Japanese Tradition

An extraordinarily vivid and beautifully written first novel exploring the hidden world of the geisha. Memoirs of a Geisha is a rare and utterly engaging experience. The extraordinary tale of Sayuri, a young girl who grows up to become an acclaimed geisha, it spans a quarter of a century, from...

Bloomsbury presents Eight Million Ways to Happiness written and read by Hiroka Yoda 'A timely and moving pilgrimage through Japan's spiritual traditions' RUTH OZEKI, Women’s Prize-winning and Booker Prize-shortlisted author 'A fascinating dive through hidden layers of the Japanese worldview'...

The goals of the budo - the martial arts and ways of Japan - lie in refining the body and spirit. These goals are not always the obvious ones - and are learned only through the guidance and direction of great teachers. The techniques, methods, and rituals of the sensei can serve as guides to a well-lived life - and provide invaluable lessons for today's martial artists.

The Japanese ideology that gives you the powers to embrace everything life throws at you in order to live at peace and harmoniously - as explained by the global bestselling author who brought you ikigai. Nagomi represents a state of being where both 'bad' and 'good' things live in harmonious and...

For more than 25 years Noriko Morishita has studied and practised the intricate rules of the famous Japanese Tea Ceremony, trying to master its complexities in order to find inner peace. In this vivid account of her experience of the universal trials and triumphs of adulthood, Morishita connects the core tenets of this ancient art with leading a fulfilling life, showing how we too may use mindfulness to achieve happiness.

Navigate the unspoken rules of Japanese etiquette and transform travel into a mindful cultural immersion. Whether you are actively planning a trip or commuting while dreaming of Tokyo, this guide decodes the complex social dynamics operating beneath the surface. Leave tourist clichés behind and...

An ode to the quiet joy of collecting more books than we could ever possibly read - and loving them all the same... Drawing on the evocative Japanese term tsundoku - first coined in the Meiji era to describe the growing stacks of unread books that accumulate around devoted readers - this...

Gail Tsukiyama's The Street of a Thousand Blossoms is a powerfully moving masterpiece about tradition and change, loss and renewal, and love and family from a glorious storyteller at the height of her powers. It is Tokyo in 1939. On the Street of a Thousand Blossoms, two orphaned brothers dream...

Are you learning Japanese? Knowing more words is one of the best ways to speak and understand more Japanese. And, if you want to sound like a native speaker, you'll need vocab that's relevant to Japanese culture and daily life and that is actually used by Japanese people. With Learn Japanese: Discover Japanese Culture & Traditions by JapanesePod101.com, you learn the must-know vocab and Japanese cultural insights that you won't find in a textbook.

Bloomsbury presents A Beginner's Guide to Japan by Pico Iyer, read by Sartaj Garewal. Winner of the Edward Stanford Travel Memoir of the Year 2020 A playful and profound guidebook full of surprising, brief, incisive glimpses into Japanese culture Pico Iyer has been living around Kyoto for more...

Experience the ultimate armchair travel adventure through Japanese cultural history as an ancient capital defies time. Whether you are planning a trip to Japan or seeking an immersive escape for your daily commute, this atmospheric journey reveals how an eighth-century imperial experiment became...

Face mortality with stoic calm and master mindfulness through the quiet philosophy of the medieval Japanese warrior. Whether you are navigating major life transitions or simply seeking peace in a chaotic world, this contemplative historical journey offers a sanctuary for reflection. Step away...

Have you ever wondered about the origin of the terrifying Wendigo? How about the Philippine shape-shifting vampire? What about the Māori forest spirits? Join award winning podcaster and researcher Kamuela Kaneshiro as he takes you on a thrilling trip through Asia, the Americas, and other fascinating cultures touching the Pacific Ocean. And as you marvel at this captivating assortment of deities, monsters, and historical backdrops, you’re sure to have your imagination sparked by the wonders of the world.

Escape into an immersive culinary journey across Japan, where mindful everyday meals uncover deep cultural anthropology. Perfect for relaxing evening listening or soundtracking your own cooking, this atmospheric narrative follows a single, vibrant day of eating. From quiet dawn fish markets to...

There are no specific rules for enjoying Japanese gardens.

This is introducing Japanese traditional culture such as "SUMO," "KABUKI," and "ZAZEN."

For shops, kanban (signboards) are an important landmark. Other objects that serve the same purpose that Japanese people are familiar with are noren (shop curtains with emblems), nobori (flags), and chochin (lanterns).

Japanese summer is not only hot but humid. For this reason, Japan has long had various tools and methods for cooling off in order to find comfort in the severe heat.

Tea leaves are made into green tea, black tea, oolong tea, and other types of tea by different processing methods. However, "tea" in Japan usually refers to green tea.

At one time in Japan, people ate nuts, fruit, and berries as snacks. It is said that this gave rise to what we now call confectionery.