Early on in the history of Japan, a unique and complex network was created to ensure the speedy delivery of letters and items. This system was made possible by using fast messengers, called hikyaku. These fast-moving couriers became a vital part of Japanese society. The origins of hikyaku can be traced back to the Heian …
Itako are blind women who serve as spirit mediums. In ancient Japan, blindness was once considered a sign of spiritual powers, so only young girls who were born blind could become itako. Traditionally, an itako’s training began around the ages of 11 to 13 years old. The girls would endure strict ascetic training and ritualized …
Shugendo is a religion that originates between the late Heian (794–1185) and Kamakura (1185–1333) periods. This ancient ascetic tradition flourished at a time when Buddhism was being imported from China. Combined with the appreciation for art in the Japanese imperial court, the arrival of organized religion and literacy allowed Shugendo to make its mark. The …
Shugendo: Japan’s Ancient Tradition of Mountain Asceticism Read More »
The Edo Period in Japan was a time of great religious and social change. The Tokugawa Bakufu, the military government established by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603, brought an end to the strife of the Warring States period and ushered in a new era of peace and stability. This period saw the continued practice of Shintoism, …
Across pop culture, the samurai has been immortalized as a paragon of honor and loyalty, living by the code of Bushido and acting to protect the unfortunate. However, the truth is more complicated than that. Japanese history is full of samurai who behaved less than honorably by modern standards. For example, the Battle of Sekigahara, …
The Edo period in Japan was characterized by a strict feudal system in which daimyo, or regional lords, were given control over vast areas of land. Daimyo were expected to oversee their territory and keep the peace, but they had to abide by edicts issued by the shogunate. They were given the authority to create …
The katana has become one of the most famous elements of Japan. It is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade leading to a guard and a long grip for two hands. Although they are often considered intrinsic to Japanese culture, it took a long time for the katana to be created. The …
Samurai women played a variety of roles throughout the Edo period. They were carefully educated, expected to uphold the honor of the warrior class, and many were trained in weaponry. However, even in the Warring States period, they were usually expected to defend their homes rather than venture out onto the battlefield. And as in …
In the early years of the Edo period, Japan had a flourishing trade network driven by demand for various goods. This led to more foreigners coming in and out of the country to exchange items and ideas. Japan had ongoing ties with China and other Southeast Asian countries at this time. Portuguese and Spanish ships …
Sumi-e, also known as Japanese ink painting, is one of the most striking traditional Japanese art styles. Artists use a combination of ink and negative space to capture the beauty of the natural world. Although the paintings must be monochrome, all gradations of ink are available. This allows the painter to create a wide range …
Tale of Ronin and Sumi-e: The Art of Japanese Ink Painting Read More »