Setsubun
A traditional ceremony to dispel demons, usually observed on the third of February. The practice of scattering beans (豆撒き mamemaki) to drive away demons is one of a number of magical rites performed to...
View ArticleJapanese Falconry
Japanese falconry (鷹狩 takagari) is said to have come to Japan from China around the fourth century CE and was practised by emperors, courtiers, and later by the samurai class well into the Edo period....
View ArticleHina Matsuri
Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) is a festival for girls held on March 3. Tiered platforms for hina ningyō (雛人形, hina dolls) are set up at home, and families celebrate with a meal, eating hishimochi (菱餅), sweet...
View ArticleMarriage in Japan
Over the past several centuries, the institution of marriage in Japan has changed radically. The changes reflect new social realities and influences from other cultures, and are often a result of...
View ArticleOmiyage
Omiyage (御土産 or お土産) are Japanese souvenir gifts travellers bring from their trips. Almost every destination in Japan has its own specialities in food, traditional art, crafts, etc. The omiyage...
View ArticleGift-giving in Japan
Gift giving in Japan involves complex and elaborate rules and is part of a larger system of social exchange. Basically, gifts are given each time another person is visited and usually exchanged on...
View ArticleKappa
Kappa (河童, lit. “river-child”), also known as kawatarō (川太郎, lit. “river-boy”) or kawako (川子, “river-children”), are supernatural amphibious creatures said to inhabit Japan’s waters. They are...
View ArticleTanabata
Tanabata (七夕) is one of Japan’s five traditional festivals (五節句 gosekku) and is usually celebrated on July 7, or in other areas, on the seventh day of the seventh month based on the lunar calendar,...
View ArticleTeru teru bozu
Teru teru bōzu (照る照る坊主) are traditional Japanese dolls made of tissue paper or cloth hung in front of the window to prevent rain. Teru (照る) means “shine” as in sunshine, while bōzu (坊主) refers to a...
View ArticleMomijigari – Autumn leaves
Momijigari (紅葉狩) is the traditional Japanese pastime of viewing autumn foliage. Momijigari means literally “maple hunting”, from the Japanese word for maple or “red leaves”, 紅葉 (momiji) and kari (狩り),...
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