Be More Japan: The Art of Japanese Living
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15
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Average rating4
Be More Japan is a 'bible' of all things Japanese - from the country's fascinating, ancient traditions to its unique and influential modern culture. Be More Japan is a celebration of all things Japanese - from the country's fascinating, ancient traditions to its unique and influential modern culture. Blending both travel information and cultural insights into a single book, Be More Japan helps you understand and experience the best of Japan, both at home and abroad. Beginning with an overview of the four seasons - a key theme in Japanese culture - you'll learn about the festivals, food, fashion and flowers that change throughout the year and make this country so full of fun and variety. Then dive into the captivating culture of Japan, with topics such as art, music, food, wellness and spirituality all split into separate sections to help you pinpoint the areas that interest you. Learn about the traditional skills of the tea ceremony and calligraphy, and where you can go to see and practise them yourself. Find out more about the country's most popular sports and where to catch a game of baseball or see a martial arts exposition. For pop culture fans, there are dedicated sections on J-Pop, anime, and video games, with plenty of information on the best places to enjoy them in Japan. And if you want to get a feel for modern Japanese lifestyle, you'll find enough details on topics such as transportation, karaoke, ikigai, shopping and hot springs to help you make the most of even a short trip to Japan. You can pick and choose what interests you to plan your perfect trip, or explore a bit of everything to get a sense of the essentials of Japanese life and culture. And for those who can't make the trip to Japan, or who want to carry on the experience when they return, there are tips and suggestions for how to bring Japanese culture to you, and places where you can see its influence around the world."
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Be More Japan is a big overview of the key tenets that define Japanese living. I spent the morning reading through this book, part of my celebration of the Japanese Literature Challenge that runs from January through March.
I took away lots of random ideas:
In early Japan, there was no distinction between green and blue.
Money is rarely passed from hand to hand in Japan.
Shoes are removed anywhere there are tatami mats and always in a person's home.
The Heian Era, from 794-1185, in Japan was a period characterized by nature, painting, calligraphy, poetry, and mythology. It was during this period that Genji and Pillowbook were written and read.
The Japanese calendar has 24 seasons, which are broken into microseasons.
Shintoism is the way of the gods, and it was Japan's first religion. Divinity is found in all of nature. There was no founder and no sacred scriptures. It is a philosophy of living life in harmony and cooperation with everything and everyone around you. It also emphasizes cleanliness, austerity, and wabi-sabi.
There are seven lucky gods. Benzaiten is the only female of the group and she is the god for creative people. Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom, luck, and happiness.
Vending machines are everywhere and offer many different products.
Soundscapes are an important concept in Japan. Some of the 100 top soundscapes include that of drift ice, cranes, and nightingale floors.
Well-known Japanese literature includes I Am a Cat (1905) by Soseki Natsume; In a Grove by Ryunosuke Akutagawa; Norwegian Wood; and Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto.
Puppetry in Japan is bunraku.
Traditional sweets that are sculpted works of edible art are wagashi.
Conversation during a tea ceremony is limited to talking about the beauty of the tea bowl, the flavor of the tea, and the garden view.
(Pretty random, I know.)
