PASSI CITY COLLEGE

City of Passi, Iloilo

SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

ENGLISH 114 – SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE

LESSON 7
Topics:
 Japan’s Historical Background
 Japanese Traditions

Lesson Overview:
This lesson includes historical background of Japan to know some facts
about the past. Also, 20 interesting Japanese traditions will be included here
for you to better understand the way Japanese live.

Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson the learner should have:
1. Discussed important facts about Japan.
2. Enumerated and identified Japanese traditions.

Introduction
Japan has hundreds of widely observed traditions associated with
ceremonies, rituals, holidays, celebrations, business and life in general. Many
are valued for making life more interesting. Others are associated with
etiquette, politeness, religion or old superstitions. Let us have the historical
background to begin.
Discussion

Few nations on Earth have had a more colorful history than Japan.

Settled by migrants from the Asian mainland back in the mists of prehistory,
Japan has seen the rise and fall of emperors, rule by samurai warriors,
isolation from the outside world, expansion over most of Asia, defeat, and
rebirth. One of the most war-like of nations in the early 20th century, Japan

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 1

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 PASSI CITY COLLEGE
City of Passi, Iloilo
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

today often serves as a voice of pacifism and restraint on the international

stage.
Capital and Major Cities
Capital: Tokyo
Major Cities: Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Kyoto, Fukuoka
Government
Japan has a constitutional monarchy, headed by an emperor. The current
emperor is Akihito; he wields very little political power, serving primarily as
the symbolic and diplomatic leader of the country.

The political leader of Japan is the Prime Minister, who heads the Cabinet.
Japan's bicameral legislature is made up of a 465-seat House of
Representatives and a 242-seat House of Councillors.

Japan has a four-tier court system, headed by the 15-member Supreme

Court. The country has a European-style civil law system.

Population

Japan is home to about 126,672,000 people. Today, the country suffers from
a very low birth rate, making it one of the most rapidly aging societies in the
world.

The Yamato Japanese ethnic group comprises 98.5 percent of the population.
The other 1.5 percent includes Koreans (0.5 percent), Chinese (0.4 percent),
and the indigenous Ainu (50,000 people). The Ryukyuan people of Okinawa
and neighboring islands may or may not be ethnically Yamato.

Languages
The vast majority of Japan's citizens (99 percent) speak Japanese as their
primary language.

Japanese is in the Japonic language family, and seems to be unrelated to

Chinese and Korean. However, Japanese has borrowed heavily from Chinese,
English, and other languages. In fact, 49 percent of Japanese words are
loanwords from Chinese, and 9 percent come from English.

Three writing systems coexist in Japan: hiragana, which is used for native
Japanese words, inflected verbs, etc.; katakana, which is used for non-
Japanese loanwords, emphasis, and onomatopoeia; and kanji, which is used
to express the large number of Chinese loanwords in the Japanese language.
Religion

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 2

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7
 PASSI CITY COLLEGE
City of Passi, Iloilo
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Most Japanese citizens practice a syncretic blend of Shintoism and

Buddhism. Very small minorities practice Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and
Sikhism.

The native religion of Japan is Shinto, which developed in prehistoric times. It

is a polytheistic faith, emphasizing the divinity of the natural world.
Shintoism does not have a holy book or founder. Most Japanese Buddhists
belong to the Mahayana school, which came to Japan from Baekje Korea in
the sixth century.

In Japan, Shinto and Buddhist practices are combined into a single religion,
with Buddhist temples being built at the sites of important Shinto shrines.

Geography

The Japanese archipelago includes more than 3,000 islands, covering a total
area of 377,835 square kilometers (145,883 square miles). The four main
islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

Japan is largely mountainous and forested, with arable land making up only
11.6 percent of the country. The highest point is Mount Fuji, at 3,776 meters
(12,385 feet). The lowest point is Hachiro-gata, which sits at four meters
below sea level (-12 feet).

Positioned astride the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan features a number of

hydrothermal features such as geysers and hot springs. The country suffers
frequent earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
Climate

Stretching 3,500 km (2,174 miles) from north to south, Japan includes a

number of different climate zones. It has a temperate climate overall, with
four seasons.

Heavy snowfall is the rule in the winter on the northern island of Hokkaido; in
1970, the town of Kutchan received 312 cm (over 10 feet) of snow in a single
day. The total snowfall for that winter was more than 20 meters (66 feet).

The southern island of Okinawa, in contrast, has a semi-tropical climate with

an average annual temperate of 20 Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). The
island receives about 200 cm (80 inches) of rain per year.

Economy

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 3

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7
 PASSI CITY COLLEGE
City of Passi, Iloilo
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Japan is one of the most technologically advanced societies on Earth; as a

result, it has the world's third largest economy by GDP (after the U.S. and
China). Japanese exports include automobiles, consumer and office
electronics, steel, and transportation equipment. Imports include food, oil,
lumber, and metal ores.

Economic growth stalled in the 1990s, but since has rebounded to a quietly
respectable 2 percent per year. Per capita GDP in Japan is $38,440; 16.1
percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

Japan: Historical Background

Much of Japan's early culture, including art, language, Buddhism and
Confucianism was derived from China and, over the years, has become
Japanese.

During a period of civil wars in the fifteenth and sixteenth a feudal

system, much like that of medieval Europe, developed. Each lord had his
knights, or samurai, who were bound to them by oaths of fealty. But it wasn't
until the middle of the sixteenth century that the western world became
interested in this island nation.

In 1542 a Portuguese mariner, Fernando Mendez Pinto was wrecked

there and brought back such glowing reports of the country that Portugal
established a trading mission at Nagasaki. Soon Dutch merchants and
European missionaries followed. In 1600 Tokugawa Ieyasu won a victory over
the western lords and in 1603 became the Shogus, founding a dynasty which
effectively ruled Japan until 1867. An Englishman, William Adams, who had
served under Sir Francis Drake and had been a pilot for the Barbary
merchants, joined a Dutch fleet which sailed for Japan. After a troubled
beginning there, the Shogun, Tokugawa, took a liking to him, and he was
given a house. Jesuits and Japanese missionaries Christians acted as
interpreters. The emperor sent for him and asked him to build a ship.
Although Adams knew nothing about shipbuilding, he was so successful that
the Emperor gave him two swords (the mark of a samurai). He also taught
the emperor some mathematics. Although Adams had a wife in England, the
emperor declared that William Adams was dead and reborn as Miura Anjin,
free to marry again. He married a high-born Japanese woman, but eventually
wished to go home. Permission was refused, he built another, larger ship and
had over 80 retainers. He died in Japan in 1620. James Clavell's novel
Shogun based on his experiences.

Soon the Exclusion Decrees were published and Japan was closed to
the West. After it was reopened in 1854, the Western world became
fascinated with all things Japanese. Commodore Perry had opened to view a

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 4

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7
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City of Passi, Iloilo
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

society and culture which had been hidden for hundreds of years. Soon
exhibitions of Japanese art opened throughout the United States and Europe
and japonisme became the rage as chinoiserie had been a century before.
Japanese motifs such as bridges, fans, cranes, butterflies, and bamboo were
incorporated into Western art and furnishings. Literature also responded to
the influx of new themes. Poets such as Whitman, Longfellow and Yeats
incorporated Japanese images into their works. Stories set in Japanese locals
were written and several of these merged into the one depicted in Puccini's
Madama Butterfly.

Interesting Japanese Traditions

The following represent some of Japan's most popular traditions.

1. Bonenkai Parties

Bonenkai are Japanese office parties held in December. The term literally
means "forget the year party." Most companies hold at least one. In many
cases they are held at the company, department and team levels. People
also have bonenkai with friends. All of these parties make it difficult to get
reservations at popular izakaya in December.

2. Fukusasa Lucky Bamboo Branches

Several shrines in Japan hold a market to sell bamboo branches decorated

with lucky items to local business people in January. The biggest of these
events, the Toka Ebisu Festival in Osaka attracts more than a million people.
Armies of Miko are hired to decorate the branches known as Fukusasa.

3. Zabuton Throwing

Sumo stadiums typically offer tatami sections with zabuton pillow seats. It's
customary to express your frustration with the result of a sumo match by
throwing your zabuton pillow.

4. Yamayaki Mountain Burning

The Japanese language has a single word for burning down a mountain:
yamayaki. A yamayaki is a festival that involves burning the vegetation from
a mountain before Spring. These can be visually stunning and are often
combined with a fireworks show. Various stories are used to explain how the

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 5

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7
 PASSI CITY COLLEGE
City of Passi, Iloilo
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

tradition began including ancient land disputes and problems with wild
boars.

5. Mamemaki Bean Throwing

Setsubun is a Japanese holiday celebrated on the eve before spring

according to the Japanese lunar calendar. It's traditionally believed that the
spirit world comes close to our world at this time and that demons are likely
to appear. On Setsubun, parents throughout Japan put on an oni mask and
try to scare their kids. The kids in turn throw roasted soybeans to scare the
demon away.

6. Mochi Making

Mochi are rice cakes traditionally made by pounding a variety of rice known
as mochigome with a large wooden mallet. The result is a paste that's
formed into shapes such as blocks. Mochi are an ingredient in a wide variety
of simple foods and are extremely popular. Much like bread, it's rare to meet
someone who doesn't like mochi.
Factory produced mochi and mochi-making home appliances are widely
available. However, many families enjoy making it the traditional way for
special occasions such as New Years.

7. Ehomaki Sushi Rolls

Ehomaki are a Setsubun tradition that involves eating an entire uncut roll of
sushi while facing a lucky direction that changes each year. This was once
only practiced in Osaka but has spread nationwide in recent years due to the
marketing efforts of Japanese convenience stores. Eating ehomaki is an
auspicious activity that's done in complete silence.

8. KFC On Christmas Eve

The Japanese are familiar with the western custom of eating a turkey dinner
for Christmas. However, turkeys are difficult to find in Japan and most ovens
in Japanese apartments and homes are too small for a turkey. As a
substitute, many people prepare a roast chicken dinner instead. It's also
remarkably popular to eat KFC on Christmas Eve. There are long queues at

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 6

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7
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SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

every KFC in the country on this day. Naturally, KFC encourages this with
intensive marketing and Christmas themed sets.
9. Sumo Salt
Sumo wrestlers purify the ring when they enter by tossing salt up in the air.
Some wrestlers are particularly good at making a show of this by tossing the
salt dramatically towards the ceiling. This tradition is related to a ritual
known as Harae that's used to purify Shinto Shrines. Although it's often
translated "purification", Harae is really an exorcism that's believed to drive
out bad spirits.

10. Towel On Head At Onsen

Onsen are one of Japan's favorite pastimes. According to local traditions

onsen waters must remain pure and people completely bathe before
entering the water. People bring a small towel into the bath area for this
purpose. The towel has been used to wash and shouldn't enter the bath
water. This is a predicament because there's often no place to put the
towels. The traditional solution is to put it on your head.

11. Bowing

Bowing is an important tradition in Japan that applies to a wide variety of

situations from sports to weddings. They vary from slight bows when
greeting a friend to a rare deep kowtow for a profound apology.

12. Love Locks

Any spot in Japan that's considered romantic such as observation decks with
a good view of a city are always busy with couples. One old tradition
amongst couples is to write a message on a lock and leave it at a romantic
spot. Typically, the couple then throws the key somewhere it can never be
retrieved such as into the sea. Japan has dozens of love lock spots such as
the Love Bell of Enoshima Island. In most locations, the tradition is
encouraged by the attraction. It's very unusual for couples in Japan to leave
behind a love lock without permission.

13. Floating Lanterns

The Japanese tradition of floating lanterns in rivers, known as Toro Nagashi is

a ceremony that represents the journey of souls to the afterlife. It's used to

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 7

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7
 PASSI CITY COLLEGE
City of Passi, Iloilo
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

celebrate the Japanese Obon holiday, a time of year when it's believed that
the spirits of loved ones return to the world. Toro Nagashi ceremonies are
also used to commemorate tragic events such as the Atomic Bombing of
Hiroshima.

14. Sitting Seiza

Seiza is a traditional way to sit on Japanese tatami floors. It's considered the
appropriate way to sit at formal occasions such as rituals at a Shinto Shrine.
It's also widely used in Japanese martial arts where posture may be strictly
corrected. The average person finds seiza challenging to hold for long
periods of time. Older people and anyone who isn't practiced at it find it
extremely difficult and are typically forgiven if they need to sit with their legs
in front of them.

15. Dondo Yaki

Dondo Yaki is the tradition of burning lucky items such as Omikuji at Shinto
Shrines in January. It's considered bad form to throw luck items in the trash,
instead they should be burned. Auspicious items sold by shrines are often
decorated with the Japanese zodiac symbol of the current year and it's
thought to be bad luck to hold on to them after the year ends.

16. Hatsuhi Sunrise

Hatsuhi, literally "first sun", is the Japanese tradition of waking up to see the
first sunrise of the year on New Year's Day. In Japan, families have a big
traditional breakfast on New Year's Day and usually wake up early anyway.
The day is associated with numerous rituals and pastimes.

17. Fundoshi at Festivals

Fundoshi are traditional Japanese loincloths that were historically worn as

men's underwear and as outwear by laborers and rickshaw drivers. Today
they are commonly worn to festivals. They are also famously worn by sumo
wrestlers.

18. Summer Yukata

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 8

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7
 PASSI CITY COLLEGE
City of Passi, Iloilo
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Yukata are inexpensive traditional cotton robes that are widely worn to
summer matsuri in Japan. They are worn by both men and women and help
to give events a festive feel.

19. Irasshaimase!

Irasshaimase is the traditional way to welcome customers in Japan that's

essentially an ultra-polite way to say "please come in." It's said by staff in
Japan when they first see a customer. Staff at busy locations such as
department stores might say it thousands of times a day, each time a
customer passes. At izakaya it's common for all the staff to yell
"Irasshaimase!" in unison whenever a customer enters. This can have quite a
dramatic effect when done right. Most Japanese businesses take this
welcoming phase quite seriously. Staff who welcome customers with an
apathetic tone may be disciplined. As a customer, there's no need to reply to
irasshaimase.

20. Rooster Rakes

Tori-no-ichi, literally "Rooster Rake", is the Japanese business custom of

buying a bamboo rake decorated with lucky symbols at the end of the year.
Markets for Tori-no-ichi pop up all over Japan on the days of the rooster in
November. It's common for business people to negotiate a price for their
rake. When a deal is stuck it's sealed with a traditional hand clapping ritual.
Summary
To sum up, this lesson discussed the historical background of Japan,
the different countries that influenced the way of living of the people living
there. In addition, Japanese traditions were also presented in this module
which best represent the lifestyles of Japanese.

References
https_www.sdopera.org_Content_Operapaedia_Operas_MadamaButterfly_JapanHistoricalBackground
Interesting Japanese Traditions (www.japan-talk.com)
https://www.thoughtco.com/japan-facts-and-history-195581

INSTRUCTOR: MS. JAROL S. BATILARAN, LPT 9

ENGLISH 114 | SURVEY OF AFRO-ASIAN LITERATURE LESSON 7