JAPANA BRIEF VIEW

byHeny Dwi Astutik

Japan is a country that located in west pacific ocean. Japan in kanji pronounce as Nippon that mean a country where sun rises. But tiongkok and south east asia people pronounce word Nippon in kanji are Zeppen or Jappan. This pronounce went to europe by a merchant.Jappanese are known as people with highly spirit, they have great disciplinary about anything, as The Last Samurai movie describes “They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue”With highly disciplinary people, Japan has been grew as an industrialized country. Even since the feudal era (shogunate era) untill end of world war II, Japan always strugled in battle.Now Japan is one of the most advance state in electronics and robotics technology

National Anthem

The national flag of Japan known as Hinomaru that mean the circle of the sun. The sun plays an important role in Japan. Jappanese asume their country as land where the sun rises, also they believe the emperor is the sun god Ameterasu descendent.

The flag is a white rectangle with red circle in centre. The red circle represent goddess Ameterasu, founder of Japan and ancestor of its emperors. It symbolizes bright future for Japan. White represents honesty, integrity and purity of Japanese people

JAPAN TRADITIONAL DANCE

KIMONOKimono is national costume

of Japan. It mean something to wear.

Kimono are wrapped around body and so long that fall to the ankle.

Kimono always used in important ocasions or formal moments.

Kimono represent a polite and formal clothing.

JAPAN’S POLITICAL SYSTEM

Political system of Japan runs a constitutional monarchy whereby emperor acts as head of state and limited on ceremonial duties only. The head of government lies on the prime minister’s hand, with help of the cabinet. the prime minister direct the executive power. As commonly a constitutional state, the political system of Japan divided by trias politica: the executive power, the legislative power and the judicial power.

Form of the Government Japanese is an constitutional monarchy

government. They have an emperor as a head of state

but has no powers. The emperor only do the ceremonial duties and appointed an prime minister that designated by the parliament.

Prime minister whom run and control government with his/her cabinet. Like other constitutional state, Japanese have three division of power (the executive, the legislative, and the judicial)

EMPEROR OF JAPANThe Emperor of Japan is the head of the Imperial House and is the ceremonial head of state of Japan. According the constitution, he is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people." Historically, he is also the highest authority of the Shinto religion as he and his family are said to be the direct descendants of the sun-goddess Amaterasu and his importance also lies in dealing with heavenly affairs, including Shinto ritual and rites throughout the nation.

PRIME MINISTERThe Prime Minister of Japan is the head of government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the National Diet (a legislative power whiches House of representatives and house of councillors remains) . He or she is the head of the Cabinet and appoints and dismisses the other Ministers of State.

Economic Systems Free market/Liberalism/Laissez Faire

adoption from England and USA capitalism model.

Industrial sector in Japan: banking, insurance, transportation, telecommunication, & construction.

Manufacturing focuses: high tech & precision goods (optical instruments, hybrid vehicles, & robotics)

Historical Background The religious practices of these early

Japanese were later given name Shinto “the way of the God”.

Below the emperor, the Japanese borrowed the Chinese organs of a centralized state.

The Chinese law codes were taken over almost verbatim.

At the capital, an elaborate bureaucratic form of government was created, thought with innovations on the Chinese model to fit it better to Japanese conditions.

FOODJapan has been cooking for thousands of years. As an island nation it tends to go its own way. As a result, Japanese food evolved into a unique culinary tradition. Beyond tradition, Japanese food is a living part of the culture. It's always growing and as a result there are countless Japanese dishes. The following are a few foods that all Japanese know well…

MakizushiMakizushi is sushi that's rolled into long cylinders. It may be cut into shorter pieces before being served. The word makizushi can be translated "sushi roll." It's often simply called maki. It usually has nori on the outside but can also be wrapped with leaves such as shiso. Maki is filled with sushi rice and ingredients such as raw fish, cooked fish and vegetables.

Miso SoupIn Japan, miso soup is as important to breakfast as coffee. It's a hearty soup of dashi, miso and tofu. It often includes a variety of vegetables, seafood and meat. A good miso soup balances ingredients that float with ingredients that sink.

SobaThin Japanese buckwheat noodles served chilled with a dipping sauce or in a hot broth. Whichever you choose, it's perfectly polite to loudly slurp your noodles.

YakitoriYakitori can be literally translated "grilled chicken." It's a category of Japanese cuisine that includes dozens of items that are grilled on thin bamboo skewers including every imaginable part of the chicken as well as other meats, tofu and vegetables. Yakitori restaurants are typically lively drinking spots.

TempuraTempura is deep fried fish and vegetables in a light batter. Care is taken to cook tempura at a low temperature for a short time to preserve the taste of ingredients. It's served with a light tentsuyu dip.

RamenHot Chinese-style wheat noodles in a meat, fish, miso or soy sauce broth. It's an inexpensive, filling, easy to find snack. Despite the fact that ramen is cheap, there's a big difference in quality from one shop to the next. A shop that earns a reputation amongst ramen aficionados will regularly have long lines while a shop just next door may be empty. It's the type of dish that isn't easy to perfect.

MochiA sticky variety of Japanese rice known as mochigome that has been pounded into a paste. Toasted and eaten directly. Also used in a variety of Japanese dishes and desserts.

OkonomiyakiA type of savory Japanese pancake that was traditionally prepared to use up leftovers. Okonomiyaki restaurants let you customize your order. In many cases, you can cook your own at a grill in your table. There's an intense okonomiyaki rivalry between Osaka, Tokyo and Hiroshima. Each town has its own version of the dish.

SashimiRaw sliced fish or meat. Freshness and aesthetics are important to sashimi dishes. Otherwise, it's just hunks of fish.

OdenOden is a Japanese hotpot that is ordered item-by-item. It's a popular street food,  konbini food, winter food and drinking food. Oden may be cooked in a very old broth.

Japanese Curry RiceA Japanese curry that's based on British Navy Curry. The Imperial Japanese Navy adopted a similar curry in the 19th century. Japan's navy still serves it every Friday. The curry spread from the navy to Japan's civilian population in the Meiji-era. Over the years, it has adapted to local tastes. It's incredibly bland for a curry. Nevertheless, it has become one of Japan's most popular dishes.

KaisekiKaiseki is a type of multicourse Japanese meal. It's fine cuisine that can include 5-16 courses. Each course is small and aesthetically pleasing with seasonal ingredients. Kaiseki is the creation of a chef. There are no standard kaiseki dishes. Instead there are categories of dishes are are traditionally served.

TakoyakiBall-shaped savory Japanese pancakes with a piece of octopus in the middle. Optionally topped with beni shoga,katsuobushi, nori flakes, mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce, a sweet soy sauce based condiment.

YubaYuba is Japanese tofu skin. It can be enjoyed raw with a light dipping sauce. Fresh yuba has a texture that's similar to mozzarella cheese.

SukiyakiSukiyaki is a Japanese stew that's typically cooked in a hotpot on your table as you dine. It consists of thin-sliced beef, vegetables and tofu in a fairly thick broth of soy sauce, sugar and mirin. Sukiyaki is often served with raw eggs as a dipping sauce. It's a winter food that's thought to warm you up. As with any Japanese food cooked at your table, sukiyaki is also considered a party food.

PEOPLE The origins of the Japanese people is not

entirely clear yet. It is common for Japanese people to think that Japan is not part of Asia since it is an island, cut off from the continent. This tells a lot about how they see themselves in relation to their neighbours. But in spite of what the Japanese may think of themselves, they do not have extraterrestrial origins, and are indeed related to several peoples in Asia

The Ainu came from Siberia and settled in Hokkaido and Honshu some 15,000 years ago, just before the water levels started rising again. Nowadays the Ryukuyans, the Ainus and the Japanese are considered three ethnically separate groups.

JAPANESE TRADITIONS Japanese Gardens

The original Japanese gardens were inspired by Buddhist and Chinese philosophy and later evolved to have their own distinct Japanese identity. The gardens found in Japanese temples and shrines are inspired by the Shinto religion and the belief in an ideal state of harmony.

Japanese ArchitectureTraditional Japanese Architecture has a distinct style deeply influenced by Buddhism and Shintoism. The use of lightweight wood and bamboo to create Fusuma (sliding doors) and straw or woven grass to create Tatami (mats) are other unique features of Japanese architectural design.

Japanese Tea CeremonyThe Japanese ceremony of preparing and offering tea to revered guests is a formal and stylized ritual, almost like a meditative performance. The art or skill of preparing tea and all the elements of the tea ceremony have special and symbolic meaning.

Japanese CuisineJapan is an island nation and seafood plays an important role in Japanese cuisine. Japanese food such as Sushi (rice flavored with vinegar and combined with seafood or seaweed and sometimes vegetables) and Sashimi (cut and sliced raw meat, usually seafood) are forms of Japanese cuisine that have become famous worldwide. Sake or Japanese rice wine is also drunk at traditional meals as a toast to the health and long life of one's dining companions.

Japanese Festivals The Japanese people celebrate many festivals, most of which are of the Buddhist and Shinto religions. Different temples or shrines across Japan have their own specific Matsuri or festive holiday. These include Aomori Nebuta Festival, the Hadaka Matsuri Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festivals, which are an integral part of Japanese culture.

Cherry Blossom Festivals Every year in spring the Japanese people take time out to appreciate the beauty of nature as the Cherry trees burst into full bloom and their lovely pink flowers offer a wonderfully appealing sight. The natural beauty of the Cherry blossom season is celebrated by the Japanese in their art and music, and even in the designs of their traditional clothing, the Kimono.

Japanese Kimono The traditional Japanese costume, the Kimono, is a graceful full-length robe that falls from the wearer's shoulders to the ankles. Kimonos for special occasions were made of rich fabric such as silk, satin and brocade and feature designs inspired by nature such as Cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, butterflies and pine trees. Kimonos are now worn mostly for ceremonial occasions and events such as festivals and marriages.

Japanese Painting Japan has a long tradition of painting and woodblock printing. Some of the famous Japanese painters are Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) who is famous for the Ukiyo-e or woodblock printing style of art. Another famous Japanese painter is Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) who is famous for a series of woodblock prints depicting Mount Fuji.

Japanese Calligraphy The Japanese script consists of characters which were traditionally painted using smooth brushstrokes on handmade paper. The fine art of calligraphy requires many years of practice and was considered essential learning for an accomplished person in Japanese society.

IkebanaThe Japanese cultural practice of flower arrangement is a fine art that encompasses the ideas of aesthetics, spirituality, discipline and harmony with nature. The emphasis on minimalism, attention to the line and form of the plants or flowers used in an arrangement and the harmony of the overall arrangement exemplify this Japanese tradition. 

JAPAN TRADITIONAL DANCE