Japanese Culture 

by Joel Brewer

     Japan is a country filled with stories and legends, history and culture, and, in today's modern world, it's one of the leading countries of science and technology. The islands of Japan are located in the Pacific Ocean, off the eastern coast of China. Japan, or "Nippon-Koku" in Japanese, (which means "State of Japan") has had a very rich history since its creation. The Japanese culture has spread beyond the Japanese mainland and can be seen in almost every country in the world, but most prominently in countries such as the United States, Europe, China, Canada, Australia, and so many more.

     Many know that Japan is most famous for its development of the elite swordsmen known as Samurai. These Samurai warriors were used to claim many victories through many wars. While traditional Samurai aren't trained any longer, the art of sword fighting still carries on through the Japanese sport of Kendo. "Kendo", literally meaning "sword way", or way of the sword, is a sport where two students engage in combat using bamboo swords and thick padding to protect them from injuries. The purpose of Kendo isn't like most other martial arts. Instead of being trained as fighters, or trained simply for self-defense--Kendo is much more focused on teaching discipline.

     "To mold the mind and body. To cultivate a vigorous spirit and through correct and rigid training, to strive for improvement in the art of Kendo. To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor. To associate with others with sincerity. And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself. Thus, will one be able: To love one's country and society; To contribute to the development of culture; And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples." - The Purpose of Kendo, Wikipedia. Today, the art of Kendo is commonly practiced within Japan along many other nations across the world.

      Japanese culture has also been a very large influence on the entertainment business as well. Several Japanese companies, like Nintendo and Bandai Namco, have produced some the most popular and memorable gaming consoles and video games the world has ever known. Japanese Anime and Manga are also extremely popular sources of entertainment, and with entire companies having the specific purpose of translating these shows and books from Japanese to other languages, other countries around the world are also enjoying them.

     Another form of widespread Japanese culture, is the Japanese cuisine. Japan, like most Asian countries, has had a long culinary past, and their modern meals are very elegant and delicious. Common dishes include Sushi, Tempura, and Udon noodles have become popular meals in places like the United States, and Europe. Additionally, the well-known Teriyaki flavor was also invented in Japan. And while most restaurants outside of Japan might sway a little more with their selection of meals, the average Japanese diet consists mainly of rice, fresh seafood, and vegetables.
The culture of Japan can be seen in everything from architecture, to entertainment, and even styles of clothing. Today, the culture of Japan stands as one of the leading and most popular cultures around the world.