If you’re traveling to Japan during the winter, you may be concerned about what kind of clothing to bring with you.
Instead of thinking bulky clothing, think layers. While it may be cold outdoors, when you go indoors at retail shops or on the train it will be very warm. Layers allow you to easily adjust to your comfort level by removing adding a layer or two. Tee shirts layered with fleece and then a light to moderate jacket is usually sufficient unless you are planning on doing outdoor winter activities like skiing.
Layers are also better for packing. Instead of packing a heavy coat that takes up a lot of precious luggage space, thin shirts that can be worn together take up much less room. You can also check out some of the outdoors type retailers for thin, lightweight shirts made of fabrics that will keep you warm.
If you are staying at a traditional ryuken, the heating will not be set too high. In this case, you may want to bring some thermal garments to keep you warm while you are enjoying your stay. They tend to be a bit drafty, so pack some thick socks (these also come in handy if you are planning to visit temples and other shrines, since you will need to remove your shoes) to keep your feet warm.
A good warm hat and some gloves will keep you happy outdoors. Fleece is always a good choice for a hat. You may be able to find some while you are there featuring some of your favorite anime faces like Kirara from Inuyasha. You can be fun and warm at the same time! Choose one that is small enough to take off and stick in a pocket when you go indoors.
October 21, 2009
in Music
If you think that j-pop and visual kei are all there is to Japanese music, think again! The truth of the matter is that Japan has a rich and varied culture of music and it goes back to the beginning of Japanese history. Whether you are looking for something new to listen to, or you want to see what performances you should catch when you are visiting Japan, take a look at a few of the important categories of traditional Japanese music
Gagaku
Gagaku is perhaps the oldest type of music to be found in Japan, and it originates from China and Korea. The name literally translates to “elegant music” and it was performed for nobles and at the Imperial court. Some forms of gagaku included saibara, which was Shintoist music, togaku, which was heavily influenced by the Chinese, and komagaku, which was influenced by Manchurian styles.
Nohgaku
Some music was performed along with visual performance. Nohgaku was specifically the music that was performed during performances of Noh theater and it consisted of several instruments as well as a chorus. Nohgaku is performed in a limited tonal range and the texts conveyed are often not melodic, though a story is being told. In many cases, the singing for nohgaku is accompanied by three drummers and a type of flute known as a shinobue.
Minyo
Not all music was performed for the Imperial court. The term minyo refers to Japanese folk songs and they were a part of everyday life in Japan. They are largely divided into religious songs, work songs, songs for gatherings and songs for children. When these songs were performed, they were typically accompanied by a shamisen, which is a sort of three stringed lute, a drum, and the bamboo flute known as the shakhuachi. Though the term minyo itself is fairly modern, having originated in the twentieth century, the music itself goes back several hundred years and was largely passed down through oral tradition.
Taiko
When people think of traditional Japanese music today, often they think of the popular drum corps that perform all over the world. Thought the modern performances of the taiko drums by groups like Kodo are modern, the drums that are used are not.
Taiko performances are thought to originate with gagaku performances and the taiko drums themselves are a part of many other forms of music. In the past, taiko was used to coordinate troops and to enforce a marching order.
If you have a love of Japanese culture, make sure that you consider traditional Japanese music; this is something that greatly informs the history of Japan and remains an important part of it today!
From time immemorial the traditional Japanese kitchen has centered around the stove or hearth. A stove made of clay called a kamado was in the center. Pots would be set on top for cooking. This was actually very similar to today’s modern stoves with the exception that it was heated with a fire instead of electricity or gas.
In today’s Japanese kitchen, space is at a premium. Everything is arranged conveniently in as small a space as possible. Since most Japanese recipes use the techniques of broiling, boiling, grilling, steaming and frying, the kitchen is set up to make the most of these cooking techniques. A small gas stove usually takes up the most counter space. They usually have two burners. This stove is used for the majority of dishes needed to make up a meal. Many of these small gas stoves also have a small integrated broiler built in that functions a little like a toaster oven.
A small refrigerator will usually stand at the end of the counter. Most households will have a rice cooker and a microwave. Since most Japanese kitchens do not have a dedicated oven like they do in America, many of the microwaves are hybrids that also allow the cook to bake and toast. Dishwashers are also very rare in a Japanese kitchen. Most dishwashers are small and portable. They can be set up on top of the nearest cabinet. Some kitchens also have a special appliance for heating water. They are programmable and will keep water hot for anything it may be needed for.
In newer homes, a “system kitchen” is often built in instead of having the appliances sitting on top of the cabinets. System kitchens may have the stove, dishwasher and broiler built right into the cabinets. This is a new innovation in Japan.
