Japanese Community

Japanese Community in Hamilton | General Information about Japan

Japanese Community in Hamilton

Common Foods

Sashimi, sushi, tempura and sukiyaki are popular. Food is flavored with spices called yakumi ( yakumi means medicine and mi means taste.

Traditional Clothing

Women's clothing:

The Japanese dress in traditional kimonos for festivals and holidays. A kimono is a full body length silk robe. It has no buttons or zippers and is held together by a sash, or obi at the waist. At other times, they wear western clothes.

Art and Culture

Favorite activities:

Many Japanese enjoy karaoke which means "empty orchestra" Amateur singers go to night clubs and sing pop music to pre-recorded accompaniments. Pachinko or "pinbal" is also popular and pachinko parlors can be found in most towns.
Theatre:

Kabuki which originated in the 17th century consists of song(ka) dance(bu) and skill(ki).
Martial Arts:

In Japan, Martial arts are a much loved art form. Judo, karate and aikido are performed without weapons.
Puppet Shows:

The Japanese enjoy puppet play, where puppeteers move large, elaborate puppets around the stage while a narrator tells the story.
Musical Instruments:

A typically pear-shaped, short-necked and fretless instrument, with five or six strings. The Oud is made of wood and synthetic strings. It is played by plucking, either solo or in an ensemble. The instrument has a warm timbre, low tessatura, and microtonal flexibility - which makes it extremely popular. It is often intricately decorated. "Al-'ud" is the origin of the English word, "lute". More about the 'oud (arab-heritage.com). Oud music (Munir Bachir sound clips)

Santur: A harp-like instrument having multiple metal strings is another popular instrument.

Darbukkah, derbouk: A hand-drum, usually conical or vase-shaped, which may be made from clay or metal is a popular accompaniment. Also called tablah.

Nay: An open-ended reed flute, blown obliquely. With a wide range and breathy tone, it is highly expressive and capable of producing dynamic and tonal inflections. The development and use of the nay has been attributed to shepherds, but it is, in fact an urban instrument. In Egypt, it is one of the instruments traditionally used in the ensemble known as a takht, ("platform"). Also associated with Sufism.
Literature:

Some of the earliest classics of Japanese literature date from the 8th century A.D. The kojiki is a compilation of stories about the creation of the universe and the founding of the nation. In 1968, Kawabata Yasunari was the first Japanese writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Film:

Japan has produced some excellent filmmakers, The best known is Akira Kurosawa, who has made many films based on Japanese history, including Rashomon (1950), Seven Samurai (1954), Dersu Uzala (1974) and Ran (1985).

General Information about Japan

Location:

Japan made up of about 4000 islands that lie off the east coast of Asia, To the north is the sea of Okhotsk and a group of islands belonging to Russia, to the east and south is Pacific Ocean , and to the west is the Sea of Japan , which lie between Japan and North and South Korea.
Climate:

Varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north.
Capital City:

Tokyo
Holidays:

New Year, Adult day, National foundation day, Spring Equinox, Green day, Culture day, Labour day
Major Languages:

Japanese it has three sets of characters: Kanji, hiragana and katakana
National Symbols:

Lotus, Peacock, Tiger

The flag has a white background with red circle in the center, symbolizing the rising sun.
National anthem:

Kimi ga Yo (Kimi ga Yo?) (often translated as "Imperial Reign")listen