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| - Japan is a country with a rich and colorful heritage. Its traditions, customs and beliefs are still reflected in modern Japanese society – in its religion, art and cuisine. Shinto, Japan’s state religion, is linked to Jimmu Tenno, the warlord who founded Japan’s first empire in 660 BC. The most sacred of all Shinto shrines, located at Ise near Kyoto, houses a mirror that the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami supposedly gave to Jimmu. Today, about 84% observe Shinto and Buddhism in Japan, while the rest observe other religions. Christians comprise only 0.7% of the Japanese population.
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| abstract
| - Japan is a country with a rich and colorful heritage. Its traditions, customs and beliefs are still reflected in modern Japanese society – in its religion, art and cuisine. Shinto, Japan’s state religion, is linked to Jimmu Tenno, the warlord who founded Japan’s first empire in 660 BC. The most sacred of all Shinto shrines, located at Ise near Kyoto, houses a mirror that the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami supposedly gave to Jimmu. In the 6th century, Japan established relations with China by adopting its imperial policy and Buddhist religion. It was in the Muromachi (or Ashigaka) feudal period in the 14th century that shoguns or generals embraced the meditative sect of Zen Buddhism as their religion. Today, about 84% observe Shinto and Buddhism in Japan, while the rest observe other religions. Christians comprise only 0.7% of the Japanese population. Japanese culture has many facets, but perhaps the most fascinating one is that of Michi or “The Way”, the underlying fundamental principle in six bodies of beliefs and skills in Japanese art – Kado, Sado, Shodo, Judo, Kendo and Kyudo.
* Kado (“The Way of Flowers”) is the art of traditional Japanese flower arrangement. This art of arranging flowers goes for asymmetry and three-dimensional effect.
* Sado (“The Way of Tea”) is the Japanese tea ceremony wherein guests are offered powdered green tea in an established order.
* Shodo (“The Way of Writing”) is Japanese calligraphy that requires speed and artistic insight in execution of written works. Kanji (Chinese characters) and hiragana (Japanese characters) comprise Japan’s writing system.
* Judo (“The Way of Flexibility”) is a form of martial arts that does not require weapons. Instead, its focus is on developing agile motions and quick mental judgments necessary for self-defense.
* Kendo (“The Way of the Sword”) is the Japanese art of fencing. It is based on the two-handed sword of the samurai techniques. For the Japanese, mastering Kendo implies spiritual discipline.
* Kyudo (“The Way of the Bow”) is the traditional art of Japanese archery, whose emphasis is on form and etiquette. In all six kinds of Japanese art, the basis of Michi is apparent – the upright position and movement.
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