CULTURE AND RELIGION
LITERATURE
Early work of Japanese literature was heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, that was often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence in Japanese literature through the dispersion of Buddhism in Japan. Eventually, Japanese literature developed into a separate style just as Japanese writers began writing their own work about Japan, even though the influence of Chinese literature remained until the end of the Edo period.
Since Japan re-established its ports to Western trading and international relations in the 19th century, Western and Eastern literature have strongly affected each other and continue to do so.
Ancient
Before the introduction of kanji from China, the Japanese had no writing system. At first, Chinese characters were used in Japanese formats, and the end result was sentences that looked like Chinese but were read as Japanese. Chinese characters were further modified, creating what is known as man'yōgana, the earliest form of syllabic writing. Classical Japanese literature generally refers to literature produced during the Heian period, that is referred to as the golden era of art and literature.
Genji Monogatari (early 11th century) by a woman named Murasaki Shikibu, is considered the finest masterpiece of Heian fiction and an early example of a work of fiction in the form of a novel.
Medieval
During the medieval period, Japan experienced many civil wars which led to the development of a warrior class. The work from this period is well-known for its perception into life and death, simple lifestyles, and redemption through killing. An example of medieval work is The Tale of the Heike (1371), an epic story of the struggle between the Minamoto and Taira clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century.
ART
Painting
Many Japanese paintings were inspired by the Buddhism religion, and during the 12th to 14th centuries, Japan produced long picture scrolls that often told stories. These stories illustrated battles or Japanese legends. The 14th century also produced art influenced by the Zen school of Buddhism.
This influence created landscapes artworks that were painted in an ink wash. In the 17th century coloured wood blocks became popular in Japan. An image was cut into a block which was then covered in ink and pressed onto paper where the image would be transferred to.
Sculpture
Early Japanese sculptures consisted of clay, that was used to make figures of warriors, servants and animals. These figures were placed on graves as a way to provide for the deceased in the after life. The arrival of Buddhism brought sculptures made of wood, clay or bronze in the form of Buddha statues.
Music
One of the key characteristics in traditional Japanese music is its sparse rhythm.The focus is on creating music that flows in an attempt to mirror the behavior of nature.
Traditional Japanese music has three main styles, instrumental, court music, and theatrical.
Some types of theatrical music are Kabuki and Noh.
Gagaku is a form of court music, it also happens to be the oldest style of traditional Japanese music. Gagaku includes dances and a blend of other genres of Asian music. There are two styles of Gagaku. These are kigaku, which is a form of instrumental music, and Seigaku, which is a form of vocal music. Historical Japanese folk music is strongly-influenced by Chinese music. This is because many of the musical instruments that are popular in Japanese music first came from China. These instruments include: koto, shakuhachi, and wadaiko drums. A koto is a stringed instrument that shares a similarity to China's guzheng. Wadaiko is the name for the traditional style of Japanese drumming and the particular drums themselves. A shakuhachi is a flute that is used in traditional Japanese music. Shakuhachi are usually made from bamboo.
RELIGION
Japan's oldest religion is Shinto and is only practised in Japan. .
It is based on the worship of nature and the gods, and on myths that were passed on orally.
The Shinto religion teaches that kami(guardian spirits and gods) are present everywhere; in nature, in the home and in human beings, and that all natural objects should be respected. Followers of the Shinto religion, worship kami by living in harmony with their environment. Shinto teachings emphasise simple rituals, which cleanse people of any impurities.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy. It is based on the teachings of Buddha,. Buddha means 'Enlightened One'. Buddhist teachings require trust, confidence and the belief that the teachings of Buddha can lead to spirituality and salvation. Buddhism believes in the idea of reincarnation, and that by leading a good life, followers can avoid being reincarnated. This means escaping the pain and suffering that can come with life.
Zen Buddhism was developed in medieval times. It teaches that the way to achieve inner peace is through self-control and meditation. Zen Buddhism was adopted by the samurai warriors. They would mentally prepare themselves for battle by meditating. The Zen Buddhists introduced meditation gardens and the tea ceremony to Japan.
