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Recorded Japanese history begins in approximately
A.D. 400, when the Yamato clan, eventually based in Kyoto, managed to
gain control of other family groups in central and western Japan.
Contact with Korea introduced Buddhism to Japan at about this time.
Through the 700s Japan was much influenced by China, and the Yamato clan
set up an imperial court similar to that of China. In the ensuing
centuries, the authority of the imperial court was undermined as
powerful gentry families vied for control.
At the same time, warrior clans were rising to prominence as a distinct
class known as samurai. In 1192, the Minamoto clan set up a military
government under their leader, Yoritomo. He was designated shogun
(military dictator). For the following 700 years, shoguns from a
succession of clans ruled in Japan, while the imperial court existed in
relative obscurity.
First contact with the West came in about 1542, when a Portuguese ship
off course arrived in Japanese waters. Portuguese traders, Jesuit
missionaries, and Spanish, Dutch, and English traders followed.
Suspicious of Christianity and of Portuguese support of a local Japanese
revolt, the shoguns of the Tokugawa period (1603–1867) prohibited all
trade with foreign countries; only a Dutch trading post at Nagasaki was
permitted...
In this section of Cedar Gallery you can see that the contact between
the west and Japan has improved considerably. Here you find Japanese
stories and haiku, senryu and tanka (poetry). We are still working on
the other subjects, so return every now and then to see what's new.
You are also invited to send your contribution on Japanese architecture,
art and culture, poetry and religion to us.
Contact: cedars@live.nl
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The Takarazuka Revue
The Takarazuka Revue is a Japanese all-female musical
Theater in the city of Takarazuka, Japan. Women play both male and
female roles in lavish productions, often Western-style musicals, but
always with strong Japanese elements.
The all-female Takarazuka Revue Company touches something deep in the
Japanese psyche, or at least the female Japanese psyche. Many of the
fans are female and most of them are young. And the stars they adore
......
Japanese ART and CULTURE ..... >
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Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion. It started
about 500 BC (or earlier) and derived its name from the Chinese words
"shin tao" ("The Way of the Gods") in the 8th century . At that time
Shinto established itself as an official religion of Japan, along with
Buddhism.
Unlike most other religions, Shinto has no real founder, no written
scriptures and a very loosely-organized priesthood.
Shinto creation stories tell of the history and lives of the "Kami"
(deities).
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The game of Go
This is a story of about 600 years ago.
There was a feudal lord, a local master, who liked “Go” chess very much.
One of his ministers found a nice board for “Go” chess at a shop. He
wanted to buy it, but the shop owner did not want to sell it to any one,
saying it was only for display. He told the minister that the board was
cursed, because two Samurais had played the game on it, they had a
quarrel over the game and one Samurai killed the other. Since it had
once been stained with human blood, the shop owner did not want to sell
it to any customer. But as the board was very beautiful, the minister
persuaded the shop owner and bought it.
A few days later, the minister presented the board to his master, a
feudal lord. His master rejoiced over getting the beautiful “Go” chess
game board. The master told his minister that he wanted to play “Go”
chess on it with one of the best “Go” chess players. So, a young Samurai
named Mata Ichi Ro was called, and he came to the master’s room in his
castle.
In fact, this young man was a son of the man, who had been killed by his
friend because of the quarrel over the game...........
Japanese
STORIES and FILMS
..... >
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In castle ruins
the tappings of a hand-drum
so clearly echo,
that in Komachi's dancing
even the moon seemed
to smile.
HIROKO SEKI
Japanese POETRY (haiku etc.) ..... >
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You are invited to help us to create a wonderful site as well. So please contribute your material about Japan to Cedar Gallery: cedars.letters@live.nl mentioning 'Japan'.
