Konos Juniors World Geography Week 12 Japanese Culture Konos Juniors World Geography Week 12 This PPT was written and designed by Judy Fruscione

Land of the Rising Sun Country name: Nippon Capital: Tokyo Official Language: Japanese Monetary Unit: Yen

Hinimaro The Japanese Flag features a red circle, representing the rising sun, centered on a white background.

Japan geography Group of more than 3900 islands is a long archipelago in eastern Asia. It is about the same size as California. Total length is about 2000 miles roughly the same distance from Maine to Florida. About 71% of Japan is mountainous. Mt. Fuji is the highest point.

Mount Fuji Japan’s highest peak (12,388 feet) A dormant volcano located on the island of Honshu. Japan’s highest peak (12,388 feet)

Japan’s Climate Ranges from subarctic to sub tropic. In the north the summers are cool and the winters are harsh and snowy. In the south the summers are hot and the winters are mild. They do have distinct seasons much like those in the northeastern part of the United States. Rainy season is June to mid-July with rainfall ranging from 40-100 inches a year.

There are 4 main islands Honshu Hokkaido Kyushu Shikoku

Honshu About 80 percent of the people live on Honshu. The Japanese Alps, the country’s tallest mountains dominate the landscape. Mt. Fuji Tokyo the nation’s capital city. Oska Plain to the south produces much of the nations’s food.

Hokkaido Japan’s second largest island Less than 5 percent of the population. Forested mountains cover much of the island. Main occupations are dairy, farming, fishing and forestry. Winter sports are popular.

Kyushu Southernmost Island 11 percent of the population Steep, heavily forested mountains run down the center of the island. Only small areas along the coast can be farmed.

Shikoku Smallest of Japan’s main islands 3 percent of the population. Mountains cover much of the center of the islands. Most of the people live in the northern part near the coast. Farmers grow rice and fruit.

Japan’s Cities Did you know Japan’s Streets are free of litter. About ¾ of the people live in cities along the narrow coastline. Tokyo is the largest city. 11.8 million people Two dozen subways and commuter rail lines link the city. Are extremely crowded Most of the cities were destroyed during WW2 and have been rebuilt . Did you know Japan’s Streets are free of litter. Graffiti is rare Crime rate is low. No fear of robbery A lost wallet will be returned to its owner. Virtually no slums

Transportation Railroads link all major cities and towns in Japan. Bullet Trains are super express lines that travel up to 186 mph. Japan has one of the largest coastal shipping fleets that ships cargo all over the world.

Japanese Kanji Language Written Japanese uses characters called Kanji. Each character represents both a specific meaning as well as at least one sound. Requires years of study. High school students must learn 1850 kanji symbols. Chinese Buddhist monks brought it to Japan.

Japanese Kana Language These are phonetic symbols. Has 48 symbols which represent all possible syllables in the language. Fairly simple to learn and can be mastered by most children by the time they enter school.

Japanese Food Dependent on the sea for food. Fish is a main part of their diet. Sushi – raw fish rolled in rice is a favorite. Nori – seaweed which has been dried and pressed into flat sheets and is eaten with rice. Rice is eaten at almost every meal.

Japanese Food Many foods are served in a single dish which all the family members share. They eat with hashi or chopsticks. Traditional dishes are served on lacquer plates called bentos.

Japanese Tea Ceremony A tradition hundreds of years old. Its focus in on serenity, respect and beauty. Host invites guest to enter the tea room and admire a few decorations. Then the host prepares the tea and serves it with a sweet snack. The guest slowly drink their tea and enjoy the simple tranquility.

Traditional Clothing Kimono- worn by all classes, men and women. Materials and colors showed the class. Silk was reserved for the upper classes like the samurai while others wore hemp, ramie, cotton and other common fabrics. Brought by Buddhist monks in the 8th century.

Traditional Clothing

Japanese Houses City houses are typically only 980 sq ft. Rural homes are 1800 sq ft. Most homes do not have much furniture and rooms are often used for several purposes. Japanese sleep on futons. Many can be put up during the day.

Floors are covered with tatami or straw mats. An alcove called a tokonoma is used to display floral arrangements and scroll paintings. It may contain a Shinto or Buddhist shrine.

Terms You need to Know Nippon, Land of the Rising Sun Tokyo Yen Archipelago 4 main islands of Japan Mt. Fuji Main modes of transportation/bullet train Kanji and Kana Language Food – fish, sushi, nori, rice, Tea Hashi and bentos Kimonos Futons, tatami