Rund's Halloween Makeup TutorialOct.27.2020
Japan is a country steeped in rich tradition. One of the best ways to get to know people is to know their traditions. While it is easy to get caught up in the glitz and lights of modern Japan, reminders of its traditional roots are still easy to find. Here’s a list of must-do activities next time you find yourself in The Land of the Rising Sun to pay homage to the incredible culture.
For centuries, the cherry blossom has been an important part of Japanese culture. The lovely flowers have a very short life span, which is meant to represent the beauty and fragility of life and a reminder to make every day count. To have a hanami, all you need is a picnic and some cherry blossom trees. The basic idea is to witness and enjoy the beauty of the trees, while eating and talking with your friends. Blossoms bloom from the end of March to April. So, grab some sushi, a blanket, and a couple of besties and celebrate the beauty of life with the locals.
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The word kabuki actually means “to lean” or “out of the ordinary”. Therefore, this art form which dates back to around 1603 characterized by dramatic makeup and stylized drama, can be called bizarre or avant-garde theatre. The cultural significance of it is so great that UNESCO (a specialized agency of the UN) proclaimed it of possessing outstanding universal value and intangible heritage. Today there are quite a few regularly performing Kabuki troupes and Kabuki theatres sprinkled throughout Japan. Take in a show, it is not to be missed!
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Japan has elevated the serving of tea to a true art form. A tea ceremony, also called The Way of Tea or sado, can vary depending on school, season, occasion, setting, or multiple other factors. Originally something that only the esteemed samurai class or royal courts could enjoy, it would later trickle down to something common folk could also experience. Every action in sado from the examining of the teacup to how the powdered tea is scooped is done very precisely and with impossible grace. This beautiful cultural tradition is something any visitor should experience at least once.
View this post on InstagramTea Ceremony . . #tea #teatime #japaneseteaceremony
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Even though the first professional sumo wrestlers didn’t appear until around 1600 during the Edo period, sumo wrestling is thought to be around 2000 years old! Sumo is considered a martial art and is actually heavily laced with Shinto elements which ascribes to performing ritual actions to bridge the past with the present. Many traditional ceremonies usually accompany the matches. Though tournaments are held throughout the year, Tokyo is a good place to find them in the months of January, May, and September.
Shinto shrines abound in Japan and are considered places of worship and houses for the gods or “kami”. The shrines hold secret objects that are hidden away from sight and meant to represent the kami. Visitors flock to the shrines, both local and tourist, to pray, in hopes of good fortune, and are a popular place to hold weddings. Though Japan has many beautiful shrines to visit, our pick is Itsukushima shrine in Hiroshima. Thought to be built for the first time around the 6th century and the present structure to date back to the 16h, it is famous for its striking red colour and the floating gate, or torii, that was meant to welcome the devout. It is also a registered UNESCO World Heritage site.
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