Culture

Learn About Japanese Culture Culture

Japanese culture has been shaped over centuries through a deep view of nature and the accumulation of everyday life.
In this category, we explore belief, daily customs, and traditional aesthetics, organizing them alongside their historical and regional contexts.

Craftsmanship

Daruma Doll — Zen and Japan’s Folk Faith

Daruma — Zen and Japan’s Folk FaithA round red body and a stern, dignified face.The daruma is one of the most familiar g...
Culture

Joya no Kane – The Bell that Marks an Ending and a Beginning

Joya no Kane – The Bell that Marks an Ending and a BeginningOn New Year’s Eve in Japan, if you listen closely as the nig...
Culture

What Is Japanese Mountain Worship? – Sacred Peaks and the Prayer of Yaoyorozu no Kami

Why have the Japanese long seen gods dwelling in mountains? From Jomon-era nature worship and Shugendo practice to the sacred presence of Mount Fuji, Dewa Sanzan, Hakusan, and the Kumano shrines, this article explores Japan’s tradition of mountain worship and its enduring culture of reverence for nature.
Culture

What Is “Mu” in Zen? — The Meaning of Emptiness in Japanese Buddhism

What Is “Mu” in Zen? — The Meaning of Emptiness in Japanese Buddhism In the rush of modern life, we often find that we h...
Culture

The Wave That Shook the World — The Journey of Katsushika Hokusai

Discover the life and legacy of Katsushika Hokusai, master of The Great Wave off Kanagawa.From over 30,000 works to his influence on Western art and Impressionism, explore the endless curiosity that shaped this iconic Japanese artist.
Culture

Beautiful Japanese — Words That Hold Landscapes

Beautiful Japanese — Words That Hold LandscapesJapanese is a beautiful language.We use it every day without thinking, ye...