24 facts to know about Japan before you’re 50!
Hello, are you ready to take a trip? Well, if so then come with Abby Medema and McKenna Messling on a tour of Japan! We will be passing the monuments, clothing stores, and learning about traditions, religions, and foods!
Chapter 1: Traditions The Star Festival is about love between 2 stars. It is celebrated on th July 7 . The 2 stars are Weaving Star (girl) and the Herd Star (boy). The Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated on March 27th of this year. It is about their national flower, it even has its own song. On May 5th, it is Children’s Day, but used to be called Boy’s day! It has been celebrated longer than 50 years.
Some or most of their traditional music is Gagaku, Biwagaku, Nohgaku, Sokyoku, Shakuhach, Shamisenongaku, and Minyo. Doll’s Festival is celebrated on March 3rd every year. Doll’s festival is where girl’s and single woman display their dolls and ornaments to represent imperial family. Is also called Girl’s Festival. Culture Day is celebrated on November 3rd each year. It is about a day for promotion of culture and the love of freedom and peace!
Chapter: 2 A common food that most Japanese people like is sushi. There are many different kinds of sushi. Japanese people eat lots of vegetables with almost every meal. Some of the vegetables they eat are ninjin (carrots), tomato, pinman (green pepper), and horenso (spinach). Sometimes when they eat they have tea. One of the kinds often they have is kocha (black tea). Wuhe honey is used to make kocha. They also sometimes have a tea ceremony.
Kocha is british black tea. Kocha is served during meal times. A tea ceremony is a way to prepare tea. Now the tea ceremony is a Japanese hobby. Some people take the tea ceremony very seriously, so they take lessons. Tea ceremonies are held in traditional Japanese rooms such as a private house. Basically, the tea is first prepared by the host, then drank by the guest. One of the most important tools of a ceremony is: a bamboo brush for preparation.
(Japan Church)
Chapter 3 The 2 religions (Shintoism & Buddhism) have co-excised together since the sixth centaury! Zen Buddhism emphasizes with self discipline and meditation. 94.6% of Japanese people say that they believe in both of these religions.
(Japan Religious Statue) Propaganda and preaching are not common in Shintoism, but are in Buddhism. “Shinto Gods” are also called Kami, they are scared spirits which take the form of things and concepts in important life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers, and fertility. Today about one to two million Japanese people are Christians (about 1% of Japan’s population).
Chapter: 4
One of the very heavy dresses that is worn is called the juni-hinto. The juni-hinto is a twelve layer dress worn by the women. Each layer of the dress is a different color. The kimono is a very popular outfit worn Japan. Tabi-split toe socks are worn with the kimono.
The furisode is mainly worn by young, unmarried women. Its sleeves reach all the way down to the floor. Another out-fit that they wear is the uchikake which is a wedding dress.
Thank you for traveling with us!