Japanese Culture

Japanese culture conjours up images of extravagantly made-up actors, kimono- clad ladies pouring cups of tea. Even today you can experience it all, as Japan offers a cultural experience that is truly exotic.

In this page, you'll enjoy the following subjects:

- Japanese gardens

- Ceramics

- Ukiyoe

- Lacquerwares

- Buildings and so on

January

Photo: Yamamoto-san

November

September

August

June

April

February

January

December

Nobvember

October

Septembre

August

Why don't you listen to music for having a rest ?

< the Way We Were >

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=uBPQT2Ia8fU

July

Why don't you listen to music for having a rest ?

< My Way >

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8tp3ts2ikMw

June

Boys' Day

Before this day, families raise the carp-shaped koinobori flags (carp because of the Chinese legend that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon, and the way the flags blow in the wind looks like they are swimming), one for each boy (or child), display a Kintar doll usually riding on a large carp, and the traditional Japanese military helmet, kabuto. Kintar and the kabuto are symbols of a strong and healthy boy.

Kintar is the childhood name of Sakata no Kintoki who was a hero in the Heian period, a subordinate samurai of Minamoto no Raikou, having been famous for his strength when he was a child. It is said that Kintar rode a bear, instead of a horse, and played with animals in the mountains when he was a young boy.