Culture

Sushi

Sushi is a Japanese food made from rice mixed with vinegar, salt, and sugar. It’s often wrapped in a sheet of seaweed (nori) and can contain raw or cooked fish but may contain other food such as vegetables or chicken instead.

It was originally invented to preserve fish by putting it inside fermented rice. Since its original development it has become a popular dish in Japan. In the early 20th century, sushi was spread to the United States and other western countries and continues to gain popularity across the world.

Restaurants often serve sushi using a conveyor belt (kaitenzushi). The food is put on colour-coded plates depending on their price. Sometimes different patterns or shapes are also used. The bill is settled by adding up the plates.

Shinto

Shinto is a religion that originated in Japan and is practiced by an estimated XY million people. Its name literally means ‘the way of the Kami’. Followers almost exclusively live in Japan, but can also be found in South Korea, China and even the USA.

The faith involves the worship of Kami (spirits). They can range from global natural phenomenon such as the sun and the wind to localised natural features such as mountains and rivers. There are eight million Kami, a number which is equivalent to infinite in traditional Japanese culture.

The worship takes mainly takes place at jinja (shrines) by performing rituals and prayers. At the entrance to shines are iconic red torii gates. Home reverence is also possible at a kami-dana (Kami shelf) which is a miniature replica of a shrine with an ofuda (talisman) protected within it.

Unlike many other religions, it has no known founder or single holy text. The Kojiki (records of ancient matters) and the Nihongi (chronicles of Japan) are considered sacred scriptures. Shinto is considered to be more of a way of life than a religion in the western sense by many people. Because of this, lots of Shinto believers are also Buddhists or another polytheistic (believing in more than one God) religion.

Samurai

Samurai were members of Japan’s elite warrior class who pledged their loyalty to a local lord. An estimated 10% of the country’s population belonged to this class of nobility. They followed a strict code of honour called bushido (the way of the warrior) and have therefore been compared to European knights.

They are famous for their unparalleled skill with the katana (sword). They didn’t just use the sword and were also masters of the yumi (longbow), naginata (polearm) and tanegashima (musket).

They weren’t just fighters however and were highly educated in non-combat skills such as painting, poetry and even flower arrangement.

The Samurai class began in the 12th century A.D. and ended in 1896 due to the end of feudalism (lords ruling over peasants). Today, their spirit lives on through modern martial arts such as kendo and judo. They are often depicted in fiction, sometimes fighting another of Japan’s well-known feudal era groups the ninjas.

Ninjas

A ninja (also called shinobi) was an agent who carried out spying, assassination, and sabotage in Japan. Their name can be literally translated as ‘a concealed person’. They were often hired by Samurai to perform covert missions. The tactics used were in stark contrast to the bushido code of honour the Samurai’s followed. They would often perform dishonest work and kill in a ‘dishonourable’ way.

The true origin of the ninja, rather appropriately, is shrouded in mystery. They are thought to have always existed in some form but became formerly trained agents sometime between 12th and 15th century.

Ninjas were experts in conventional fighting including katanas, bows, shuriken (throwing stars) and darts. They were also specialists in more exotic methods such as poison and explosives. Tools such as grappling hooks, collapsible ladders, and spiked shoes were used to help them scale walls or other obstacles.

Ninjas are almost always depicted in media wearing pure black clothing and a hood. However, much of the time they would be disguised as a regular person (such as a merchant or farmer) to blend in with their surroundings. When they did wear an outfit for camouflage at night, it would be a navy blue or brown colour as black would be too ‘absolute’ blend in.

The reason ninjas are often depicted wearing all black is a tradition coming from kabuki theatre. In it, stagehands wore all black to signify they aren’t part of the play. However, sometimes one would suddenly, out of nowhere, attack someone. And so, the modern depiction of ninjas was born.

Although the era of ninjas has ended, their spirit lives on. Whether it’s through martial arts such as ninjutsu, video games or movies, their impact on modern popular culture can’t be overstated. There is even a dot ninja domain name.

Geisha

A geisha (or geiko in Kyoto) is a traditional Japanese performing entertainer skilled in dance, music, singing and tea ceremonies. The word literally translates to ‘artistic person’. They perform in teahouses, banquet halls, high-end restaurants, and other venues where gatherings and parties are held.

Until the 18th century all geishas were men, and their role was more like a medieval European court jester. Today all geishas are female and are most often found in Kyoto but also cities such as Tokyo and Niigata. The amount of geisha in Japan has been estimated to be less than one thousand.

Training to become a geisha is challenging and can take up to five years (although this is location dependant). An apprentice is called a maiko. They dress differently than geisha with bright decorations in their elaborate hairstyle and longer sleeved kimonos.

Karate

Karate is a martial art created in Okinawa, Japan. Its name translates to ‘empty hands’, but it involves more than just using your bare fists. Moves comprise of using your hands, elbow, leg, knees, and feet to hit your opponent as well as numerous throwing techniques.

Although it originated in Japan, it’s now practiced across the world and is an Olympic sport.

Training sessions are performed in a dojo (training hall) and led by a sensei (instructor). Karate martial artists wear white uniforms called karategi with belts worn around their waist to show the wearer’s rank.

1. White
2. Yellow
3. Orange
4. Green
5. Blue
6. Red
7. Brown
8. Black

To progress to the next rank a student must have been practicing at their current belt colour for a certain amount of time and then be deemed ready by their sensei. When they have, a formal grading is undertaken where hopefuls demonstrate the required syllabus to a panel of masters. It can take at least five years of regular, dedicated training to become a black belt.