1. Japanese culture 日本文化 (nihonbunka)
Modem world and the ancient well blending

2. Japanese Language 日本語 (nihongo)
It is the 6th most spoken language in the world. More 99% of population in Japan using the same language.
The characters were transformed two phonetic scripts (hiragana & katagana) from the Chinese characters
There are loanwords from Chinese (kanji), English and other European languages
It is an adhesive language. The grammatical function is indicated by particles that follow the noun.
It is a honorific language (keigo), that is used to show a speaker’s respect for the person being spoken to.
The name order is last name and first name, it is common to use san (sensei) after the last name
日本，日本人、家族、古代、
モダン、ロックミュージック
勉強をします、愛する、、、、、

3. Religion 宗教 （shuukyou)
Shinto (神道） = the way of the gods
is the ancient religion of Japan which dedicates itself to the worship of all things in nature. Rocks, streams, plants etc. are all ruled by their respective god = “kami.” Shinto wedding ceremony is most common in Japan
Buddhism (仏教 Bukkyo) was first brought to Japan from Korea and China early in the sixth century. While there are many different sects of Buddhism practiced in Japan today, most Japanese are not religious. Buddhism’s greatest influence has been in terms of shaping the culture, customs and traditions of Japan. Buddhist funeral is more common in Japan
Confucianism and Taois are the tow religious “imports” that have played important roles in Japanese society over a period of more than 1,000 years. Confucian precepts had a major influence on Japanese ethical and political philosophy, the influence of Taoism in Japan can be found in the use of the Chinese calendar, fortune-telling and auspicious directions
Christianity was introduced by Spanish missionaries in the mid-sixteenth century – most notably was Francisco Xavier who arrived in Kagoshima, Japan in Christians had crucified in It had gain in the postwar period, but as a religion is still regarded as forreign by many Japanese.
According to the CIA World Fact book, 84% of
Japanese observe both Shinto and Buddhism
and 16% observe other religions with the largest
percentage being Christianity at 0.7%.

4. Japanese National Holidays
National Foundation Day (Feb 11)
Kenkoku Kinenbi　（建国記念日）
Spring Equinox Day, Mar 21
shunbunno hi (春分の日）
New Year, Jan 1
Ganjitsu (元日）
Adult’s Day, Jan 15
Seijinnohi (成人の日)
Greenery Day, May 4
Midori no hi (みどりの日）
Children’s Day, May 5th
Koinibori (鯉のぼり）
Constitution Day , May 3
Kenpou kinenbi (憲法記念日）
Showa Day, Apr 29
Showa no hi (昭和の日）
Respect for the Aged Day,
Keiro no hi (敬老の日）、Sep 15
Autum Equinox Day, Sep 23
Shubun no hi (秋分の日）
Ocean Day, 3rd Monday of July
Umi no hi （海の日）
Sports Day, 　Oct　10
Taiiku no hi (体育の日）
Labour Thanksgiving Day
Kinro kansha no hi , Nov 23
（金路感謝のひ）
Emperor’s Birthday, Dec 23
Tenno no tanjobi (天皇の誕生日）
Culture Day, Nov 3
Bunka no hi (文化の日）

5. Japan’s three best festivals
Takayama Matsuri, spring & Autum
Kyoto Gion Matsuri, Jul 17
Chichibu Festival, Dec 3
Other important days & festivals
Beginning of Spring (setsubun, Feb 3
Sappro, Snow Festival,
February 5-11
Dall’s Festival, Mar 3rd
Hinamaturi
ひな祭り）
Cheery Blosom Viewing
Hanami (花見）、April
Obon,
Jul/Aug 13-15
Seven-Five-Three
Shichigosan,
Nov 15

6. Japanese Popular Culture
Manga
-- Tetsuka Osamu
Animation Films
-- Miyazaki Hayao
Cell Phone Culture
-- send ,
Access the internet, play video games
Film Industry
-- Kurosawa Akira
High-Tech Games

7. Leisure Karaoke Bars Bowling Fishing Horse racing Pachinko Shogi Ski
Special events, exhibitions
Travel

8. Art Influence of Buddhism and China
Emerged from its history of assimilated ideas and know-how from other culture
Woodblock print is a typical Japanese style

9. Architecture Influenced by Chinese architecture
Influenced by the climate
The exposed wood is not painted
Based on their lifestyle is customarily sat on the floor (tatami)
Development of earthquake-resistant construction is a major concern

10. Gardens
Use of rock, sand, artificial hills, ponds, and flowing water to create a scenic composition that as artlessly as possible mimics nature
A unique integration of elements to create beauty

11. Tradition and Creation
Ikebana – the Japanese art of flower arrangement
Chado/Sado – the way of tea ceremony
Kabuki/noh/ kyogen/bunraku – the four forms of Japanese classical theater
Geisha – person of the arts, are traditional Japanese artist-entertainers
Genji monogatari – Tale of Genji, 11th century, by Murasaki Shikibu
Kimono – a traditional Japanese fashion