Japanese Traditions Japan is known for its unique culture and heritage, which has been preserved by the Japanese people since ancient times. The age-old Japanese traditions and customs which give a unique character to the lifestyle of the Japanese people have to be experienced to be truly appreciated. Some of the unique aspects of Japanese life are mentioned here as an introduction to the traditions of Japan. Japanese Gardens: The original Japanese gardens were inspired by uddhist and !hinese philosophy and later evolved to have their own distinct Japanese identity. The gardens found in Japanese temples and shrines are inspired by the Shinto religion and the belief in an ideal state of harmony. The Japanese attempt to recreate this ideali"ed harmony in their beautifully designed gardens that include aspects such as water, rocks, gravel, moss and miniature plants or onsai. #ne of the most famous $en %ock &ardens in Japan is the %yoan-'i $en %ock &arden in (yoto. Japanese Architecture: Traditional Japanese )rchitecture has a distinct style deeply in*uenced by the religions uddhism and Shintoism. +ouses and temples made of wood, placed on stilts to raise them above the ground, and with sloping roofs made of thatch or tiles create a distinctive silhouette in traditional Japanese architecture. The use of lightweight wood and bamboo to create ,usuma -sliding doors. and straw or woven grass to create Tatami -mats. are other unique features of Japanese architectural design. /eople usually sat on the *oor and furniture only came into widespread use after the late-nineteenth and early twentieth century. Japanese Tea Ceremony: The Japanese ceremony of preparing and o0ering tea to revered guests is a formal and styli"ed ritual, almost like a meditative performance. The art or skill of preparing tea and all the elements of the tea ceremony have special and symbolic meaning. 1eeply in*uenced by $en uddhism, the Japanese tea ceremony has evolved into a cultural ritual which means much more than the mere sampling of powdered green tea, and is a unique part of Japanese traditions. Japanese Cuisine: Japan is an island nation and seafood plays an important role in Japanese cuisine. %ice and 2sh along with vegetables are eaten by most Japanese. Tofu or soya bean curd is another popular and healthy dish often consumed by the Japanese people. Japanese food such as Sushi -rice *avoured with vinegar and combined with seafood or seaweed and sometimes vegetables. and Sashimi -cut and sliced raw meat, usually seafood. are forms of Japanese cuisine that have become famous worldwide. Teppanyaki or food cooked on an iron griddle is another popular form of Japanese cuisine. Sake or Japanese rice wine is also drunk at traditional meals as a toast to the health and long life of one3s dining companions. Japanese Festivals: The Japanese people celebrate many festivals, mostof which are of the uddhist and Shinto religions. 1i0erent temples or shrines across Japan have their own speci2c 4atsuri or festive holiday. Some festivals that began long ago are also celebrated today in a modernform. These include )omori 5ebuta ,estival, the +adaka 4atsuri ,estival and the !herry lossom ,estivals, which are an integral part of Japanese culture. Cherry Blossom Festivals: 6very year in Spring the Japanese people make time to appreciate the beauty of nature as the !herry trees burst into full bloom and their lovely pink *owers o0er a wonderfully appealing sight. /eople picnic in the !herry groves, drink tea and Sake and en'oy music in the delightful ambience of the blooming !herry *owers. The !herry lossom festivals at #kinawa and at 4atsuyama !astle in 6hime prefecture are the best-known among many *ower festivals across Japan. The natural beauty of the !herry blossom season is celebrated by the Japanese in their art and music, and even in the designs of their traditional clothing, the (imono. Japanese Kimono: The traditional Japanese costume, the (imono, is a graceful full-length robe that falls from the wearer3s shoulders to their ankles. The robe is tied around the middle with a sash called the #bi. (imonos for special occasions were made of rich fabric such as silk, satin and brocade and feature designs inspired by nature such as !herry blossoms, autumn leaves, butter*ies and pine trees. (imonos are now worn mostly for ceremonial occasions and events such as festivals and marriages. Japanese Painting: Japan has a long tradition of painting and woodblockprinting. Some of the famous Japanese painters are 7tagawa +iroshige -89:9-8;-8;?:. who is famous for a series of woodblock prints depicting 4ount ,u'i. The best known among these is The &reat @ave o0 (anagawa. Japanese Calligraphy: The Japanese script consists of characters which were traditionally painted using smooth brushstrokes on handmade paper.The 2ne art of calligraphy requires many years of practice and was considered essential learning for an accomplished person in Japanese society. Ikeana: The Japanese cultural practice of *ower arrangement is a 2ne art that encompasses the ideas of aesthetics, spirituality, discipline and harmony with nature. At is believed to have evolved from the uddhist practice of o0ering *owers in memory of those who have passed away. The emphasis on minimalism, attention to the line and form of the plants or *owers used in an arrangement and the harmony of the overall arrangement exemplify this Japanese tradition.