Be More Japan: The Art of Japanese Living

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.)