Early Japan (until 710) HISTORY
During the Jomon Period (13000 BC to 300 BC), the inhabitants of the Japanese
islands were gatherers, fishers and hunters. Jomon is the name of the era's pottery.
During the Yayoi Period (300 BC to 300 AD), the rice culture was imported into
Japan around 100 BC. With the introduction of agriculture, social classes started to
evolve, and parts of the country began to unite under powerful land owners. Chinese
travellers during the Han and Wei dynasties reported that a queen called Himiko (or
Pimiku) reigned over Japan at that time. The Yayoi period brought also the
introduction of iron and other modern ideas from Korea into Japan. Again, its pottery
gave the period its name.
By the beginning of the Kofun Period (300 - 538), a center of power had developed
in the fertile Kinai plain, and by about 400 AD the country was united as Yamato
Japan with its political center in and around the province of Yamato (about today's
Nara Prefecture). The period's name comes from the large tombs (kofun) that were
built for the political leaders of that era. Yamato Japan extended from Kyushu to the
Kinai plain, but did not yet include the Kanto, Tohoku and Hokkaido.
The emperor was ruler of Yamato Japan and resided in a capital that was moved
frequently from one city to another. However, the Soga clan soon took over the
actual political power, resulting in the fact that most of the emperors only acted as
the symbol of the state and performed Shinto rituals.
Due to friendly relations to the kingdom of Kudara (or Paikche) on the Korean
peninsula, the influence from the mainland increased strongly. Buddhism was
introduced to Japan in the year 538 or 552 and was promoted by the ruling class.
Prince Shotoku is said to have played an especially important role in promoting
Chinese ideas. He also wrote the Constitution of Seventeen Articles about moral
and political principles. Also the theories of Confucianism and Taoism, as well as the
Chinese writing system were introduced to Japan during the Yamato period.
In 645, Nakatomi no Kamatari started the era of the Fujiwara clan that was to last
until the rise of the military class (samurai) in the 11th century. In the same year, the
Taika reforms were realized: A new government and administrative system was
established after the Chinese model. All land was bought by the state and
redistributed equally among the farmers in a large land reform in order to introduce
the new tax system that was also adopted from China.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2131.html
Samurai HISTORY
The samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class, the
Japanese warriors.
Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears
and guns; but their most famous weapon and their symbol was the sword.
Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of
bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Strongly Confucian in nature, Bushido
stressed concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline and
respectful, ethical behavior.
After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by
cutting their abdomen rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable
death.
Samurai Armour
Heian Period (794-1185) The samurai's importance and influence grew during the Heian Period,
when powerful landowners hired private warriors for the protection of their properties. Towards the
end of the Heian Period, two military clans, the Minamoto and Taira, had grown so powerful that they
seized control over the country and fought wars for supremacy against each other.
Kamakura Period (1192-1333) In 1185, the Minamoto defeated the Taira, and Minamoto Yoritomo
established a new military government in Kamakura in 1192. As shogun, the highest military officer,
he became the ruler of Japan.
Muromachi Period (1333 - 1573) During the chaotic Era of Warring States (sengoku jidai, 14671573), Japan consisted of dozens of independent states which fought each other constantly.
Consequently, the demand for samurai was very high. Between the wars, many samurai worked on
farms. Many of the famous samurai movies by Kurosawa take place during this era.
Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573 - 1603) When Toyotomi Hideyoshi reunited Japan, he started to
introduce a rigid social caste system which was later completed by Tokugawa Ieyasu and his
successors. Hideyoshi forced all samurai to decide between a life on the farm and a warrior life in
castle towns. Furthermore, he forbade anyone but the samurai from arming themselves with a sword.
Edo Period (1603 - 1868) According to the Edo Period's official hierarchy of social castes, the
samurai stood at the top, followed by the farmers, artisans and merchants. Furthermore, there were
hierarchies within each caste. All samurai were forced to live in castle towns and received income
from their lords in form of rice. Masterless samurai were called ronin and caused minor troubles
during the early Edo Period.
With the fall of Osaka Castle in 1615, the Tokugawa's last potential rival was eliminated, and relative
peace prevailed in Japan for about 250 years. As a result, the importance of martial skills declined,
and most samurai became bureaucrats, teachers or artists.
In 1868, Japan's feudal era came to an end, and the samurai class was abolished.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2127.html
Pearl Harbor - Japan Attacks - America Enters WWII HISTORY
On the morning of December 7, 1941, planes of the Japanese Navy carried out a surprise assault on the American
Navy base and Army air field at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. Eighteen ships were sunk or damaged, and around
2400 Americans lost their lives. The Japanese suffered minimal casualties. This attack has been called the
Bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Pearl Harbor but, most commonly, the Attack on Pearl Harbor or simply
Pearl Harbor.
Overview
On March 27, 1941 Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii and began to study the United
States Naval fleet stationed at Pearl.
The Japanese deployed six aircraft carriers for the attack, Akagi, Hiryu, Kaga, Shokaku, Soryu, Zuikaku, with a
total of 441 planes, including fighters, torpedo-bombers, dive-bombers, and fighter-bombers. Of these, 55 were
lost during the battle.
The Japanese planes bombed the US Army air base at Hickam Field and the ships anchored in Battleship Row.
The American battleship USS Arizona blew up and sank with a loss of over 1100 men, nearly half of the American
dead. Seven other battleships and twelve other ships were sunk or damaged.
Historical significance
This battle, like the Battle of Lexington and Concord had history-altering consequences. It only had a small military
impact due to the failure of the Japanese Navy to sink any U.S. carriers, but it firmly drew the United States into
World War II and led to the demise of the Japanese Empire and aided in the defeat of Nazi Germany as well.
America's ultimate victory in this war and its emergence as a world power has shaped international politics ever
since.
Strategic appraisal
The purpose of the attack on Pearl Harbor was to neutralize American naval power in the Pacific. The Japanese
wanted license to do as they pleased in the Pacific and Asia, and thought they could get this by eliminating
American influence. Specifically, Japan had been embroiled in a war with China which had come to a stalemate
after many years of fighting. Japan thought by cutting China off from American (as well as British) aid, China would
be weakened, and the stalemate could be broken. Japan also knew that American naval power could not be
neutralized indefinitely, but thought that by dealing it a heavy blow at Pearl Harbor, the American Navy could be
neutralized long enough for Japan to achieve its objectives in Asia and the Pacific.
In terms of its strategic objectives the attack on Pearl Harbor was, in the short to medium term, a unique and
spectacular success which eclipsed the wildest dreams of its planners and has few parallels in the military history
of any era. For the next six months, the United States Navy was unable to play any significant role in the Pacific
War; with the US Pacific Fleet out of the picture, Japan was free to to conquer South-East Asia, the entire South
West Pacific and extend its reach far into the Indian Ocean.
In the longer term, however, the Pearl Harbor attack was an unmitigated strategic disaster for Japan. In the first
place, the main Japanese target was the three American aircraft carriers stationed in the Pacific, but these had
been dispatched from Pearl Harbor a few days before the attack and escaped unharmed. With most of the USN
battleships out of commission, the Navy had no choice but to put its faith in aircraft carriers and submarines, and
Pearl Harbor - Japan Attacks - America Enters WWII HISTORY
these would prove to be the tools with which the USN first stopped and then reversed the Japanese advance.
Furthermore, although the Japanese forces inexplicably did not consider them an important target, the base also
had large fuel oil storage facilities - a successful bombing of them would not only have resulted in massive fires
that could have devastated the base, but it would have also have crippled much of the Pacific Fleet by robbing
them of a major fuel supply and fueling center thousands of miles from the mainland.
Most significantly of all, the Pearl Harbor attack galvanised a divided and half-hearted nation into action as nothing
else could have done: overnight, it made the whole of America utterly determined to defeat Japan, and it forever
removed any question of a negotiated settlement short of unconditional surrender.
A related question is why Nazi Germany declared war on the United States December 11, 1941 immediately
following the Japanese attack. This doubly outraged the American public and allowed the United States to greatly
step up its support of the United Kingdom while recovering from the setback in the Pacific.
Aftermath
Despite the perception of this battle as a devastating blow to America, only five ships were permanently lost to the
Navy. These were the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, the old target ship USS Utah, and the destroyers
USS Cassin and USS Downes; much usable material was salvaged from them, including the two aft main turrets
from the USS Arizona. Four ships that were sunk during the attack were later raised and returned to duty, including
the battleships USS California, USS West Virginia and USS Nevada. Of the 22 Japanese ships that took part in
the attack, only one was to survive the war.
In addition, despite the debacle, there were American personnel who served with distinction in the incident. The
most famous is Doris Miller, an African-American sailor who went above and beyond the call of duty during the
attack when he took control of an unattended machine gun and used it in defense of the base. For that, he was
awarded the Navy Cross.
The attack has been depicted numerous times on film with the best known examples being:



From Here to Eternity
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Pearl Harbor
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the resulting state of war between Japan and the United States were
factors in the later Japanese internment in the western United States.
In 1991, it was rumored that Japan was going to release an official apology to the United States for the attack. The
apology did not come in the form many expected, however. The Japanese Foreign Ministry released a statement
that said Japan had intended to release a formal declaration of war to the US at 1 P.M., twenty-five minutes before
the attacks at Pearl Harbor were scheduled to begin. However, due to various delays, the Japanese ambassador
was unable to release the declaration until well after the attacks had begun. For this, the Japanese government
apologized.
http://www.japan-101.com/history/pearl_harbor_ww2.htm
Pearl Harbor - Japan Attacks - America Enters WWII HISTORY
Little Boy was the codename given to the nuclear weapon dropped on Hiroshima,
Japan on Monday, August 6, 1945. Little Boy was dropped from a B-29
Superfortress, the Enola Gay piloted by Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets, from about 31,000
feet (9450 m). The device exploded at approximately 8:15 a.m. (JST) when it
reached an altitude of 1,800 ft (550 m).
It was the first of the two nuclear weapons that were ever used in warfare.
The Mk I "Little Boy" was 10 feet (3 m) in length, 28 inches (71 cm) wide and
weighed 8,900 lb (4000 kg). The design used a gun arrangement to explosively
force a sub-critical mass of uranium-235 and three U-235 target rings together
into a super-critical mass, initiating a nuclear chain reaction. The yield of "Little
Boy" was about 13 kilotons of TNT equivalent in explosive force, i.e. 5.5�1013
joule = 55 TJ (terajoule). Approximately 75,000 people were killed as a direct
result of the blast, though more died later as a result of fallout and cancer.
At the time there had never been a test explosion with this type of weapon. The
only test explosion of a nuclear weapon was with the plutonium-type, on July 16,
1945 at the Trinity site. This was because tests of controlled nuclear reactions
with U-235 (as opposed to the uncontrolled reaction that occurs in a bomb) had
already been done, and the principles involved were so simple that it was taken to
be unnecessary to test the weapon in advance. The military were also anxious to
drop the bomb, and testing the device would have delayed its use until more
uranium was ready.
Although used occasionally in later experimental devices, the design was used
only once as a weapon because of the extreme danger of a misfire. A simple
crash could drive the "bullet" into the "target" and release lethal radiation doses or
even a full nuclear detonation.
http://www.japan-101.com/history/little_boy.htm
CULTURE
The kimono is the traditional clothing of Japan. Kimono styles have changed significantly from
one period of Japan's history to another, and today there are many different types of kimono
worn by men, women, and children. The cut, color, fabric, and decorations of a kimono may vary
according to the sex, age, and marital status of the wearer, the season of the year, and the
occasion for which the kimono is worn.
http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/
From the primitive Jomon period through the Yamato, Asuka, Nara, Heian, Muromachi, and Edo
periods, factors including climate, life and customs of the Imperial court, laws, the development
of skills in weaving and dyeing, and the availability of materials have influenced the style of
Japanese clothing.
Jomon Period
Yamato Period
Asuka Period
Heian Period
Muromachi Period
Edo Period
Nara Period
Today, 1200 years later, the Imperial household still uses the costumes of the Heian period for
the formal occasions of coronations and weddings.
http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/kimono-history.html
CULTURE
Japanese art covers a wide range of art styles and media, including ancient pottery, sculpture in
wood and bronze, ink painting on silk and paper and more recently manga, cartoon, along with a
myriad of other types of works of art. It also has a long history, ranging from the beginnings of
human habitation in Japan, sometime in the 10th millennium BC, to the present.
Historically, Japan has been subject to sudden invasions of new and alien ideas followed by long
periods of minimal contact with the outside world. Over time the Japanese developed the ability
to absorb, imitate, and finally assimilate those elements of foreign culture that complemented
their aesthetic preferences. The earliest complex art in Japan was produced in the 7th and 8th
centuries A.D. in connection with Buddhism. In the 9th century, as the Japanese began to turn
away from China and develop indigenous forms of expression, the secular arts became
increasingly important; until the late 15th century, both religious and secular arts flourished.
After the Ōnin War (1467–1477), Japan entered a period of political, social, and economic
disruption that lasted for over a century. In the state that emerged under the leadership of the
Tokugawa shogunate, organized religion played a much less important role in people's lives, and
the arts that survived were primarily secular.
Painting is the preferred artistic expression in Japan, practiced by amateurs and professionals
alike. Until modern times, the Japanese wrote with a brush rather than a pen, and their familiarity
with brush techniques has made them particularly sensitive to the values and aesthetics of
painting. With the rise of popular culture in the Edo period, a style of woodblock prints called
ukiyo-e became a major art form and its techniques were fine tuned to produce colorful prints of
everything from daily news to schoolbooks. The Japanese, in this period, found sculpture a much
less sympathetic medium for artistic expression; most Japanese sculpture is associated with
religion, and the medium's use declined with the lessening importance of traditional Buddhism.
Japanese ceramics are among the finest in the world and include the earliest known artifacts of
their culture. In architecture, Japanese preferences for natural materials and an interaction of
interior and exterior space are clearly expressed.
Today, Japan rivals most other modern nations in its contributions to modern art, fashion and
architecture, with creations of a truly modern, global, and multi-cultural (or acultural) bent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_art
Traditional Music CULTURE
There are several types of traditional, Japanese music (hogaku). Some
of the most important ones are listed below:

Gagaku:
Ancient court music from China and Korea. It is the oldest type of
Japanese, traditional music.


Biwagaku:
Music played with the Biwa, a kind of guitar with four strings.


Nohgaku:
Music played during Noh performances. It basically consists of a
chorus, the Hayashi flute, the Tsuzumi drum, and other
instruments.


Sokyoku:
Music played with the Koto, a type of zither with 13 strings. Later
also accompanied by Shamisen and Shakuhachi.


Shakuhachi:
Music played with the Shakuhachi, a bamboo flute that is about
55 cm long. The name of the flute is its length expressed in shaku
an old Japanese unit of length.


Shamisenongaku:
Music played with the Shamisen, a kind of guitar with only three
strings. Kabuki and Bunraku performances are accompanied by
the shamisen.


Minyo:
Japanese folk songs.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2113.html
Popular Dishes
CULTURE
Japanese cuisine offers a great variety of dishes and regional specialties. Some of the most popular
Japanese and Japanized dishes are listed below.
We have categorized them into rice dishes, seafood dishes, noodle dishes, nabe dishes, soya bean
dishes, yoshoku dishes and other dishes. Please note that some dishes may fit into multiple categories,
but are listed only once.
Rice Dishes
For over 2000 years, rice has been the most important food in Japanese cuisine. Despite changes in
eating patterns over the last few decades and slowly decreasing rice consumption in recent years, rice
remains one of the most important ingredients in Japan today, and can be found in numerous dishes.
Rice Bowl
A bowl of plain cooked rice is served with most Japanese meals. For breakfast,
it is sometimes mixed with a raw egg and soya sauce (tamago kake gohan) or
enjoyed with natto or other toppings.
Sushi more information
Sushi can be defined as a dish which contains sushi rice, cooked rice that is
prepared with sushi vinegar. There are various kinds of sushi dishes.
Domburi more information
A bowl of cooked rice with some other food put on top of the rice. Some of the
most popular toppings are tempura (tendon), egg and chicken (oyakodon),
tonkatsu (katsudon) and beef (gyudon).
Onigiri
Onigiri are rice balls made of cooked rice and usually wrapped in nori
seaweed. They are slightly salted and often contain some additional food in the
center, for example an umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum), katsuobushi (dried
bonito shavings), tuna or salmon. Rice balls are a popular and inexpensive
snack available at convenience stores.
Kayu
Kayu is rice gruel, watery, soft cooked rice that resembles oatmeal. It is a
suitable dish for using left over rice and is often served to sick people because
it can be digested easily.
Seafood Dishes
Hundreds of different fish, shellfish and other seafood from the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers are used in
the Japanese cuisine. They are prepared and eaten in many different ways, for example, raw, dried,
boiled, grilled, deep fried or steamed.
Sashimi more information
Sashimi is raw seafood. A large number of fish can be enjoyed raw if they are
fresh and prepared correctly. Most types of sashimi are enjoyed with soya
sauce and wasabi.
Yakizakana
Yakizakana means grilled fish. Many varieties of fish are enjoyed in this way.
Noodle Dishes
There are various traditional Japanese noodle dishes as well as some dishes which were introduced to
Japan and subsequently Japanized. Many of them enjoy a very high popularity.
Soba more information
Soba noodles are native Japanese noodles made of buckwheat flour or a mixture
of buckwheat and wheat flour. Soba are about as thick as spaghetti. They can be
served cold or hot and with various toppings.
Yakisoba
Yakisoba are fried or deep fried Chinese style noodles served with vegetables,
meat and ginger.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2035.html
Haiku Poetry 俳句（はいく）
CULTURE
(poems in 17 syllables)
Haiku is poetry structured in the set form of 17 syllables, arranged in groups of 5, 7,and 5. It
derives from the first line of the linked verse which alternately repeats a line in groups of 5,
7, and 5 syllables, and a line in groups of 7 and 7 syllables; in the Edo Period(1603-1867),
MATSUO Basho established its present form.
The designation haiku became widespread with the work of MASAOKA Shiki in the Meiji
Period(1868-1912). Because haiku poetry can express the beauty of nature and the depths of
the human heart in a brief form, it now has spread throughout the world and in the United
States it is even part of one's education.
A season word, indicating the season, is included in haiku poetry in the original style. The
season word brings out ideas associated with the background of the word, and, within the
space of just 17 syllables, it adds breadth and depth to the verse.
The history of the modern haiku dates from Masaoka Shiki's reform, begun in 1892, which
established haiku poetry as a new independent poetic form. Shiki's reform did not change
two traditional elements of haiku poems: the division of 17 syllables into three groups of 5,
7, and 5 syllables and the inclusion of a seasonal theme. Kawahigashi Hekigoto carried
Shiki's reform further with two proposals:
1. Haiku poetry would be truer to reality if there were no center of
interest in it.
2. The importance of the poet's first impression, just as it was, of
subjects taken from daily life, and of local color to create freshness.
Examples of Haiku Poems:
The flowers outside
Hide under snow until spring
like shy teenage girls
Now that I've lost you
What do I do when you're here
With you, without you
http://www.chinatownconnection.com/haiku-poetry.htm
LANGUAGE: The Japanese alphabet is usually referred to as kana, specifically hiragana and
katakana. While the Hiragana consists of 48 syllables, it is a phonetic alphabet where each
alphabetic combination represents just a single sound. Thus any Japanese word can be written in a
way that can be read without having to remember how the word is pronounced. So the Japanese
kana are much simpler, the way something is written is the way it sounds. There is also Kanji, a
Japanese system of writing based on borrowed or slightly modified Chinese characters.
Hiragana Syllables (Alphabet)
The table below shows the 48 Hiragana syllables:
EN
JP
EN
JP
EN
JP
EN
JP
EN
JP
a
あ
ka
か
sa
さ
ta
た
na
な
i
い
ki
き
shi
し
chi
ち
ni
に
u
う
ku
く
su
す
tsu
つ
nu
ぬ
e
え
ke
け
se
せ
te
て
ne
ね
o
お
ko
こ
so
そ
to
と
no
の
ha
は
ma
ま
ya
や
ra
ら
wa
わ
hi
ひ
mi
み
ri
り
wi
ゐ
fu
ふ
mu
む
ru
る
n
ん
he
へ
me
め
re
れ
we
ゑ
ho
ほ
mo
も
ro
ろ
wo
を
yu
yo
ゆ
よ
http://www.linguanaut.com/japanese_alphabet.htm
LANGUAGE
Every kana name takes the form of a X no Y (X の Y?), for example りんごのリ, meaning "ri
of ringo". Voiced kana do not have special names of their own. Instead, one simply states
the unvoiced form, followed by "dakuten". /P/ sounds are named similarly, with
handakuten. Thus, to convey "ba" (ば?), one would say "hagaki no ha dakuten"
(はがきのハ 濁点?). To convey "pa" (ぱ?), one would say "hagaki no ha handakuten"
(はがきのハ 半濁点?).
Kana
Spelling
Kana
Spelling
Kana
Spelling
Kana
Spelling
Kana
Spelling
あ/
ア
朝日のア
Asahi no
"a"
い/
イ
いろはの
う/
イ
ウ
Iroha no "i"
上野のウ
Ueno no "u"
え/
エ
英語のエ
Eigo no "e"
お/
オ
大阪のオ
Ōsaka no "o"
か/
カ
為替のカ
き/
Kawase no
キ
"ka"
切手のキ く/
Kitte no "ki" ク
クラブのク
Kurabu no
"ku"
け/
ケ
景色のケ
Keshiki no
"ke"
こ/
コ
子供のコ
Kodomo no
"ko"
さ/
サ
桜のサ
Sakura no
"sa"
し/
シ
新聞のシ
す/
Shinbun no
ス
"shi"
すずめのス
Suzume no
"su"
せ/
セ
世界のセ
Sekai no "se"
そ/
ソ
そろばんの
ソ
Soroban no
"so"
た/
タ
煙草のタ
Tabako no
"ta"
ち/
チ
ちどりの
チ
Chidori no
"chi"
つるかめの
て/
ツ
Tsurukame no テ
"tsu"
手紙のテ
Tegami no
"te"
と/
ト
東京のト
Tōkyō no "to"
名古屋の
に/
ナ
Nagoya no ニ
"na"
日本のニ
Nippon no
"ni"
沼津のヌ
Numazu no
"nu"
ねずみのネ
Nezumi no
"ne"
はがきの
ハ
Hagaki no
"ha"
飛行機の
ヒ
Hikōki no
"hi"
な/
ナ
は/
ハ
ひ/
ヒ
つ/
ツ
ぬ/
ヌ
ふ/
フ
富士山のフ
Fujisan no
"fu"
ね/
ネ
へ/
ヘ
の/
ノ
ほ/
平和のヘ
Heiwa no "he" ホ
野原のノ
Nohara no
"no"
保険のホ
Hoken no "ho"
ま/
マ
や/
ヤ
ら/
ラ
マッチの
マ
Matchi no
"ma"
み/
ミ
三笠のミ
Mikasa no
"mi"
大和のヤ
Yamato no
"ya"
ラジオの
ラ
Rajio no
"ra"
む/
ム
ゆ/
ユ
り/
リ
りんごの
リ
Ringo no
"ri"
わ/
ワ
わらびの
ワ
Warabi no
"wa"
ゐ/
ヰ
ゐどのヰ
Ido no "i"
ん/
ン
先生のン
sensei no
"n"
゛
濁点
dakuten
る/
ル
無線のム
Musen no
"mu"
め/
メ
弓矢のユ
Yumiya no
"yu"
よ/
ヨ
るすいのル れ/
Rusui no "ru" レ
ゑ/
ヱ
゜
も/
明治のメ
Meiji no "me" モ
もみじのモ
Momiji no
"mo"
吉野のヨ
Yoshino no
"yo"
れんげのレ ろ/
Renge no "re" ロ
ローマのロ
Rōma no "ro"
かぎのある
ヱ
Kagi no aru
"e"
尾張のヲ
(W)owari no
"(w)o"
半濁点
handakuten
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_phonetic_alphabet
を/
ヲ
LANGUAGE
Kana
Romaji Pronunciation Example
A
"ah"
Soft A sound, as the "a" in "father."
I
"ee"
Long E sound, as the "ee" in "meet."
U
"oo"
Double O sound, as the "oo" in "boot."
E
"eh"
Short E or long A sound, as the "e" in
"met." It sometimes sounds like a "y" is
in front of it-- "ye."
O
"oh"
Long O sound, as the "o" in "boat."
KA
"kah"
"Ca" in "cause"
KI
"kee"
"Key"
KU
"koo"
"Coo"
KE
"keh"
"Ke" in "ketchup"
KO
"koh"
"Co" in "Coat"
SA
"sah"
"Saw"
SHI
"shee"
"She"
SU
"soo"
"Sue"
SE
"seh"
"Se" in "set"
SO
"soh"
"So"
TA
"tah"
"Ta" in "tall"
CHI
"chee"
"Che" in "cheat"
TSU
"tsoo"
"Tzu" in "Shih Tzu"
TE
"teh"
"Te" in "tell"
TO
"toh"
"Toe"
NA
"nah"
"No" in "not"
NI
"nee"
"Knee"
NU
"noo"
"New"
NE
"neh"
"Ne" in "net"
NO
"noh"
"No"
HA
"hah"
"Ha" in "haunt"
HI
"hee"
"He"
FU
"foo"
This letter is produced by blowing
through circular lips. It can be either
"fu" or "hu."
HE
"heh"
"He" in "head"
HO
"hoh"
"Hoe"
MA
"mah"
"Ma" in "mall"
MI
"mee"
"Me"
MU
"moo"
"Moo" in "mood"
ME
"meh"
"Me" in "met"
MO
"moh"
"Mo" in "most"
YA
"yah"
"Ya" in "yacht"
YU
"yoo"
"You"
YO
"yoh"
"Yo" in "yoke"
RA
"rah"
RI
"ree"
RU
"roo"
RE
"reh"
RO
"roh"
http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com/reading-hiragana-pronunciation/
ORIGAMI
There is much speculation as to the origin of origami. While Japan seems to have had the most
extensive tradition, there is evidence of independent paperfolding traditions in China, Germany,
and Spain, among other places. However because paper decomposes rapidly, there is very little
direct evidence of its age or origins, aside from references in published material.
The earliest evidence of paperfolding in Europe is a picture of a small paper boat in Tractatus de
sphaera mundi from 1490. There is also evidence of a cut and folded paper box from 1440.[1] It is
probable paperfolding in the west originated with the Moors much earlier,[2] it is not known if it
was independently discovered or knowledge of origami came along the silk route.
In Japan, the earliest unambiguous reference to a paper model is in a short poem by Ihara
Saikaku in 1680 which describes paper butterflies in a dream.[3] Origami butterflies were used
during the celebration of Shinto weddings to represent the bride and groom, so paperfolding
already become a significant aspect of Japanese ceremony by the Heian period (794–1185) of
Japanese history, enough that the reference in this poem would be recognized. Samurai warriors
would exchange gifts adorned with noshi, a sort of good luck token made of folded strips of
paper.
In the early 1900s, Akira Yoshizawa, Kosho Uchiyama, and others began creating and recording
original origami works. Akira Yoshizawa in particular was responsible for a number of
innovations, such as wet-folding and the Yoshizawa-Randlett diagramming system, and his work
inspired a renaissance of the art form.[4] During the 1980s a number of folders started
systematically studying the mathematical properties of folded forms, which led to a steady
increase in the complexity of origami models, which continued well into the 1990s, after which
some designers started returning to simpler forms.[5]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origami
ORIGAMI:
Origami (pronounced or-i-GA-me) is the Japanese art of paperfolding. "Ori" is
the Japanese word for folding and "kami" is the Japanese word for paper. That is how
origami got its name. However, origami did not start in Japan. It began in China in the first
or second century and then spread to Japan sometime during the sixth century.
At first, there was very little paper available so only the rich could afford to do
paperfolding. The Japanese found useful purposes for their origami. For example,
the Samurai (sa-MURE-ay) would exchange gifts with a form known as a noshi
(NO-shee). This was a paper folded with a strip of dried fish or meat. It was
considered a good luck token. Also, the Shinto Noblemen would celebrate weddings
by wrapping glasses of sake or rice wine in butterfly forms that had been folded to
represent the bride and groom.
As easier papermaking methods were developed, paper became less expensive.
Origami became a popular art for everyone, no matter if they were rich or poor.
However, the Japanese people have always been very careful not to waste
anything. They have always saved even the tiniest scraps of paper and used them for
folding origami models.
For centuries there were no written directions for folding origami models. The directions
were taught to each generation and then handed down to the next. This form of art
became part of the cultural heritage of the Japanese people. In 1797, How to Fold 1000
Cranes was published. This book contained the first written set of origami
instructions which told how to fold a crane. The crane was considered a sacred bird
in Japan. It was a Japanese custom that if a person folded 1000 cranes, they would
be granted one wish. Origami became a very popular form of art as shown by the
well-known Japanese woodblock print that was made in 1819 entitled "A Magician
Turns Sheets of Birds". This print shows birds being created from pieces of paper.
In 1845 another book, Window on Midwinter, was published which included a collection of
approximately 150 origami models. This book introduced the model of the frog which is a
very well known model even today. With the publication of both these books, the folding of
origami became recreation in Japan.
Not only were the Japanese folding paper, but the Moors, who were from Africa, brought
paperfolding with them to Spain when they invaded that country in the eighth century.
Today, master paperfolders can be found in many places around the world. Akira Yoshizawa
of Japan is one of these. He is considered the "father of modern origami" because of his
creative paperfolding. He also developed a set of symbols and terms that are used
worldwide in the written instructions of origami.
The interest in origami continues to increase today. Just as the ancient Japanese found
useful purposes for their origami models, so do we today. Origami will also be a part of our
future as we look toward the millennium. The origami crane has become a global peace
symbol.
Highlights in Origami History
100
AD
600
AD
Paper-making originated in China by Ts'ai Lun, a servant
of the Chinese emperor. The art of paperfolding began
shortly after.
Paper-making spread to Japan where origami really took
off.
1797
Hiden Senbazuru Orikata is the oldest origami book for amusement
in the world is published. Translated it means "The Secret of One
Thousand Cranes Origami".
1900
Origami spread to England and the United States
1960
Sadako and One Thousand Cranes was published by Eleanor Coerr
and is linked with the origami crane and the international peace
movement.
2000
International Peace Project-An international project which is
engaging communities in collaborative activities to promote peace,
non-violence and tolerance - A Million Paper Cranes for Peace by
the Year 2000!
http://library.thinkquest.org/5402/history.html
"Learn to Speak Japanese" Lessons
English meaning
Japanese Langauge
Learn to Speak Japanese
Hello
( Kon Ni chi Wa)
Learn to speak Japanese hello
Nice to meet you
(Ha ji Me Ma Shi Te)
Learn to speak Japanese greeting
Good Evening
( Kon Ban Wa)
Learn to speak Japanese greeting
long time no see
(hisa shi bu ri)
Learn to speak Japanese long time
Good bye
(Sa yo na ra)
Learn to speak Japanese good bye
Excuse me
(su mi ma se n)
Learn to speak Japanese excuse me
Thank you
(a ri ga to u)
Learn to speak Japanese thank you
Yes
(hai)
Learn to speak Japanese yes
No
(i i e)
Learn to speak Japanese no
I am tired.
(tuka re ta)
Learn to speak Japanese tired
Are you right?
(dai jyou bu)
Learn to speak Japanese all right?
English
(ei go)
Learn to speak Japanese english
Japanese
(ni hon go)
Learn to speak Japanese: japanese
It is difficult.
(mu zu ka shi i de su)
Learn to speak Japanese difficult
http://www.learn-japanese-kanji-hiragana-katakana.com/Learn-SpeakJapanese.htm
Origami, the Japanese Way Oct 18, 2010 Naoko Charity
The art of paper
Although the root of origami has not been established, in general, origami is viewed as a
distinctive art from Japan. In Japan, origami folding activities have been integrated into major
parts of early childhood educational curriculum, reinforcing children to get accustomed to the
paper folding practice.
Subsequently, people in Japan learn that origami folding skills are not only to be enjoyed as a
form of entertainment, but also to be mastered as essential etiquettes throughout their adult life.
Brief History of Origami
The word, “origami” is defined in Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “the Japanese art or process of
folding squares of paper into representational shapes,” The Japanese word, “ori” simply means
folding, and “gami” (a variation of kami) means paper.
Besides the fact that production of paper was invented in China, there has been no evidence to show
where origami originated.
However, owing to the Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto, paper was considered sacred; the
first use of cut paper was seen in religious rituals.
The romance novel, “Eiri koshoku ichidai otoko” (1682), by Saikaku Ihara, was introduced
during the Edo period. Starting in 1699, various designs, such as orizuru (folded crane), komozo
(a priest), and fune (a ship), began to appear in kimono patterns as well as in Kabuki (the
classical Japanese dance-drama).
Japanese origami became popular during the Edo period (1603-1868) when paper became
abundantly available due to the development of mass paper production technology.
Towards the end of 18th century, many in Japan began to engage in origami folding as their
hobby and some experimented and improvised origami folding technique by cutting paper
(“kirigami”).
When Japan began trading with the West in the 19th century, origami further took off by
merging together with the Europeans who independently were engaging in a form of folding
paper.
Art of Gift Giving
The custom of folding paper is used for various occasions; mostly during formalities,
ceremonies, and presentation of gifts. Incorporating the art of paper folding in such occasions is
considered to be the initial form of origami culture in Japan.
Prior to the introduction of paper from China, the raw materials using paper-hemp and mulberry
fiber were presented as ritual offerings.
During the Muromachi period (1392-1573), two important origami forms were invented for gift
giving occasion. The paper-string made of rice called, “mizuhiki” was abundantly used to wrap
or present gifts. The word is related to the Japanese word “musubu” which means to tie or
connect. To show appreciation and affection, mizuhiki is vigilantly folded and often shaped like
a flower or crane.
Another special form of origami is found in “noshi.” Noshi is a beautifully folded paper glued to
the front surface of wrapping paper. In early years, noshi included a strip of dried abalone in the
center to show good luck.
Today, the strip is replaced by a piece of yellow paper. More often, noshi is presented as a
printed image on a wrapping paper.
All formal appearance of origami in gift giving is created from careful folding steps. The formal
steps of folding paper is called “orikata.” Once orikata was officially established and began to be
widely practiced in formal occasions, such as during zoto girei (ceremonial formalities of gift
giving), casual activities of folding papers, including making orizuru (paper crane) shapes
became more popular among the general population.
Children playing with orizuru were described in the 18th century literature, “Keisei Orizuru”
(1717). Teachers praised and awarded children who accomplished the orizuru folding skill.
Children exchanged gifts by using their origami folding skills.
Solidification of Origami during the Meiji Period (1868 -1926)
To catch up with the West, Japan began to incorporate a modern education theory developed by
a German educator, Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel. Since origami instruction was already
taught in Frobel’s educational curriculum, the Japanese government integrated origami in the
kindergarten curriculum. There were about 150 models of origami folding patterns.
During this time, the conventional origami appearance (only one side is colored) became
accepted and continues to be viewed as a standard style of origami papers.
Today, the concept of origami is used in many fields, from teaching geometry, computer
graphics, to therapeutic health care. Origami associations are located all over the world and
continued to fascinate young minds and amuse many origami enthusiasts.
Source:

“The History of Japanese Origami.” Web. 17 Oct 2010.
http://www.suite101.com/content/origami-the-japanese-way-a298374