THE GREAT JAPAN

Japan consist of 6.800 islands. Most of the islands are very small, but there are 4 principal islands, such Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyuushu. And there are 4 seasons in Japan, that is Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Japan is one of the richest country in the world. It is well known on electronic and automotive industry. Eventhough Japan has been a modern country, Japanese still preserve their cultures.

People who came to Japan for the first time will be impressed by Japanese character/letter (Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji) which we could see at all place like at office, school, company, road sign, etc.

Nowadays, most of the Japanese house build with modern style. But, we can find the traditional house which made from wood outside of the town. The interesting thing that we can see in the modern Japanese house is one room decorated with Japanese traditional style.

Life in Japan is so fast. Therefore, transportation became an important thing. The best of transportation tools in Japan is fast train (Densha). Moreover, In the big towns there is subway train.

Japan has traditional foods made from fresh ingredients, such Tempura, Sushi, Sukiyaki, Shabu-shabu, Yakitori, Soba, Udon, etc.

Most of Japanese cultures are always continuing, such traditional arts ‘Ikebana’. ‘Sado’ and ‘Origami’.

Ikebana is an art of stringing up flowers. Japanese style has difference with western style. Western preference to make beauty and color as prioritys. But Japanese give big attention for line aspect of the flowers combination. The flowers combination based on 3 lines which symbolized sky, earth and human.

Sado is ceremony of drinking tea. This ceremony not only drinking or enjoying tea but the aim was to purify soul through unification with nature. This ceremony influenced by buddha religion.

Origami is an art to fold square paper became interesting forms. Japanese do this to fill up their free time. There is tradition in Japan if relative or family got sick, the other family have to fold paper became heron as much as 1 thousand in order to recover that person from sick.

Comics are the most popular creation from Japan, such Doraemon, Shinchan, Naruto, Conan, etc. It have long stories or series but not boring. Lots of comics have been made into animation film.