JAPANESE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS HOLLIDAY AND CELEBRATION IN JAPAN CULTURE
● Cultural events every month to show
“appreciation in new beginnings”
● Harmony and hardworking ● New Year’s Eve
● 10th century similar culture to Chinese o Visit shrine after midnight on December
● Heian (samurai) and Edo period change society 31 to make a wish
● Deeply influenced by Shinto, Buddhism, ● Cherry Blossom Festival (April)
Confucianism o Celebrate in picnics under Sakura trees
● Kimono, tea ceremony, and arts are preserved ● Obon Holiday (August
despite o western influence o People visit in hometown to
● Japanese people always display modesty and commemorate the spirits who passed
humility away
● People in Japan is obsessed with Hygiene
ETIQUTTE IN JAPAN CULTURE
● Individuals are less important
JAPANESE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
● Being on time means arriving 5-10 minutes
COMMON JAPANESE CUSTOMS early.
● Avoid speaking on the phone in public
● Taking off shoes when entering a house
transportation.
● Wearing mask when sick
● Do not pass food using chopsticks (resembles a
● Bowing 45 degree as respect (“I am not above
funeral ritual).
you. I respect you.)
● Never write a person's name in red ink.
● Slurping noodles considered polite
● Chrysanthemums (white/yellow) should not be
● Washing hands before entering shrine
given to sick people.
● Using special slippers on CR
● Not returning a personal favor by gifting a box
● Throwing beans at demons during Setsubun
of sweets
Festival
● Taking or giving something by only using one
● Eating osechi ryori in New Year
hand
● Bathing in the evening rather than morning
● Not showering before entering hot spring
● Wearing Yukata (summer kimono) in summer
festival JAPANESE MYTHOLOGY AND LEGENDS
JAPANESE FESTIVALS ● Myths were originally mentioned at Kojiki and
Nihon Shoki books
● Higher number of festivals rather than other
● Izanami and Izanagi
country
o Siblings that create japan
● Related to harvest season and seasonal changes
● Sun God Amaterasu
● the 47 Japanese prefectures have a different
o Izanagi child
festival
o Mirror, jewel and sword sacred
● usually takes place in summer
belongings
● Gion Festival (Kyoto)
● Gimmu
o Largest Parade in Japan
o First Japan emperor
o Dating back 800s
o Grandson of Amaterasu
o Similar to Coronavirus
● Awa Odori Festival (Tokushima) CREATURES AND MONSTERS IN JAPANESE CULTURE
o Dance Festival
● Youkai / akuma
o During Obon week
o Evil character in folk stories
● Nebuta Festival (Aomori)
o Honor ancient warrior in Northern Japn
The three most commonly known “youkai” characters ○ geisha neighborhood
are: ● 5000 usd a night performance private geisha
● - Tengu
o It has a distinctive long nose. It is not
IKIGAI
always evil
o the protective demon of Buddhist ● the japanese secret to a long and happy life
temples.
● Yuki Onna
o The snow woman with long dark hair
wearing a white dress. More common in
stories from Northern Japan.
● Hitotsume Kozo:
o A one-eyed bald child in folk stories.
● Kappa
o Water creature that loves cucumbers.
● Kyūbi no Kitsune
o Nine-tailed fox with magical powers.
● Oni
o Demon-like creatures often seen in
folklore and festivals.
●
SUMO WRESTLING
Rule Hiragana Katakana
● emerged as a shinto ceremony to entertain gods
● the sumo wrestling ring, there is usually a roof Basic 46 characters 46 characters
of a shinto shrine Alphabet
● throw salt on to the stage for symbolic
purification and do irregular warm up routines
to scare evil spirits away. Dakuten が, ざ, だ, ば ガ, ザ, ダ, バ
● 20-30 seconds round (゛)
● 4 mins - referee ask for break
● chanko nabe - high calorie dish Handakute ぱ, ぴ, ぷ, ぺ, ぽ パ, ピ, プ, ペ, ポ
○ Beef stew and vegs hot pot n (゜)
● 20,000 calories per day intake
GEISHA Small "っ/ Doubles Doubles consonant
ッ" consonant
● means the person of art
● 1st appeared as men to entertain
Small "ゃ, Blended sounds Blended sounds
● maiko
ゅ, ょ" (きゃ, しゅ) (キャ, シュ)
○ apprentice of geisha
○ 5 years without phone and family
● professional geishas know all major japanese Long ああ, いい, うう, え Uses ー (e.g., スー
cultural traditions and arts Vowels い, おう パー)
● Kyoto
HIRAGANA
Aki autumn
eki station
ashita tomorrow
chikatetsu subway
yūmei famous
yōfuku Western clothes
chizu map
jisho dictionary
Sore o misete kudasai Please show me that
Watashi wa nihonjin desu I am Japanese
KATAKANA
sōsēji sausage
tsuna tuna
ressun lesson
erebētā elevator
kōku coke
chokorēto chocolate
wain wine
toire toilet
sakkā soccer
rūru rule
