Japanese Culture and Identity

Key Vocabulary

• Izanagi - A divine male figure in Japanese mythology.
• Izanami - A divine female figure in Japanese mythology.
• Kamikaze - Meaning "divine wind," initially referred to the winds that saved Japan from Mongol invasions. During WWII, it denoted suicide attacks by Japanese pilots.
• Isolationism - A political stance against involvement in other countries' political affairs, particularly wars.
• Kanji - Japanese writing system using characters from Chinese, where each character represents a word or concept.
• Kana - Japanese syllabic writing, including Hiragana (for native words) and Katakana (for foreign words).
• National Identity - A sense of belonging to a nation or state.
• Haiku - A traditional Japanese poetry form.
• Ainu - The Indigenous people of Japan.
• Kamuy - Spirits or gods of the Ainu.
• Shinto - Japan's indigenous religion, focused on nature and ancestor spirits.
• Matsuri - Japanese festivals.
• Buddhism - Religion that influenced Japan's culture, traditions, funeral rituals and festivals.
• Confucianism - Chinese faith/religion adopted in Japan.
• Tsunami - Harbour wave.
• Arable - Land suitable for growing crops.
• Monsoon - A seasonal change in wind direction.
• Gohan - Means both cooked rice and a meal.
• Homogeneous Society - A society where people share similar culture, ethnicity, and language.
• Nippon/Nihon - ways to say "Japan" in Japanese, meaning "the land of the rising sun." "Nihon" is more common, while "Nippon" is more formal.

Emperors

• The Emperor of Japan is a ceremonial head of state, symbolizing unity and continuity, with historical emphasis on spiritual and cultural leadership.

Geography and Isolation

• Japan's island location fostered unique cultural development and limited outside influence.
• Isolation encouraged the development of distinct language, writing systems (Kanji and Kana), and religion (Shinto).
• A strong sense of identity and cultural pride grew due to this isolation.

Farming Challenges and Solutions

• Limited flat land in Japan is due to mountainous terrain.
• Natural disasters can damage crops.
• Population growth decreases farming space.
• Terracing creates flat surfaces on mountainsides for farming.
• Japan developed advanced and efficient farming techniques.

Importance of Rice

• Rice is a dietary staple with cultural and economic importance.
• It symbolizes prosperity
• Rice farming is central to agricultural practices and the rural economy.

Impact of Isolation on Worldview

• Japan's isolation fostered an inward focus and deep respect for nature and tradition.
• It promoted the belief that Japan is a special, sacred place, reflected in religion, art, and social structures.
• The Japanese developed strong national pride and a distinct identity.

Homogeneous Society

• Japan is largely homogeneous, with most people sharing the same culture, ethnicity, and language
• The Ainu and recent immigrants are exceptions to this.

Mythology - Origin of Japan

• Izanagi and Izanami created Japan by stirring the sea with a spear.
• Amaterasu, the sun goddess, ancestors the imperial family.

Natural Disasters

• Frequent earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons make the Japanese aware of nature's forces.
• This awareness has led to respect for nature, and emphasis on preparedness, and resilience.

Cultural Expressions

• Haikus: Poems with a 5-7-5 syllable structure, often about nature.
• Cherry Blossoms: Sakura symbolizes spring and the fleeting nature of life.
• Festivals: Matsuri celebrate nature, harvests, and historical events.

Religion

• Shinto: Focuses on kami (spirits in nature), purity, rituals, and nature.
• Buddhism: Introduced from China and Korea, practiced alongside Shinto.

Nature's Influence on Beliefs

• Shinto teaches that spirits inhabit all aspects of nature.
• This belief fosters a culture that values environmental preservation and harmony.

Comparison of Landscapes: Japan vs. Alberta

• Japan: Mountainous with limited flat land, surrounded by oceans, prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
• Alberta: Mostly flat plains, mountains in the west, less prone to earthquakes, with extreme climate variations.

Short Answer - Geography's Influence

• Japan's island geography led to isolation, enabling the development of a unique culture and belief system.
• This isolation shaped a worldview that valued self-reliance, loyalty, social order, and harmony.