J ● T| Japanese Traditions and culture

Archive for the ‘ Crafts ’ Category

• 

  Bamboo stilts (Takeuma)

  Takeuma is a Japanese traditional plaything. It is referred to as stilts overseas. Wooden platforms are attac…
• 

  Igo is Japanese version Othello. Do you know how to play?

  There is a game called Igo in Japan that is very similar to a game played overseas called Othello. Igo is pla…
• 

  Jizo: religious temple ornaments

  When you walk into temples, you may find a lot of Jizo (guardian deities of children) in the grounds.　 Have yo…
• 

  The Japanese kitchen knife is razor sharp! Domestic Houchou are highly sought after by internationally renowned chefs.

  In recent years Japanese food has become very popular abroad.In 2013, washoku (Japanese food) was designated a…
• 

  “Uchiwa”: a gentle Japanese wind

  Uchiwa can generate wind anywhere without using electricity.There are many convenient items these days: air co…
• 

  Ohaguro (blackened teeth) was fashionable back in the day!

  Ohaguro is a custom among Japanese women that continued until the early Meiji period. True to its name, ohagur…
• 

  Kites are flown on New Years in Japan

  Tako means kite in Japanese. In Japanese, Tako has two meanings: kite and octopus, so the word is often confu…
• 

  Japanese bathrooms! The low-down and why you find slippers there

  One of the surprising events to foreigners in Japan is a custom of taking off shoes in a house. They usually …
• 

  Koma is a traditional Japanese toy. How do we play?

  Koma is a Japanese traditional plaything. We play by spinning it on its axis. The axial point running the ce…
• 

  Furin helps us get over summer with its relaxing sounds!

  In Japan when walking in a residential area in summer, we often hear the timbre of "Furin." The cool sound of …