Japan’s culture

Japan is known to be the “Land of the Rising Sun”. It originated from the
word “Nippon” or “Nihon” which means “the land of the rising sun”. Japan has
two main religions: Shinto and Buddhism. Shinto is a Japanese religion, while
Buddhism was imported in the 6th century from China.

Japan national language is Japanese, which is the primary spoken

language across the country. Old Japanese, or “Kanbun”, originated from
China and the earliest Japanese text, the “Kojiki”, was written in the early 8th
century and primarily in ancient Chinese characters. Modern Japanese
developed during the Edo period, between 1603 1868. Modern Japanese
consists of three alphabets: Kanji (logographic Chinese characters), Hiragana (a
phonetic Japanese alphabet) and Katakana (a phonetic alphabet used for
foreign words). The development and widespread use of katakana is illustrative
of Japan’s recent adaption of Western cultures, ideas and words.

Japan earliest culture was heavily influenced by China. During the Edo
Era, Japan exercised a strict isolationist policy, closing its doors to all relationships
with the outside world. However, Japan reversed this practice, adopting cultural
practices from all over the world and mixing them with what was already
established. Over the years, Western culture has influenced all aspects of
Japanese culture including art, lifestyle and food.

Japan celebrates different occasions but New Year’s celebration is their

largest holiday. During spring and summer, celebrations for the gods of the land
and sea or Matsuri, take place. Each town holds its own Matsuri, and these
celebrations are widely attended by all.

Japan is fond of sport play which has a significant role in Japanese

culture. Sumo, judo and karate are traditional Japanese sports and baseball,
soccer and rugby have been adopted from other cultures. Sumo is the national
sport of Japan and to this day is primarily practiced only in Japan. Modern sumo
was formed during the Edo era and little has changed since.

Japan’s family structure is called “Kazoku”, a traditional family unit, which

compromising of a mother, father and their children. Traditionally, the Kazoku
often live with their elderly parents. However, more recently, three generation
household numbers have fallen in favour of more modern arrangements.

Japanese food is primarily fish. Japan is the number one fish importer in
the world, consuming around 12% of the world’s caught fish. The most well-
known Japanese dish is probably sushi, a dish that includes fresh fish, seaweed
and lightly-seasoned rice. Japanese also eat beef, poultry and pork as part of
their daily diets.

These things show that Japanese Cultures changes a lot. Japan is a nation
shaped by its rapid transition from isolationism to globalism. It represents a fusion
of old world culture with newer Western practices.
 REQUIREMENTS
IN
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND POLITICS

PREPARED BY:

JOVYLEEN CREDO
RIZCHELLE TRINIDAD
CHRISTINE FELESMENIA

SUBMITTED TO:

MS. IZRA ENCOY