5. SAMURAI CULTURE
Samurai were the military nobility of feudal Japan
who served overlord Shoguns.
Samurais were expected to be educated, and
were influenced by the religious philosophies of
Buddhism, Zen, Shinto, and Confucianism.
The Samurais were disbanded in the late 1800s
during the Meiji Period.
However, Samurai culture was at the base of the
Japanese national identity as a martial nation.
6.
7. SHINTO
Shinto is animistic and polytheistic,
and devotees worship the Kami
deities and spirits, and ancestors.
Japan’s indigenous and largest
religion.
It is syncretic with Buddhism.
During the Meiji Period, Shinto was
declared Japan’s official state
religion, and the religion of the
Emperor.
There are three main types:
SHRINE SHINTO
SECT SHINTO
10. BUDDHISM
Buddhism is comprised
of a variety of teachings,
but a common
characteristic is learning
a way of life to bring
personal peace and
spiritual enlightenment.
THREE MAIN BRANCHES:
Mahayana,
Theravada,and
Vajrayana.
11. ZEN
A particular type of Mahayana
Buddhism.
Emerged in Japan around 1100, and
was particularly favored by the
Samurai culture.
Zen teaches meditation in order to
“awaken,” and live in the immediate
present, be spontaneous, and
liberated from self conscious and
judgmental thoughts.
12. CONFUCIANISM
An overall philosophy of life and
society.
Neo-Confucianism was introduced to
Japan in the 12th century and impacted
Japanese politics and social structure.
It emphasizes harmony, nature, and
humanism.
Neo-Confucianism supports a social
hierarchy in which each individual
fulfills the obligations of their place to
the fullest for the benefit of the entire
society.
13. BEHAVIOR IN JAPAN
They bow to greet one another and their king.
They have festivals to show respect for their land.
They also respect their land by not littering.
Old and special people get special greetings. For
example, people bow VERY low.
The Japanese use the carp (a type of fish) to
symbolize strength and courage.
They will hide their own feelings instead of hurting
another's.
They bow to people even when they talk on the
phone.
The lower you bow the more respect you give.
14. Bowing In Japan [Japanese Etiquette] The nod-bow, 5
degrees
Greeting
Bow, Eshaku ( 会
釈 ), 15 Degrees
Respect Bow, Keirei
( 敬礼 ), 30 degrees
Highest Respect
Bow, Saikeirei 最敬
礼 , 45 degrees
Kneeling Bow, Touch
Your Head To The
Floor
15. Two pages from a 12th-
century emakiscroll of The Tale of
Genji from the 11th century.
A page from Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles
of Japan), the second oldest book of
classical Japanese history.
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
26. JAPANESE CUISINE (FOOD)
They eat seafood like octopus, shark, and fish. The fish is also called sashimi. When
it is called this it’s dipped in soy sauce and horseradish mustard.
Rice is an important part of their meals. It is Japan’s biggest crop. The Japanese
people put raw fish over their rice.
Sushi is an important part of meals.
They use chopsticks to pick up their food.
The food is arranged to look beautiful on plates.
Some other things they eat are soup, sour pickles, seaweed, veggies, Tofu and
grilled chicken.
Present at all meals (“one soup, one side dish, and rice” for the minimum complete
meal)
30. JAPANESE CEREMONIES
Festivals in Japan are occasions to celebrate with families and to wear traditional
styles of clothing. They are an important part of life in Japan and can be enjoyed
in cities and towns throughout the country.
e.g.
Japanese cultural festival.
Japanese tea ceremony.
31. HINAMATSURI
Japanese doll festival
Japanese Festivals are
colorful celebrations
that reflect the countries
ancient religious beliefs,
this celebration for girls.
people believed the dolls
possessed the power to
conceal bad spirits in
their bodies and will save
the owner from
dangerous encounters.
33. Japanese tea ceremony
The first documented
evidence of tea
in Japan dates to the 9th
century, when it was taken
by the Buddhist
monk Eichū ( 永 忠 ) on his
return from China.
The entry in the Nihon
Kōki states that Eichū
personally prepared and
served sencha (unground
Japanese green tea) to
Emperor Saga who was on
an excursion in Karasaki (in
present Shiga Prefecture)
in the year 815
34. JAPANESE GAMES
Japan has its own traditional games as
well.
E.g.
Shiritori (in which the players are
required to say a word that begins
with the final kana of the previous
word)
Shogi
Sumo
Reversi
Kendo (Samurai and ninja do kendo
to train)
Baseball
Martial arts (is karate)
36. TAOISM
Pronounced “Daoism,” and means “the path.”
A synthesis of interrelated philosophies and
religious beliefs.
The three foundational “jewels’ of Taoism are
compassion, moderation, and humility.
Taoist philosophy emphasizes union of self and
nature, and non action: spontaneity,
transformation, and omnipotence through
emptiness.
Taoists worship nature and ancestor spirits.
37. ONI
Shugyo ascetics believe
Mount Akakura is
inhabited by dangerous
oni who can possess
them and cause harm.
Throughout Japan, oni
are considered to be
once but no longer
venerated indigenous
divinities that, because
they are not subjugated,
have become angry and
dangerous.
38. PLACES IN JAPAN TO VISIT
Hashima Island
Mount Fuji
Rainbow Bridge
Tokyo Tower
