Christians versus Samurai: What caused the bloodiest rebellion in Japanese history
Japan is traditionally associated with two religions - Shintoism and Buddhism. But in fact, Christianity has existed in it for several centuries. True, the relations between Japan and Christianity are…

Continue reading →

BORN EARLIER, Sensei
Who do you think this is? “Born before” preserves the wisdom of generations and transfers it to others. They go to him for advice. He is respected and loved. This…

Continue reading →

BEAUTY OF BUDDHIAN AND SINTOIST SCULPTURE ATTRACTS THE SHOWER OF A EUROPEAN
Having bought an amazing enameled vase decorated with a figure of some deity as a Christmas present for my daughter, I wanted to find out who is depicted in this…

Continue reading →

Monthly Archives: January 2020

1 4 5 6 7 8 17

ABOUT KOGEN THEATER

The Kyogen Theater, of which we are actors, is the oldest theater in Japan. Perhaps you can even say that this is one of the oldest theaters in the world. They say that Kyogen was born 600 years ago, and during these 600 years, the performances of the Kyogen theater are constantly played without interruption. But the Kyogen that you will see now, it is not played in exactly the same form as it was 600 years ago.

The fact is that our ancestors watched the performances of the Kyogen theater in the same way, with the same mood as you are watching, for example, modern performances, television programs or film programs. Just like today, in a modern theater, then themes changed every day, the performances played by the actors changed. And for 200 years, the Kyogen Theater has remained such a modern theater, the Continue reading

CLOTHES IN TRADITIONAL JAPANESE ARTS

In today’s world, traditional clothing naturally gives way to a European dress. Kimono is also subject to change. Now it is made using modern dyeing and weaving technologies. Its decoration changes according to demand. The national costume, along with other cultural phenomena, has become a platform for experiments in attempts to find new opportunities for its development and transformation today. But despite any social and cultural changes, the world of traditional arts in Japan remains almost unchanged, which makes this country unique in the eyes of the whole world. Continue reading

BORN EARLIER, Sensei

Who do you think this is? “Born before” preserves the wisdom of generations and transfers it to others. They go to him for advice. He is respected and loved. This is as important a person as parents, and sometimes more important. Guessed?

Of course, this is a teacher, and in Japanese – sensei.

By default, we translate this word as “teacher, teacher,” but for the Japanese it contains a whole world of relationships built on respect, reverence and love. Parents give life, and Sensei teaches us how to live. Even in the fairly recent past, many noble Japanese tried to give their children to teachers and mentors early, so that children could learn the wisdom of life earlier. The mentor became the second father. If there weren’t those who were “born earlier”, then there wouldn’t be all that we have now, that’s why the Japanese treat Sensei with reverence, catch Continue reading

1 4 5 6 7 8 17
Toshiro Mifune
Here is the scenario for a movie someone should make. If they can get Toshiro Mifune for it, he'd be terrific as the lead: September, 1945. The war has just…

...

Japanese beauty
Nothing is easier than seeing Mount Fuji. There is a way to examine it in detail - to come over the weekend, to stay in one of the hotels nearby…

...

BONSAI: UNIVERSE IN TREE
In the East, trees, herbs, and flowers are worshiped as living beings. They conduct confidential conversations with them, as with close friends. They are idolized. Monuments are erected to beloved…

...