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Japanese Temples and Shrines. Geisha. Best Books About Japan. 24 hour TV 2007 - Senju Kannon. Living in Japan, Relocating to Japan, Expat Life & News. 20 Stunning Japanese Gardens Around the World. Honbo Garden – Osaka, Japan | Photograph by 63highland Japanese Gardens can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and old castles around the world. In Japanese culture, garden-making is a high art, intimately related to the linked arts of calligraphy and ink painting. Japanese gardens were first developed under the influences of the distinctive and stylized Chinese gardens. The tradition of Japanese gardening was historically passed down from sensei to apprentice.

In recent decades this has been supplemented by various trade schools [Source: Wikipedia]. 2. Photograph by LUIS ARGERICH 3. Photograph by JAIME PEREZ 4. Photograph by JOHN O’NEILL 5. Photograph by 63highland A catalogue of features “typical” of the Japanese garden may be drawn up without inquiring deeply into the aesthetic underlying Japanese practice. Source: Wikipedia 6. Photograph by JONATHAN GROBE & HANNES GROBE 7. 8. Photograph by J. 9. The Samurai Archives Japanese History Page.

Yakuza. Yakuza (ヤクザ? , [jaꜜkuza]), also known as gokudō (極道?) , are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan (暴力団? , "violence group"), while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" (任侠団体 or 仁侠団体? , "chivalrous organizations"). The yakuza are notorious for their strict codes of conduct and very organized nature. They have a large presence in the Japanese media and operate internationally with an estimated 103,000 members.[2] Divisions of origin[edit] Despite uncertainty about the single origin of yakuza organizations, most modern yakuza derive from two classifications which emerged in the mid-Edo Period (1603–1868): tekiya, those who primarily peddled illicit, stolen or shoddy goods; and bakuto, those who were involved in or participated in gambling.[3] "Tekiya" (peddlers) were considered one of the lowest social groups in Edo.

Organization and activities[edit] Structure[edit] Rituals[edit] Inarizushi: A Different Kind Of Sushi at Japan Blog. It seems that my sushi kick is not totally over yet – will it ever be? I have never heard of inarizushi before. I accidentally read about while browsing the Internet and it made me want to try one. So what is inarizushi and how is it different from the “normal” sushi that we eat? Gale Fox describes is really well: Inarizushi is a form of sushi that stuffs the vinegared rice into teriyaki-seasoned pouches of deep fried tofu. I think it’s the tofu that makes me really want to try this dish.

This kind of sushi is even better viagra canadian pharmacy for those who have qualms about eating raw fish or any other kind of seafood. Photo courtesy of panduh. Japanese addresses: No street names. Block numbers. I love learning something that flips my head upside down. So, let's look at one of the coolest head-flippers I've found: Japanese addresses. Imagine you're standing in Chicago and a Japanese man asks you, “What's the name of this block?” Thinking you've misunderstood the question, you say, “This is Erie Street. We're between Wabash Ave and Rush Street.” But the man asks you again, “No. Not the streets. You say, “Uh. (Blocks don't have names! He leaves disappointed. Now imagine you're standing in Tokyo.

Thinking she's misunderstood the question, she says, “This is block 5. But you ask again, “Huh? She says again, “Uh. See: in (most of) Japan, streets don't have names! And the buildings on the block are numbered in order of age. Mailing addresses in Japan, after naming the province and city, are a series of three numbers: district number, block number, building number. As an example, see this Google map from Tokyo. Cool, huh? Discover Japan. Yakushima Travel Information and Travel Guide - Japan. Designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1993, Yakushima is one of the most rewarding islands in the Southwest Islands.

The craggy mountain peaks of the island's interior are home to the world-famous yakusugi (屋久杉; Cryptomeria japonica), ancient cedar trees that are said to have been the inspiration for some of the scenes in Miyazaki Hayao's animation classic Princess Mononoke. Hiking among the high peaks and mossy forests is the main activity on Yakushima, but the island is also home to some excellent coastal onsen and a few sandy beaches. Keep in mind that Yakushima is a place of extremes: the mountains wring every last drop of moisture from the passing clouds and the interior of the island is one of the wettest places in Japan. In the winter the peaks may be covered in snow, while the coast is still relatively balmy. Read more. Hotels Kyoto - Hoshinoya Kyoto - Luxury Hotel Kyoto. The lost islands of Japan. Japan’s Southwest Islands, or Nansei-shotō, are the other Japan: a chain of semitropical islands that feel more like Hawaii or Southeast Asia than the main islands of Japan.

Stretching from Kyūshū in the north to within sight of Taiwan in the south, these coral-fringed islands are sure to be a revelation to those who make the journey. First and foremost, the islands are a nature lover’s paradise: starting with the islands of Kagoshima-ken in the north, you’ll find lush primeval forests hidden among the craggy peaks of Yakushima. Heading south, the first stop is Okinawa-hontō, the bustling main island of Japan’s southernmost prefecture, Okinawa-ken. While the main island is great, the offshore islands are even better, including the spectacular Kerama-shotō, a group of tiny gems with white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. And, finally, there is brilliant Yaeyama-shotō, featuring coral reefs, subtropical jungles and extensive mangrove swamps. Inside Kyoto: Kerama-shoto. The Tale of Genji.

Japan. Japanese Folktales. Selected and edited by D. L. Ashliman © 1998-2008 Contents Return to D. L. Ashliman's folktexts, a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology. The Two Frogs Once upon a time in the country of Japan there lived two frogs, one of whom made his home in a ditch near the town of Osaka, on the sea coast, while the other dwelt in a clear little stream which ran through the city of Kyoto.

So one fine morning in the spring they both set out along the road that led from Kyoto to Osaka, one from one end and the other from the other. They looked at each other for a moment without speaking, and then fell into conversation, explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. "What a pity we are not bigger," said the Osaka frog; "for then we could see both towns from here, and tell if it is worth our while going on. " "Oh, that is easily managed," returned the Kyoto frog. "Dear me! " The Mirror of Matsuyama "What have you hidden in your sleeve? " Source: F. "Three hundred years! " Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire | Documentary Heaven | Watch Free Documentaries Online. Commanding shoguns and fierce samurai warriors, exotic geisha and exquisite artisans – all were part of a Japanese renaissance between the 16th and 19th centuries when Japan went from chaos and violence to a land of ritual refinement and peace.

But stability came at a price: for nearly 250 years, Japan was a land closed to the Western world, ruled by the shogun under his absolute power and control. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire brings to life the unknown story of a mysterious empire, its relationship with the West, and the forging of a nation that would emerge as one of the most important countries in the world. The Way of the Samurai. Tokugawa Ieyasu unifies Japan and establishes a dynasty that will rule Japan for over 250 years.

The Will of the Shogun. The Return of the Barbarians. Playlist contains the episodes mentioned above, each 55 minutes long.