Overview of Japan, Japanese Culture and Handicrafts …€¦ · Japanese-made video game consoles...
Transcript of Overview of Japan, Japanese Culture and Handicrafts …€¦ · Japanese-made video game consoles...
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Trade Development Authority of Pakistan
A Report on
Overview of Japan, Japanese Culture
and Handicrafts in Japan
Prepared By:
Ms Misbah Zafar (Head Special Project Cell)
For Textile & Clothing Division
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JAPAN HISTORY, CULTURE AND HANDICRAFTS
Japan is an Island Country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the East of the Sea of
Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia and Taiwan In the South.
Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. As a ceremonial
figurehead, he is defined by the constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people".
Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected members.
Japan maintains close economic and military relations with its key ally the United States. It has served as
a non-permanent Security Councilmember for a total of 19 years, most recently for 2009 and 2010. It is
also one of the G4 nations seeking permanent membership in the Security Council.
As a member of the G8, the APEC, the "ASEAN Plus Three" and a participant in the East Asia Summit,
Japan actively participates in international affairs and enhances diplomatic ties with its important partners
around the world. Japan signed a security pact with Australia in March
2007http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan - cite_note-48 and with India in October 2008. It is also the
world's third largest donor of official development assistance after the United States and United Kingdom,
donating US$8.86 billion from 2004 onwards.
Japan's environmental history and current policies reflect a balance between economic development and
environmental protection. Today Japan is one of the world's leaders in the development of new
environment-friendly technologies. Honda and Toyota hybrid electric vehicles were named to have the
highest fuel economy and lowest emissions. This is due to the advanced technology in hybrid systems,
bio-fuels, use of lighter weight material and better engineering.
Japan also takes issues surrounding climate change and global warming seriously. As a signatory of
the Kyoto Protocol, and host of the 1997 conference which created it, Japan is under treaty obligations
to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and to take other steps related to curbing climate change.
As of 2009, Japan is the second largest economy in the world, after the United States, at around
US$5 trillion in terms of nominal GDP and third after the United States and China in terms of purchasing
power parity. Japan's public debt is 192 percent of its annual gross domestic product,
Banking, insurance, real estate, retailing, transportation, telecommunications and construction are all
major industries. Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the largest, leading and
most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine
tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods. The service
sector accounts for three quarters of the gross domestic product.
Its main export markets are the United States 22.8%, the European Union 14.5%, China 14.3%, South
Korea 7.8%, Taiwan 6.8% and Hong Kong 5.6% (for 2006). Japan's main exports are transportation
equipment, motor vehicles, electronics, electrical machinery and chemicals. For that main import markets
are China 20.5%, U.S. 12.0%, the European Union 10.3%, Saudi
Arabia 6.4%, UAE 5.5%, Australia 4.8%, South Korea 4.7% and Indonesia 4.2% (for 2006). Japan's main
imports are machinery and equipment, fossil fuels, foodstuffs (in particular beef), chemicals, textiles and
raw materials for its industries. By market share measures, domestic markets are the least open of
any OECD country.
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Japanese culture has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original Jōmon culture to its
contemporary culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America.
Traditional Japanese arts include crafts (ikebana, origami, ukiyo-e, dolls, lacquerware, pottery),
performances (bunraku, dance, kabuki, noh, rakugo), traditions (games, tea
ceremony, Budō, architecture, gardens, swords) and cuisine. The fusion of traditional woodblock
printing and Western art led to the creation of manga, a typically Japanese comic book format that is
now popular within and outside Japan. Manga-influenced animation for television and film is
called anime. Japanese-made video game consoles have prospered since the 1980s. Japanese music is
eclectic, having borrowed instruments, scales and styles from neighboring cultures.
As for the Handicrafts in Japan, mentioned below are some of the articles or items that have been taken
as a part of traditional culture of Japan and have the utmost importance in the History and culture of
Japan.
1- Folding Fans
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2- Japanese Bamboo Doll
3- Japanese Chopsticks
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4- Hakata Dolls
Conservative Japanese Woman Samurai Doll
5- Shikishi (Papar with Gold Borders) Paintings
With Frame in Circular Shape
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6- Temari (Hand Balls/Toys)
7- Tenugui (Traditional Japanese Towel/Cotton Fabric for Hand Drying)
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8- Japanese Swords
9- Lacquer Ball point, Mirror, Bowls, Sets
Ball Points Hand Mirror Bowl Mirror Set
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10- Ukiyo-e (wood Block printing) Coffee Mug and Table Set
Coffee Mug Table Set
11- Japanese Masks
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12- Japanese Kanji (symbol) Brooches
13- Tapestry with Folklore
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14- Japanese Hanging Scroll (Kakejiku/kakemono (on silk))
15- Japanese Candles
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16- Key chains with Japanese words
17- Knitted or Crotched Dolls (Amigurumi)
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18- Yuzen (Japanese Pics in Silk Fabric By Dyeing or Handwriting)
19- Guinomi (Cups)
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20- Beer Cups
21- Wan (Bowls) (lipped and normal)
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22- Yakimono Cups (couple of same cups)
23- Wooden Craft (Kumiko Art)
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24- Windchimes
25- Japanese Mystic Puzzle Box
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26- Tsume Tsuzure Formal Bags and Accessories
27- Wooden Sake Set
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28- Cell Phone Strap 29- Evil Eye
30-Oru-Kami (Folding Paper Technique)