Japanese Culture: Mount Fuji

• Japan's history explores the cultural significance of Mount Fuji, the national flag, cherry blossoms, traditional fans, chopsticks, bamboo, kimonos, torii gates, pagodas, paper cranes, and shimenawa.

Mount Fuji

• Japan's tallest mountain, standing at 12,388 feet and is considered sacred.
• It is an object of worship since ancient times.
• It has a large influence on how Japanese people view nature.
• Mount Fuji has been depicted in art since the Asuka period (538-710 CE)
• Mentioned in poems during the Nara period (710-794)
• The mountain is considered a dwelling place of deities due to its towering presence, symmetrical shape, and association with kami (divine spirits) in Shintoism.
• Mount Fuji has also erupted more than 15 times since 781 AD, and its last eruption was in 1707.
• Shinto teaches that natural elements are inhabited by gods, and nature should therefore be respected and protected.
• This view is reflected in Japanese art, poetry, and environmental attitudes, emphasizing harmony with nature.
• Mount Fuji is sacred in both Shintoism and Buddhism, considered a dwelling for gods in Shintoism and a symbol of enlightenment in Buddhism.
• It represents the spiritual path toward enlightenment in Buddhism, requiring perseverance and rewarding those who climb it.

National Flag

• Named "Nihon", translates to "origin of the sun" or "land of the rising sun"
• It was formally codified as the national flag in 1999 after long being used.
• The Hinomaru (red circle) is associated with the Japanese military during wars.
• In neighboring countries, the flag is viewed negatively given the Japanese occupation in 1941
• It embodies centuries of history, culture, and geopolitical complexities as a symbol of pride and controversy

Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

• It is believed that "sa" refers to rice paddy god, and "kura" means a seat for a god
• Symbolizes both life and death
• Farmers perform rituals and prayers under sakura trees for a bountiful harvest.
• Became prominent in Japanese culture over 1,000 years ago during the Nara Period (710-794) with "Hanami" (flower viewing).
• Inspired courtly rituals and poetry during the Heian Period (794-1185).

Japanese Fan

• Folding (sensu) and flat (uchiwa) fans have a long history with practicality, artistry and symbolism.
• Folding fans originated in Japan during the Heian Period (794–1185) and were called hiōgi. They were made of thin wooden slats tied together and used by aristocrats and officials.
• Flat fans (uchiwa) came from China and served for cooling or decoration.
• Samurai and military commanders used folding fans (gunsen) in battle, sometimes reinforced with metal for self-defense.
• Iron fans (tessen) were disguised weapons used by samurai and ninja.
• Fans became essential, appearing in theater, dance, and tea ceremonies.
• They also served as a form of communication in courtship and etiquette.
• Today, fans still blend tradition with modern aesthetics in ceremonies, performances, and summer events
• Symbolize prosperity and good fortune, gifted for special occasions, and used in rituals.

Chopsticks

• Chopsticks (hashi) have been a part of Japanese culture for over a thousand years
• The chopsticks originated in China over 3,000 years ago
• They were brought to Japan around the 7th century via Korea and China.
• Early Japanese chopsticks were made from bamboo and used for religious ceremonies.
• Early chopsticks were connected at the top like tweezers until the Heian period
• During the Heian period (794–1185), only aristocrats used chopsticks for eating
• During this time, crafting chopsticks from wood, bamboo, and ivory began
• Chopsticks separated into two individual sticks during this time
• By the Edo period (1603-1868), chopsticks became more widespread, with regional styles emerging and personal chopsticks becoming common for hygiene.
• Japanese chopstick etiquette includes not sticking chopsticks upright into rice, avoiding passing food directly from chopstick to chopstick, not pointing with chopsticks, and using the opposite end when sharing food.
• Japan continues to innovate with materials for chopsticks, including reusable metal and bamboo alternatives.

Bamboo

• Bamboo (take) has been an essential material in Japan for centuries, influencing everything from construction and tools to food and art
• Bamboo has been growing naturally in Japan for thousands of years and was used for tools, weapons, and construction.
• Shinto and Buddhist traditions hold bamboo as a sacred plant, symbolizing purity, strength, and protection.
• Samurai use the material in the creation of armor and bows.
• Bamboo became central to tea ceremonies, inspiring the design of bamboo ladles, tea whisks, and vases.
• The shakuhachi, is used in Zen Buddhist meditation
• Bamboo shoots (takenoko) are a seasonal delicacy in spring
• Bamboo fences and garden structures are common in traditional Japanese gardens.
• Bamboo flooring and furniture have gained popularity for their sustainability and aesthetic appeal.
• Bamboo textiles, bicycles, and lightweight materials are being explored for eco-friendly and sustainable product designs
• Symbolizes strength, resilience, purity, and protection

Kimono

• The kimono (着物), meaning "thing to wear," is Japan's most iconic traditional garment
• Kimonos originated in the Heian Period (794–1185)
• Kimonos originated from Chinese-style robes (hanfu)
• Called jūnihitoe (十二単) worn by aristocrats in the Heian Period
• The kosode (小袖), a simpler, shorter-sleeved robe, became the foundation for the modern kimono
• The kosode evolved into a structured kimono in the Samurai & Edo Period (1603–1868)
• Worn by both men and women.
• Geisha and courtesans wore elaborate kimono, influencing fashion trends during this period
• Replaced by western suits and dresses during the Meiji Period (1868–1912)
• Today, they are reserved for ceremonies, tea ceremonies, and special occasions.
• The kimono remains essential for weddings, graduations, and cultural festivals
  • Here are some Types of kimono
    • Furisode (振袖) - Long-sleeved kimono for unmarried women.
    • Tomesode (留袖) - Formal kimono for married women.
    • Yukata (浴衣) - Lightweight summer kimono for festivals.
    • Montsuki (紋付) – Formal men's kimono.
• Kimono patterns often symbolize seasons, nature, and good fortune.
• Wearing a kimono requires specific folding, tying (obi belts), and etiquette, making it a deeply ritualistic outfit.

Torii Gates

• A torii (鳥居) marks the entrance to Shinto shrines, symbolizing the transition from the mundane world to the sacred
• Represents a purification and the presence of deities (kami).
• The origins of torii are unknown, but there are theory the influences came from China, India, or Korea
• The earliest written record of a torii appears in the 10th-century Heian Period.
• Here are some famous Torii Gates
  • Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima) – A floating torii
  • Meiji Shrine (Tokyo)
• Types of Tatii
  • Shinmei Torii (神明鳥居) – Simple, straight, unadorned
  • Myōjin Torii (明神鳥居) – More curved and decorative, seen in Fushimi Inari.
• Torii symbolize the transition from the physical to the spiritual world and purification before approaching a shrine.

Pagodas

• Pagodas (塔, Tō) are multi-tiered towers originating from the Indian Buddhist stupas
• These structures were introduced to Japan from China and Korea and became iconic features of Buddhist temples
  • They symbolize sacred spaces and the connection between heaven and earth.
• Pagodas trace their roots to India, where early Buddhist stupas were built to house relics of the Buddha.
• Pagoda-style towers were brought to Japan with the growth of Buddhism during the Asuka Period (538–710)
• Oldest pagodas in Japan were built in the Nara Period (710 to 794 CE)
• Heavily influenced by Chinese and Korean designs.
  • Here are some types of Japanese Pagodas
    • Wooden Pagodas (Mokutō, 木塔)
    • Stone Pagodas (Sekitō, 石塔)
    • Five-Story Pagodas (Gojū-no-Tō, 五重塔)
    • Three-Story Pagodas (Sanjū-no-Tō, 三重塔)
  • Here are some Famous Pagodas in Japan
    • Hōryū-ji (Nara, 607 CE) – Oldest wooden pagoda
    • Tō-ji (Kyoto, 796 CE) – Tallest wooden pagoda in Japan (55m).
    • Senso-ji Pagoda (Tokyo) – A striking modern example of a traditional five-story pagoda.
    • Itsukushima Pagoda (Miyajima) – A red-lacquered pagoda near the famous floating torii gate.
• Pagodas symbolize spiritual elevation and often enshrine relics or scriptures

Paper Crane

• A paper crane (折り鶴, orizuru) is one of the most famous symbols of origami (折り紙, the art of paper folding).
• Originated in China and introduced to Japan around the 6th century with Buddhist monks.
• Early origami was used mainly for religious and ceremonial purposes
• The crane (tsuru) is a sacred bird in Japan, believed to live for 1,000 years and represent good fortune, loyalty, and longevity
• Folding a crane is believed to bring good luck and grant wishes
• Paper cranes are given to newborns, weddings, and people recovering from illness as a symbol of hope and protection.
• Today, paper cranes symbolize peace and anti-nuclear movements, especially at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where thousands of cranes are offered every year.
• Represents gifts, rituals, and peace.

Shimenawa

• Often seen at torii gates in Shinto shrines.
• Symbolism is rooted in Shinto beliefs, emphasizing purification, the boundary between the sacred and the profane, and protection from evil spirits.
• Dates back to ancient Japan, where they were used in rituals to mark sacred spaces.
• Its function serves to mark the threshold between the ordinary world and the sacred, ward off evil spirits, and symbolize divine protection.