Tradition & Culture

Ikebana

Like much of Japanese art, ikebana flower arranging has its origin in ritual - in this spirits of the dead. The lovely, dramatic displays feature delicate blooms in spring, radiant flowers in summer, vivid leaves in autumn, and bare shoots and branches in winter. Expect to see ikebana in public spaces throughout Tokyo, including train stations, hotels and shrines. Or visit the Ohara School of ikebana in Aoyama, which offers English - language flower - arranging lessons.

Calligraphy

Known as shodo, calligraphy is taught to all Japanese schoolchildren, but the gorgeous brushstrokes are recognizable to everyone. The beauty of the writing is an essential part of the message, with wispy lines and broad strokes expressing the personality of the author Calligraphy can be seen on the menus of Japanese restaurants and on the signs of traditional businesses throughout Tokyo. Or stop by and see the collection at the Japan Calligraphy Museum in ltabashi Ward.

Ukiyo-e

Renowned for its vibrant colors and dramatic depictions of nature, Ukiyo-e woodblock printmaking has been an energetic Japanese art form since the 17th century. Katsushika Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mt.Fuji are some of the best-known pieces in all of Japanese art. To experience the many facets of ukiyo-e, visit the Ota Memorial Museum of Art in Harajuku, Which displays prints from the Tokugawa Era through the 20th century.
www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp/english.html

Zazen (seated meditation)

Zazen is a fundamental practice of Zen Buddhism that requires practitioners to be seated in an appropriate posture for mental concentration. It is a form of meditation training and aims to condition practitioner's posture, breathing, and mind. Zazen is believed to have a beneficial effect on health as abdominal breathing during the meditation may reduce stresses and refresh brain.

Kabuki

Actors in this stylized theater wear elaborate makeup and perform dramatic dances to express the feelings of their characters.
At Ginza's Kabuki-za playhouse, visitors can rent headphones to hear part of a performance in English.
However, with a platform reaching out into the crowd, audience members shouting at their favorite actors,
and performances that feature singing and acrobatics, you don't need to understand the words to appreciate the show.
Kabuki originated in the Edo era as an entertainment for the common people, and it still has the power to delight modern audiences today.
www.kabuki-za.co.jp

Sumo

Japan's iconic sport dates back some 1,500 years, to a time when men demonstrated their strength as an offering to heavenly deities. Judging by the packed arenas at tournaments that take place in January, May and September. After the bouts, stop by one of the many restaurant near the arena that serve chanko nabe, the traditional stew that helps give the wrestlers their girth. And keep your eyes peeled for the star wrestlers who frequent the area!
www.sumo.or.jp/index.html

Sudare

Traditional folding screens known as sudare provide an attractive interior design element to Japanese homes. They can also be hung in windows to protect against rain and excessive sunlight while allowing breezes to enter during summer and providing insulation in winter. Elegant and deceptively plain, sudare are made by craftsmen who train for years in the intricate methods of working with bamboo and other materials.

Chochin

Originally used to light city streets at night, the delicate and gorgeous paper lanterns known as chochin can still be found in a variety of settings today. At festivals, especially during the summer neighborhood parties known as bon matsuri, chochin provide a luminous glow to the celebrations, and they can be seen hanging from the eaves of traditional restaurants. Constructed of a bamboo frame wrapped in washi paper and lighted by a candle, chochin are one of Japan's oldest and most beloved crafts styles. At Oshimaya Onda, you can try decorating classic paper lanterns with your own writing(reservations required; lesson will be in Japanese only). Tel：03-3841-2619

Tea ceremony

The traditional tea ceremony known as sado expresses the Zen philosophy of living in the moment. An elaborate ritual performed in a peaceful setting, sado offers an exercise in contemplation and conversation as much as an opportunity for refreshment- exquisite utensils and bowls are employed to heighten the aesthetic experience, and sweets are served as accompaniments. To experience a tea ceremony with an English-speaking host, stop by the Hotel New Otani, which offers daily seatings.

Japanese Gardens

Japanese traditional gardens are often found at Buddhist temples and daimyo yashiki (former residences of feudal lords) as well as at some public facilities and hotels. For a typical Japanese garden, garden rocks and plants are laid out around a pond in the middle of the garden according to natural geography or tsukiyama (manmade hills) to create a landscape that can be enjoyed from season to season.

Kimono・Yukata

How to wear a Yukata

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