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A unique blend of various spiritual celebrations and traditional beliefs characterizes Japan’s religious makeup. Shintoism, with its reverence for nature and ancestral spirits, and Buddhism, with its teachings on enlightenment and compassion, are the two major religions in the country.

The title "Living National Treasure" holds profound meaning in Japanese society. These artisans are seen as living embodiments of Japan's cultural identity, representing a bridge between the past and the present.

Shudan ishiki — (n) A term to describe that in Japanese society, people tend to be group-oriented, giving priority to group harmony over the individual

Aimai — (adj) ‘A state in which there is more than one intended meaning, resulting in obscurity, indistinctness, and uncertainty’.

Unlike other cultures, ambiguity can be seen as a sign of politeness and respect,

Suibokuga is a style of monochrome painting characterized by the use of just two things, black ink (sumi) and water. Deceptively simple, suibokuga artists make use of these two seemingly mundane materials to create a complex world of light, form, and even texture.

Matcha (抹茶) is a powdered green tea. Known for its particularly strong flavor, it holds a special place in Japanese culture as the leading role in the Japanese tea ceremony, where it is served along with a confectionary sweet, known as wagashi (和菓子).

For many cultures around the world, however, drinking tea is nothing new. In Japan, tea is known in general as ocha (お茶) and has developed, over the centuries, as an important pillar of Japanese culture.

Japan has a long and intricate fashion history. Fashion itself, of course, plays a key role in the cultural qualities of any country, as it alone can illustrate the evolution of a multitude of social and political institutions across history. For both the world’s consumers and the luxury industry, Japan has emphasized the importance of image and innovation in couture style and luxury brands.

How many of you have heard the word "omotenashi" before? The word essentially translates to Japanese hospitality. The term's popularity has grown since it was used in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics candidate speech.

It can be said that Japanese culture has become intrinsically linked with Zen. First introduced to Japan around the 7th century, Zen ideology spread rapidly throughout the 12th century, a time known as the Kamakura period. Zen generally refers to a meditation practice derived from Buddhism, and its influences can be found throughout daily life in Japan.

The three syllables that make up the word “kabuki” (歌舞伎), mean “music”, “dance”, and “acting”, respectively. The whole word itself comes from an archaic verb kabuki, which means “to incline”, and references the actors' flamboyant clothes and actions. Since the kabuki’s founding, spectators were well aware that this new type of theater would be a strong deviation from noh traditions.

In recent years, the Japanese katana (sword) has become increasingly popular with the re-acknowledgement of its value as a work of art. We would like to introduce our readers to a short article on the history and process behind creating these cultural treasures.