The Culture of Japan

Project WorkVladyslav MakogonForm 11

School №1

Introduction

Japanese culture has evolved as a result of the historical process that began with the relocation of the ancestors of the Japanese people on the Japanese archipelago with the Mainland and the origin of Jomon culture. Contemporary Japanese culture has experienced strong influence in Asian countries (especially China and Korea), Europe and North America. One of the characteristics of Japanese culture is its long development in a period of complete isolation of the country (sakoku policy) from the rest of the world during the reign of the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted until the mid-19th century and the beginning of the Meiji period.

A Cultural History of Japan

Jōmon period (10 thousand years BC-300 BC) the first examples of ceramics, jewellery and female figurines DoguYayoi (300 BC-300 BC) — the transition to farming, irrigated rice cultivation, articles made of bronze and ironYamato:— Kofun (4th century BC-6th century BC) — dissemination of kurgans, sculptures, ancient Shinto beginnings of haniwa and related cults— Asuka (593-710) — borrowing samples of Chinese culture, Taika reform, creating codesNARA (710-794)-entry of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, the creation of literary works "Kojiki", "Nihon Shoki", "Man'josju", "Kaifūsō»

The Heian period (794-1185) was the beginning of the use of syllabic alphabets Hiragana and katakana, the construction of the sanctuary of Itsukushima Shrine, creating a "tale of Genji", the emergence of style in Yamato-e paintingsKamakura (1185-1333) was a formation of the Samurai classMuromachi (1333-1568) — the emergence of Noh theaterSengoku Jidai(1467-1568)-entry of ChristianityThe Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600)Edo (1600-1868) was the establishment of the dictatorship of the Tokugawa policy of Sakoku, suppression of Christianity and the fall of the shogunate, the emergence of Kabuki and Ukiyo-e styleMeiji (1868-1912)-the end of the period of self-isolation, beginning the capitalist way of development, the emergence of Japanese cinemaTaishō (1912-1926) Showa (1926-1989)

Japanese Language and

WritingThe Japanese language has always been an important part of Japanese culture. The majority of the population speaks Japanese. Japanese is an agglutinative language and is characterized by a complex system of writing, consisting of three different types of characters — Chinese characters kanji, Hiragana and katakana syllabaries.

The oldest known form of Japanese language is called old Japanese language, it has evolved by borrowing the Chinese writing system and characters and was used until the beginning of the Heian period. In the further development of Japanese language, called then a classic Japanese language, new ways were added to write two syllabaries Hiragana and Katakana, which resulted in significant development of Japanese language and Japanese literature flourishing.

In modern Japanese words occupy a fairly high percentage of borrowed from other languages (called gairaigo). Japanese names are written using kanji consist of name and surname indicated initially. Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult to learn. Some words in Russian language were borrowed from Japanese, for example, tsunami sushi, karaoke, Samurai, etc.

LiteratureFor a long time, the Japanese literature was influenced by China, literary works were also established in the Chinese language. The first written monuments considered collection of Japanese Myths and legends "Kojiki (" records of acts of antiquity ") and historical chronicle Nihon shoki" (Recorded by brushing the annals of Japan "or" Nihongi "Annals of Japan"), created during the Nara period (7th-8th centuries). Both works were written in Chinese, but with changes to transfer Japanese names of gods and other words. During the same period were established poetic anthology "Man'josju" (wan 葉 ji, "collection of myriad leaves", 759) and the Kaifūsō (huaifengzao) (751).

The word "Japanese" in Japanese

Japanese Mystic prose XVII-XIX centuries laws Tajhorjo "the tale of Genji (Murasaki Shikibu) Legend about Yoshitsune Trilogy cult Japanese horror novels" wake "," spiral "," birth ". Widely known and outside Japan kinds of poetic form haiku (Japanese. 俳句 ), Waka (Japanese. 和歌 "the Japanese song") and a variation of the last tank(Japanese. 短歌 "short song").

Graphic arts. Painting

Japanese painting (in Japanese. 絵画 kaiga, painting, drawing ") is one of the most ancient and refined of the Japanese arts, is home to a wide variety of genres and styles. For Japanese painting as for literature, characterized by placing the leading places of nature and its image as a vector of divine origin.

Beginning with the 10th century Japanese painting secrete direction Yamato paintings represent horizontal scrolls, which illustrated literary works. In the 14th century the SUMI style develops (monochrome watercolor), and in the first half of the 17th century painters begin to print Ukiyo — woodcuts depicting Geisha, popular actors kabuki theatre and scenery.

Graphic arts. Calligraphy

In Japan, calligraphy is considered one of the arts and is known as Shodo (Japanese. 書道 "the way of writing"). On par with painting calligraphy is taught in schools. The art of calligraphy was brought to Japan together with Chinese script. In the old days in Japan sign cultural possession of the art of calligraphy was thought to be human. There are several different styles of writing hieroglyphs. Improve styles of writing hieroglyphs engaged Buddhist monks.

Graphic arts. SculptureThe oldest type of Japanese art is sculpture. Starting from a variety of pottery were Jomon (tableware), also known clay figurines-idols Dogu.

The history of sculpture in Japan linked to the advent of Buddhism in the country. Traditional Japanese sculpture is most often statues of Buddhist religious concepts (Tathagata, bodhisattva and others) one of the most ancient sculptures in Japan — wooden statue Amitabha Buddha in the temple Zenko Temple.

TheatreOne of the earliest types of theatre was a theatre but (in Japanese. 能 but: "talent skill"), formed in XIV-XV centuries, actors played masked and luxurious costumes. The theatre is "masked" drama, but the masks (Monte) wear only the Cité and Waki. In the 17th century formed one of the most well-known types of Japanese traditional theatre is Kabuki (Japanese. 歌舞伎 song, dance, skill)

CinemaThe first Japanese films of the beginning of the 20th century had simple stories, cinema of this period developed under the influence of theatre, acting was theatrical, female roles were performed by male actors, used costumes and scenery. Initially, the cinema was considered low art, there was contempt for people involved in cinema. Recognition and credibility of this kind of art has received only at the end of the 30-ies of the last century.

Anime and manga

Anime (or Japanese animation) has a high popularity around the world. Among other genres of animation stands out more oriented to adult audiences. Often anime is an adaptation of the Japanese manga comics, also enjoying great popularity. Anime and manga are designed for different audiences.

ArchitectureJapanese architecture has an equally long history as any other component of Japanese culture. Originally having strong influence on Chinese architecture, Japanese architecture has developed many differences and approaches inherent in Japan. Examples of traditional Japanese architecture - temples, Shinto shrines and castles in Kyoto and Nara. In General, Japanese architecture is characterized by the pursuit of simplicity. Traditional wooden houses of ordinary Japanese people, called Minka (in Japanese. 民家 ), maximally adapted to the climate of the country. Minka has a skeleton construction with bearing column in the center of the home and sliding doors. Minka now preserved only in rural areas.

7th century was marked by the rapid construction of Buddhist temples in Japan. Sanctuary Ise Jingu Shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu, the Shinto shrine is Japan. Originality of different Japanese castles, which served not only to protect its owners from enemies, but also a symbol of authority. The names of two locks (Azuchi Momoyama and) gave the name to the period in the history of Japan-Azuchi-Momoyama period. Many castles were destroyed during the war, burned in fires, were dismantled on the orders of the Government as a relic of feudal past, in the 20th century part of the castles was restored.

ClothingIn Japan it is possible to meet two types of clothing is traditional — vafuku (Japanese. 和服 Japanese clothing). Kimono (Japanese.着物 ) — literally translated as "clothing, dress" is a general term for any clothes and narrow is a vafuku. Yukata-light cotton kimono Obi — different types of belts Geta-wooden sandals Mont-family coat of arms of the family

National cuisineJapanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on seasonality of food, quality ingredients and dishes. The Foundation of Japanese cuisine is rice. The word gohan (Japanese. 御飯 literally "boiled rice") can also be translated as "food". In addition to its primary purpose as food rice also served as a kind of currency, in the olden days rice paid taxes and salaries. The Japanese use rice for cooking various dishes, sauces and even beverages (sake, shochu, bakusju). Fish often used in cheese or half-baked, such as sushi. Bean curd (tofu) is also very popular in Japan.

SportsSumo wrestling is not an official sport in Japan, but in the opinion of the Professional Association of Sumo, is considered the national sport. Kyudo ("way of the bow") — archery Aikido ("the way of harmonious spirit")

ReligionTotemism was widespread at an early stage of the development of Japanese society. Shinto is the main religion of Japan. Shinto (or Shinto) literally can be translated as "the way many Kami (gods)"). The basis of this current is the worship of the forces of nature. According to Shinto views, Sun, trees, mountains, stones and other natural phenomena are Kami (or Mikoto) and endowed with a soul, they worship in a specially built for this purpose, the temples. An important feature of Shintoism is the cult of ancestors.

Ancient Japanese believed that the Japanese islands and the people inhabiting them, were created, that is reflected in the Japanese mythology. With these representations is the cult of the emperor — it was believed that the imperial family descended from the gods-the creators of the Japanese archipelago. The ancient myths and legends of Shintoism about creation of the Japanese islands by the gods and the transfer of authority over the country, descendants of the gods (Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Jimmu) remained in the vaults of "Kojiki" and "Nihongi".