Mountainous country - 7/10 of the land being covered by mountains
Only 15% of its land is cultivable
Japan has 692 volcanoes, 52 of which are active within historic times
Main islands of Japan
Honshu (principal island)
Hokkaido
Shikoku
Kyushu
Mount Fuji
Sacred mountain, the highest in Japan, a traditional place of pilgrimage
Mount Fuji is named for the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi, whose shrine is found at the summit. It is the holiest of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains"
Every summer, thousands of pilgrims climb to the summit of Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
Dormant volcano, most recently erupted in 1708
3776 meters high, Japan's highest mountain
Tokyo
Capital city of Japan, located on the island of Honshu, one of the largest cities in the world
Kyoto is a city in Japan with a population close to 1.5 million, located on the island of Honshu. It was the capital city when the Emperor was in charge. It has many beautiful buildings and temples.
Yen
The unit of currency in Japan, 1 Philippine Peso is worth 2.17 Japanese Yen
Zen table
Traditional, personal table with box, tray, individual sets of bowls, chopsticks, spoons, 20-30 cm per side, 15-20 cm high, cleaned 3x a month, location from kitchen indicated status (men > women, elderly > junior)
Chabudai
Low dining table, adapted from Western dining tables, 30 cm high, more convenient than zen with fewer plates set and cleaner, indicative of culture change
Japan has distinct seasons - Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, despite being in Asia
Japan is in the Northern Hemisphere so Winter is in December
Japanese houses
Face south and have deeply projecting eaves to provide protection against the sun
Have high courtyard walls to screen
Have windows and partitions designed to be movable
The islands of Japan receive copious amounts of rain, with the highest amounts of precipitation occurring in summer through early fall
Building materials in Japan
Bamboo - extensively used for light house construction
Stone - used for foundation work
Lava Stone - used for decoration
Shintoism
The state religion of Japan, based on ancestor and nature worship
Shinto deities
Amaterazu - sun-god
Sukiyomi - moon-god
Susanowo - god of storm
Animals, plants, trees and rocks were often times considered sacred or "Maki" in Shintoism
Shinto shrine (jinja)
Where believers in Japan's indigenous religion, Shintô, go to worship. Shintô originated in ancient peoples' fears of demons and supernatural powers, and their worship of these. It has no written body of doctrine, but it is Japan's main religion and is practised widely through ceremonies and festivals.
Shinto shrine architecture
The main sanctuary is called the Shinden or Honden
There are also ancillary buildings such as the Haiden (outer hall) and the Hômotsuden (treasury), but these are not arranged according to any particular specified layout
The chief priest is called the Kannushi, responsible for all the religious observances and the running of the shrine
The young girl assistants are called Miko
Three sacred treasures in Japan
Jewel - symbolizing knowledge
Sword - symbolizing authority
Mirror - by the beauty of its reflection, symbolizes justice
Buddhism
Introduced by Buddhist priests from China and Korea, encouraged the erection of temples and does not permit many decorations
Torii styles
Myōjin torii
Sannō torii
Matsumoto Castle was completed in 1600 in Matsumoto, Nagano
Types of Torii
Sanno
Miwa
Shimmei
Myojin
Kashima
Hachiman
Tatami
Floor mats used as floor coverings, measuring one "KEN" about 1.8m by half a Ken
Daidokoro
Kitchen (scullery)
Shoin
Reception hall and private study area
Tokonomas
2 alcoves (recess wall) used to display a flower arrangement or a selected art treasure
Ikebana
Flower arrangement
Bonsai
Plant or dwarf tree that is an almost perfect reflection of Japanese
Torii types
Miwa
Ryōbu
Nakayama torii and Ryōbu torii are types of torii
Tateana-shiki is a pit-style dwelling, Takayuka-shiki is a dwelling used mainly for warehouses