japanese history– tag –

【】 Have you already watched Shogun? As most of you already know, it’s a very popular TV series about the samurai era on Disney Plus. As a Japanese, I’m proud that it won 18 Golden Globe awards, which was a record high. Of course, it’s ...

In Japan, baseball is still the most popular sport, and the national high school baseball championship (Koshien) is a popular seasonal sport event. It has a long history of about 100 years. The shaved head of high school players is one of the traditions, funnily enough.

What if there's a museum where you can see all the masterpieces of art at a time? Like Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh, Guernica by Pablo Picasso, etc. Of course, I know they are exhibited in different museums in Paris, Tokyo, and Madrid respectively, but there is one such what-if place in Japan.

Have you ever eaten mochi? If yes and you're still alive, you're blessed. Do you know how many people have lost their lives by choking on mochi in Japan? It's 300 averagely every year. We probably should prohibit or at least impose a heavy tax on mochi like narcotics and alcohol, but there has been no such momentum in the National Diet of Japan so far.

【What's the civil engineering heritage?】 Does your city or region have civil engineering heritage? They may be a big bridge, dam, bund, tunnel, and any construction or architecture that have a significant impact on the development of l...

Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan and so good to touch the core essence of Japanese culture and tradition, while it may be the place to remember the memory of their school trips for many Japanese people. I guess this is why Kyoto is popular and always packed with many visitors from home and abroad.

Why Japanese people sit on the floor not on a chair or a sofa? It's for making full use of a limited space in a house smaller than the global standard. Even if you live in a huge house, it's not that bad to stay on the floor for more relax. Let me share one of the Japanese wisdoms of life.

Did you know that Kendo was not a sport but a way of life? In the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Shohei Ohno, winning a gold medal in the 73 kg competition of Judo, has reminded me of the fact that Judo was not a sport before. He never raised his fist or even smiled after winning matches in order to show his respect and consideration to opponents.

The main purpose of building castles is the same in Japan and European countries: Defense against enemies, but there are many differences in material, structure, etc. between them. They arise from the difference in the characters of the wars between Japan and European countries.

Samurai governed Japan for about 700 years, from 1185 to 1867. The age of samurai is divided into some periods. According to a popular theory, samurais in the first period (the Kamakura period, from 1185 to 1333) are believed to be strongest and bravest. It is said that "You look like a Kamakura samurai" was the best praising words for samurais even in the last days of the samurai age.