Contemporary Japan

Japanese Arts

• Japanese culture is contemporary, made up of influences from Asia, Europe and North America. Japanese arts includes ceramics, textiles, swords and dolls. Other Japanese traditions consist of tea ceremonies, floral arrangements, martial arts, calligraphy, origami and Geisha. Its sculptures and paintings are among its oldest forms of art.

• Japanese architecture is another example of its fascinating art. Its buildings and temples are made of wood and they use sliding doors as their room dividers.

• The interaction of Japanese and European art helped develop modern art in the west, primarily Post—Impressionism.

• Japanese art also brought Manga into the world. Manga is a form of woodblock printing mixed with western art to create a Japanese style comic book format.

• Manga is also what inspired Anime, which is the Japanese style cartoons. • A more modern and recognizable version of Japanese art is the creation of

the modern video game systems.

Japanese Literature• Japan boasts a vast history of literature to include what is believed to be the world’s

first novel, “The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu.

• During the Edo period, the people overtook the samurai who controlled literature.

• There was a change in readership and authorship, while poetic tradition was revived.

• The Meiji era saw the decline of traditional literary forms as Japanese literature integrated Western influences.

• Natsume Sōseki and Mori Ōgai were the first "modern" novelists of Japan.

• Japan also has two Nobel Prize-winning authors—Yasunari Kawabata (1968) and Kenzaburo Oe (1994).[

• Japan boasts a vast history of literature to include what is believed to be the world’s first novel, “The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu.

• During the Edo period, the people overtook the samurai who controlled literature.

• There was a change in readership and authorship, while poetic tradition was revived.

• The Meiji era saw the decline of traditional literary forms as Japanese literature integrated Western influences.

• Natsume Sōseki and Mori Ōgai were the first "modern" novelists of Japan.

• Japan also has two Nobel Prize-winning authors—Yasunari Kawabata (1968) and Kenzaburo Oe (1994).[

Japanese Tradition• The backbone of Japanese food is Japanese Rice.• It wasn’t until late in the modern era that Japan started using red meats. • The Michelin Guide is a guide that is used for several countries regarding hotels

and restaurants. With that being said, the Michelin Guide has awarded Japan with more Michelin stars than the rest of the world combined.

• On a separate note, Sumo is considered to be Japan’s national sport.• Martial arts to include Judo, Karate and Kendo are also very popular sports

amongst spectators. • After the Meiji Restoration, Western sports were introduced to Japan and began to

spread through the education system.• Japan also hosted the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964. • It also hosted the Winter Olympics twice, once in Nagano in 1998 and again in

Sapporo in 1972.

• The backbone of Japanese food is Japanese Rice.• It wasn’t until late in the modern era that Japan started using red meats. • The Michelin Guide is a guide that is used for several countries regarding

hotels and restaurants. With that being said, the Michelin Guide has awarded Japan with more Michelin stars than the rest of the world combined.

• On a separate note, Sumo is considered to be Japan’s national sport.• Martial arts to include Judo, Karate and Kendo are also very popular sports

amongst spectators. • After the Meiji Restoration, Western sports were introduced to Japan and

began to spread through the education system.• Japan also hosted the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964. • It also hosted the Winter Olympics twice, once in Nagano in 1998 and again in

Sapporo in 1972.

Sources• Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan#Culture

• Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan#Art

• Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan#Literature

• Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan#Cuisine

• Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan#Sports