Philosophy

Philosophy

An awareness of constant change. A way of seeing that does not separate humans from nature. In Japan, such perspectives are not confined to formal philosophy but are embedded in everyday life. Ideas like impermanence and a view of nature appear through language and seasonal change, taking form through repeated experience. This category explores the underlying ways of seeing that shape how people in Japan understand the world.

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.

What Is Zazen? Zen, Stillness, and the Japanese Sense of Wabi-Sabi

The state of mu (nothingness).It refers to a calm and tranquil state of mind in which attachment and selfish desires are...

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.

Beautiful Japanese — Words That Hold Landscapes

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

Family Crests and the Stories They Tell of Japanese Families and History

Family Crests and the Stories They Tell of Japanese Families and HistoryWhen walking through Japanese streets or looking...

The Japanese and the Fox — A Bridge Between Worlds Seen and Unseen

Discover how foxes connect the Japanese to the sacred. Explore Inari faith, the Senbon Torii gates, folklore, and nature worship at Fushimi Inari.

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