1 Japanese Cultures the World Admires
Introduction
Japanese Manga and Anime
・History of Japanese Manga
・History of Japanese Anime
・Difference between American animation and Japanese Anime
・Differences in Characters of Animation/Anime
・Moe to Cosplay
・Japanese Spirituality shown in Anime
Japanese Movies
・The History of Japanese Movies
・The Movies That Led to a Craze for Japan
・Differences in the Movies of Japan and those of Hollywood
・Features of Japanese Movies
Introduction : Japanese food everybody loves
・Japanese Food Developed in Edo, Today’s Tokyo
・Rice and Side Dishes That Pair Well with Rice
・Umami Dashi Soup
・Arranging Plates and Expressing Season
・Raw Food
・Dietary Culture Blending Japanese and Western Cuisines“Itadakimasu” Showing Japanese Spirituality
・“Izakaya” (Japanese style pub) and Entertainment Culture There
・The Origin of Izakaya, Maybe Related with Sankin-Kotai?
・The History of Japanese Sake, even Found in Japanese Mythology
・How You Select Sake Suitable for Your Taste
3 Traditional Unique Jobs in Japan
Introduction
Samurai
・Origin of Samurai
・Bushi-Do (Spirit of Samurai)
・What Did Samurai Do Actually?
・Samurai Hair Style “Chon-mage”
Ninja
・Did Ninja really exist?
・What were the jobs of ninjas?
・What was their Ninjutsu like?
Sumo
・How old is sumo?
・What are the Rules of Sumo, and its Features?
・How Do Sumo Wrestlers Spend Their Days?
Geisha
・History of Geisha
・What is the Difference between Geiko and Maiko?
4 National Characters of the Japanese
Introduction
Unique Aesthetics
・Sābisu (Japlish coming from “service”) and Omotenashi
・ Omotenashi in the Tea Ceremony
・The spirit of ‘Do’ (the Way to Mastery) based on Taoism.
・Master and Disciple Relationship in Japan: ‘Shu-Ha-Ri’
・'Wabi' and 'Sabi'
'・Mono-no-aware' Sense of Impermanence
Japanese Spiritualism Found in the Townspeople in Edo
・The traditional image of the Japanese found in the spirit of Edo townspeople
・'Iki,' the Spirit of the Edo People
・'Giri-Ninjo,' Human Relationships in Edo
・'Tu,' Appreciation of Differences
・Poor but Proud in Spirit of Edo Townspeople
Some Specific Features Shown in the Japanese Language
・Variety of Expressions
・Words Expressing the Human Relationships
5 Japan from Viewpoints of Culture and Geography
Introduction
Geological View of Japan as an Island
・The Advantages of Being an Island Country
・The Features of Trade in Japan as an Island Country
・Japanese People and Their High-Context Language
・ What Has Brought about “Japanese Seriousness”?
・The Rules in Battles Unique to Insular Japan and Its National Characteristics
・The Reason Why Japan Was Not Colonized
Geological Features of Continental Countries
・Territorial Issues
・Continental Trade Culture Nurturing a Global Mindset
・Multi-Ethnic Countries on Continents
・Individualism Nurtured in Continental Lifestyle
Cultural Aspects in Orient
・Coexistence with Nature in Eastern Civilizations
・Common Themes in Eastern Religions and Mysticism
・Eastern Medicine: Viewing Everything as Connected
・The Deification of Natural Elements in Forest Religions
・Oriental View of Life and Death
The Cultural Aspects of Western World
・Western Civilizations' Control Over Nature
・Desert Thought and the Rise of Materialism
・Western Medicine's Approach to Disease
・Monotheism Among Desert Religions
・The Western View of Life and Death
Cultural Differences between Japan and the West
・ Shame and Guilt Cultures
・ Differences in Aesthetics between Japan and the West
・Differences in Gardens between Japan and the West
6 Japanese Religions Uniquely Developed
Introduction
Shintoism, Rooted in Japan in Ancient Times
・Shintoism and Nature
・Features of Shintoism
・Shinto’s Thoughts and Concepts Rooted in Japan
ーー1 Everything is Possessed by a Spirit or Deity
ーー2 Musuhi
・Oriental Impurity and Occidental Sin
・Shinto and Common Beliefs with Animism Worldwide
Shinto Practices and How to Enjoy Them
・What You Should Do Before Entering Shrines
・Just Remember How to Pray at Shrines!
・The Basic Structure of Shinto Design
・Classification of Shinto and its Effects
History of Shinto and Tenno Family
・Tenno Belief
・The Origin of the Tenno Family
・The History of the Tenno Family
・Kojiki, the Tales of Ancient History
Buddhism from the Continent
・Buddhism Deeply Rooted in Japanese Life
・Fundamental Concept of Buddhism: Four Signs of Buddhism
・The Life of Buddha
・The Origin of Japanese Buddhism
・The History of Japanese Buddhism
・Japanese People and Buddhism
ーー1. Nara Buddhism Group
ーー2. Ascetic Sects Group
ーー3. Jodo Sects Group
ーー4. Zen Group
Zen
・What is Zen?
・The History of Zen
・The Teaching of “Furyu-Monji”
・Steps of Zazen Meditation
Other Japanese Unique Thoughts and Beliefs
・Mountain Belief and Syugen-do
・The Role of Onmyoji, Yin and Yang Masters
・Dragon God Belief
7 The Origin and History of Japanese People
Introduction
The Origin of Japanese People
・What race are the Nihonjin (Japanese people)?
・When did Japan become known as “Nippon (Japan)”?
・The Origin of Yamato Race
・Which do you look like, a Jomon man or Yayoi man?
・The Descendants of the Jomon People
The Ainu Race
・The features of the Ainu
・The History of The Ainu
The Ryukyu Race
・The Features of the Ryukyu Race
・The History of the Ryukyu Race
Some Theories About the Mysterious Origin of the Japanese
Special Important Issues in Japan