Cultura japonesa

JAPAN
Japan, which literally means “the country of the origin of the sun”, is an insular country placed on east of Asia and its capital is Tokyo. Japan is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan and it borders on China, Russia and North and South Korea.
Japan is formed by four principal islands: Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku, they formed the 97% of the country’s totalsurface, but, of course, there are other islands, just only 6.848 minor islands.
Its flag, known as Nisshoki, is rectangular with a white ground and a red disk in the middle, what represents the sun. This flag was officially adopted on 13th of August, 1999.
CULTURE
Clothes
In Japan you can find two types of clothes: the modern, that is the one we know; and the traditional. In this kind of clothesyou can emphasize the kimono, a flashy long garment worn by women, men and children in special occasions. Other garments worn by Japanese people are the yukata, a summer light kimono; the hakama, a ceremonial costume; the jinbei, a light garment worn by men as pyjamas; and the jūnihitoe, a feminine piece of clothing similar to a kimono but worn by nobles.
Gastronomy
The Japanese cooking ischaracterized by a simplicity bordering austerity. It has evolved of a singular and original philosophy that borrowed very little from its neighbors and less from the foreign world; the Japanese food is distinguished for its union desire, it’s about identify the food, so that the ingredients of the plate will be prepared and presented by separated, in order that dependants can flavor them by theirspecific qualities more than the flavors created by the cookers.
Through the ingredients of a food, this one takes the season’s aspect, with the intention that when eating the season’s products and when they are so fresh, allows joining nature with time.
Also is important the art of presentation of plates, of its colors and forms combinations and the harmony with crockery.
About basesingredients are very common rice, fish, crustaceans, vegetables and preparations with base of soya.
Religions
One of the religions most practiced in Japan is Shinto, a native and exclusive religion of that country. It’s a polytheistic religion practiced in Shinto temples or jinja, and it is based on four affirmations: tradition and family, love to nature, purification and celebration of traditionalfestivals. It doesn’t have any holy book and it isn’t interested to increase its faithful, that’s why Shinto hasn’t expanded at world level.
Festivals
01st-03rd of January, Japanese New Year: In these three days people only do the most necessary jobs and they dedicate their time to their families, they use to play traditional games and eat plates specially cooked for the celebration.
03rd ofFebruary, Arrival Spring’s Day: The cherry blossoms proclaim the arrival of spring in Japan. This flowering is called sakura. People go out to parks and sat in blue oilskins eat, drink, play games or music with friends or family.
14th of February, Saint Valentine’s Day: On this day women give chocolates to men, either boyfriend, friends or relatives.
14th of March, White Day: On this date the men whoreceived chocolates on the part of the women on the Saint Valentine’s Day, give them chocolates to thank.
15th of September, Day of Respect for the Elderly: This is a very special date because you can show your respect to the elderly, each community use to organize parties inviting to people older than 70.
Anime and Manga
Anime is Japanese cartoons. Its script includes a great part of sciencefiction genre and they are transmitted through the film media (telecast, DVD distribution and movies with audio). Parallel to Anime, Japan develops the Manga worlds, it is the Japanese comics. Between anime and Manga there is usually a lot of interaction. Anime is Manga in movement. Easily we can identify an Anime series because it has characteristics very particulars like the eyes, the hair,...