INTRODUCTION TO JAPAN

 Culture and Traditions

 Tourist Destinations
 Festivals
 National Holidays
 Popular Foods
 Japanese Communication

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

a. Identify the key elements of Japanese culture and traditions.

b. Identify some of the major tourist destinations of Japan.
c. Describe some of Japan’s most popular festivals and holidays.
d. Identify Japan’s most popular foods.
e. Examine how Japanese communication evolve in the recent years.

ACTIVITY

Procedures:
1. Group the class to 4 or 5 depending on size.
2. The members of the group should form a circle and given metacards and a pen.
3. Quiz items are projected on the board, each group is given 15 seconds to give their
answers.

POP QUIZ
ANALYSIS

Guide Questions:

 How do you think culture and tradition are formed within a society?
 In what ways do you think historical events can influence the culture and traditions of
a country like Japan?
 How might Japan's geography and natural environment have shaped its traditional
food practices and cuisine?
 What differences do you expect to find between Japanese communication styles and
that of Filipinos?

Japanese culture is deeply rooted in a

blend of traditions, values that give
importance on social harmony and hard
work. Initially, up until the 10th century,
Japanese culture bore a strong
resemblance to Chinese culture.
However, significant changes arose with
the emergence of the samurai during the
Heian Period and Japan's self-imposed
isolation during the Edo Period. These
events profoundly shaped societal norms
and practices, leading to a unique cultural identity.

Central to Japanese culture are the influences of Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism, and the
adaptation to limited natural resources. Shinto, with its emphasis on nature and ancestor
worship, has instilled a deep respect for natural elements and community rituals. Buddhism
introduced philosophical and spiritual dimensions that shaped Japanese aesthetics,
architecture, and arts. Confucianism contributed to the importance placed on hierarchical
relationships, social harmony, and respect for authority, further entrenching the values of
discipline and collective well-being.

Despite the rapid Westernization of Japanese lifestyle in contemporary times, the Japanese
people remain steadfast in preserving their rich cultural heritage. Practices such as the tea
ceremony, which epitomizes the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility,
continue to be cherished and passed down through generations. The wearing of kimono
during festivals and special occasions is not merely a nod to tradition but a vibrant expression
of cultural identity and continuity. Additionally, the early education in traditional arts and
crafts ensures that skills and techniques honed over centuries are not lost, fostering a sense of
pride and connection to their cultural roots.

Through these enduring practices, the Japanese maintain a balance between embracing
modernity and honoring their ancestral legacy, ensuring that their cultural heritage remains
vibrant and relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Japan's Customs and Traditions

Since harmony is very important in Japan, there are many customs, traditions and etiquette
rules to create social bonding between people. Some of the interesting traditions that surprise
foreigners are:

 Taking off shoes when entering someone’s house

 Wearing a mask when sick
 Not shaking hands and not hugging when meeting with loved ones
 Bowing 45 degrees to show respect
 Making the slurping sound when eating noodles
 Symbolically washing hands when entering a shrine
 Wearing slippers when using the restroom
 Decorate one's house with dolls for the annual “girls day” and decorate the house with
the samurai figure for the annual “boys day”
 Throwing beans at people who dressed
as demons during the "setsubun"
festival
 Eating a special meal called "osechi"
during the new year's day
 Bathing in the evening rather than in the
morning
 Participating in the firework festivals or
bon odori festivals during the summer
by wearing a yukata.

Some Basics of Japanese Culture

Japanese people always display modesty and

humility. People often bow to convey the
message: “I am not above you. I respect you.”
Bowing longer with a higher degree of angle
means more respect. Additionally, Japanese
people have two religions at the same time:
they are both Buddhist and Shintoist. When a
Japanese baby is born, the ceremony is held in
the Shinto shrine and when someone dies the
ceremony takes place in a Buddhist temple. Lastly, in Japan, people are obsessed with
hygiene: they take off their shoes when entering someone's house and take a bath almost
everyday. Many foreigners are surprised that there are no trash cans in public areas but
everywhere is still clean.

Festivals in Japanese Culture

There are relatively a higher number of festivals in Japan compared to other countries
because Japanese religions are related to celebrating the harvest seasons and seasonal
changes. Each of the 47 Japanese prefectures has a different festival which usually takes
place in the summer. Locals usually participate in these festivals by wearing a yukata and
sandals. The most famous Japanese festivals are:

 Gion Festival in Kyoto. The largest parade in Japan

which started in the 800’s when there was an
epidemic similar to the Coronavirus.
 Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima. A Dance
festival held during the Obon-Week (the week
when the spirits of the deceased are believed to
visit the world).
 Nebuta Festival in Aomori. A festival dedicated to
ancient warriors in Northern Japan.

Holidays and Celebrations in Japanese Culture

If you look at the Japanese calendar, you would notice that there is a major cultural
celebration almost every month. Japanese people like celebrating seasonal changes to show
their appreciation of new beginnings. The three most important celebrations in Japan are:

 The new year's day. Japanese people visit a shrine after the midnight on Dec 31 to
make a wish.
 Cherry blossom celebrations in April. It is a custom to have a picnic under the cherry
trees.
 The Obon Holiday in August. Japanese people visit their hometown to commemorate
the spirits of those who passed away.

Etiquette in Japanese Culture

Since Japanese people believe individuals are less important than the group, everyone strictly
follows the rules of the etiquette. Some of the most common etiquette social faux pas
foreigners make in Japan are:

 Speaking on the phone while riding a train

 Not returning a personal favor by gifting a box of sweets
 Eating something while walking or eating something on the train
 Taking or giving something by only using one hand
 Showing up for a meeting just in time (People are supposed to come to meetings 5-10
minutes earlier, NOT at the exact beginning time)
 Passing food to someone by using chopsticks (this act is a reminder of funerals)
 Not taking off shoes when entering someone’s house
 Writing someone’s name in red ink
 Giving white or yellow Chrysanthemum flowers to someone who is sick (this act is a
reminder of funerals)
 Not showering before entering a hot spring
Food in Japanese Culture

The staple food in Japan is rice, not bread. In the past, the
tax was collected as rice and samurais’ salary was paid in
rice. Japanese people believe rice is healthier than wheat
which has more carbs and is more difficult to digest. Up
until the 19th century, the Japanese rarely ate meat
because of Buddhism which bans eating animals. For the
same reason, they also did not consume dairy, that is why
some Japanese tend to be lactose intolerant. Fresh sushi is
the most popular food throughout Japan even though it used to be the cheap fast-food for
workers in the 1800's. Nowadays, a typical Japanese breakfast consists of fried fish and miso
soup while a typical lunch is ramen noodles or rice bowl with deep fried meat.

Clothing in Japanese Culture - Kimono

Traditionally, Japanese people wear a one-piece garment called kimono which emerged
during the Heian Period (794-1185). Kimono is made out of silk and each motif has a
meaning. Cranes represent longevity; pine-trees represent the new year; the Chrysanthemum
flower represents the imperial family. The summer kimono is called “yukata” and the
wedding kimono is called “uchikake.” Kimonos usually have long sleeves for wind to pass
through and cool down the body. While children wear kimono with bright colors and flower
designs, the elderly wear simple kimonos with simple motifs. Nowadays, Japanese people
wear Western clothes at work and school but prefer kimono for social occasions and
ceremonies.

Arts in Japanese Culture

Japanese arts can be traced back to the indigenous populations who roamed the main island
thousands of years ago. The pottery vessels made by the “Jomon” 12,000 years ago are
considered as the oldest in the world. Later, the Japanese arts were influenced by Buddhism
and Chinese culture. The earliest forms of Buddhist statues and monochrome paintings at
temples show resemblance to the Chinese arts. However, many unique forms of art, such as
ikebana, ukiyo-e and kabuki, started emerging when the influence of China started
diminishing after the rise of the samurai class in the 10th century.

Communication in Japanese Culture

Japanese communication style is very unique mostly because

Japan was isolated to the outer world between the 16th and
19th centuries. There also was hierarchy, similar like the
Caste system in India, where the elite samurai were on top
and those who took care of dead animals were at the bottom.
It was very costly to become an outcast in this closely-knit
hierarchical society, so people were careful not offending
others.
One of the most unique aspects of Japanese communication style is the lack of rejection.
Japanese people rarely use the word “no” because rejecting someone is considered as a sign
of disrespect. Because of the same reason, Japanese
people use symbolism and usually make a request
indirectly so that the other side doesn’t have to feel the
pressure. When it comes to writing, Japanese people
express their ideas less clearly. Westerners usually clearly
state the most important point at the beginning or ending
of an essay but Japanese people vaguely mention the
important point somewhere in the middle.

GENERALIZATION

Guide Questions:

1. How have historical events such as the Heian Period and the Edo Period shaped
contemporary Japanese cultural practices and societal values?
2. In what ways do traditional Japanese practices, such as the tea ceremony and kimono
wearing, reflect the underlying principles of Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism?
3. How has the Westernization of Japan affected traditional Japanese cuisine, and what
measures are taken to preserve traditional food practices?
4. What are the key characteristics of Japanese communication styles, and how do they
differ from Western communication styles in terms of verbal and non-verbal cues?
5. How do modern Japanese individuals balance the demands of contemporary life with
the preservation of traditional cultural practices and values?

The preservation of culture and tradition plays a crucial role in maintaining the identity of a
group. For Japan, these elements act as a bridge between the past and present, ensuring that
the unique values, beliefs, and practices that define the Japanese people are passed down
through generations. Traditions such as the tea ceremony and the wearing of kimonos are
more than just cultural artifacts; they are living expressions of a shared heritage that foster a
sense of belonging and continuity. By honoring these practices, societies like Japan not only
celebrate their history but also reinforce the social cohesion and identity that distinguish them
in an ever-globalizing world.