Tokyo
Culture
Tokyo
is the cultural center of Japan
. Having originated from the ethnic
Jomon culture and then
mixed with subsequent influences
from first Chinese and Korean, then
Greek and Indian, and finally from
European and American influences,
Japan developed its own unique culture.
Tokyo's
unique culture is reflected in its
traditional arts – ikebana
(flower arranging), origami
(making objects by folding
paper), and ukiyo-e (woodblock
printing); crafts – dolls, lacquer
ware, and pottery; performances
– kabuki (complex dramas
performed in elaborate costumes),
noh (restrained and highly
stylized drama), bunraku
(puppet theater), kyogen (short
satirical plays), and kamishibai
(storytelling with animation,
sound, and music); and traditions
– games, onsen (hot springs
used as public bathing places),
and tea ceremony.
The
large number of festivals, rituals,
observances and celebrations in
Tokyo are also all part of Japanese
culture. Starting from the traditional
New Year visits to shrines, the
Tokyo calendar is full of various
festivals and observances, the matsuris
(religious festivals) with
their mikoshis (portable
shrines), and the cherry blossom
viewing in the month of April being
the most popular.
Although
the Japanese may seem aloof and
shy by western standards, the real
reason for their behavior is that
they are brought up to think of
themselves as a separate group.
Anything non-Japanese is thus not
readily accepted. To a westerner
this may seem odd, but Japanese
culture is different and unique
and has its own ways.
It is,
therefore, important for a visitor
of Tokyo to know some traditions that
are ingrained in the culture of the
city - bowing is the Japanese version
of a handshake, and failing to return
a bow is considered impolite; counting
of change after a purchase is considered
rude; shoes are generally not worn
in homes, temples, and various other
places; and bringing a gift when invited.
Knowing and following cultural traditions
of the city makes it easier for a
visitor to be accepted by the people
of Tokyo .
