Japanese manners and customs

What is Kado? Basic Knowledge for Beginners

Kado is a Japanese traditional culture in which seasonal flowers and plants are arranged in vessels to enjoy the beauty of the flowers and the space they create. Some people may not be able to start because of the image that it is difficult to learn without proper etiquette and sense of style. Kado can be enjoyed in daily life as long as you learn the basics, although the content of what you learn differs depending on which style of kado you choose. In this article, we will introduce the history of kado, the necessary tools, and the basic knowledge of the major styles for those who are learning for the first time. What is kado? Kado is a traditional art form that allows both those who arrange flowers and those who appreciate them to fully enjoy seasonal Japanese flowers […]

Japanese manners and customs

How do I get Kado license ? What you can do with a license and how to get one.

After practicing Kado (Japanese flower arrangement), you can get an Omenjyo (certificate), which certifies the skills and knowledge you have acquired. The content and name of the diploma varies depending on the style, but it can be listed as a qualification on your resume. If you become proficient enough to obtain a higher level of diploma, you will be able to take on apprentices and teach them. In this article, we will explain how to get a license, which is one of the goals of learning Kado, the costs involved in obtaining a license, and the differences between licenses for different schools of Kado. What is the “Omenjyo” qualification for Kado? When you start practicing Kado ( Japanese flower arrangement ) and continue to practice and become more proficient, you can obtain a “Omenjyo” a qualification of Kado. There are […]

Japanese race clothes

What is Japanese Traditional Costume?

What is Japanese traditional costume? The Japanese traditional costume is the kimono. This term was created in the Meiji period (1868-1912) as western style clothing entered Japan. This time, we would like to introduce Japanese traditional costumes, including their history before they were called kimonos. The History of Japanese Traditional Costumes The kimono originated in the Jomon period. Men used to wear a piece of cloth called kanpui, which was just a piece of cloth wrapped around the body, and women used to wear kantoi, which was a piece of cloth with holes in it through which the head would stick out. The upper half of the garment was made up of a tube-sleeved garment, while the lower half was made up of an ayui for men and a kinumo for women. The ayui is a trouser-like garment that is […]

Japanese manners and customs

Introduction to the basic tools you need to have if you want to do ikebana

To do ikebana, you will need special tools for ikebana, not the same tools you normally use at home. In this article, we will introduce the minimum tools you should have if you are going to start ikebana and where you can purchase them. Tools needed for ikebana Those who are starting ikebana for the first time or attending ikebana classes need to start with the necessary tools for ikebana. At a minimum, the following three tools are required for ikebana. Flower scissors Hana shears are scissors specially designed for cutting flowers. They are sharper than ordinary scissors, so they can cut beautifully without crushing the stems. Flower scissors are divided into two types depending on the shape of the handle: “vine hand,” which is ring-shaped, and “warabi-te,” which is shaped like a wild vegetable straw. They range in price […]

Japanese manners and customs

Introducing some of the representative styles of Kado and Ikebana.

Did you know that there are different styles of kado? Ikebana refers to flower arranging itself and can be enjoyed freely as a hobby without being bound by a style, but some kado styles offer ikebana classes. This article therefore provides a thorough explanation of the kado styles, including the three representative styles in Japan, known as the three main styles, and the characteristics of the seven representative styles, including the three major styles. If you are interested in kado or would like to try it, please refer to this article to find the style that best suits your taste and sensibilities. What are kado styles? Kado was established in the Muromachi period (1333-1573) and spread as part of the education of women in the aristocratic and samurai families, and is still passed down today. Each kado style has its […]

Food culture in Japan

What is the Tea Ceremony? History and manners explained

What image comes to mind when you hear the word “Japanese Tea Ceremony”? Many people may have the impression that it seems somehow difficult. The tea ceremony is one of Japan’s representative traditional arts. The tea ceremony has detailed rules of etiquette, but even beginners can behave politely if they fully understand the meaning of each of them. This article introduces the tea ceremony, including its history and manners. Even if you have the impression that the tea ceremony is highly prestigious, please take a look at the contents of this article. What is the Tea Ceremony? The Japanese tea ceremony is a ritual in which tea is prepared and served to guests in a calming atmosphere. It is also called sado. Powdered powdered green tea and hot water are placed in a tea bowl and stirred with a bamboo […]

ZEN

How to Do Meditation, the Basics of Deeper Meditation and the Three Benefits of Meditation.

What is meditation? Generally speaking, meditation is about relaxing the body and mind by calming the mind and becoming detached. Historically, meditation has been understood as a mystical practice for quieting the mind and praying to the gods in religious practice, or as a way to communicate with the divine, to become one with the divine, or to gain some other extraordinary experience. In recent years, however, the benefits of meditation have been studied and it has begun to be recognized as something that even ordinary people can incorporate into their daily lives. At first, it was mainly practiced by intellectuals and celebrities, but now even companies are actively promoting meditation, and the number of practitioners has increased to more than 500 million people. In this article, we would like to introduce the basics of meditation and the benefits of […]

Japanese race clothes

What is Tsumugi? A detailed explanation of the main production areas of tsumugi

What is Tsumugi? Tsumugi is a dyed fabric made of silk threads. The silk threads are drawn from the cocoons of silkworms, and the fabric surface is made of the silk threads, giving it a unique shine. The technique of thread yarn dyeing used for tsumugi is a method of expressing patterns by dyeing the threads before weaving the kimono. Unlike dyeing after weaving, yarn dyeing is a very expensive and timeconsuming process. However, the silk produced by yarn dyeing, which is both durable and beautiful, has survived the current of the times and continues to survive until the present day. Major production areas of silk products The culture of tsumugi is widely spread all over Japan, as it was used by the townspeople in the Edo period (1603-1868). Such tsumugi is widely used throughout the country. Of course, there […]

ZEN

What is Zenjyou and its relationship to wisdom

What zenjyo Zenjyo ( Zen meditation ) refers to meditation in which the mind is quieted and focused on a single object. It is a term used in the Buddhist world and is considered a form of ascetic practice. It is called by ZEN as a universal language. Stages of Zen meditation There are three main groups of stages of zen meditation according to the progress of one’s practice. There are three main groups, which can be further subdivided into nine stages in total. Stages of the color world The color world is the first of the three groups of Zen meditation. The first four of the nine stages are classified here. This is also called the “four zen color worlds. First, there are two major things that must be cleared before entering the color world stage. The first is […]

Japanese race clothes

What is a HAORI? About the History of the HAORI

What is a Haori? A Haori is a type of short kimono, an outer garment worn over a kosode. Many celebrities are seen wearing it during New Year’s specials. The haori’s history The history of the haori dates back to the Warring States period. Leading military commanders used haori decorated with their family crests or favorite patterns as protection against the cold winter months. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the haori Hakama, worn first with the hakama, became a stylized garment. It became the daily wear for warriors and the formal attire for townspeople. By the mid-Edo period, the haori hakama with a black crest (montsuki haori hakama) became the most formal attire. At the same time, the haori also came to be used as a sign of a person’s status and family background. The wearer’s family or clan crest […]