These dolls are put on display to ward off bad luck and help the girls in the family have better luck. Japan has unique culture and customs. The dolls have to be put back in their boxes at the end of the day, or at midnight, else the girls of the home are said to never get married.
• Cherry Blossom Viewing – Hanami:Observing cherry blossoms in bloom (sakura) from February to April each year is a traditional Japanese activity that hasn’t changed much through the years. However, depending on when these flowers bloom, the length varies from place to place. People are known to hold tea ceremonies and picnics under the trees, which are placed in parks, to mark the end of winter and the start of spring. Sakura disappear weeks after they blossom and drop to the ground as a representation of prehistoric ideas about the transient nature of youth and life in general. Japan has unique culture and customs.

 Golden Week: The reason for the name “golden week” is that three public holidays frequently fall on the same week and are occasionally combined with a weekend to create one extended holiday for everyone. Japan has unique culture and customs. The public holidays that fall during this week, which runs from April 29 to May 5, include Green Day on April 29, Constitution Day on May 3, and Children’s Day (which is primarily observed by boys) on May 5.

• Star Festival – Tanabata Matsuri:A mythology about two lovers who are separated by the Milky Way and who, according to the lunar calendar, are only permitted to cross paths on a specific day in the seventh month is the basis for this celebration. This festival happens on several dates between July and August since the lunar calendar is different from the one we use. However, the festivities officially start on July 7. On this day, people make a variety of wishes on little pieces of paper and hang them from bamboo. Once the event is ended, or the next day, this bamboo is burned. The entire nation participates in the celebration of this occasion. Japan has unique culture and customs.
• Seven-Five-Three – Shichi-Go-San:This event, which is conducted exclusively for children aged 3, 5, and 7, celebrates the transition into middle childhood. More particular, this event is significant for boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 5. Japan has unique culture and customs. The weekend closest to November 15 is when this celebration, which involves youngsters dressing in beautiful kimonos, is held. Children are given the long red and white candy known as “Chitose Ame” as a sign of good health and long life.
• Christmas – Meri Kurisumasu:Even though there aren’t many Christians in Japan, the holiday is just as well-liked there as any other celebration. The meaning underlying the Christmas holiday is somewhat different, though. There is no turkey and no church attendance. The custom of exchanging gifts and celebrating with meals is all that is left. Although it isn’t a family holiday (like New Year’s Day), it is still commemorated with lovely décor. Even though Christmas is not a recognised official holiday in Japan, the day is celebrated with celebrations.

Religion in Japan

Although religion is not widely practised in Japan, there are followers of the two main faiths, Shinto and Buddhism. Currently, it is challenging to discern between different faiths due to the overlap of beliefs, religions, and rituals. Shinto is the notion that there is a superpower present in every aspect of nature, not just one particular deity. There are certain locations that have been transformed into shrines for sun worship and similar practises. Each location is connected to a Kami god. Because of Chinese influence, Buddhism is considerably more widely practised in Japan. Numerous Buddhist temples exist, and some of them are situated next to Shinto shrines. Japan has unique culture and customs. Since they are not seen as very devout, Japanese people tend to only go to these houses of worship on the aforementioned festivals. Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are the other minority religions in the nation. There have recently been the establishment of new faiths based on specific Shinto and Buddhist tenets. The Soka Gakkai, a subset of Buddhism, is one of these faiths.

Geisha

Japan has traditionally been associated with geisha. Geishas, or people of the arts, are largely female entertainers who engage in a variety of performing arts, including: Singing, dancing, participating in a tea ceremony, creating ikebana or flower arrangements, or reading poetry. It’s noteworthy to remember that all of the early geishas were men. After some time, women began to follow suit, and soon this profession was entirely dominated by women. In what are known as okiya houses, geishas were trained beginning at a young age. Geisha can now opt to enter the profession according on their own preferences, and they can train each time they do so. Geishas do not do prostitution, despite what the general public thinks. Japan has unique culture and customs. Due to the fact that many girls sold themselves to American soldiers posing as geishas during World War II, this myth has become widespread. In addition to providing the aforementioned entertainment, geishas may also flirt a little with their male clients by striking up a conversation with them. Their labour is limited to these tasks, though. Geishas once belonged to a small, close-knit society, but they are now widely seen throughout Japan. They even participate in numerous festivities that are held in their honour.

Japanese Food

Sushi is often associated with Japanese food, but other dishes also contribute to this nation’s outstanding cuisine. Yes, raw fish like sushi, sashimi, and other varieties predominate in Japanese cuisine, but there are also many vegetarian options that are typically unknown to visitors. It will be a little challenging to locate the appropriate diet as a pure vegetarian because this vegetarian cuisine frequently incorporates beef broth. Natto, or fermented soybeans, is an example of a popular and extensively consumed vegetarian cuisine in Japan. If you’re not used to eating it frequently, the flavour and smell of natto may be overwhelming. Noodles of all kinds, including noodles, are a popular element in most meal preparations, i.e.: buckwheat and thick wheat noodles. Japan has unique culture and customs. Meals consist of three meals including soup. You can consume these things grilled, steamed, boiled, fried, or uncooked. The prevalence of processed meals over traditional Japanese cuisines is a recent phenomenon in Japanese cuisine. However, despite the fact that true Japanese cuisine has not yet made a significant impact, Japanese food remains popular in many regions of the world.

About the Author

Ahsan Azam is the author who specializes in avionics as well as research writing. The author has a keen attention to detail and is focused on providing interesting content to the readers.

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Posted on: January 23, 2023 at 2:18 pm