Be more Japan : the art of japanese living

Be More Japan is a 'bible' of all things Japanese - from the country's fascinating, ancient traditions to its unique and influential modern culture. Be More Japan is a celebration of all things Japanese - from the country's fascinating, ancient traditions to its unique and influential modern culture. Blending both travel information and cultural insights into a single book, Be More Japan helps you understand and experience the best of Japan, both at home and abroad. Beginning with an overview of the four seasons - a key theme in Japanese culture - you'll learn about the festivals, food, fashion and flowers that change throughout the year and make this country so full of fun and variety. Then dive into the captivating culture of Japan, with topics such as art, music, food, wellness and spirituality all split into separate sections to help you pinpoint the areas that interest you. Learn about the traditional skills of the tea ceremony and calligraphy, and where you can go to see and practise them yourself. Find out more about the country's most popular sports and where to catch a game of baseball or see a martial arts exposition. For pop culture fans, there are dedicated sections on J-Pop, anime, and video games, with plenty of information on the best places to enjoy them in Japan. And if you want to get a feel for modern Japanese lifestyle, you'll find enough details on topics such as transportation, karaoke, ikigai, shopping and hot springs to help you make the most of even a short trip to Japan. You can pick and choose what interests you to plan your perfect trip, or explore a bit of everything to get a sense of the essentials of Japanese life and culture. And for those who can't make the trip to Japan, or who want to carry on the experience when they return, there are tips and suggestions for how to bring Japanese culture to you, and places where you can see its influence around the world." CONTENTS......Page 7 Introduction......Page 11 WELCOME TO JAPAN......Page 12 On the Map......Page 14 Spring......Page 16 Summer......Page 18 Autumn......Page 20 Winter......Page 22 First Encounters......Page 24 History......Page 30 Japan Around the World......Page 34 A VIEW OF JAPAN......Page 40 On the Map......Page 42 Cityscapes......Page 44 Focus on Manhole Covers......Page 48 Rural Japan......Page 50 Mountains......Page 52 Focus on Mount Fuji......Page 54 Island Diversity......Page 56 TIMELESS JAPAN......Page 58 On the Map......Page 60 Shinto......Page 62 Buddhism......Page 66 Focus on Fortunes and Charms......Page 70 Seven Lucky Gods......Page 72 Aesthetics and Design......Page 74 Focus on Ikebana......Page 76 Traditional Homes......Page 78 Gardens......Page 80 Focus on Bonsai......Page 82 Painting......Page 84 Woodblock Prints......Page 86 Ceramics......Page 88 Decorative Crafts......Page 90 Focus on Origami......Page 92 Calligraphy......Page 94 INNOVATIVE JAPAN......Page 96 On the Map......Page 98 Engineering Marvels......Page 100 Gadgets......Page 104 Focus on Robot Evolution......Page 108 Video Games......Page 110 Soundscapes......Page 112 CREATIVE JAPAN......Page 114 On the Map......Page 116 Trends in Architecture......Page 118 Modern Style......Page 120 Contemporary Art......Page 122 Kawaii......Page 124 Fashion......Page 126 Literature......Page 132 Manga and Anime......Page 134 Focus on The Evolution of a Manga Series......Page 138 ENTERTAINING JAPAN......Page 140 On the Map......Page 142 Japanese Theatre......Page 144 Focus on The Kabuki Experience......Page 148 A Geisha’s World......Page 150 Japanese Music......Page 152 Focus on The Ultimate Pop Idols......Page 156 Nightlife......Page 158 Otaku Japan......Page 160 Focus on Otaku Districts......Page 164 Japan on Screen......Page 166 Focus on Japanese Cinema......Page 170 Sports......Page 172 Focus on Martial Arts......Page 176 EDIBLE JAPAN......Page 178 On the Map......Page 180 Sushi and Sashimi......Page 182 Noodles......Page 184 Rice......Page 186 Regional Food......Page 188 Focus on Kaiseki-ryori......Page 190 Snacks......Page 192 Focus on Wagashi......Page 194 Tea......Page 196 Focus on Tea Ceremony......Page 198 Whisky......Page 200 Sake......Page 202 HEALTHY JAPAN......Page 204 On the Map......Page 206 Hot Springs......Page 208 Focus on Enjoying the Onsen......Page 210 Diet, Exercise and Longevity......Page 212 Pilgrimages and Pathways......Page 214 Focus on The Yoshida Trail......Page 216 Japanese Philosophies to Live By......Page 218 Acknowledgments......Page 220 **Whether you're dreaming about your first journey, revisiting the trip of a lifetime or simply in love with all things Japan,__Be More Japan__will transport you to this fascinating country.**Dive into the thrilling and serene world of Shinto monks, street food vendors, anime characters, Okinawan centenarians, technological innovators, J-Pop megastars, ancient philosophers,__onsen__dwellers and so many more.There are so many ways to fall in love with Japan. It's home to one of the world's most unique cultures: a perfectly balanced celebration of past traditions; the vibrancy of now and the need to look fearlessly into the future.From architecture to martial arts; from ramen to robots;__kawaii__to Kusama;__ikigai__to__ikebana__; towering skyscrapers to shrines -__Be More Japan__uncovers the art and creativity behind modern Japanese living through its kaleidoscope of contrasting places, people and practices.With beautiful design throughout and with each page alive with facts, history and inspiration,__Be More Japan__invites you to absorb a little Japanese wisdom into your daily life. Whether you're dreaming about your first journey, revisiting the trip of a lifetime or simply in love with all things Japan, Be More Japan will transport you to this fascinating country. Dive into the thrilling and serene world of Shinto monks, street food vendors, anime characters, Okinawan centenarians, technological innovators, J-Pop megastars, ancient philosophers, onsen dwellers and so many more. There are so many ways to fall in love with Japan. It's home to one of the world's most unique cultures: a perfectly balanced celebration of past traditions; the vibrancy of now and the need to look fearlessly into the future. From architecture to martial arts; from ramen to robots; kawaii to Kusama; ikigai to ikebana ; towering skyscrapers to shrines - Be More Japan uncovers the art and creativity behind modern Japanese living through its kaleidoscope of contrasting places, people and practices. With beautiful design throughout and with each page alive with facts, history and inspiration, Be More Japan invites you to absorb a little Japanese wisdom into your daily life. In love with all things Japan or looking to absorb a little Japanese wisdom into your daily life? From the philosophies of ikigai and wabi sabi to kitsch karaoke nights and futuristic robot restaurants; traditional tea ceremonies and tranquil onsen dwellings to cosplay culture and J-Pop megastars; Japan is full of intriguing contradictions. Though renowned for its ultramodern capital Tokyo - a sprawling neon-lit metropolis straight from the pages of a science fiction novel - Japan is still deeply rooted in ancient tradition. And while the country runs with clockwork precision, the cultural life of the inhabitants is transformed with the changing of the seasons, a testament to the enduring power of nature's rhythms. With each page alive with facts, history and inspiration, Be More Japan unlocks the secrets behind modern Japanese living - whether you're eating sushi in London or enjoying the cherry blossoms in San Francisco. And if you're dreaming of a future trip to Japan, this book will get you closer to your destination before you've even departed.