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Transcript
Japan
A Brief History of Japan
- The first humans to inhabit Japan walked over from the mainland around 35,000 BCE at a time when the northwestern tip of Hokkaido was connected to the eastern extremities of Russia.
- Evidence of cord-marked pottery and the foundations of a basic society gave rise to Japan’s first documented period—the Jomon period.
- The Jomon were largely a hunter gather culture who subsisted for the best part of 10,000 years before a more advanced people, the Yayoi, sailed over the narrow sea from the Korean peninsula around 500 BCE.
Continued...
- These early centuries also witnessed Shinto (“way of the gods”) take root.
- The followers of Shinto, a religion indigenous to Japan, worship multiple kami (gods or spirits) who reside in natural objects such as mountains, trees, and rocks, or manifest themselves in phenomena such as wind and thunder.
- For a people whose existence depended so heavily on the rice harvest, the evolution of a religion with nature at its center seems almost logical. Indeed, it is thought that the title of emperor evolved from the position of Shinto chief priest, and folklore—which provides the only historical accounts for Japan’s beginnings—holds that the first emperor descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu.
The Samurai
- Samurai was a popular term that identified Japanese noble warriors (also known as Bushi).
- Evolving over time, Samurai generally came to be referred to as a collective name for members of the fighting class that dominated the public landscape of Japan from the 12th-19th centuries CE.
- Operating from Kakamura City, Japan, the Samurai displayed top-notch military skills that continue to baffle the minds of the current generation. Their war accomplishments laid a strong cultural history for Japaneses.
Bushido
- The Samurai had an undocumented code of ethics that defined how an ideal member was supposed to carry himself (“way of the warrior“).
- One of the ideal Samurai characters is stoicism. To be described as being stoic, a soldier simply needed to be insensitive to pain. The code of ethics of the Samurai soldiers was also known as the Bushido.
- Three qualities stand out as among the most important:
- Bravery
- Loyalty
- Honor
Quick Facts
- Japan, the "Land of the Rising Sun" is one of the world's most technologically advanced countries.
- It has a stable and prosperous economy, low crime rates, and a hard-working population.
- Japan is entirely composed of islands located in the Pacific Ocean.
- The country also has spectacular landscapes.
- Japanese culture has its distinct traits and the Japanese people are known for their friendly nature.
Sushi and Sashimi
- Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that is based around lightly vinegared short-grain rice served with a selection of toppings or fillings like salmon, tuna, tofu, shellfish, vegetables, chicken, wasabi, etc.
- Sashimi typically includes a thinly sliced raw fish or meat with an optional serving of rice. With globalization, restaurants serving Japanese cuisine have opened in many parts of the world.
- Sushi and sashimi are now consumed by people of different nationalities with the former being more favored than the latter.
Square Watermelons
- In Japan, farmers grow square watermelons which sell at insane prices ranging from $100 in the country to as high as $860 abroad. These watermelons are grown in boxes that force them to grow square-shaped. It is easier to transport, cut, and store these fruits. They are often used as expensive gifts in Japan.
Flag and Currency
The national flag of Japan is a rectangular white banner bearing a crimson-red circle at its center. This flag is officially called the Nisshōki (日章旗, 'flag of sun'), but is more commonly known in Japan as the Hinomaru (日の丸, 'circle of the sun').
The currency in Japan is the Japanese yen.
100 Yen = .99 CAD.
Capital City
- Tokyo is the capital city of Japan, a title the city has held since 1868 after it was renamed from Edo.
- Tokyo is huge, it’s busy and it’s loud. But it is also incredibly safe for travellers of any kind. Crimes are a rarity here. Crimes against tourists are almost unheard of.
- Space is at a premium in any city but in Tokyo, it is an absolute rarity. This has led to the development of ‘capsule hotels’.
- These are micro hotel ‘rooms’ where guests squeeze into a capsule, not much bigger than their body, for a cheap overnight stay.
- The Imperial palace in Japan is a tourist magnet especially on the emperor’s birthday when special sections of it open for the public.
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