Various Japanese Cultural Topics

Various Japanese cultural topics:

Japanese Language

Japanese Words

Geisha

Samurai

Sumo

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony

Japanese Food

Japan Festival

Tokyo Festivals

Bon Odori Festival

Shichi-go-san Festival

Japanese New Year

Christmas in Japan

Japanese Cell Phone

Japanese Women

Japanese Garden

Cherry Blossom

Hanami

Ikebana

Japanese Wedding

Japanese Marriage

Japanese Architecture

Japanese Castle

Japanese Shrine

Japanese Temples

Japanese Fashion

Tokyo Fashion

Harajuku Fashion

Kimono

Japanese Clothing

Costume Japanese

Japanese Art

Anime

Japanese Calligraphy

Manga

Tatami

Ofuro bath

Onsen

Go Game

Japanese Music

J POP

Japanese Rock Music

Japanese Folk music

Koto

Shakuhachi

Wadaiko Drumming

Japanese Dance

Japan History

Japanese Literature

Japan Government

Japan Map

Japan Geography

Japan City

Japan Prefectures

Japan Population

Japan Climate

Japan Economy

Japanese Culture Links

HachikoThe Loyal Akita - New!

Robot Entertainment Show - Hide Kitagawa's Aibos

Hanko - Japanese Signature Stamp

Chindogu - Japanese Art of Invention

Akita - Japanese Breed of Dog

Daruma Japanese Name Bodhidharma

Karoshi - Japanese for Death from Overwork

Kitsune - Japanese for Japan's Red Fox

Koi - Japanese Ornamental Carp (fish)

Osaka school massacre - June 8, 2001, Osaka, Japan

AumShinrikyo - Japanese Terrorist Cult

Onsen - Japanese hot spring

The Book of Five Rings - classic treatise on military strategy

Reiki - technique of alternative medicine

Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway

Sansei Japanese American

Sangokujin - Japanese for 'third country nationals

Sarubobo - traditional charm doll

Secondary education in Japan - (kotogakko) grades 10 through 12

Sensei - Japanese term for master or teacher

Seppuku - Japanese for ritual suicide

Shaku - Archaic measure of length in Japan

Shiatsu - massage technique originating in Japan

ShibaInu - smallest of six original Japanese breeds of dog

Tamagotchi - virtual pet game created by Aki Maita

Tamasay - bead necklace worn by Ainu women

Tanuki - Japanese name for animal known as Raccoon Dog

Tatenokai - private militia in Japan led by Yukio Mishima

Tea House - designed for holding Japanese tea ceremonies

Ten thousand years - banzai in Japanese

Yakuza - the Japanese mafia

Wall of 1.03 million yen and 1.30 million yen - social phenomenon

Japan - An Introduction

How Safe Is Japan?

Aging of Japan's Culture

The Ainu People of Japan

Japanese Modern Culture - Quick Facts

Japan's Demographics

Homeless in Japan - Tokyo Japan's Ueno Park

Japanese Popular Culture

Ethnic Issues in Japan - Race, Government & Media

Gaijin - Japanese Term for Foreigners

Japanese Name - Family, Surname and Given Name

Japanese Tea Ceremony - Traditional Ritual of Japan

Okinawan - indigenous people of the Okinawan islands

Ojigi - Japanese way of greeting

Tatemae and Honne - main facets of Japanese culture

Wabi-sabi - Japanese world view

Empathy and Human Relations in Japan

Goals and Self in Japan - The Private Sphere

Order and Status in Japan - The Public Sphere

Religious and Philosophical Traditions in Japan

FASHION IN JAPAN

Cosplay - Japanese "Costume Play"

Gaku-Ran - Japanese Schoolboys Uniform

Ganguro - Japanese Fashion Trend of Black Makeup

Kimono - Japanese Traditional Women's Garment

Bishoujo - Japanese for "Beautiful Girl"

Geisha - Japanese Woman Who Entertains Men

Japanese School Uniforms

Hadaka Apron - Japanese Clothing Fetish

Loose socks - Japanese Young Girl's Socks

Gothic Lolita - Japanese Fashion Trend

Sailor girl - Japanese school uniform

Tabi - type of Japanese sock

Yukata - clothing worn by the Japanese

Yamanba - fashion trend among Japanese girls

Zori - traditional Japanese footwear

JAPANESE FESTIVALS

Genpuku - Japanese Coming of Age Ceremony

Hinamatsuri - Japanese Doll Festival

Japanese Cultural Festival - Common Annual Event

JidaiMatsuri - Kyoto Japan Festival of Ages

Japanese New Year

Omisoka - Japanese tradition on December 31

Respect for the Aged Day

Shichigosan - traditional festival day in Japan for children

Tanabata - Japanese name for Chinese star festival

White Day - Japanese version of Valentine's Day

MARTIAL ARTS IN JAPAN

Aikijutsu - Japanese Martial Art

Bojutsu - Japanese Martial Art - Staff Weapon

Aikido - Japanese Martial Arts

Bokken - Japanese Martial Arts

Iaido - Japanese Martial Arts

Judo - Japanese Martial Arts

Kata - Japanese Martial Arts

Katana - Japanese Martial Arts

Katori Shinto Ryu - Japanese Martial Arts

Kendo - Japanese Martial Arts

Kenjutsu - Japanese Martial Arts

Kyudo - Japanese Martial Arts

Ninjitsu - Japanese Martial Arts

Wakizashi - Japanese Martial Arts

Daito Ryu - Japanese Martial Art

Bushido - "Way of the Warrior" in Japanese

Randori - term used in Judo and Aikido

Kajukenbo - Japanese Martial Art

Kenpo - Japanese Martial Art

Koryu - Old Japanese Schools of Martial Arts

Kubotan - Weapon Used in Japanese Martial Arts

KukishinRyu - Samurai School of Jujutsu

Kyokushin - Japanese Form of Karate

GyokkoRyu - Japanese Martial Arts

HimizuRyu - Japanese Martial Arts

Masaaki Hatsumi - Grandmaster of Nine Martial Art Schools

MoriheiUeshiba - Japanese Founder of Aikido

Naginata - pole weapon used by Japanese samurai

Naruto jutsus - Ninja technique

Ninja - warrior and assassin, trained in the Japanese art of Ninjutsu

Nunchaku - nunchucks or karate stick in the English language

Okinawa weapon - weapon developed from farming tools in Japan

Saito Ninjitsu - form of Ninjitsu developed by Saito family

Sakabato - Japanese sword

Seido - style of karate

Shinai - practice sword used in Kendo

Shinden Fudo Ryu - school of Dakentaijutsu and Jujutsu

Shitoryu - form of karate

Shodokan - style of aikido

Shorinjikempo - martial art form of Kempo

Shotokan - school of karate

Shuriken - throwing blades

Shurikenjutsu - Japanese art of throwing shuriken (blades)

Taijutsu - using the body for self defence

Takagi YoshinRyu - Jujutsu school

Tanto - Japanese blade or small sword

TogakureRyu - Ninpo/Ninjutsuryuha founded 900 years ago

Tomiki Aikido - style of Aikido

UechiRyu - style of Karate

WadoRyu - karate style

Wakizashi - Japanese sword

Yari - Japanese term for spear

Yawara - weapon used in martial art of Saito Ninjitsu

Famous Japanese People

Fujimura Shinichi - Japanese Archeologist & Fraud

Esaki Leona - Japanese Physicist & Nobel Prize Winner

JokichiTakamine - Japanese Chemist

Goro Shimura - Japanese-American Mathematician

Jiro Watanabe - Japanese Former Boxer

KamatoHongo - World's Oldest Living Person

KanichiAsakawa - Japanese Historian

Kanjuro Shibata XX - Bowmaker and Kyudo Teacher

Kawabata Yasunari - Japanese Novelist

Kazuo Miyagawa - Japanese Cinematographer

Kazuo Umezu - Famous Author of Japanese Horror Manga

Kenzaburo Oe - Japanese Writer

Keio University - Japan's Oldest Institution of Higher Education

Kitano Takeshi - Japanese Actor, Author, Poet, Painter and Filmmaker

Kiyoshi Atsumi - Japanese Film Actor

Kobayashi Masaki - Japanese Director

RyokoTani - famous female Judo player

Kogo Noda - Japanese Screenwriter

Kon Ichikawa - Japanese Film Director

Masatoshi Koshiba - Japanese Physicist

Mikio Sato - Japanese Mathematician

Mitoyo Kawate - Oldest Person in the World

MotooriNorinaga - Japanese Scholar

Naoko Takeuchi - Japanese manga artist

NatsumeSoseki - pen-name of NatsumeKinnosuke, a Japanese novelist

NichirenDaishonin - Buddhist monk in 13th century Japan

OdaSakunosuke - Japanese author

RyojiNoyori - recipient of Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Ryuichi Abe - professor of Japanese religions and Buddhism

Fukuoka Daiei Hawks - Japanese Baseball Team

Sen no Rikyu - Japanese tea ceremony influential figure

ShibasaburoKitasato - Japanese physician and bacteriologist

Shigechiyo Izumi - oldest living man in the world

Shoko Asahara - founder of Japanese AumShinrikyo cult

Shunryu Suzuki - Japanese Zen master of the Soto school

Sin-ItiroTomonaga - Japanese physicist

Takao Doi - Japanese astronaut

Takeru Kobayashi - world's record holder for hotdog eating

Nagoya Grampus Eight - Japanese football team

Takuma Sato - Japanese automobile racing driver

TangeKenzo - Japanese architect

Terada Torahiko - Japanese physicist and author

Yoshihiro Asai - wrestler known as Ultimo Dragon

Yoshihiro Tajiri - Japanese professional wrestler

Yukawa Hideki - first Japanese to win Nobel prize

Yutaka Taniyama - Japanese mathematician

YukichiChuganji - world's oldest documented man

Seigen - The Greatest Go Player

Hideo Nomo - Japanese Baseball Player

Ichiro Suzuki - Japanese Baseball Player

Japanese Games & Sports

Go - Japanese Board Game Rules and More

Go Players - List of the Best

Go Proverbs - Words of Wisdom Related to the Game of Go

Japanese Baseball - Professional Baseball League in Japan

Ozeki - ranking given to sumo wrestlers

Pachinko - Japan's cross between a pinball machine and a slot machine

Pacific League - Japan professional baseball league

Daijiro Kato - Japanese Motorcycle Racer

Gomoku - Japanese Board Game

Go - Japanese Game of Strategy

Japanese Grand Prix - Formula One (F1) Championship

Karuta - Card Game Played in Japan

Keirin - Japanese Cycling Event

Karaoke - Amateur Japanese Sing-along Entertainment

The Master of Go - novel by Kawabata Yasunari

Reversi - strategic board game

Sadaharu Oh - professional baseball player

ShichiNarabe - Japanese card game

Shiritori - Japanese word game

Shogi - family of strategic board games

Shogi variant - game derived from Shoji

Sumo Wrestling - competition contact sport

Yomiuri Giants - baseball team in Japan

Yokozuna - highest rank in sumo wrestling

Yakult Swallows - professional baseball team in Japan

Japanese Myth & Media

Anpanman - Popular Japanese Children's Anime

Digimon - Japanese Anime Television Show

Kabuki - Traditional Form of Japanese Theater

Japanese TV Dramas - Common Japan Broadcast

Mega Man - Japanese Superhero

Godzilla - Japanese Movie Monster Legend

Hello Kitty - Japanese Cartoon Icon

Manga - Japanese Comic Strips

Anime - Japanese Adult Cartoons

Baka - Japanese Folk Tale (Story)

Kirin - Mythical Horned Deer-like Creature

The Great Mirror - Japanese historical tale

Tengu - mythical beasts of Japan

Urashima Taro - Japanese fairy tale

Religion in Japan

Amaterasu - Japanese Shinto Sun Goddess

Benzaiten - Japanese Goddess

Buddhism - Introduction to Japan

The Flourishing of Buddhism in Japan

Buddhism - Cultural Developments and Establishment in Japan

Buddhism - Core Beliefs & Values

Jizo - Japanese Buddhist Bodhisattva

JodoShinshu - Japanese School of Buddhism

Buddhism Beginnings - Religion in Japan

Buddhism Today - Religion in Japan

Christianity - Religion in Japan

Confucianism - Religion in Japan

Daoism - Religion in Japan

Shinto - Way of the gods

Shintoism Beginnings - Religion in Japan

Shintoism Today - Religion in Japan

DogenZenji - Japanese Buddhist Teacher

Ennin - Priest of the Tendai School of Japan

Four Guardian Gods - Buddhist Protectors

Pure Land - branch of mainstream Mahayana Buddhism

Hachiman - Japanese Shinto God of War

Kegon - Japanese Transmission of the Huayan School of Buddhism

Kikyo - Japanese Shrine Maiden

Kinhin - Japanese Meditation Practiced Between Periods of Zazen

Kokei - Japanese Buddhist Monk

Kotoamatsukami - Term Used in Japanese Shintoism

Mahayana - Major School of Buddhism

NichirenShoshu Buddhism - teachings of Japanese monk NichirenDaishonin

Omoikane - Shinto god of knowledge

Obon - Japanese Buddhist feast period

EnoshimaEngi - History of Temples on Enoshima Island Japan

Rinzai - founder of Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism

Ryokan - Zen Buddhist monk

Saicho - Japanese Buddhist monk

Seicho-No-Ie - monotheistic religion of Japanese origin

Sesshin - meditation in a Zen monastery

Seven Gods of Fortune

Shingon Buddhism - school of Japanese Buddhism

Shinran - Founder of JodoShinshu (True Pure Land) Buddhism in Japan

Yomi - Japanese for underworld, Hades or Hell

Zen - branch of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing practice of meditation

Zen teacher - person ordained in Zen Buddhism to teach the Dharma

Zendo - meditation hall

Torii - Japanese gates at entrance to Shinto shrines

TakuanSoho - figure in Rinzai variety of Zen Buddhism

SokaGakkai International - Buddhism of NichirenDaishonin organization

Soto - one of five sects of Zen-Buddhism

Tendai - Japanese school of Buddhism

Tenrikyo - universal religion of Japanese origin

New Religions in Japan

Religious Practice in Japan

FOOD IN JAPAN

Japanese Cooking Ingredients

Agedashi Tofu - Japanese Fried Tofu in Broth

Daikon - Japanese Radish

Dashi - Japanese Soup Stock

Miso - Japanese Fermented Soybean Paste

Mochi - Japanese Rice Dough

Niboshi - Japanese Dried Baby Sardines

Nori - Japanese Seaweed Paper

Shitake Mushrooms - Common Japanese Ingredient

Soy Sauce - Common Japanese Ingredient

Tofu - Japanese Bean Curd

Wasabi - Japanese Horseradish

Kamaboko - Japanese processed seafood

Katsuobushi - Japanese name for a preparation of dried and smoked bonito

Natto - Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans

Ponzu–CITRUS sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine

Japanese Cuisine

Bento - Japanese Lunch Box

Chopstick Etiquette in Japan

Japanese Food & Dining - Overview

Iron Chef - Japanese Cooking TV Show

Japanese Table Setting - Japanese Food Etiquette

Japanese Prepared Dishes

Dango - Japanese Rice Dumpling

Donburi - Japanese Mixed Bowl Dish

Gyoza - Japanese Fried Dumplings

Hiyayakko - Japanese Cold Tofu Block

Miso Soup - A Japanese Tradition

Nabemono - Japanese One Pot Stew

Okonomiyaki - Japanese Pan Fried Cake

Onigiri - Japanese Rice Ball Snacks

Osechi - Japanese New Year's Meal

Oyakodon - Japanese Rice Bowl Dish

Ramen - Japanese Popular Noodle Soup

Sashimi - Japanese Seafood With Dipping Sauce

Soba - Japanese Buckwheat Noodles

Sukiyaki - Japanese One Pot Dish

Sushi - A Japanese Tradition

Tempura - Japanese Deep Fried Seafood & Vegetables

Tonkatsu - Japanese Breaded Pork Cutlet

Udon - Japanese Wheat Noodles

Ochazuke - simple Japanese dish

Rice vinegar - fermented rice wine

Soybean - facts

Surimi - mincing and shaping fish & poultry

Taiyaki - Japanese pancake

Takoyaki - Japanese dumpling made of batter & octopus

Tentsuyu - Japanese tempura dipping sauce

Ume - Japanese apricot often called plum

Yakitori - Japanese type of chicken kebab

Yoshinoya - leading fast food chain in Japan

Japanese Desserts

Anmitsu - Japanese Traditional Dessert

Kakigori - Japanese Shaved Ice Dessert

Uiro - Japanese Sweet Rice Cake

Oshiruko - traditional Japanese dessert

Japanese Drinks

Green Tea - A Japanese Tradition

Sake - Japanese Rice Wine

Gyokuro - Premium Japanese Green

CALPIS- fermented milk drink.

General History

Japan's History - Complete Overview

Japan's History - Complete Timleline

WWI to WWII - Japan's History

First contact with the west - Japan's History

Tokyo's History - From Edo to Modern Japan Capitol

Okinawa History - Events Through 1945

The Lost Decade - Japan's History

Convention of Kanagawa - Commodore Perry Opens Trade

Hanshin Earthquake - Hyogo Japan, January 17, 1995

Heiji Rebellion - Rival Subjects of Emperor Go-Shirakawa

Japanese Era Name - Calendar Used to Count Years

Japanese Expansionism - Colonies Compete with Europeans

Japanese Peace Bell - Gift from Japan to United Nations

Kusanagi - Legendary Japanese Sword

Nakasendo - Road Connecting Edo to Kyoto in Japan

Ningen-sengen - Japan's sovereignty rests with the people

Radio Tokyo - Japan Broadcasting Corporation

Richard Sorge - spy for Soviet Union in Japan

Sessho and Kampaku - title of assistant to child emperor

South Manchuria Railway - founded by Japan in 1906

Taira - honorary surname bestowed by emperors

Yamashita's gold - gold looted from East and Southeast Asia

Yoshiwara - famous red-light district in Edo

Zaibatsu - Japanese term for "corporate monopoly"

Culture & People

Emishi - Natives of Hokkaido & Northern Honshu Japan

Kaibara - Japanese Neo-Confucian Philosoper and Botanist

Japanese American

Yukio Mishima - Japanese Author and Political Activist

Kawakami Gensai - One of Great Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu

Kukai - Japanese Monk, Scholar, and Artist

Miyamoto Musashi - Famous Japanese Swordsman

MurasakiShikibu - Japanese Novelist, Poet, and Servant

Philipp Franz von Siebold - Westerner teaches medicine

Mori Terumoto - Son of Mori Takamoto

Nagashino Castle - home of the Suganuma family

Naito Torajiro - Japanese historian

Nichiren - Buddhist monk in 13th century Japan

Nisei Japanese American - American of Japanese ancestry

Noguchi Hideyo - Japanese bacteriologist

Okubo Toshimichi - Japanese statesman & samurai

Otomo no Yakamochi - Japanese stateman and Waka poet

Ezo or Yezo - Old Name of the Ainu People of JapanBay, Yedo, Old, Japan

Sakamoto Ryoma - crucial in creation of a modern Japan navy

Suzuki Kantaro - 42nd Prime Minister of Japan and Vice Minister of the Navy

Taira no Kiyomori - general of the late Heian period

Taisho Emperor - 123rd Emperor of Japan

ToshizoHijikata - deputy leader of Shinsengumi

ToyotomiHideyori - successor of ToyotomiHideyoshi

ToyotomiHideyoshi - Japanese general who united Japan

Yokoi Shoichi - Japanese soldier living in a cave for 27 years

Yoshio Shinozuka - Imperial Army soldier

Historical Periods

Kofun Period - 250 AD to 538 AD

Asuka Period - 538 AD to 710 AD

Nara Period - 710 AD to 784 AD

Heian Period - 794 AD to 1185 AD

Kamakura Period - 1185 AD to 1333 AD

Muromachi Period - 1336 AD to 1573 AD

Nanboku-cho - part of Muromachi period

AzuchiMomoyama Period - 1568 AD to 1600 AD

Edo Period - 1600 AD to 1876 AD

Jomon Period - 10,000 BC to 300 BC

Sengoku Period - 1476 AD to 1615 AD

Yamato Period - 250 AD to 710 AD

Yayoi Period - 300 BC to 250 AD

Taisho period - time of the liberal movement 1912 - 1926

Military History

Guandong Army - Japanese Unit in Mainland China

Haguro - Nachi Class Heavy Cruiser Imperial Japanese Navy

Wars with China & Russia - Japan's History

Japanese Ship Naming Conventions

Japanese Submarine I-52 - Japanese Cargo Submarine

Hogen Rebellion - Japanese Civil War of 1156

Ko-hyoteki Class Submarine - Japanese Midget Submarines

Kurile Island conflict - Dispute Between Russia and Japan

Kuroki Itei - Japanese General

List of ships of the Japanese Navy

Marco Polo Bridge Incident - Japan's Imperial Army vs China

Military History of Japan

Military of Japan

Onoda Hiroo - Japanese army intelligence officer

OyamaIwao - Japanese field marshal

Purple code - US name for Japanese Foreign Office code

Nachi - Class of heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy