Japanese Gardens

Japanese gardens first came into prominence during the Asuka period( 538-710). These original gardens were meant to express Buddhism and Taoism by replicating the mountainous regions of China. These gardens can be found in ruins in Fujiwara and Heijyo castle towns.


The next type of garden that emerged was during the Heian Period. (794-1185) this is when the gardens began to move from being purely religious to becoming a place for ceremonies, amusement and even contemplation. These gardens would often be featured in front of mansions or what was called the south side. These gardens would include water that would flow through artificial waterways before ending in a pond that would have small floating islands. Very few of these gardens exist today but their formation and description is found in old texts.

Near the end of this period the style of the gardens would shift once again. This was due to the influence of Pure-Land Buddhism. This caused the homes and gardens of the Japanese to be modeled after the Amitabha hall style which was a shift from the Shinden style.

The next period of gardening was during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1185-1573). During this period gardens evolved due to better gardening techniques and the spread of zen beliefs. Zen beliefs had a large influence on the design of gardens and it was during this period that dry designs began to get popular. Gardens also grew in popularity during this period due to the fact that the Shoguns truly enjoyed them.

This explains why during the Edo period (1603-1868) the gardens drifted even further away from religion and more to express the power and prestige of the Shogun. It became typical for the garden to represent the tastes and desires of the Shogun himself.

During the Meiji period traditional gardens are owned by businessmen and politicians. Today many of these extensive and beautiful gardens are open for public viewing some of which are found in Kyoto and Tokyo.

Samurai Armor

The samurai were well known throughout Japan and the world for their fighting skills. Despite the fact that they were most commonly remembered for their swords and skills, their armor was also a very impressive sight.


The first dedicated attempt at armor for these highly trained warriors was plate armor in the 5th and 6th centuries. This armor was short lived and popular culture recognizes the armor as wearing a different type of armor.

The lamellar armor is what the samurai are most known for. This armor is made by binding metal scales together to create a plate. These plates were then covered with lacquer so that they would be able to withstand water. The plates were bound together with leather in a way that each plate slightly overlapped the other. This reduced the ability of an enemy to find a gap between the armor.

There are two main type of lamellar armor. The Yoroi armor was worn by the samurai who were honorable enough to be mounted. This type of armor featured a metal helmet and very striking shoulder guards. This armor was considered to be relatively heavy since the samurai had the aid of the horse.

The second type of armor was Do-Maru. This was the armor that was worn by the samurai who fought on foot. This armor was much lighter than the Yoroi armor because the samurai had to be able to walk and fight efficiently in the armor. This type of armor was also more closely fitted as the fighters on the ground were more vulnerable.

Eventually the Do-Maru armor became the most popular because hand to hand combat became more prevalent. The helmet of this armor was called the kabuto and they were often riveted together in distinctive patterns. The more important the samurai the more intricate the helmet and the more likely that it would be decorated with clan symbols. Some of these helmets are so intricate that today they are considered to be works of art.

To get dressed the samurai would first don an undergarment. This would then be covered by a kimono and a pad would be placed on the head to make wearing the heavy helmet more bearable. The samurai would then put on the Do which was the main torso armor and it hangs from the shoulders. On top of the Do would be Tsurubashiri which was a leather covering that went over the Do. This would often have colorful and intricate designs. Then the Sendan-no-ita, kyubi-no-ita would be placed over the shoulders. These metal plates hang down from the shoulders and protect the leather strands which bind the Do together. Finally there would be the Kote which was an armored sleeve placed on the left arm. The right arm was left uncovered so that the samurai would be able to fire a bow. This practice continued even after the samurai no longer practiced archery.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Contrary to what many people may believe but the practice of drinking tea it not native to Japan. Rather it was brought to the country in the 9th century by a Chinese monk. According to the legend tea had already been known to China for thousands of years before it was introduced to Japan. The practice of drinking tea became popular in Japan first for medical reasons and later simply for pleasure.


In China a writer named Lu Yu wrote a Treatise on Tea that described the proper preparation and cultivation of tea. He belonged to a religion that would later be known in Japan as Zen Buddhism. Many of his ideas would later be incorporated into Japan’s tea ceremony.

Tea as a matter of ceremony did not truly develop until the 12th century when a new type of tea was introduced called matcha. This tea was a powdered green tea which was produced from the same plant as black tea but it was unfermented. This tea became very popular in Buddhist temples throughout the 12th century and by the 13th century the samurai had begun preparing and drinking matcha. It is from these beginnings that the tea ceremony developed.

The meaning behind the tea ceremony can be different for many but perhaps one of the most well known meanings of the tea ceremony was laid out by Sen no Rikyu. He introduced the concept of ichi-go ichi-e which means one time, one meeting. The idea was the each meeting between people was something to be treasured because that meeting could never be recreated.

The tea ritual itself is very subdued by bound by tradition. There two schools the Omotesenke and Urasenke which have evolved and created their own rituals for the tea ceremony. The ceremony is so deliberate that even the washing of the utensils is done with prescribed movements and in front of the guests. The tea ceremony must be performed in a tea house, rather than a tea room and there is usually very little conversation to take place.

These ceremonies can last anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours depending on the type of ceremony performed. The host of the ceremony will typically wear a kimono while the guests may choose to wear kimonos or other types of subdued formal wear. Since this ceremony is so steeped in history and tradition the objects used during the tea ceremony are often irreplaceable antiques that have been passed down for generations.

Kimono

The Japanese kimono has become a very striking part of Japanese culture and one of the most popular aspects of Japanese culture. It is perhaps surprising that these traditional garments were influenced by traditional Han Chinese clothing. It was around the 8th century that Chinese garments began to gain popularity in Japan.


It was during the Heian period (794-1192) that the kimono became very stylized but was still featured with a half-apron over it. Then during the Muromachi age (1392-1573) that the kimono went through another transformation, the Kosode which was considered to be underwear began to be worn without the hakama over it.

Without the hakama (trousers, divided skirt)the kimono needed a way to remain closed, and so a belt or Obi was added. The final major change to the kimono came during the Edo period (1603-1867) when the sleeves grew in length, especially among unmarried women. The Obi also became much wider. After this period the design and shape of both male and female kimonos remained relatively the same.

The process of making the kimono is considered by many to be an artistic process with only the finest silks being used. Traditional kimono makers will sew the entire kimono by hand but even machine made kimonos have a significant amount of hand stitching.

There are both formal and informal types of kimonos. A formal kimono will have a free style design dyed over the surface of the kimono. An informal kimono will have a repeat pattern dyed or will be woven. In some cases the pattern on the kimono will also determine the season in which it is to be worn. For example a pattern that combines butterflies and cherry blossoms would be worn in Spring while watery themed designs are worn in summer.

A proper kimono is not cheap with a woman’s kimono costing more than $10,000 but a full kimono outfit could easily run more than $20,000. But this is not a price that the majority of Japanese will pay, rather there are kimono designs that are far less extravagant and much less expensive. There is even a booming market for second hand kimonos and machine crafted kimonos. Some people will even use patterns and create their own kimonos.

Japanese Maiko & Geisha

The Geisha are traditional entertainers in Japanese culture. Many parts of their profession are still shrouded in secrecy but they are not considered to be prostitutes. Their focus has always been upon learning the traditional Japanese arts and using their skills to impress wealthy men.

In the past Geisha girls (Called Maiko) would spend nearly their entire lives training for their future profession. Geisha houses would buy young girls from poor families and then take over the responsibility of caring for them and raising them. A geisha girl (Maiko) would then spend the rest of her training living within the Geisha house. She would pay for her education and board by eventually becoming an assistant to a senior Geisha and then becoming a Geisha herself. In order to become Geisha, Maiko had to learn many skills such as song, drum, and arts of gracious etiquette. Once viewed as full-fledged, Maiko was allowed to become Geisha.

Today it is to longer the practice to buy young girls but instead becoming a Geisha is entirely voluntary. Girls will typically enter Geisha training in their late teens. These women will learn the arts of poetry, music, dance and other forms of entertainment.

There is a belief among many non-Japanese that Geisha are akin to prostitution but this has never been the case. It has been known for some prostitutes to try and capitalize on the popularity of the Geisha, but a true Geisha will never involve herself in sexual relations with her clients. In the past it was common for a Geisha to take a “Danna” or patron who would pay for her costs of living. This patron could be a wealthy man, sometimes married who is able to take on the high costs of Geisha training. The Geisha may or may not have been in love with her patron but sexual intimacy between the two was never part of a financial agreement. But still today the truth about this relationship is unknown even among many Japanese.

The number of true Geisha in Japan has been gradually dwindling, in the 1920s there were tens of thousands of Geisha but today their numbers are less than 2000. A Geisha’s time can be measured in a number of different ways and one of the most traditional is for it to be measured in the amount of time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Yoshitoku Doll Company

Yoshitoku was founded in 1711, Edo era, as Doll and Toy Wholesaler. The 6Th Edo Shogun gave the name “Yoshino-ya” (Shop name) with the first name “Tokubei”. The name “Yoshi-Toku” came from the combination of the shop name and the first name. The name “Tokubei” has been inherited to the next generation through its 300 year history.
Yoshitoku, first of the kind, with its tradition and the high quality of artistic craftsmanship, has dealt in Doll for girl, Miniature Armor & Helmet for boy (Yoroi / Kabuto), and other arts & crafts. Yoshitoku name is branded as it has delivered many art & crafts to Japanese Royal family at the princess and the prince birth. The tradition will be carried on to the next generation orever.

The picture is Yoshitoku 11th Tokubei presented a Ichimatsu doll to Princess Diana.

Battledore

Hanetsuki (battledore and shuttlecock) began in the 14th century. According to the pictures which depict Hanetsuki in the 1600's, the exorcism ceremony of New Year’s Day in the imperial court were drawn on the battledore. When the battledore started to bear paddled pictures of the figures of Kabuki actors in the latter part of the Edo period, it became much more gorgeous and became popular among commoners. The reason for displaying battledore and presenting a battledore to the newly born baby girl is to dispel ill sprits so that she will grow up healthy.

Hina Doll

From the ancient Japan, people transferred their misfortunes befallen them to dolls and exorcised them on March 3rd. The dolls are called “Hitogata” which is human figure made of paper or straw and used to be set adrift at sea or down a river. This custom was connected with “doll-house-play” among girls during the 8th century and developed into Hina Festival of today. Today, just as olden day households with young girls, we display Hina Dolls and celebrate Hina Festival to pray for their happiness on March 3rd.

Samurai Yoroi / Kabuto

At the beginning of Edo period Samurai families used to display Armor and Helmet to celebrate the birth of a boy while ordinary citizens used a hand-made helmet called Iris Helmet to decorate the gateway. In the later years of Edo period, this display was moved indoors and the armor was added to it. Its handcraft has become sophisticated and they are displayed on chest with the wish of the boy’s heath and prosperity.

Japanese Kanji

Kanji refers to the symbols and characters that are currently used in modern Japanese writing. The characters were first introduced to Japan on articles that were brought to Japan from China. One of the first instances of these imports from China was a gold given by the emperor of the Han dynasty in 57 AD. In fact the term kanji is literally translated to “Han characters.”

There is no way of knowing when the Japanese began learning and using classical Chinese on their own. The first Japanese documents were probably written by Chinese immigrants because at the time the characters were introduced to Japan, the Japanese had no written language of their own. Eventually the emperor formed groups of people called fuhito whose task it was to read and write Classical Chinese.

Over time a form of writing known as kanbun developed in which Chinese characters were accented with diacritical marks in order to allow Japanese speakers to rewrite the Chinese characters in a way that was in accordance with Japanese grammar. Today kanji is used in modern Japanese to write parts of speech such as nouns, adjective stems and verb stems.

Another form of writing known as hiragana is used for inflected verb and adjective endings, particles, native Japanese words, words where the kanji is considered too difficult to read or remember, and words in which the kanji is not on the government-sanctioned list of characters. A third form of writing, katakana is used for onomatopoeia, non-Japanese loanwords, the names of plants and animals (with exceptions), and for emphasis on certain words.

Today in Japan there are about 2,000 and 3,000 characters are in use, though in China there are as many as 100,000 characters in use. There are four types of kanji that are taught and used in Japan. Kyōiku kanji are the 1006 characters that Japanese children are taught in elementary school. The Jōyō kanji consists of the 1006 elementary words and the 939 kanji that students are taught in junior high and high school. Jinmeiyō kanji can either refer to the 983 kanji that are used in names or all of the 2,928 characters of the Jōyō kanji and the kanji used for names. A fourth type, Hyōgaiji, is used for any kanji that does not fit any of these categories.

Cherry Blossoms - Special flower for Japanese

In Japan the cherry blossoms or Sakura have a very strong symbolic importance to the people. As far back as 794 cherry trees were planted in Japan because of their beauty. They were originally meant to adorn the grounds of the nobility but it eventually became a practice that was prized by everyone. It was around this time that the Japanese sought to emulate the Chinese practice of flower viewing, where people would gather en masse to witness the blossoming of the trees.

Today in Japan the Japanese Meteorological Society keeps track of the Sakura zensen or the Cherry Blossom front and predicts when the cherry blossoms will blossom in each area. The blossoming season begins in January in Okinawa and will then reach Tokyo by late March or early April and a few weeks later it ends in Hokkaido. When it comes time for the trees to blossom the people will come out in large numbers to parks or gardens to hold parties and witness the blossoming of the trees just like their ancestors did centuries before.

For the Japanese the cherry blossom represents the transience of life with the blossoms opening for a display of extreme beauty and leading to a quick death. They are also a symbol of good fortune and of affection and love. The cherry blossom has also been a symbol of Japanese territory as the emperor would plant cherry blossom trees as a way to symbolize ownership over the colonial territories that it claimed.

During World War II the importance of the cherry blossom was used as a way to build nationalism and militarism among the people. Japanese pilots would paint them on their planes or even carry some cherry blossom branches with them before going on a suicide mission. The practice became so widespread and well-known that a falling cherry blossom has now come to represent the sacrifice of youth in suicide missions in order to honor the emperor.

The cherry blossom tree is often seen in most Japanese art, movies, books, theater and anime because the trees have a deep importance with the people. Their profound meaning also lends a breathtaking ambient effect. The cherry blossom is also incorporated into a number of different products in Japan as well.

For many people outside of Japan the true meaning of the cherry blossoms cannot be fully understood or felt. But the magnificent beauty and the thrill of watching these flowers bloom all at once is so spectacular that anyone can appreciate it.

What is Bushido?

Bushido is translated at the “Way of the Warrior” and it was the strict code of honor that was adhered to by the Samurai. What makes this code so mysterious and important was that it developed over centuries of warriors and it was code that was never spoken of and never written. It developed out of the honor and morality that was prized by the samurai and became something that every samurai strived to live by.

The research that had been done in Bushido traces a distinct set of values that can be traced down through the centuries, despite location, lineage, class and even writing style. As far back as the 8th century a common set of ideals can be seen throughout the samurai of Japan. While it was rare for these values to ever be written down, it can be seen in the written communication and it the way that the samurai lived their lives.

The Bushido is the evolution of the samurai code that has existed for centuries. This code stressed honor above all else and that honor is achieved and maintained through loyalty, frugality, and of course a mastery of various forms of martial arts. Bushido contains this and the extra addition that if a samurai ever lost his honor he could regain it by committing seppuku or ritual suicide.

This code was widely practiced by the samurai who at one point equated to about 10% of the Japanese population. They were divided into both “high” and “low” samurai, high samurai were allowed to ride a horse and low samurai were allowed to carry two swords but not to ride a horse. Both levels of samurai were expected to uphold the ideals of Bushido.

The Bushido is known to have seven virtues which are Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor and Loyalty. It was also sometimes the practice to include Wisdom, Care for the Aged and Filial Piety. But despite these honorable intentions and goals, it was all for one thing and that was to die a good death with one’s honor intact.

But despite the popularity of Bushido, there were a number of notable warriors who held the beliefs in disdain. The reason for this was that according to the tenets of Buddhism the warrior could reap no reward in the afterlife because as due their title their life involved killing. So even if one upheld Bushido it was the belief in Buddhism that they would receive no reward in the afterlife. It was for this reason that the soul of a warrior suffering in Hell or as a lingering spirit is a common image in Japanese art and literature.

The Rise of the Samurai in Japan

The Samurai has become one of the most infamous and popular parts of Japanese history. The reason for this is that they have often been known as the knights of Japan, elite warriors who were bound by ideals of honor and courage. It was between the 9th and 12th centuries that the Samurai ended up becoming a class of their own.

The wars that were present throughout Japan were over the fact that only 20% of the land was available for farming. With such a great need for warriors there arose two major warrior classes. The Samurai, who were considered knights and the bushi who were known as warriors. The samurai were a mixed group with some of them being part of the ruling class and some of them being hired men, completely loyal to their daimyo (feudal landowner).

As time passed the emperor allowed these elite warriors to become protection for all of districts and provinces. These positions became hereditary and the families became known for their skills as warriors. These warrior families perfected their skill and became to govern their lives around honing their skills as a warrior. They developed a strict system of codes known as Bushido. This code was at its core completely and utter devotion to the daimyo.

This devotion was so strong that part of the code that the samurai would kill himself if he ever failed in his duty to the daimyo. Any samurai who did fail in his duty and survived would become known as a ronin or masterless samurai. These ronin became beggars, assassins and they were completely shunned by society. Many of them would commit ritual suicide and some would threaten to commit suicide about the houses of wealthy lords as a way of embarrassing the lords into giving them food.

The life of a ronin was one that no proud and true samurai wished for and so suicide became a strict part of the code as well. Anytime a samurai failed in his duty or risked being caught in war, he would commit suicide in order to retain his some of his honor. These strict rules also applied to the females who lived in these warrior families.

The samurai were also known for being skilled both on foot and on a horse. They based their code, samurai dress and weapons on the ancient Yayoi warriors of China. These warriors wore a helmet to protect their head and neck, a breastplate, arm and shoulder protectors and a belly warp. Later this armor would include protection for the legs and thighs.

The samurai are still known today as some of the best and most honorable warriors Japan has ever known.

History of Japanese Dolls

Japanese dolls have always been a very important part of Japanese culture due to the fact that they are often created as part of household shines and as a way to give and receive blessings. In Japanese these dolls are called Ningyo which literally translates to human shape. The most prominent time when dolls are created and displayed in modern Japan is during the Hinamatsuri or the Japanese Doll Festival.

The tradition of creating dolls is steeped in Japanese culture with the earliest known records around 3 BC but it is suggested that this tradition may go even further back. In 3 BC it was written in the records of the Ise Temple that grass dolls would be made and blessed before being thrown into the river close to the shine. This tradition still continues today in the form of the Hinamatsuri in which dolls are created, placed into small boats and sent out to sea. This tradition is done to send away bad spirits and bring forth new blessings.

The ancient Jomon culture in Japan which reigned from 8000 – 200 BC was known to create humanoid figures but it is unknown if these dolls had the same significance that they would later have for the Japanese people. In the Kofun culture which lasted from 300 -600 AD it was customary to create funeral figures but this practice is largely extinct today.

In the early eleventh century Japanese dolls began to take on the form that they are known to have today. During the peak of Heian period there were a number of different types of dolls including dolls for play and dolls for protection. They were also used in religious ceremonies in which they would take on the sins of any person they touched.

It was during the Edo period from around 1603-1867 that the practice of artesian dollmakers developed. These dollmakers would strive to create sets of dolls that would be displayed in the homes of the rich. This practice continues to this day during the Hinamatsuri festival it is traditional for people to display a Hina set in their home. A traditional hina set consists of 15 Japanese Dolls which can differ from household to household but a usual set is done in a male-female pattern, often referred to as the Emperor and Empress.

The Japanese doll tradition has existed for thousands of years and is perhaps one of the longest lasting and most historical Japanese traditions. After centuries of perfection these dolls are now truly intricate and beautiful dolls, that are unmatched by any other.