The Tale of the Heike, or Heike monogatari, is an epic poem recounting a power struggle that changed the course of Japanese history. In the late 12th century B.C.E., tensions between the powerful Minamoto clan—also known as the Genji clan—and the Taira clan—also known as the Heike clan—came to a head. The poem chronicles the …
Disability has accompanied humans for as long as humans have existed. Japanese history is filled with tales of disabled historical figures, spirits, and kami. In early Japan, blindness caused by disease, farming accidents, or poor nutrition was especially common. The history of blind people in Japan is long and fascinating. As early as the 8th …
The burakumin are a large group of people who were historically discriminated against in Japan. They are not an ethnic minority; the discrimination against them is based on caste and descent. Considered “outcaste” and “untouchable,” the burakumin occupied the lowest rung in the traditional Japanese social structure. During the early Edo period, those who worked …
Burakumin: The Untouchable Caste of Feudal Japan Read More »
Noh theater is a traditional Japanese performance art that has been practiced for centuries. It remains almost unchanged from its beginnings in the 14th century, even today. The masked performers, intense emotions, and slow pacing of Noh make it a unique experience. The roots of Noh lie in dance drama and festival drama performed at …
For centuries, Japan upheld a strict taboo against consuming meat, particularly beef, driven by both religious and practical considerations. Guided by Buddhist principles of respect for life and the avoidance of waste, as well as Shinto beliefs surrounding purity related to blood and death, the Japanese largely avoided meat consumption for over 12 centuries. It …
From Taboo to Table: Tracing Japan’s Meat Prohibition History Read More »
Japan’s Edo period (1603–1867) was a time of peace and significant cultural shift. Religion and spirituality had been deeply affected by the Warring States period, a century of near-constant civil war. When the Tokugawa clan took power, the family raised a new dominant philosophy to help keep the land stable: Neo-Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism was introduced to …
Japanese history is complex and fascinating, but the Heian period and its legacy are especially influential. This captivating era, spanning from the late 8th century to the late 12th century, is often hailed as Japan’s Golden Age. It is most notable for its artistic brilliance, refined courtly culture, and flourishing literary scene. The Heian period …
When the last of Japan’s three great unifiers, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power, he had a problem. His predecessors, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, had both failed to establish a lasting regime that could endure after their deaths. In 1603, Ieyasu created the Edo bakufu—also known as the Tokugawa Shogunate—to legitimize his rule. Thus the …
The Bakufu-Han System: Feudal Government Structure in Edo Period Japan Read More »
Vengeful ghosts are a staple of Japanese folklore. The most famous and the most culturally-relevant today is the onryo, a vicious ghost that indiscriminately curses those unfortunate enough to be near the spirit or the subject of its revenge. And among onryo, the most famous is probably the ancient samurai known as Taira no Masakado. …
Taira no Masakado: Japan’s Most Famous Vengeful Ghost Read More »
In Japan, the arrival of spring brings forth an enchanting spectacle that captivates both locals and visitors alike—the blooming of cherry blossoms. These delicate flowers, known as “sakura,” hold a deep-rooted significance in Japanese culture and history. They bloom for only a short time, often for as little as 14 days. During that period, the …