Japan Music

Japan Music

Traditional Japanese music is generally considered as calm and without any special beats. As against the westernized music, in Japanese music silence is more important and the flow of music is such that it tries to reflect the nature. The music begins with a slow rhythm, takes faster speed and then once again comes down to slower beats and rhythm. Many people believe that traditional Japanese music is derived from China as many of the Japanese musical instruments came from China.

Traditional Japanese music

Modern Japanese music also includes Japanese Pop and Rock music besides the traditional Japanese Folk music. Shomyo, a traditional Buddhist Chanting and Gagaku, a orchestral court music, are the two most oldest forms of Japanese Music. Apart from the musical theater, Japan is also well known for its Puppetry music. When it comes to traditional Japan musical instruments, the Taiko, a Japanese Drum, a traverse flute, and a hand drum are most often used in Japan Folk Music. However, in the modern Japan Music, electric guitars and synthesizers are also used frequently.

Japanese Drum

Crying Baby competition

Amusing Crying Baby competition held in Japanese capital Tokyo

Sumo wrestling students hold babies as they try to make them cry during the Crying Sumo competition at Sensoji Temple on April 25, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The first baby to cry wins the competition. The ceremony takes place in Japan to wish for the good health of the child as it is said that crying is good for the health of babies.

A gyoji (C) or referee checks how loud babies, held by amateur sumo wrestlers, cry during Nakizumo (or crying contest) at Sensoji temple in Tokyo, Japan, 25 April 2010. One hundred babies born in 2009 participated in the crying contest, which is held praying for babies' growth and health all over Japan.

Babies held by their mothers attend the Nakizumo or crying sumo contest at Sensoji temple in Tokyo, Japan, 25 April 2010. One hundred of babies born in 2009 participated in the crying contest, which are held praying for babies' growth and health all over Japan.

Tokyo Japan facts

Tokyo Japan

Tokyo is the Capital and Largest City of Japan. Tokyo is one of the 47 Prefectures (sub-national divisions) but is always referred to as Tokyo Metropolis. Tokyo lies on the eastern side of the main island Honshu in Japan. Tokyo is not only the World's Most Populous Metropolis with a population of about 35 million people but also the World's Largest Metropolitan Economy with a GDP of about 1.5 Trillion USD as of the year 2008. Although Tokyo is described by various bodies as the Most Livable City but at the same time Tokyo is also the World's Most Expensive City.

Tokyo is the Seat of Japanese Government and the Imperial Palace and the residence of Japanese Imperial Family. The climate of Tokyo is humid subtropical with summers hot to very hot and mild to cold winters and sporadic snow falls. Tokyo has often been hit by powerful Earthquakes, most severe being the one of 1923 when about 140,000 people had died. Tokyo, one of the financial command centers along with New York and London, houses the headquarters of several global corporate giants including the leading investment banks and insurance companies. Public transport in Tokyo has an extensive network of clean and efficient railways, metro trains, subways and road network besides several domestic and international air services.


Japan - Shibuya Crossing
Originally uploaded by sHzaam!

Traditional Dances in Japan

Traditional Dances in Japan

In Japan, there are several forms of traditional dances but the most common forms are 'Bon Odori' and 'Mai'. Bon is a very popular festival of Japan that is celebrated every summer in all the prefectures of Japan including the urban areas. During the festival of Bon, Japanese people dance Odori, which grew out of Kaburi Drama in the Edo period. Odori is a simple dance for which you don't need to be a Japanese to dance Odori. It is generally oriented more towards the sentiments of males rather than females.

Bon Odori Japanese Traditional Dance

Mai is a traditional Japanese Dance that originated in the Western parts of Japan and it is traditionally performed at the houses of people rather than performing on the stage. Over the period, the traditional Japanese Dances have evolved into different forms including the modern versions that fuse the traditional dance with rock beats. Mai dance is generally influenced by the elegance and royalties associated with the Imperial Culture and Traditions. Kabuki, Noh Mai, Nihon Buyo, and Bon Odori are the most popular traditional dances of Japan.

NAPCO Ceramic

NAPCO Ceramic

NAPCO Ceramics from Japan were extremely prolific in the late 50s and early 60s. People all over the world loved NAPCO Ceramics especially the figurines and vintage items for Christmas and Holidays gifts. Apart from the common adorable figurines and collectibles, NAPCO was also specialized in manufacturing cute looking bone China miniature ceramics. National Potteries or NAPCO Ceramic Japan is the most famous name for Porcelain Ceramics and Antique Pottery kitchenware items, vintage products and other collectibles.I know many people who like to buy NAPCO Ceramic online; however, I have also come across several people that have been cheated, as the pictures displayed on the site are original while the products delivered are not genuine I mean, do not contain the original trademark of NAPCO Ceramic Japan or the products might be defective with scratch marks or cracks. In fact, nowadays, with the growing interest of people to have more and more antique ceramic products in their living room cabinets, many vintage shops have started organizing sales of NAPCO Ceramics from Japan.

NAPCO Ceramic

Facts about Japan

Facts about Japan

Japan, the Land of Rising Sun, lies in the Pacific Ocean. Japan is an Island Country with four major islands comprising more than 97% of the total land area of about 377,000 square kilometers. Politically, Japan follows Parliamentary Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy. The national language of Japan is Japanese with several regional variations in the dialects over the eastern and western Japan.

Japan flag Rising Sun

The population of  World's second largest economy Japan is 128 million people with Tokyo, the largest and capital city having a population of 30 million people. The currency of Japan is Yen. Japan is a major economic power of the world and it is the third largest nation in Purchasing Power Parity. In the G* group, Japan is the only Asian Country and currently Japan is the Non-Permanent Member in UN Security Council. Japan ranks tenth in the index of living standards and has the highest life expectancy in the entire world. Moreover, Japan has the third lowest Infant Morality Rate in the world.

Tokyo by night

Made in Japan

Made in Japan

Made in Japan is a tag behind every product that one likes to buy. Such is the popularity of Made in Japan or Made from Japan labels all over the world that it proves Japan's technological superiority and capabilities especially after the WWII. Nowadays, the world consumers seek goods manufactured in Japan and look for the label 'Made in Japan', be it a household consumable good or a giant industrial machinery, or equipments and its parts, electrical and electronic goods and many other products including the latest products in renewable energy such as solar or wind energy.

Besides the technological advances in automobiles and industrial sectors, Japan has also become a reputed name in the biomedical appliances and solar appliances. Besides the traditional use of Made in Japan, there is also an album by the name of 'Made in Japan', which was released by the English Rock Band Deep Purple in the year 1972 during their first tour to Japan. When you search the Internet for Made in Japan, you would end up with millions of results ranging from the common electronic goods to automobiles and its parts, Golf, cameras and many other gadgets.

Japan Celebrities

Japan Celebrities

Do you know that Japanese people keep a sort of photo book of their most favorite celebrities and fashion idols? Well, it is similar to what you have in the form of Celebrity Calendar in the westernized versions. Like any other country, the list of Japan Celebrities is an endless one that comprises of hundreds of film personalities, sports icon, political stars and many other top ranking leaders from various sectors.

Hiroshi, Matsumoto Hitoshi, Sakai Masaaki and Tashiro Masashi are some of the greatest comedian celebrities from Japan. On the realm of Japanese models, Ebihara Yuri, Josh Snow, Kanata Hongo, Yamada Yu, May J, and Fujiwara Norika are some of the top ranking models from Japan. Matsudaira Ken, Ishihara Yujiro, Watanabe ken, Seto Koji, and Fujiwara Tatsuya are few of the most popular Japanese Film Actors whereas on the forefront of Japanese Actresses, Aya Ueto, Ito Misaki, Koyuki and Yonekura Ryoko are the most loved names. There are many bloggers that run several gamuts about the hot Japan celebrity gossips but many of the celebrities share many common things such as fashion statements and culture.

Japan Celebritie Misaki Ito

Japan Celebritie Ebihara Yuri

Japan Celebritie Ken Watanabe

Japan Art

Japan Art

Apart from the world famous Japanese Ceramics and Potteries, Japan Art also encompasses a vast varieties of art styles including wooden and bronze sculptures, ink painting on silk and paper, Japan Anime (cartoons), and many other forms of folk music and architecture. Japan has a pretty long history and civilization dating back to centuries and along with it comes its myriads of art in tons of forms on hundreds of media.

Most of the early age Japan Art is associated with Buddhism; however, later on, starting from early ninth century, Japan started evolving its own art and developed indigenous forms of traditional Japanese Art and Paintings. Until a pretty long period, Japanese used to write with brushes instead of using pens and that is why, Japan has always been a leading nation in developing unique and aesthetic paintings. Woodblock prints, sculptures and Japanese Pottery remain as the most popular forms of Art in Japan. NAPCO Ceramic is a classic example of Japan Art. Nowadays, Japan being the second largest economy of the world, you can also find various modern forms of arts in Japan.

Japan Art

Unseen Japan

Unseen Japan

When you talk of Unseen Japan, it might mean to imply the largest portal that has collection of tons of pictures and DVD of Japanese Pornography. However, we do not intend to cover Unseen Japan from the point of view of pornography. We will talk about the unseen places and information about Japan. Japan is a country that has excelled to the status of super economic power because of integrated and harmonious culture which is far different from the westernized culture.


Japanese martial arts is one thing that can be termed as an unseen or overlooked traditions of art in Japan. Generally the tourists are attracted to the most published items of tourist attractions, which normally include the modern culture and heritage of Japan that come across when they travel by Bullet Trains in Japan. However, there are many unseen explorations in Japan that remain out of the tourist itineraries due to some or the other reasons. Zen Rock Gardens, Japanese Ryoanji Temples, some historical places, Kasturia Imperial Villa, and Japanese Palaces are few of the most unseen places where the tourists can relive the golden glories of Japanese traditions and the true colors of Japan.

Unseen Japan

Japan Religion

Japan Religion
In Japan, 99% of the population observe Buddhism or Shinto Religion. From the rest of the population, about 0.7% follow Christian religion and others comprise of mixed religion including Korean, Chinese and Filipino. Japanese government allows freedom of religion to all the people and that is why, you might come across Christians, Islams and Sikhs besides the Koreans and Chinese.

Shintoism or Buddhism is is the most commonly followed religion in Japan and in fact, Japan is the only major country where there are millions of Shinto people. Nachi Shrine or Temple is the most ancient place of worship for the Japanese Shinto people. Few of the original Shinto shrines were used to worship Sun, Rocks, Trees and many other things in the nature. People wanting to visit Shinto shrines are required to perform an act of purification before visiting these shrines. Apart from Shintoism and Buddhism, Japan is also witnessing the arrival of new religions such as Soka Gakkai, which is nothing but a Buddhist Sect that preaches the main motto of peace, culture and education.

Japanese temple

Japanese Customs and Traditions

Japanese Customs and Traditions


Japan is one of the few countries where some of the traditions and customs are followed rigidly in order to fulfill the expectations of social behavior. In westernized culture, you come across what is commonly known as Etiquette while in Japan, they have certain standard traditions such as Bowing, specialized use of chopsticks, gift-giving and hospitality. Some of the conventions, traditions and customs are restricted specific regions and thus it may not be followed all throughout Japan.

Many customs have also changed over historical traditions and some conventions have also entered into Japan from the Western Cultures. When it comes to family traditions and customs, Japanese follow more or less customs similar to many other Asian countries such as India, Indonesia and Thailand. In some part of Japan, it is as good as mandatory to conform to the region and religion specific customs and behaviors. Japanese are generally rigid about their customs and traditions and therefore they expect their visitors to follow the same until they are in the Land of Rising Sun.

Chopsticks