Language Culture

The history of pottery in Japan stretches back a long way, and the Jomon pottery from the Jomon period, that began over 10,000 years ago, is said to be the oldest earthenware in Japan.

Furoshiki are square cloths for storing, wrapping, and carrying items. They are also used to cover things that are important to protect from dust.

Lacquerware that uses Japanese lacquer is known as shitsugei (lacquer art).

An ingredient that is always used in making dishes like clear soup, broths for soba and udon, and in cooking vegetables and fish is dashi.

For shops, kanban (signboards) are an important landmark. Other objects that serve the same purpose that Japanese people are familiar with are noren (shop curtains with emblems), nobori (flags), and chochin (lanterns).

Origami is a traditional form of Japanese entertainment in which you make various shapes such as cranes, boats, and helmets by folding colored paper.

Copying Buddhist sutras is called shakyo and in Japan it typically refers to copying the Hannya Shingyo (The Great Heart of Wisdom Sutra).

Gagaku is a traditional Japanese art form which combines singing and dancing elements from classical Japanese styles such as kagura (shinto music and dancing) with elements from the ancient Asian continent such as from China.

Japan is the only country in the world that uses a seal registration system.

The Emperor and some of his relatives, the imperial family, are referred to as the imperial household.

In contrast to the type of paper that originated in the West, there is also a type of paper made through a traditional Japanese manufacturing method called washi(Japanese paper).

One of the classic activities for autumn in Japan is otsukimi (moon viewing).

Compared to cherry blossom viewing in spring, observing autumn leaves is referred to as momijigari "hunting for autumn leaves".

The festival that brightens up autumn in Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture is the Takayama Festival, which happens every 9th and 10th of October.

November 23rd is a public holiday in Japan called "Labor Thanksgiving Day".

Odaiba is a recreational area of Tokyo where there are many shopping malls and entertainment facilities.

In Japan Halloween has no religious overtones.

Animate's Ikebukuro headquarters has nine floors.

There is an event in Ota Ward, Tokyo, called "Shicchy's Charity Fair," which occurs twice a year in June and November, each spanning three days.

In the summer of 2020, both the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Tokyo.