This site is to familiarize you with a few basic characteristics of Japanese culture and behavior that the westerner will encounter. There are many reactions and attitudes that Japanese will give off — many of them the typical westerner would ordinarily not pick up on. But if you come to Japan and want to have better relations, as well as a better understanding of how … [ Read more ]
Source: “The Japan FAQ: Know Before You Go” | Subject: Culture
This site offers some photos and commentary on Japanese nationwide festivals and celebrations.
Source: “The Japan FAQ: Know Before You Go” | Subject: Culture
Japan is the one of the most expensive countries on earth. In response to many questions that I keep hearing over and over (and over…) from people I meet and Usenet Newbies, I’ve created a list of answers to some of the most common questions regarding visiting and living in Japan. Up to now there have been mountains of books from ivory-tower academics praising Japan … [ Read more ]
Source: “The Japan FAQ” | Subject: Travel & Tourism
Companion to a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary that “offers a rare opportunity to go inside the cloistered and highly secretive world of sumo, where the historical clash between East and West plays out in the story of the Western outsiders who have entered this quintessentially Japanese institution.” Features profiles of wrestlers, history, a recipe for chanko (staple dish of sumo wrestlers), annotated links, an … [ Read more ]
Source: “Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)” | Subject: Sports
This site has eight folktales from Japan, written (translated) in English (no Japanese version available apparently). The eight are:
1. The Two Frogs
2. The Mirror of Matsuyama
3. Visu the Woodsman and the Old Priest
4. Little Peachling
5. The Tongue-Cut Sparrow
6. A Woman and the Bell of Miidera
7. The Stonecutter
8. Danzay駑on, Chief of the Etas
Source: “D. L. Ashliman” | Subject: Culture
This site features images of selected items from the collection of “over 500 Japanese art objects, mostly from the Edo period.” Browse paintings by artist, subject (such as monkeys, geishas, or landscapes), or historic period. Also include images of artists’ seals, example of contemporary netsuke sculpture, and a brief history of the Edo period.
Source: “Shin’enKan Foundation” | Subject: Arts & Entertainment
Features a calendar of Japanese art exhibits at U.S. museums, and lists of books, articles, magazines, and museums focusing on Japanese art. From a “not-for-profit group whose members include leading New York galleries and private dealers.”
Source: “Japanese Art Dealers Association of New York (JADA)” | Subject: Arts & Entertainment
Even if you’ve never viewed Japanese films, you’ve certainly felt their influence. Read this article for a brief history of Japanese cinema as well as a bio on the master director Yasujiro Ozu and a look at the role of Yakuza in Japanese cinema.
Sources: “Paste Magazine / Tim Porter”, “Robert Davis”, “Tim Sheridan ” | Subject: Arts & Entertainment
This exhibit features “some 200 Japanese and American graphics depicting the 1853-1854 mission by Commodore Matthew Perry that led to the opening of Japan to the outside world.” It also includes related visual narratives and “an innovative recreation of a 30-foot-long Japanese ‘Black Ship Scroll’ painted in 1854.” Developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professors.
Source: “Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)” | Subject: History
This is a Japanese learning web site by Reiko Sakaguchi. I will teach you Japanese using my favorite Anime, Yu Yu Hakusho and Magic Knights RayEarth as learning materials. If you are a serious Anime fan and wish to understand what the characters are saying without reading the subtitles, but don’t have the time or the money to hire a tutor or to take Japanese … [ Read more ]
Source: “Reiko Sakaguchi” | Subject: Anime / Manga
Established in 1958 by the Japanese government as a special public institution to implement trade policy, JETRO spent its first two decades essentially promoting exports to help build up the Japanese economy. Later, as Japan’s trade surplus grew to unprecedented levels, JETRO concentrated on helping foreign companies enter the Japanese market. In 1998, the organization substantially upgraded its research ability by merging with the Institute … [ Read more ]
Source: “JETRO” | Subject: Business / Economy
Resource groupings include the following topics:
– General Resources
– Business, Commerce, Economy
– Culture
– Education
– Embassies
– Geography
– Government, Politics, Law
– Health
– History
– Language and Literature
– Libraries, Archives
– Listservs, Newsgroups
– Media and Communications
– Organizations
– Recreation and Travel
– Religion and Philosophy
– Society
– Science and Technology
– Search Engines
– Japanese American Resources
Source: “Library of Congress” | Subject: Comprehensive
This site contains some of the common terms heard in anime and gives their explanations.
Source: “The Yale Anime Society” | Subjects: Anime / Manga, Vocabulary / Phrases
If you plan to stay in Japan for an extended period, specifically too long for a hotel but not long enough to justify signing a real lease on an apartment, this site may have something for you. I think the selection is limited and is only for the Tokyo area but it might be useful…
Source: “GaijinHouse.com” | Subject: Travel & Tourism
Find the latest “news on Japan” in the following topics:
– Business news
– Economy
– Stock market
– Politics
– Society
– Sports
– Education
– Science & technology
– Internet
– Electronics
Source: “NewsOnJapan.com” | Subject: News / Magazine
The essence of the Japanese tea ceremony is harmony. Every move or every component about the ceremony brings out the serenity of the whole.
Read about the:
– The art and essence of Japanese tea
– How to drink tea
– History, benefits and ingredients
– Equipment for Japanese tea ceremony
– The state of mind
– The founder … [ Read more ]
Sources: “Hak Teng”, “Lim”, “Tai Wei and Quah” | Subject: Culture
A “knowledge center devoted solely to information about antique and contemporary Japanese pottery.” Includes detailed information about ceramic styles, clays, glazes, kilns, techniques, and many other topics. Also features a directory of artists, photos, articles, interviews, and exhibit and museum listings. Searchable. From Japanese ceramics expert Robert Yellin.
Source: “Robert Yellin” | Subject: Arts & Entertainment
gate39.com is an online magazine featuring information and articles from writers who know Japan.
Source: “gate 39 Media” | Subject: Culture
“JapaneseLearning.com came on line March 10, 2003. Before that time it was a little site I created in April 2002 during my last year of University called: Aaron Jones’ Japanese Learning Web. Now that I am done University I felt that I should expand and develop this site. So I then registered the name JapaneseLearning.com and started to redevelop the site. My goal behind this … [ Read more ]
Source: “Aaron Jones Entertainment” | Subject: Comprehensive
iKjeld.com is a place for images and information about Japan…
Check out these features:
– Photo Essays
– Trendy Japanese
– Japan Link Guide
– Special Places
– Biographies
– Books, Music, Movies
– Free e-Cards
– Free Notice Board
– Magazine News Watch
– Tokyo Market Tracker
– Breaking News
– Weather Forecasts
Source: “iKjeld.com” | Subject: Culture