Japanese Traditions

Drawing on years of research in Japan, Michael Dylan Foster unpacks the history and cultural context of yokai, tracing their roots, interpreting their meanings, and introducing people who have hunted them through the ages. In this delightful and accessible narrative, listeners will explore the roles played by these mysterious beings within Japanese culture and will also learn of their abundance and variety through detailed entries on more than 50 individual creatures.

Ancient, time-tested wisdom: Okinawa, Japan, is a tiny, tiny island south of the Japanese mainland where people live their life's purpose every day. How is it possible for so many to live each day in such meaningful ways? The Okinawan concept of Ikigai. Magical reality come to life: David Michiels stuttered severely well into his adulthood. In clinical terms, his stutter was difficult to treat. But David started to work in a liquor store. Before long, his focus turned to one specific section of the sales floor: the scotch section.

Listeners of this book will gain a clear understanding of what makes the Japanese, and their society, tick.

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.

An innovative new take on the travel guide, Rice, Noodle, Fish decodes Japan's extraordinary food culture through a mix of in-depth narrative and insider advice. In this 5,000-mile journey through the noodle shops, tempura temples, and teahouses of Japan, Matt Goulding, cocreator of the enormously popular Eat This, Not That! book series, navigates the intersection between food, history, and culture, creating one of the most ambitious and complete books ever written about Japanese culinary culture from the Western perspective.

"Travel words and phrases in Japanese". 300 essential words and phrases and the 100 most common verbs. Japanese is an East Asian language spoken by about 128 million people, primarily in Japan, where it is the national language. How to learn a language differently? Today, language learning is revolutionizing : you do not have to go to traditional language classes anymore. Our learning method : a selection of hundreds of phrases and essential words. You listen to them, you repeat them, and you speak. 

Ash shook off the images swarming his head and tried to focus on her again; it wasn’t hard. She was so beautiful, those plump lips naturally lined by a darker stain of pink as they blossomed into a cherry in the center, those wide eyes so rich and opaque he could stare into them for hours and never separate pupil from iris. The lashes kissing the delicate smattering of freckles on her mahogany cheek—“I can’t begin to tell you how much your friendship means to me,” Ash said, still drinking in her face. She was so close. It would take nothing to just come a little closer, just there...

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.

Discover the timeless art of bonsai, and embark on a journey that reaches deep into the soul of miniature trees with "Mastering Miniatures," a comprehensive guide that unlocks the mysteries and reveals the beauty of this ancient practice. Immerse yourself in a captivating exploration that combines history, art, science, and philosophy, all while guiding you through the quiet, nurturing process of cultivating your bonsai masterpieces. This book opens with a mesmerizing dive into the origins of bonsai. Uncover how the elegant dance of nature and nurture traversed from the mountainsides of ...

Japanese folklore is abundant with tales of ghostly creatures and the supernatural. In Haunted Japan, author Catrien Ross reveals the legends that have been passed down for generations and continue to terrify us today.

Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.

Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan’s folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today. From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. With information on their cultural significance, and how it’s been spun into today’s popular culture, this tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspired characters in your favorite movies, animes, manga, and games.

Delve into the mystical worlds of Celtic enchantment, the heroic sagas of Bulfinch's lore, the enigmatic tales of Slavic spirits, the celestial dances of Japanese deities, the profound fables of Turkish origins, the creation epics of Sumerian and Mesopotamian civilizations, the rich tapestry of Native American heritage, and the captivating chronicles from the Filipino archipelago.

"The Zen of Ink" - Discover the Timeless Art of Japanese Calligraphy Embark on a serene journey through the strokes of tradition with "The Zen of Ink." This immersive eBook invites you into the tranquil world of Shodo, the ancient Japanese art of calligraphy, where each brushstroke mirrors the movement of the heart and the discipline of the mind. Chapter by chapter, "The Zen of Ink" meticulously unfolds the sacred elements of Shodo - from preparing your spirit and space to the dynamic dance of the brush over paper. Beneath each black stroke lies a universe of Zen philosophy and aesthetic ...

Step into a world where miniature forms encapsulate vast cultural landscapes and where meticulous craftsmanship whispers tales of heritage. "Masters of Miniature" is an exquisite exploration into the art and soul of Japanese ningyo, a tradition steeped in spiritual significance and unparalleled artistry. This insightful eBook guides readers through an enchanting journey across the delicate lines and colorful fabrics that dress the ningyo, revealing the silent stories woven into their creation. Dive into the essence of Japanese culture and festivals, where the ningyo is not merely a doll, ...

Who knew the path to enlightenment could start with a cup of tea? Learn the hidden significance behind the deceptively simple Zen tea ceremony - one which can lead directly to Buddhahood and its absolute truth. D.T. Suzuki, once Japan's leading authority on Zen Buddhism, describes the tearoom and the tea ceremony and explains the guiding principles of harmony, reverence, purity, and tranquility.

Japanese mythology offers a fascinating lens from which to gaze upon the natural world. Through tales of heroic samurai, creepy vengeful ghosts, and deities that wield the mighty powers of nature, these stories and mythical figures emphasize the importance of humans living harmoniously with their surroundings. It is often said that in order to understand a country’s culture and history, one needs to simply look at the stories they tell about the world around them.

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.

The tea ceremony is a traditional way of serving tea and entertaining guests.

Depuis l'enfance, Keiko Furukura a toujours été en décalage par rapport à ses camarades. À trente-six ans, elle occupe un emploi de vendeuse dans un konbini, sorte de supérette japonaise ouverte 24h/24. En poste depuis dix-huit ans, elle n'a aucune intention de quitter sa petite boutique, au grand dam de son entourage qui s'inquiète de la voir toujours célibataire et précaire à un âge où ses amies de fac ont déjà toutes fondé une famille. En manque de main-d'œuvre, la supérette embauche un nouvel employé, Shiraha, trente-cinq ans, lui aussi célibataire.