Kimono
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The kimono, kimono is the national costume of Japan. Originally the word "kimono" literally meant thing to wear but now has come to denote a particular type of traditional full-length garment.

Kimono are T-shaped, straight-lined robes that fall to the ankle, with collars and wide, full-length sleeves. Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial) and secured by a wide belt called an obi, which is usually tied at the back. Kimono are generally worn with traditional footwear and split-toe socks.

Today, kimono are most often worn by women, and on special occasions. Traditionally, unmarried women wore a style of kimono called furisode, which have floor-length sleeves, on special occasions. A few older women and even fewer men still wear kimono on a daily basis. Men wear kimono most often at weddings, tea ceremonies, and other very special or very formal occasions. Professional sumo wrestlers are often seen in kimono because they are required to wear traditional Japanese dress whenever appearing in public. They commonly wear the kind of casual Japanese attire that is referred to as yukata, which is of plain unlined cotton.

Kimono hobbyists in Japan can take courses on how to put on and wear kimono. Classes cover selecting seasonally and event-appropriate patterns and fabrics, matching the kimono undergarments and accessories to the kimono, layering the undergarments according to subtle meanings, selecting and tying obi, and other topics. There are also clubs devoted to kimono culture, such as Kimono de Ginza.

Flag of Japan
(www.japanfacts.net )

The Japan flag is a beautiful symbol that is full of meaning. It is a simple red circle on a white background that symbolizes the rising sun. Learning about this flag is an important part of learning about Japan as a culture.

This flag is called Nissh_ki, which means sun flag. This is very fitting as the name “Japan” itself refers to a rising sun. It can also be called Hinomaru, which means sun disc.

The Japan flag has a long history as it was created on February 27, 1870. The fact that it has lasted so long in country tradition symbolizes its great importance to the people of Japan. It is important to note that though it was created so long ago it did not become the national flag until the year 1999. Such a recent piece of history!

The design creator is not entirely clear, but it is thought to have been created by Nichiren. This is attributed to legend and not concrete in the record books. Whoever created it had their eye on simplicity and meaning for a whole culture of people.

The Japan flag is not entirely beloved by all, however. There are many who see it as a symbol of the military’s past. That is because it was used on military banners in its time. Even so, there are many who see this as just another portion of history that has added to what Japan is today.

Still, some say that places like schools should not be required to salute this flag as it is too rich in the military history. This has led some teachers to complain to the government about the injustice of it all.

When the Japan flag is placed outside it is out from sunrise to sunset. On the certain occasions when another country’s flag is to be flown at the same time the Japanese flag is placed first with the other flag to its right. Out of respect the flags are to be at the same height.

A country’s flag is an important symbol of that country’s past, present and future. The Japan flag certainly has all of those attributes. There is some controversy surrounding the flag, but it is still steeped in tradition and well respected by many.

Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes identified as the "Land of the Rising Sun".

Japan comprises over 3,000 islands, the largest of which are Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku, together accounting for 97% of land area. Most of the islands are mountainous, many volcanic; for example, Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji, is a volcano. Japan has the world's tenth largest population, with about 128 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.

Archaeological research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the Upper Paleolithic period. The first written mention of Japan begins with brief appearances in Chinese history texts from the first century AD.

Influence from the outside world followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. Since adopting its constitution in 1947, Japan has maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected parliament, the Diet.

A major economic power, Japan has the world's second largest economy by nominal GDP. It is a member of the United Nations, G8, G4 and APEC, with the world's fifth largest defense budget. It is also the world's fourth largest exporter and sixth largest importer and a world leader in technology and machinery.