Japanese Family Crests: Kamon
Japanese family crests, known as Kamon (家紋), are unique symbols representing a family’s identity. These crests have a long history dating back over a thousand years and remain a visible …
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Obon Celebration
Celebrated in mid-August, Obon is one of the two main periods with Golden Week where people can hope to get long holidays especially since many businesses and offices close during …
Torii: A Sacred Symbol of Japan
A torii (鳥居) is a traditional Japanese gate that is typically found at the entrance of Shinto shrines. It symbolizes the transition from the profane world to the sacred world, …
The Beauty of Japanese Lacquerware
Lacquerware, or “urushi” in Japanese, is an art form deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Crafted from the sap of the lacquer tree to create beautiful and functional objects, its origins …
The story of Chopsticks
The chopsticks, also known as “kuaizi” in Mandarin, or “Hashi” in Japanese have a rich history dating back over 5,000 years. Originally made of wood or bamboo, and even bone …
Izumo-Taisha : meet with the gods
Izumo Taisha is a Shinto sanctuary located in the Shimane Prefecture in Japan and is one of the oldest and most venerated in the country. It is dedicated to Okuninushi …
The Tokushima Yokai Matsuri
The Tokushima Yokai Matsuri happens near the Hiraga Shrine in Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture. It’s a special event that shows the magical world of Yokai, which are creatures from Japanese stories. …
The Ujicha Ceremony
As October approaches, there’s an exciting event on the horizon that allows us to step back in time and immerse ourselves in the rich history and cultural heritage of Japan. …