Culture of Japan

Origin

First people came to Japan islands long time ago BC, their language and life habits became the basement for developing of specific Japanese culture.

 

Ancient time

In ancient times China was a country with highly developed culture and advanced technology. The material items of that period (metall items, jade items, mirrors, swords), characters, Buddhisms are highly representative. Through the exchange of envoys and students, Chinese culture started to penetrate Japan. Besides, Japan had diplomatic (envoy exchange) and trade relations with states of Korean peninsula. This way traditional original Japanese culture was also having the influence from neigbour countries.
Since the time of envoys abolition (894 year), foreign influence started to dissolve in Japanese original culture, the period of development of national culture began. Some women from aristocracy had developed kana scripts from Chinese characters; The Tale of Genji novel and a book of observations and musings The Pillow Book were written by noblewomen; literature of diary and other styles became vigorous. In the sphere of arcitecture, together with having obvious Chinese influence Horyuji Temple and Toshodaiji Temple, such building of original Japanese style as Byodoin Temple started to appear. This style of culture is called Japanese style.

 

Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages such class of society as samurais appeared, and they had made great infuence onto the culture development. Such arts as horseback archery, dog-hunting of Kamakura period etc are essencial parts of samurai`s culture. The genre of literature with battles as the main theme, war chronicles(for example the Tale of Heike), has appeared. Physical strength also became one of the main themes of sculpture. (Kong?rikishi staue as an example). Such perfomances as Sarugaku and Dengaku were popular both in cities and in the villages. In the end of Heian period trade relation with Song dynasty China strengthened. That time due to communication of Zen Buddhism monks, Zen related culture(vegetarian cuisine, black ink painting, tea drinking etc ) made great influence on the development of Japanese culture.　After launching Tenryuji-bune ships, trade relations with China became constant. At that time copper coins appeared. Imported goods were higly appreciated. During Muromachi period so called Higashiyama culture was created, such arts as Sarugaku theater, tea ceremony, shoin-zukuri architecture were developing. Much of what is commonly seen nowadays as traditional Japanese culture originated or developed in that period.

 

Early modern period

・During Azuchi-Momoyama period contacts with differnet European culture started. Guns had changed the tactics of wars and opened the way for unification of the country; words of foreign origin appeared in Japanese language; foreign cuisine like tempura spread in the country. Although a lot of missionaries, for example Jesuits, came to Japan, but Tokugawa shogunat was not trusting Spanish and Portugese peole, besides the shogunat was not satisfied with the spread of Christianity in Japan, and as a result Christianity was restricted and finally was prohibited completely.After prohibition of Christianity the shogunat carried out the policy of national isolation. Through the contacts with Jesuits and capturing people and equipment during war in Korea, Japan has got movable type printing technology.
・Politically stable, isolated from the contacts with outer world, Japan had relatively long period of peace existance, that time traditional Japanese culture got futher development. Due to Terakoya temple schools and hanko schools spread, literacy and abacus usage became more and more common in Japan. Shogunat was encouraging development of Confucious schools, wchich were teaching medical herbs and other natural sciences. Perfomances (Kabuki theater, Ningyo Joruri puppet theater ) and published periodicals (Ukiyozoshi books, Yomihon books, Ukiyoe picture books etc) were popular among people at that period, it was the period of mass culture flourishing. At that time sumo transformed into professional sport. At the end of Tokugawa shogunat rule, a campaign against the Westernization of Japan took place, its slogan was “Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians".
・Although the policy of national isolation was carried out, contacts with China and Korea continued. Although contacts with western nations were prohibited, trade relations with the Dutch were carried out through Dejima island in Nagasaki. Chinese and western culture, coming to China through Nagasaki, was popular among Japanese intellectuals. They studied western science and Chinese medicine. Such communication was one of the reasons for opening country movement to start.

 

Modern period

・The main aim of the state at the last period of Tokugawa shogunat and Meiji restoration was using of the most advanced western science and culture. New habbits were entering Japan`s society and cultural life one by one. Sometimes government`s attemps to install westernization were superficial. Rokumeikan become a symbol of such controversial westernisation. It caused negative reaction in the society. This movement was called “Japanese spirit and Western techniques”. Lots of intellectuals of that period were rejecting old feudal culture and habbits. Due to newspapers, magazines, railroads new culture was spreading all over the country and was making great influence on the whole society. But lot of remoted villages still were leading the old traditional way of life.
・Westernisation constantly deepened in big cities　during Taisho period. Departments stores as representatives of consumer culture appeared. Due to impact of American mass culture, mass culture was also developing in Japan. A lot of entertainment estabslishments, such as cafes, cinemas appeared. Such genres as erotic, grotesque, nonsense became popular. As the gap between rich and poor people was widening, strikes began and socialism ideas appeared. The cities were facing a problem of slums.
・In the beginning of Showa period, country`s economy was in deep crisis, agriculture was ruined. At that time military ideas became popular in the society. The politics with weak attitude were losing positions. Soon Japan-China war started, at that time repressions against communists and socialists took place.　Pressure was also made on liberals. In order to encourage fighting spirit, the ideas oft superiority of Japanese nation had been spread. Getting severe criticism from America and Britain, Japan has created an alliance with German and Italia. Japan entered the World War II by launching an attack on American naval base in Pearl Harbour. In order to increase military strength of the country, consumption of food and natural resources was strictly controlled.
・During the last period of the war, the allied countries organized naval blockade and launched air strikes on Japan. Lots of men were reqruited to the Army, that caused lack of labour forces. The country was severelly suffering from lackage of foods and resourses. In order to be able to continue the war, the government controlled both traditional and mass culture.

 

Contemporary period

According to Potsdam declaration, Japan had capitulated and was occupied by allied military forces, mainly by Americans. The most area of the country was under control of the General Headquarters(GHQ). According to the orders of GHQ, Japan government was carrying out demilitarization and democratization of the country`s society. Demobilized soldiers were returning to the country from the former colonies and areas occupied by Soviet Union, this process was adding problems to the the whole Japan society.
In after war period Japanese were keen on American culture. Rapid economy growth led to the industrialization of the cities. All those factors caused great revolutionary changes in the way of life. Lots of traditional life habbits were lost completely. Nevertheless, the after war Japan had not become the exact copy of America. The influence of American culture has dissolved in original Japanese culture, and the new special Japanese culture was created, beginning with the food culture and manga. Japan has became the second largest economy in the world after USA, and self-confidence of Japanese nation has recovered. In 1970 EXPO exhibition was held in Osaka, its slogan was “Progress and Harmony of Humankind”.

Foreigners, except those who lives in East Asia, usually knew little about original Japanese culture, just few words like "samurai", "geisha"; but starting from 1990s, modern Japanese mass culture and subculture became popular in many countries abroad. Especially such spheres like games, manga, anime; Japanese food entered big cities of Europe, America an Asia; so a lot of shops selling these goods has been opened.

For a long time Shinto and Buddism were adhered together, it was known as known as shinbutsu shugo (amalgamation of kami and buddhas), but in Meiji period they were separated. During Haibutsu kishaku ("abolish Buddhism and destroy Shokyamuni") campaign a lot of Buddism heritage was destroyed. Shinto was proclaimed a state religion with an Emperor as a center of political and cultural life. Shinshuko was a religion, created in Edo period on the base of traditional Jpanese Buddism, it was used as a tool for struggle with Christianity, and had great influence on Japan society during Edo period. Although freedom of religion was proclaimed during Meiji period, Shinto was not condsidered to be a religion, shrines were proclaimed non-religious organization, Shinto was treated as superior to other religions. After the World War II, Shinto has lost its state status, according to GHQ orders, Shinto was devided from political and educational spheres, and was given an equal status with other religions. Being called “funeral Buddism”, from the point of view of common Japanese people, Buddism is loosing its cultural value now.
Shrine (Jinja)- a place of Shinto woship. There are about 110 000 shrines of different sizes in Japan.

 

Kabuki theater

It is one of the traditional arts, representative for Japan. The first perfomance was made in 1603 year in Kyoto at Izumo Grand Shrine during nembutsu dance. The perfomance became popular, but due to the rules of that time, it was prohibited to women to take part in the perfomances, all the roles were played by men. It is an integrated perfomance, consisting of dances, music, dramtics. As the women`s roles are also played by men, special cosmetics is used for make up, it is the pecularity of Kabuki theater. After World War II, Kabuki perfomances were played in Europe, America, Asia. In Europe Kabuki association and Kabuki Research Center were established.

 

Noh drama

This is Japanese oldest perfomance art, its name comes from one of the characters from Japanese world "art". The perfomances have been played since 14th century. The basement of perfomance is a traditional song- utai. There 2 main types of roles: shite and waki. The actors wear colourfully painted wooden masks and luxury clothes. However, there are roles without masks. In that case the actor should not change the expression. The movements of the actors should be simple, they should not express their feelings with voice. The actors are trying to show the hidden spirit of people. Noh music`s pecularity is aesthetic monotonous rhythm (yugen), which maneges create an atmosphere of deep feelings.

 

Kyogen

Kyogen is a traditional Japanese art of comedy. Same as Noh, it was created in Muromachi period (1392〜1573) by Kanami and Zeami actors. In ancient times it was perfomed as an intermission of sorts between noh acts. Now it is perfomed separately. Some roles from Hoh genre are also played in Kyogeki perfomances. If compare with Noh genre, Kyogeki is more democratic.　Only a part of roles is played with mask, cosmetics are also seldom used. The costumes are usually the common clothes of 15th century, except the roles of gods and demons. The roles are usually positive, such roles as thieves etc are not perfomed. The difference from Kabuki or Noh is that the main is comedy play by itself but not the plot.

 

Nippon Buyo

Nippon Buyo appeared in 15th century, with traditional dance, jumps and pantomime as a string. In narrow sence it is a dance of Kabuki theater. It was firstly perfomed in 1603, as a part of Kabuki play, and was developed together with Kabuki theater. Using Kabuki dance as a basement, Nippon Buyo has a lot of schools. In the end of 18th century it became an indipendent kind of art. It has more than 100 schools, the main ones are Hanayagi, Fujima, Nishikawa. Nowadays this dance is also learnt by women.

 

Koto

Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument. It is made of wood and has length of about 180 cm and width of about 30 cm. It is played with thumb, index finger and middle finger of the right hand. It has 13 strings strung over 13 movable bridges, the timbre of sound is regulated by the position of bridges. Playing koto was considered to be female`s virtue in Edo period （1603〜1867）, so the girls from aristocracy families learnt to play it since childhood. Nowadays also a lot of female play koto as a hobby.

 

Samisen

amisen is a stringed musical instrument, its shape looks like banjo. Its pecularity is absence of frets. It has 3 strings and used to accompany Kabuki and Bunraku plays, folk songs. It was invented in Okinawa and then spread all over the country. It can be considered to be a representative musical instrument of Edo period.

 

Shakuhachi

Shakuhachi is a wooden wind musical instrument. The name shakuhachi means "1.8 shaku", referring to its size: shaku means 1 foot, hachi means 8 inches. It is very simple- a bamboo pipe with holes. But the technique of playing is difficult, it is very sensitive to blowing and even little movement of fingers pressing the holes cause changes of the sound, it is shakuhachi`s pecularity. Due to its specific sound, which is different from European fleut, shakuhachi is widely used nowaday all over the world, especially in jazz bands.

 

Biwa

Biwa is one of the Asian stringed musical instrument. It was invented in Persia and was brought to Japan through China and India at Nara period （710〜784）. It is made of wood, has a shape of ellipse, number of strings varies from 4 to 5, it is played with a plectra. Reading of The Tale of the Heike with biwa accomponement is very famous. Concerts of biwa music, played by women-musicians are also very popular.

 

Bunraku pappet theater

Bunraku is a kind of puppet theater. It became popular in 17th century. It is one of 3 main traditional Japanese theater arts, together with Kabuki and Noh. The main action is a combination of chanting and shamisen playing, which is called joruri. Although Bunraku is a puppet theater, it shares many themes with Kabuki theater. The art of puupet movements is the main instrument of spectators` attraction. The famous dramatist Chikamatsu Monzaemon wrote plays both for Kabuki and Bunraku and made a large contribution in the development of both of them. The height of Bunraku puppets is 100-150 cm, they have different appearance and clothes. Usually 3 people operate one puppet, but their technique is so well trained, that the actors do not have feeling that there are puppets on the stage.

 

Joruri

Joruri is a a combination of chanting and shamisen playing. This genre appeared during Muromachi period (1392-1573), starting from reading such novels about Ushiwakamaru and Joruri princess, and became very popular, after that other novel also were playing in this genre. During Edo period, a lot of schools appeared in Joruri genre, now they are quite independent. Gidayubushi is a special type of joruri used for bunraku theater.

 

Takigi Noh

Takigi Noh is a kind of Noh perfomance, its literal sence is “a Noh at Firewood banquet ”, firstly it was perfomed in Kofukuji in Nara. It was developing, and nowadays Tagiki Noh is a simplified one. The modern Takigi Noh is perfomed in the evening, when it is dark; firewoods are set alight and Tagkigi Noh perfomance starts. Perfomed at night at the seashore or at woods, except artistic value, Takigi Noh has natural attractive power, so recently its popularity increased again.

 

Gidayu

Gidayu is a kind of music used at Bunraku theater, it is a school of joruri art. The world is an abbreviation of Gidayubushi. This name comes from Gidayubushi- a famous joruri and Shamisen musician of 17th century. If to compare to the other schools of joruri, the main accent is made on chanting. Shamisen is played in strong sound of low tones, it is a background for the personages at the stage, who are expressing their feelings.

 

Rakugon

Rakugon is a type of verbal entertainment perfomance, it appeared during Edo period. The storyteller, wearing kimono, sits on the stage, called Koza, depicts a comical story, usually a dialog. The perfomance always ends with a narrative stunt known as ochi. The storyteller uses a paper fan and a small cloth. Using theese 2 tools, the storyteller simulates a lot of objects, making spectator`s imagination work. Same as Kabuki theater, all the storytellers are males, the roles of women are also perfomed by male actors. The matter of is it possible for women take part in Rakugon perfomances, is now under discussion.

 

Manzai

Manzai is a kind of comedy art, which usually involves a team of two performers, who are making jokes. Manzai appeared during Showa period (1926-1989) as a part of a festival to welcome the New Year. If compare to Rakugon, Manzai is more modern kind of comedy art. The 2 actors play different roles. Same as Rakugon, Manzai perfomances are often translated on TV in different variety shows.

 

Kodan

Kodan is one of traditional Japanese storytelling genre. Like Rakugo, it appeared in 17 th century. Kodan is usually performed sitting behind a desk called shakudai, and using a fan to mark the rhythm. Usually the stories are about battles and brave warriors. In 1920s Kodan came under pressure from competition with cinema and theater, and a long period of depression for Kodan started. Recently Kodan became more popular. Some changes took place: women also started to make the perfomances, some new plays were created.

 

Hogaku- Traditional Japanese music

In wide sence hogaku means Japanese music, but usually it means the music of modern period: shamisen, koto, shakuhachi, including gagaku music and minyo folk singing. In Jiruri, the story, long songs, short songs are usually accompanied with shamisen. Hogaku is played for wide masses of spectators, there are lots of professional and amateur musicians who play hogaku. Modern hogaku uses not only Japanese music instruments, but also the western ones, music of such kind is quite popular among young bands.

 

Shigin

Shigin is a form of traditional Japanese poetry. Shigin is usually chanted and accompanied with biwa. Sometimes it is a part of Biwa song with lyrics, while the other parts are scraped off. If to compare with biwa song, shigin is more simple for making perfomance. Perfoming shigin is believed to have positive impact on health, so this genre has lots of amateurs. Shigin has a lot of different schools.

 

Utai

It is an integral part of Noh Theater. It includes not only music, but also the words. Although it is an important element of Noh theater, during Muromachi period it started to develop as an independent kind of art. Now it is still popular, and it is a factor to support popularity of Noh theater.

 

Nagauta

It is a form of traditional Japanese singing accompanied by shamisen, it appeared and won great popularity during Edo period (1603-1867). In the beginning of Edo period, all the culture of Edo city (Tokyo) was a copy of Kyoto and Osaka`s culture. But later musical culture of Edo continued its development and new original forms firstly appeared in Edo. Nagauta, which is perfomed in Kabuki theater to accompany dances, during its development involved some elements of utai, kyogen, folk music etc, so it became various in forms, and it has a lot of pecularities. Sometimes it is perfomed by itself, without dance. In that case it is similar to chanting with shamisen accopmaniment.

 

Kouta

This kind of traditional Japanese Hogaku music has been perfomed till nowadays. It is a kind of mixed singing and jokes, accompanied by shamisen. It developed from Hauta shamisen singing school during Edo period, its modern form was completed during Meiji period. It has a lot of schools nowadays. Kouta parties are very popular nowadays. The pecularity of Kouta is that musicians do not use plectra during permomance, they play with the nails.

 

Street perfoming

It is a general defenition for perfomances, that are held in the street or at the stage. Usually, the number of spectators is not defined, perfomance fee is also indefinite. Now there a lot of such actors, who does this activity for living.

 

Minyo

Minyo is a definition for Japanese folk songs since the ancient period to nowadays, most of them are just voice songs, without musical instruments accompanement. They are considered to be the origin of Japanese rhyme songs. According to the investigation of 1987 year, there are more than 58000 folk songs in Japan, not including Ryukyu and Ainu folk songs. In wide sence, folk songs should include well-known popular songs.

 

Warabeuta songs

Warabeuta are traditional Japanese songs for children, most of them are sung by children as a part of games. Warabeuta songs are considered to be a part of Minyo music. Some of them are very old, the lyrics has been transferred through centuries, and often are incomprehensible to modern Japanese.

 

Naniwa-bushi

It is also called Rokyoku. It is a kind of traditional Japanese narrative singing. It is usually acompanied with shamisen and is perfomed by single actor. It consists of dialogs and songs. It appeared during Edo period as street perfoming, during Meiji period it won great popularity and became an important part of mass culture.

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