LESSON 2

NIHON’NOBUNKA TO SHAKAI
(Japanese Culture and Society)

Learning Objectives:
 Discuss the short history of Japan
 Explain the different Japanese culture
 Memorize the Japanese daily expressions and phrases.

BASIC INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY

(Kihon-tekina shookai to rekishi)

In the 17th century, after many decades of civil unrest, the Tokugawa Shogunate
(the last feudal Japanese government), established a new military-led dynastic
government. This heralded a long period of political peace and stability which
lasted until 1868. During this time Japan was not under the influence of foreign
powers which facilitated the expansion of the indigenous culture.

Japan began to open up its ports and, on March 31st 1854, signed the Treaty of
Kanagawa (Japan-US Treaty of Peace and Amity). This led to establishing
diplomatic relations with other western powers and the development and
modernisation of Japan’s manufacture and industry. During the latter half of the
19th century and until the early part of the 20th century, Japan became a
formidable power, crushing the forces of Russia and China. They occupied
Korea, Taiwan and the southern island of Sakhalin. In 1931, Japan occupied
Manchuria and then, in 1937, launched an invasion on China. Soon they
occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. 

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On 7th December 1941, Japan attacked the United States naval base at Pearl
Harbour which precipitated the US entry into the Second World War. Following
their defeat in the Second World War, Japan developed a strong economic
power and became allied to the US. In 1947 the Constitution of Japan was
enacted which provided for a parliamentary system of government. The Emperor
of Japan, whilst remaining the ceremonial head of state, no longer had Imperial
rule.

After thirty years of economic growth, Japan experienced economic decline

which began in the 1990s, although they remained an economic power. In March
2011, Japan experienced a devastating earthquake and attendant tsunami which
destroyed the northeast of Honshu Island killing thousands of people and
damaging several nuclear power plants. This catastrophe seriously impacted
upon Japan’s infrastructure and economy. Shinzo Abe, the longest serving Prime
Minister of Japan, has embarked upon an ambitious programme of economic
reform in order to restore the economy and to maintain international standing.

LANGUAGE IN JAPAN

(Kotoba ni Nihon)

The dominant spoken language is Japanese (Nihongo) which is the sixth most
spoken language in the world with more than 99% of the population using it.
Linguistically, Nihongo is related in syntax to the Korean language although in
spite of the similarities, both contemporary languages are incomprehensible to
one another.

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The Meiji reformation in 1868 was followed by significant social and political
change which  included the establishment of a dominant national language to
replace regional dialects. The subsequent dialect, hyōjungo, became the
standard language, based upon the linguistic patterns of Tokyo’s warrior classes.

Some dialects are still used in certain areas, particularly in Kyoto and Osaka, but
standard Japanese, based on the speech of Tokyo, has become more popular
through the use of television, radio and movies.

Daily Expression (Mainichi no hyoogen)

1. Good morning – ohayô gozaimasu

2. Good afternoon – Konnichiwa
3. Good evening – Konbanwa
4. How are you? – Ogenki desu ka
5. I’m fine – Genki desu
6. How do you do? – Hajimemashite
7. I’m glad to meet you – Dôzo yoroshiku
8. Goodbye – sayonara
9. Bye bye - Ja/Ja ne/Bai bai
10. Hello (phone) – moshi- moshi
11. Goodnight – oyasumi nasai
12. See you later - Ja mata
13. Thank you – Arigato/Arigato gozaimasu ( most polite)/Domo arigato
14. Thank you very much – Domo arigato gozaimasu
15. You are welcome/Don’t mention it– Doo itashimashite
16. Goodluck – Koun o-inori masu
17. Wait a moment, please – Chotto matte kudasai

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 18. Are you alright? - Daijoobu desu ka
19. I’m good - Diajoobu desu
20. Good mood - Gokigenyoo

RELIGION AND BELIEFS

(Shuukyoo to Shinkoo)

 Shinto and Buddhism  84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)

 Shinto dates back to ancient times when people believed that the natural
world possessed Kami, a Shinto deity or divine spirit. Buddhism came from
China in the 6th Century and the two religions have co-existed in Japan from
that time.

Shinto also known as kami-no-michi is a religion originating from Japan.

Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often
regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars
sometimes call its practitioners Shintoists, although adherents rarely use that
term themselves. There is no central authority in control of the movement and
much diversity exists among practitioners.

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 Itsukushima Shrine in Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island

of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its
"floating" torii gate. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima
Prefecture in Japan. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and
possessions as National Treasures.The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's
most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on
the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests,
and its aesthetic ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main
buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other
different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.

The Family (Kazoku)

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Family patterns have changed over the decades from multi-generational
households to the typical ‘nuclear family’ with two parents and their children
(particularly in the more urban areas). Some families may have an elderly parent
or relative residing with them. During the second half of the 20th century, new
laws were introduced reducing patriarchal authority and awarding greater legal
rights for women. Marriage is based upon mutual attraction rather than the once
traditional ‘arranged marriage’.

Shinzen Kekkon

Shinto weddings or Shinzen kekkon ( 神 前 結 婚 , "Marriage before the kami"),

began in Japan during the early 20th century, popularized after the marriage of
Crown Prince Yoshihito and his bride, Princess Kujo Sadako. The ceremony
relies heavily on Shinto themes of purification, and involves ceremonial sake

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drinking of three cups three times, the nan-nan-san-ku-do. Shinto weddings are
in decline. Fewer Japanese people get married, and those who do often choose
Western-style chapel ceremonies.

Shinto brides and grooms typically wear kimono; the bride wears either
a Uchikake kimono ( 打 ち 掛 け , lit. "knockout") (a thick, colourful (mainly red),
heavily-brocaded, highly-formal kimono, worn outside the actual kimono and obi,
unfastened, as a sort of overcoat), or a Shiromuku kimono ( 白 無 垢 , lit. "white
pure-innocence") (typical colours for these kimono include red and white, colours
of Shinto purity and good luck, oftentimes combined with a wig. The bride may
change into a red kimono for the Wedding reception events after the ceremony
for good luck.

Social Stratification (Shakai Kaisoo)

During the Meiji era, the government set out to make Japan a democratic state
affording equality between social classes. Although boundaries were broken
down to some extent there are still vestiges that continue to have some influence
upon attitudes to social position and entitlement. In both rural and urban areas,
there are differences in family composition, educational achievement and
workforce inclusion. Among the urban population there are social differences
between the ‘white-collar’ salaried middle class and the ‘blue-collar’ working
classes.

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Gender Roles (Jendaa no Yokuwari)

Historically, women in Japan were expected to be subordinate to men and were

confined to domestic matters only. They were excluded from certain sacred
areas and were expected to show deference to hierarchal authority in both
speech and behaviour. In 1947, a new legal framework was established affording
equality to both sexes, thus giving women more access to education, job
opportunities and career advancement. However, the changes in the gender gap,
equal pay and educational attainment are slow moving and the concept of total
equality remains an ‘ideal’ rather than the norm at present.  

Socialization (Shakai-ka)

Children are the centre of the family in Japan and child rearing is seen as an
extremely important role. Strong family bonds are developed early on,
particularly between the mother and children. Compulsory education commences
from the age of six with six years in elementary school which is followed by three
years in middle school. Although compulsory education ends with middle school,
many go on to further education. Prior to compulsory school, there are two
strands of pre-school education: nursery school from the age of three and
kindergarten from five years.

Food (Tabemono)

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Whilst Japan has its own identity of traditional cuisine there are early influences
from Korea, China and South East Asia.
 White rice is a staple element of almost all meals and other ingredients
include soy products, grilled or raw fish, thinly sliced stir-fried pork with bean
sprouts and vegetables.
 Miso soup is a popular dish made from miso paste (fermented soya beans
and barley) and containing various accoutrements such as tofu and/or
vegetables.
 A typical Japanese meal usually involves a number of dishes on the table
rather than a main course.

Sushi

 Sushi is also a popular Japanese dish of prepared vinegared rice ( 鮨

飯, sushi-meshi), usually with some sugar and salt, accompanying a variety
of ingredients ( ネ タ , neta), such as fish, seafood, vegetables, and
occasionally tropical fruits. Styles of sushi and its presentation vary widely,
but the one key ingredient is "sushi rice", also referred to as shari (しゃり),
or sumeshi (酢飯)

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 Chicken Udon Soup

 Udon ( 饂 飩 , usually written as う ど ん ) is a type of thick, wheat-

flour noodle used frequently in Japanese cuisine. It is often served hot as
a noodle soup in its simplest form, as kake udon, in a mildly flavoured broth
called kakejiru, which is made of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. It is usually
topped with thinly chopped scallions. Other common toppings
include tempura, often prawn or kakiage (a type of mixed tempura fritter),
or aburaage, a type of deep-fried tofu pockets seasoned with sugar, mirin,
and soy sauce. A thin slice of kamaboko, a halfmoon-shaped fish cake, is
often added. Shichimi can be added to taste.

Economy (Keizai)

Japan is a leading player in the global financial market and is a member of G7.
Prior to the middle of the 20th Century, Japan’s economy centred around
agriculture, fisheries and forestry but the decline in this sector saw a move
towards manufacturing, wholesale retailing and the service industry. It is one of
the world’s largest car manufacturers and electronics goods, exporting globally.
Japan suffered considerable economic decline in the 1990s although they were
able to maintain their economic power internationally. The devastating earth
quake in 2011 had a catastrophic impact upon the infrastructure and economy.

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The prime minister, Shinzo Abe, embarked on an ambitious programme of
economic reform and in the first quarter of 2017 statistics suggest that Japan’s
economic growth has increased.

Arts, Humanities & Popular Culture

(Geijitsu, Jinmonkagaku to Taishuu bunka)

The arts are an important part of Japanese life. A number of schools and
colleges offer students training and preparation for careers in performance and
art.The Ministry of Education is protective of Japan’s great works of art which
include paintings, sculptures and architecture. Traditional arts and crafts such as
the tea ceremony, flower arranging and dance that express Japan’s cultural
heritage are greatly valued and designated as ‘living national treasures’. Japan’s
history has been defined too by its literature and poetry. The ‘Tale of the Genji’
for instance, is a great classic work written by a noblewoman, Murasaki Shikibu
at the beginning of the 11th Century.

Manga store in Japan

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 Manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga
conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, though the art
form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term manga is used in
Japan to refer to both comics and cartooning. Outside Japan, the word is
typically used to refer to comics originally published in the country.

 Anime sometimes called Japanimation, is hand-drawn and computer
animation originating from Japan. The term anime is derived from the English
word animation, and in Japan is used to refer to all forms of animated
media.Outside Japan, the term refers specifically to animation from Japan or to a
Japanese-disseminated animation style often characterized by colorful graphics,
vibrant characters and fantastical themes. This culturally abstract approach to the
word's meaning may open the possibility of anime produced in countries other
than Japan. The anime industry consists of over 430 production studios, with
major names including Studio Ghibli, Gainax, and Toei Animation. Despite
comprising only a fraction of Japan's domestic film market, anime makes up a
majority of Japanese DVD and Blu-ray sales. Otaku  is a Japanese term for
people with consuming interests, particularly in anime and manga.

Famous Anime Characters

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Japanese Anime Fighting Phrases
1. Kakatte koi yo. - Bring it on.
2. Name n na - Don’t understimate me
3. Omae no aite wa, ore da - I am your opponent
4. Kurae! - Eat this!
5. Shoobu da! - I challenge you!
6. Yossha! - I did it!
7. Saseru ka! - I won’t let you do it!
8. Iku zo! - Let’s go!
9. Chukushoo! - Damn!
10. Yusurenai - I won’t forgive you

 J-pop  is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in

the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in traditional Japanese music, but
significantly in 1960s pop and rock music, such as The Beatles and The Beach
Boys, which led to Japanese rock bands such as Happy End fusing rock
with Japanese music in the early 1970s. Eventually, J-pop
replaced kayōkyoku ("Lyric Singing Music", a term for Japanese pop music from
the 1920s to the 1980s) in the Japanese music scene.The term was coined by
the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese music from foreign music and now
refers to most Japanese popular music.

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 AKB48 (Akihabara48)
AKB48 are a Japanese idol group named after the Akihabara (Akiba for short)
area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48's producer, Yasushi
Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with its own theater (unlike pop groups
performing occasional concerts and seen on television) and performing daily so
fans could always see them live. This "idols you can meet" concept includes
teams which can rotate performances and perform simultaneously at several
events and "handshake" events, where fans can meet group members. Akimoto
has expanded the AKB48 concept to several girl groups in China, Japan,
Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and India.

 Japanese Martial Arts are also a traditional and respected performing art
including Jujutsu (a method of close combat) and Kendo (swordsmanship using
bamboo swords and protective armour.) Sumo is a form of competitive full-
contact wrestling where a rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a
circular ring (dohyō) or into touching the ground with any body part other than the
soles of his feet (usually by throwing, shoving or pushing him down).

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Japanese Kendo

Sumo

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