Guide to Culture in Japan

Female: Japan has a rich culture that dates back thousands of years. Some of the most recognizable of Japanese Culture are Sushi, Geishas, and samurai.

For many people in the east and west, Sushi is the perfect choice for a quick lunch, dinner, or just a snack. Sushi is known for its health properties. Instead for reaching for a greasy burger, people know that Sushi contains the goodness of seaweed, vegetables, and seafood while rice makes for a filling dish. And the use of seaweed wrapped around the Sushi roll, means that it is perfect to eat with your hands on the run. And it is not just chance that make Sushi the perfect field on the go.

During the Edo Period in Japan, this type of Sushi was created by street vendors outside theaters so people could eat easily with their hands. The traditional form of Sushi is fermented fish and rice preserved with salt. The term Sushi literally means “it’s sour”. It came about when Sushi was fermented with vinegar rice to make it last longer.

Wasabi is the most popular condiment to spice up Sushi dishes. Wasabi is made by finely grading, the wasabi root vegetable. It is similar to horseradish or hot mustard and is harvested across Japan. Other ingredients use to add flavor to Sushi are soy and pickled ginger. Once dressed with this variety spices and flavors, Sushi truly is the best fast food.

The ancient tradition of Geisha is one of the most fascinating in the modern world. Geisha are women who dedicate their lives to specific dress and skills. They are well versed in the arts of conversation, singing, dancing, playing music and entertaining. Geisha are the perfect hosts. They’re often hired for parties or business meetings where they ensure all participants are enjoying themselves.

The tradition of Geisha goes back hundreds of years. It stems from having royal entertainers like court gestures who were all male. As women began to take on the role, they were known as Una Geisha or woman artist. Geisha numbers peaked in the 1920s with around 80,000 practicing Geisha. Today members are between 1000 and 2000.

It takes a lifetime of training and dedication to become a Geisha. To begin with, they must complete difficult tasks as maids design to make or break them. Following their success in this stage, they will become Maiko, apprentice Geisha. This stage of training includes dance, singing, playing music, conversation skills, gaming, and serving tea. Their skills are often utilized by businessmen trying to strike a deal together who need to make sure both parties will have a good time.

Samurai is an important part of Japanese culture. It has help to define the philosophies and way of life. Samurai began around 1500 years ago. This samurai were members of the military class, the Japanese warriors. Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns. But their most famous weapon and their symbol was the sword.

Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the Ethic Code of Bushido, the way of the warrior. Strongly Confucian in nature, Bushido stressed concept such as loyalty to ones master, self discipline, and respectful ethical behavior.

Samurai developed their own cultures that influenced Japanese culture as a whole. The culture associated to the samurai such as the Tea Ceremony, monochrome ink painting, rock gardens, and poetry were adopted by warrior patrons throughout the centuries 1200 to 1600.

The philosophies of Buddhism and Zen and to the lesser extent Confucianism and Shinto influence the samurai culture and have come to influence Japanese Culture.