Japanese page

◆First off...

　We have various cultures, which have been developed and kept through agriculture from old days. It is still surviving in our life.
Given quite distinct four seasons, our ancestors planted rice in the Jyomon period(BC8000〜BC300) and enjoyed its harvest. It was the origin of agriculture in Japan. However, nature suddenly rages and threatens our lives. People respected nature as their god and developed skills to utilize nature skillfully. Through this, Japanese traditions and cultures were created. We are introducing our traditions and cultures that are shown in Japanese regions.

To show respect to and comfort the gods who gives us the harvest, people gathered each season to offer tributes and dancing. At the New Year, they prayed for a rich harvest and protection from disasters. In autumn, they offered performing arts, thanking for the harvests during the year and also enjoyed gatherings for themselves.
Each art has different origins, e.g., spread form the Asian continent and depicting gods. It has spread to various areas though trading and traveling people, transformed at each area, and passed through our generations to ours. These days, Japanese people are proud to keep their traditional performing arts as valuable cultural heritage to pass to future generations.

<Outline・・> <Dengaku Arts> <Furyu Arts> <Shingi Arts (Shinto Ritual Performing Arts)> <Butaigei (Stage Arts)>

Surrounded by the Kuroshio Current and the Kurile Current, the Japanese Islands enjoy a mild climate and clear weather in all seasons, which is very rare in the world, and is filled with benefits of nature. Japanese have utilized rich nature and created working tools. Changes of nature at each season have influenced the Japanese sense of beauty. We have pursued not only functions but also the beauty of shape for working tools. It was based on delicate skills.
Japanese traditional handicrafts like lacquerware, ceramic ware, and textiles, highly valued around the world, were crafted originally as working tools in farming villages. Although, currently, there are problems with a lack of successors and mass production by machines, craftsmen are working in the whole country, trying to transmit their traditional spirits and skills.

<Outline・・> <Hardware Craft> <Woodwork craft> <Stationary> <Other Handicrafts>

Even in our contemporary society, when hearing the sound of flutes and drums at festivals we feel cheerful. It may be because we subconsciously love tradition. There are many traditional customs and events that have changed or vanished due to changes in the world. However, traditional customs and events are still transmitted in local areas. In some area, sightseeing tours and facilities utilizing traditional events are planned and implemented for area development.

<Outline・・・> <Matsuri (Festival)> <Local Customs> <Historical Sites of Farming Villages>

"Dentou-teki Kougeihin no Hon"
"Japan Traditional Craft Center"