Japanese Culture

Name of Presenter:Wilma Atalig

ED 282 -01 : Multicultural Foundations

Where Japan is located

• Japan is an island country in East Asia in the Pacific Ocean

• East of China, Korea, and Russia

• “Land of the Rising Sun”

Geographic Features of Japan• Over 3,000 islands• Largest islands

• Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku

• 4 largest islands accounts for 97% of land area.

• Most islands are mountainous (many volcanic)

• Mount Fuji• World’s 10th largest

population• ~128 million people

• Japanese – 98.5%• Koreans – 0.5%• Chinese – 0.4%• Other – 0.7%

• The Greater Tokyo Area• Largest metropolitan area

in the world

Time: Past, Present, Future

• Past: • Isolated from foreign influence (250 yrs.)• Enabled Japan to enjoy stability & strengthen its indigenous

culture.• 1854 – Japan opened its ports and began to intensively

modernize & industrialize.• Economic Power (WWII)

• Present:• Emperor

• Symbol of national unity• Actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians,

bureaucrats, & business executives

• Economy• Still remains a major economic power, both in Asia and globally.

• Future:• Continue to prosper (?)

Customs and Traditions• Traditional Japanese Wedding

Wedding seasons – Spring & Fall Arranged Marriage (Past) Engagement Gifts

Gift to the Groom Hakama Pants/Skirt - Fidelity

Gift to the Bride “Obi” Kimono Sash – Female Virtue

Other gifts “Naga-Noshi” Abalone Shell –

Sincerity Money “Katsuo-bushi” Dried Bonito or

“Surume” Dried Cuttlefish – Lasting Marriage

“Konbu” – Happy & Healthy Children “Shiraga” or Hemp – Strong Family

Ties “Suehiro” A Fan – Happiness "Sake" Casks – Pledge of Obedience

& Gentleness

Customs and Traditions

• Traditional Japanese Wedding Wedding Ceremony

The Shinto wedding is performed before a Shinto sanctuary.

"San-san-kudo," a ceremony of three-times-three exchange of nuptial cups, is performed by the bridegroom and bride. Drinks of "Sake" are then exchanged between members and close relatives of the both families to signify their union through the wedding.

Offering of twigs of "Sakaki" sacred tree in worship to gods to end the main part of the wedding ceremony.

Customs and Traditions

• Tea Ceremony• Influenced by Zen Buddhism

with the intention of purifying the soul & becoming one with nature.

• Ritual tea drinking originated in China.

• Ceremony is performed in a tea house (garden).

• Water represents yin and fire in the hearth represents yang.“yin-yang” – “heaven & earth”

Religion

• Buddhism• 96% of Japan's population is Buddhist

• Shintoism• Animistic belief system• Native religion of Japan• Was once the state religion• “The Way of the Gods”

Arts & Craft

Celebrations Festivals celebrating the seasons and annual cultural

events • New Year Festival – January 1st • Seasonal Change – Setsubun – Feb. 3rd or 4th

• Doll Festival - Hina Matsuri – March 3rd

• Children's Day (Boys' Day) – May 5th

• Tanabata Festival – July 7th • Bon Festival – August 15th

Local festivals • Lunar New Year • Autumn Harvest Festivals • Summer festivals

• Nebuta Festival • Okunchi Festival • Sanja Festival

Rites of Passage

• Coming of Age Rites• Separation

• Child is removed from the presence of the mother

• Separated from their former status or state of being

• Transition – Vulnerable Stage• Child is subjected to a series of

experiences with the intention of engendering a new status or state of being.

• Re-incorporation• Reintegrated into a new secure

status in the context of the society.• Child taking on an adult role.

Family Structure – Gender Role• Father

• Wage Earners• The family head - held absolute authority over the family's property

and its members • Mother

• Remained at home• Decision-making power• Control of money

• Son• Expected to excel in school• Limited chores• Responsible for siblings when they are outside of the home• Expected to bring honor to the family• Served before mother, younger brothers and sisters

• Daughter• Expected to excel in school• Expected to learn how to organize a home & care for things.

• Elders• Source of Wisdom

Education• Spend 240 days a year at school • School day begins at 8:30am & ends at 6:30pm• Students behavior on the way to school is regulated by

school policy• No chewing gum, snacks, or reading while walking.• Stand on the buses and trains• Demonstrate consideration for others• Students clean the school

• Teachers move from room to room• Cram School

• Preparation for high school & university entrance examination

• Scores determine what school you attend• Scores influences a students entire future• Good jobs depends on the school you attend.

• Most prestigious universities• University of Tokyo• Kyoto University

Education

Japanese Food

Tonkotsu Noodle Soup

Yakitori Chicken

Vegetable Tempura

Sashimi

Japanese in the CNMI

• Population: 952 or 1.4% of total population• (2000 Census)

• Roles• Business Owners• Tourist• Residents

• Historical ties to the CNMI

References

• http://www.japan-guide.com, 9/5/07, 9/11/07• http://spice.stanford.edu, 9/5/07• http://findarticles.com, 9/5/07• http://www.amphi.com, 9/11/07• http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/

Things/81.html, 9/11/07• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-

world-factbook, 9/11/07

Arigato!!