Wagashi (和菓子)

Wagashi (和菓子) is a traditional Japanese confectionery which is often served with tea, especially the types made of mochi, azuki bean paste, and fruits.

Wagashi is typically made from natural based (mainly plant) ingredients. The names used for wagashi commonly fit a formula—a natural beauty and a word from ancient literature; they are thus often written with hyōgaiji (kanji that are not commonly used or known), and are glossed with furigana.
Generally, confectioneries that were introduced from the West after the Meiji Restoration (1868) are not considered wagashi. Most sorts of Okinawan confectionery and those originating in Europe or China that use ingredients alien to traditional Japanese cuisine, e.g., kasutera, are only rarely referred to as wagashi.

In ancient Japan, people ate fruits and nuts as confectionery and sweets, to supplement nutrition in addition to grain, such as rice, wheat and millet. In an excavation of a Jōmon period archeological site, the carbonized remains of what appeared to be baked cookies made from chestnut powder were discovered.
According to the Kojiki, Emperor Suinin ordered Tajima-mori to bring Tokijiku-no-Kagu-no-Konomi (登岐士玖能迦玖能木實 a kind of orange) from the Eternal Land. 10 years later, Tajima-mori returned with the orange, but Emperor Suinin was already dead. Tajima-mori mourned since he could not carry out his mission and took his own life.[1] By tradition, Tajima-mori is worshiped as spirit like a patron saint among confectionery craftsmen.
Grain processing technology evolved through rice cultivation. People began to produce a parched rice (yaigome), sun-dried cooked rice (hoshi-ii), rice flour, dumpling (dango), mochi, ame (made of saccharified rice malt) and so on. Thus, ancient people's confectionery was very simple.

Amaterasu

Amaterasu (天照, Amaterasu), Amaterasu-ōmikami (天照大神 / 天照大御神, Amaterasu-ōmikami) or Ōhiru-menomuchi-no-kami (大日孁貴神, Ōhiru-menomuchi-no-kami) is in The Japanese Shinto sun goddess, ruler of the Plain of Heaven, whose name means 'shining heaven' or 'she who shines in the heavens' and perhaps the most important Shinto deity (神, kami). Her name, Amaterasu, means literally "(that which) illuminates Heaven". She was born from the left eye of Izanagi as he purified himself in a river and went on to become the ruler of the Higher Celestial Plain (Takamagahara).

When her brother, the storm-god Susanowa, ravaged the earth she retreated to a cave because because of her brother's actions. She closed the cave with a large boulder. Her disappearance deprived the world of light and life. Demons ruled the earth. The other gods used everything in their power to lure her out, but to no avail. Finally it was Uzume who succeeded. The laughter of the gods when they watched her comical and obscene dances aroused Amaterasu's curiosity. When she emerged from her cave a streak of light escaped (a streak nowadays people call dawn). The goddess then saw her own brilliant reflection in a mirror which Uzume had hung in a nearby tree. When she drew closer for a better look, the gods grabbed her and pulled her out of the cave. She returned to the sky, and brought light back into the world.

Amaterasu's main sanctuary is Ise-Jingue situated on Ise, on the island of Honshu. This temple is pulled down every twenty years and then rebuild in its original form. In the inner sanctum she is represented by a mirror (her body). She is also called Omikami ("illustrious goddess") and Tensho Daijan (in Sino-Japanese pronunciation).

In Naruto, amaterasu was used by Itachi Uciha as his jutsu. Amaterasu will burn every thing with its strongest jutsu, opposite of Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu of similar power. Itachi Uchiha was the first person shown in Naruto that could use Amaterasu. He later gave the power to Sasuke Uchiha. The jet-black flames are said to be as hot as the sun. Since the Mangekyo Sharingan is necessary to be able to use this technique, not many have learned it. All that is known is that it is extremely powerful since it can punch through Jiraiya's Summoning: Toad Mouth Bind, which Jiraiya states to be fire retardent. Not surprisingly, it appears to use a large amount of chakra. Amaterasu burns everything within Itachi's wide field of vision to cinders with an unholy black flame, to the degree of being able to burn an entire forest or village with it. As long as the user keeps the target within their eyesight, this technique is unavoidable.

J A V (Japanesse Adult Movie)

JAV, is a adult movie in japan. Usually a japanesse called their sex movie with This prahses. And it's stars called AV Idol, that means Adult Video Idol. Like Miyabi (Maria Ozawa), Azumi Kawashima, Megumi Anrai, etc.
There are so many way To be an AV IDOL, one of this is trough an AV IDOL talented agent.

this agent will make a contest and auddition. once you win this audition you will be an AV IDOL.

some of JAPAN AV IDOL are :

Maria ozawa
miku Ohsasi
Mai Nadasaka
Natsuki Sugisaki

Itadakimasu

when we watch anime ora drama in japan, ussualy we hear a phrase "itadakimasu" at every meal time every day. but what is the meaning of "itadakimasu" exactly. and then i try to I look up the word in my dictionary, and try to search this phrases really means.
it was said that "itadakimasu" means I take your life. i began to think, why this phrases said when they had meal? my friend that study in faculty of Japanesse letter, he said that "itadakimasu" is a reward or symbol to animals, plants, and for people that have work to make (grow/catch) our meals (farmers, fisherman, or breeder). Shinto religion, was have a powerfull effect in this phrases, that we have to honour every life and work that sacrified for us.

itadakimasu :

GeiSha

Geisha (芸者) are professional female entertainers who perform traditional Japanese arts whose skills include performing various Japanese arts, such as classical music and dance. Contrary to popular opinion and Western stereotypes, geisha are not prostitutes. maybe you can see the term of geisha ini film titteled "memoir of geisha".

They are trained in a number of traditional skills such as Japanese ancient dance, singing, playing instruments such as the Shamisen, flower arrangement, wearing kimo no, tea ceremony, calligraphy, conversation, alcohol serving manners and more. Geisha continue to study and perfect these skills throughout their careers as geisha.

A successful geisha must demonstrate beauty, grace, artistic talent, charm, impeccable etiquette, and refinement. Only guests with a long time connection with the tea house are allowed and tea houses generally don't take on new clients without an introduction. The profession of a geisha is a very expensive business and a geisha party can easily cost thousands of US dollars. The total number of geisha in the 1920's was 80,000, but today the number of geisha has dropped to 10,000 due to the westernizing of Japanese culture.

Apprentice geisha are called maiko. This word is made of the kanji 舞 (mai) meaning "dancing" and 妓 (ko) meaning "child". It is the maiko, with her white make-up and elaborate kimono and hairstyle, that has become the stereotype of a "geisha" to westerners, rather than the true geisha.

Tokyo geisha generally do not follow the ritualized Kyoto maiko apprentice process. The training period can be six months to a year - notably shorter than a Kyoto maiko - before she debuts as a full geisha. The trainee is referred to as a han'gyoku (半玉) or "half-jewel", or by the more generic term o-shaku (御酌) lit. "one who pours (alcohol)". On average, Tokyo geisha tend to be older than their Kyoto counterparts, many holding formal degrees from university.

Man's kimono

Men's kimonos have sleeves which are attached to the body of the kimono with no more than a few inches unattached at the bottom, unlike the women's style of very deep sleeves mostly unattached from the body of the kimono. Men's sleeves are less deep than women's kimono sleeves to accommodate the obi around the waist beneath them, whereas on a woman's kimono, the long, unattached bottom of the sleeve can hang over the obi without getting in the way.

In the modern era, the principal distinctions between men's kimonos are in the fabric. The typical kimono has a subdued, dark color; black, dark blues, greens, and browns are common. Fabrics are usually matte. Some have a subtle pattern, and textured fabrics are common in more casual kimonos. More casual kimonos may be made in slightly brighter colors, such as lighter purples, greens and blues. Sumo wrestlers have occasionally been known to wear quite bright colors such as fuchsia.

The most formal style of kimono is plain black with five kamon on the chest, shoulders and back. Slightly less formal is the three-kamon kimono. These are usually paired with white undergarments and accessories

Kind of kimonos

• Kurotomesode

(黒留袖): a black kimono patterned only below the waistline, kurotomesode are the most formal kimonos for married women. They are often worn by the mothers of the bride and groom at weddings. Kurotomesode usually have five kamon printed on the sleeves, chest and back of the kimonos.

• Furisode

(振袖): furisode literally translates as swinging sleeves—the sleeves of furisode average between 39 and 42 inches in length. Furisode are the most formal kimonos for unmarried women, with patterns that cover the entire garment. They are usually worn at coming-of-age ceremonies (seijin shiki) and by unmarried female relatives of the bride at weddings and wedding receptions.

• Irotomesode

(色留袖): single-color kimonos, patterned only below the waistline. Irotomesode are slightly less formal than kurotomesode, and are worn by married women, usually close relatives of the bride and groom at weddings. An irotomesode may have three or five kamon.

• Hōmongi

(訪問着): literally translates as visiting wear. Characterized by patterns that flow over the shoulders, seams and sleeves, hōmongi rank slightly higher than their close relative, the tsukesage. Hōmongi may be worn by both married and unmarried women; often friends of the bride will wear hōmongi at weddings and receptions. They may also be worn to formal parties.

• Tsukesage

(付け下げ): has more modest patterns that cover less area—-mainly below the waist-—than the more formal hōmongi. They may also be worn by married women.

• Iromuji

(色無地): single-colored kimonos that may be worn by married and unmarried women. They are mainly worn to tea ceremonies. The dyed silk may be figured (rinzu, similar to jacquard), but has no differently colored patterns.

• Komon

(小紋): "fine pattern". Kimonos with a small, repeated pattern throughout the garment. This style is more casual and may be worn around town, or dressed up with a formal obi for a restaurant. Both married and unmarried women may wear komon.

• Edo Komon

(江戸小紋): is a type of komon characterized by tiny dots arranged in dense patterns that form larger designs. The Edo komon dyeing technique originated with the samurai class during the Edo period. A kimono with this type of pattern is of the same formality as an iromuji, and when decorated with kamon, may be worn as visiting wear (equivalent to a tsukesage or hōmongi).

KiMoNo

Kimono (着物) is the national costume of Japan. Originally the word "kimono" referred to all types of clothing, but it has come to mean specifically the full-length traditional garment worn by women, men, and children. Kimonos are T-shaped, straight-lined robes that fall to the ankle, with collars and wide, full-length sleeves. Traditionally, unmarried women wore a style of kimono called furisode, which have floor-length sleeves, on special occasions.

Kimonos 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 tied at the back. Kimonos are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially geta, thonged wood-platform footwear; and zori, a type of thong-like footwear) and split-toe socks (tabi).

Today, kimonos are most often worn by women, and on special occasions. A few older women and even fewer men still wear kimonos on a daily basis. Men wear kimonos most often at weddings, tea ceremonies, and other very special or very formal occasions. Kimonos are also worn by both men and women in certain sports, such as kendo. Professional sumo wrestlers are often seen in kimonos because they are required to wear traditional Japanese dress whenever appearing in public.

HAnami

Hanami (花見,) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms (sakura). Hanami is one of the most popular events of Spring. in this time, sakura bloom all over Japan. In modern-day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura during daytime or at night.Crowds of people - families, groups of friends, and groups from companies sit under the fully open cherry blossoms, usually on plastic tarps, and have a picnic celebration. The picnic fare consists of a wide variety of foods, snack foods, and sake (rice wine) or other drinks. The activities often include dancing and karaoke in addition to the cherry blossom viewing. In very popular places such as Ueno park and Aoyama Cemetary in Tokyo the competition for prime picnic spots is intense. Company groups and family members claim spots by arriving very early in the morning and sitting all day long until the real celebrations begin in the evening. It is not unusual to see a young man in a business suit sitting under a cherry tree early in the morning reserving a space for his company. The new employees are traditionally given this job of sitting all day long to reserve space for the company celebration.

In Japan, April is the beginning of the school year as well as the business financial year. Since the Heian Period (794-1185) flower-viewing parties were popular among the aristocracy. In the Azuchi Momoyama Period (1568-1600) the cherry blossom viewing spread out to the rest of the population.

oKonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) is known as a kind of Japanese-style pancakes or pizza. Okonomi means "what you like" or "what you want", and yaki means "grilled" or "cooked". thus, the name of this dish means "cook what you like, the way you like". In Japan, okonomiyaki is usually associated with the Kansai or Hiroshima areas. Toppings and batters tend to vary according to region. Okonomiyaki is usually made from flour, water, eggs and cabbage. The cabbage is chopped and mixed with the eggs, water and flour. To this is added pretty much anything you want. Common things to add would be thinly sliced chopped pork, thinly sliced chopped beef, chopped onions, octopus, squid, mushrooms.

In Japan, there are two areas where okonomi-yaki is very popular: Osaka and Hiroshima. Okonomiyaki is cooked differently in the two regions. In Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, chopped cabbage is cooked on top of thinly spread batter. Also, yakisoba noodles are usually added in Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. In some okonomiyaki restaurants, customers cook their own okonomiyaki on the iron table. Also, okonomiyaki can be fast food, and there are lots of venders selling okonomiyaki in Japan.

In Osaka-style okonomiyaki, chopped cabbage is mixed with the batter and cooked together. It might be easier for beginners to cook Osaka-style okonomiyaki than to cook Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. To eat okonomiyaki, cut it into bite-sized pieces and eat with okonomiyaki sauce or worcester sauce and mayonnaise.

ORIgami

Origami, the Japanese name for the art of paper folding, comes from the Japanese verb oru (to fold) and the noun kami (paper). The word "origami" is now commonly used around the world. A finished origami figure is called a model, the method for folding a model is called a design, and drawn instructions for a model is called a set of diagrams. An origami artist is usually called a paperfolder. constructions are done using a single sheet of colored paper that is often, though not always, square. In modular origami, a number of individual "units," each folded from a single sheet of paper, are combined to form a compound structure. Origami is an extremely rich art form, and constructions for thousands of objects, from dragons to buildings to vegetables have been devised. Many mathematical shapes can also be constructed, especially using modular origami.

The only requirement for origami is a piece of paper, making it one of the most accessible arts. Almost any paper may be used, but standard "origami paper" is thin, strong, and holds a crease very well. It is also usually white on one side and colored on the other side, and is cut into 15 cm squares (about 6 inches). Some origami artists also experiment with other materials, and have folded models out of cardboard, various types of cloth, wire mesh, sheet metal, and even sheets of pasta.

The basic technique of origami is folding, and many complex folds have been developed. The simplest fold is the valley fold, where a flat piece of paper is folded towards the paperfolder. When this fold is unfolded, the crease line forms a valley shape. Closely related is the mountain fold, where the paper is folded away from the paperfolder. This crease line forms an upraised ridge, or a mountain shape. Since these folds differ only in direction, mountain folds are usually made by turning the paper over, folding a valley fold in the indicated position, and then turning the paper over again. Certain combinations of basic folds form bases, starting shapes that may be used to fold many different models. The four most common bases, from simplest to the more complex, are the kite base, the fish base, the bird base, and the frog base.

SaKuRa

Sakura or Cherry Blossom (サクラ) is the Japanese name for ornamental cherry trees, Prunus serrulata, and their blossoms. Cherry fruit (known as sakuranbo) come from a different species of tree. It can also be used as a name. There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of which bloom for just a couple of days in spring. The Japanese celebrate that time of the year with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees. in

Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life because of their short blooming times. They have also come to represent clouds due to their nature of blooming en masse. Falling blossoms are used as metaphors for fallen warriors who died bravely in battle. Due to this connotation, they are closely associated with the samurai. This theme remains alive today and is often observed in pop culture, especially manga and anime. Music also works with the theme; for example, the band Kagrra often uses sakura in its songs and live shows for ambiance. The flower is also represented on all manner of consumer goods, including kimono, stationery, and dishware. Cherry blossoms are an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, and as such are frequently depicted in art.There is at least one popular folk song, originally meant for the shakuhachi (bamboo flute), titled "Sakura", as well as a number of pop songs. "Sakura" is also a common Japanese female name.

Japan’s most beloved variety of sakura is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly pure white, tinged with the palest pink, especially near the stem. The flowers bloom and usually fall within a week, before the leaves come out. Other categories include yamazakura, yaezakura, and shidarezakura. The yaezakura have large flowers, thick with rich pink petals. The shidarezakura, or weeping cherry, has branches that fall like those of a weeping willow, bearing cascades of pink flowers.

Maria Ozawa (Miyabi)

Maria Ozawa (小澤マリア - Ozawa Maria) also known as Miyabi (みやび) (born January 8, 1986), is a popular Japanese AV idol who made her debut in the AV circuit in the last quarter of 2005. Ozawa is half-Japanese and half-French-Canadian, which lends a look many cite for her quick jump to fame.

She started modeling for the site shirouto-teien.com, which resulted in several sets of photographs and two hardcore gonzo videos. She was then signed by the S1 AV company, premiering for them in October of 2005 with the video ‘Miyabi New Face’. the newest released in June 25, 2007 was tittled (Maria Ozawa Painful Orgasm Endless Shiofuki). She has also participated in several S1 compilation videos including the company’s entry in 2006 AV Open, a competition between Japanese pornographic studios that aims deciding which studio can produce the highest selling video. The video that featured Maria Ozawa, among other AV idols Sora Aoi, Yua Aida, Yuma Asami, and Rin Aoki won the first place.

Besides, she has done V-Cinema films, a photobook and several glamour ("gravure") videos, and appeared in Yokohama hip hop group DS455's music video for the song "Summer Time in the D.S.C.".

Birthdate: January 8, 1986
Birth location: Hokkaidō, Japan
Birth name: Unknown
Measurements: 88-58-86 (34-23-34)
Height: 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Black
Natural bust: Yes
Blood Group: A
Orientation: Heterosexual
Ethnicity: Japanese and French-Canadian
Alias(es): Miyabi

Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri is The Japanese Doll Festival held on March 3 and celebrates "Girls' Day". usually hinamatsuri also called girld day in japan. on this day, families pray for the happiness and prosperity of their girls and to help ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful. The celebration takes place both inside the home and at the seashore. Both parts are meant to ward off evil spirits from girls

on hinamatsuri day, dolls are displayed in the house together with peach blossoms. in order to transferred bad fortune to dolls and then removed by abandoning the doll on a river. the displayed doll take out around mid-February and put it away immediately after Hina Matsuri is over. There is a superstition that says that families slow to put away the dolls will have trouble marrying off their daughters.

The best place to experience Hina Matsuri in Wakayama prefecture is at Kada shrine. It's right by the shore and the priests host the Hina Matsuri there every year.

Tanabata

Tanabata (七夕) a Japanese star festival, The festival is usually held on July 7, and celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair). The Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year.

On the day before “Tanabata,” the Japanese express best wishes by writing on a piece of colored paper and tying it to the branches of bamboo trees found in front of the house. they believe their jope will come true if we do that. It is believed that prayers uttered and hanged on bamboo trees on the evening of “Tanabata” will be granted. It appears, however, that today’s society feels less inclined to celebrate this celestial event. Yet, for some the belief is as clearly evident today as it was decades past.

Once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in space. After they got together, Orihime no longer would weave cloth for Tenkou and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven. In anger, Tenkou separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa River and forbade them to meet. separated from his husband make orihime sad. she cried and beg his father to mmet Hikoboshi. thouched by her sadness, her dad let orihime to meet Hikoboshi on the 7th day of the 7th month if Orihime worked hard and finished her weaving. after her worked hard finally they can meet, but unfortunately there was no bridge. it make them cant meet each others. it makes them have to wait until next year if they wanted to meet.

Large-scale Tanabata festivals are held in many places in Japan, mainly along shopping malls and streets, which are decorated with large, colorful streamers. The most famous Tanabata festival is held in Sendai from August 5 to 8. In the Kantō area, the biggest Tanabata festival is held in Hiratsuka,

Matsuri

what is matsuri (祭) ? in japan matsuri means or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular or Christian. There are not specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays like hinamatsuri, tanabata, bon-odori, hanami, etc. usually when japanesse people hold matsuri, they will wear yukata or kimono, as their traditional chlotes.

One can always find in the vicinity of a matsuri booths selling souvenirs and food such as takoyaki, and games, such as snatching goldfish. Karaoke contests, sumo matches, and other forms of entertainment are often organized in conjunction with matsuri.

ShiniGami

Shinigami (死神) it means "death god". is the Japanese name for personifications of death, in particular the Grim Reaper, which was imported to Japan from Europe during the Meiji period. maybe we find the similarity of shinigami and Grim reaper that was quickly adopted by the Japanese, and early on featured in such works as a rakugo play called Shinigami and in Shunsen Takehara's Ehon Hyaku Monogatari (One-hundred Story Picture-Book) The term shinigami may also be used more loosely to refer to any death deity. It seems to be a recent term, however, as it belongs to no specific Shinto deity and is rarely used in folklore. we can find many difference term about shinigami in many anime and manga in japan. such as naruto, bleach, death note, hellsing, gundam, and many more. lately this shinigami became very popular in japan. many folklore, anime, and manga are using shinigami as their main character.
i cant find the image how is truly shinigami are. maybe these picture from many terms of shinigami can help you understand how is shinigami looks like..
taken from shinigami no ballads














taken from death note

IkEbAnA

Seni merangkai bunga Jepang (ikebana) adalah seni merangkai bunga yang memanfaatkan berbagai jenis bunga, rumput-rumputan dan tanaman dengan tujuan untuk dinikmati keindahannya. ikebana telah mengalami evolusi di Jepang selama tujuh abad, berasal dari sajian bunga Budhis di masa awalnya. Seni ini berbeda dengan penggunaan bunga yang murni bersifat dekoratif saja, karena setiap unsur dari sebuah karya ikebana dipilih secara sangat cermat termasuk bahan tanaman, wadah di mana ranting dan bunga akan ditempatkan, serta keterkaitan ranting-ranting dengan wadahnya dan ruang di sekitarnya. Ikebana berasal dari Jepang tapi telah meluas ke seluruh dunia. Dalam bahasa Jepang, Ikebana juga dikenal dengan istilah kadō (華道, kadō ka, bunga; do, jalan kehidupan) yang lebih menekankan pada aspek seni untuk mencapai kesempurnaan dalam merangkai bunga.

Orang Jepang merangkai bunga dengan rujukan surga, manusia, dan bumi. Bunga yang agak pendek melambangkan bumi, dan yang di tengah-tengah rangkaian melambangkan manusia di antara surga dan bumi. sedangkan bunga yang tinggi melambangkan surga. jadi dengan kata lain, ikebana merupakan bentuk disiplin seni dimana merupakan rangkaian yang hidup yang menyatu antara kejiwaan manusia dengan alam sekitarnya. Ikebana adalah sebuah philosofi untuk lebih mendekat dengan alam.

Perkembangan selama tujuh abad telah membentuk berbagai aliran dalam ikebana. Beberapa yang umum dikenal adalah rikka di mana bunga ditegakkan, kemudian seika atau shoka yang berarti bunga hidup, selanjutnya nageire di mana bunga ditebarkan pada bejana berbentuk bulat, dan moribana di mana bunga ditumpuk dengan menggunakan bejana datar. selain itu juga terdapat aliran-aliran lain seperti Chiko, Ichiyo, Ikenobo, Koryu, Kozan, Mishoryu, Ohara, Ryusei-Ha, Saga Goryu, Shinpa Seizan, Shofu Kadokai, Sogetsu, dll. Saat ini yang ada di Indonesia serta resmi dan terdaftar pada The Japan Foundation, Jakarta ada 7(tujuh) Aliran yaitu ; Ichiyo, Ikenobo, Koryu, Mishoryu, Ohara, Sogetsu dan Shofu Kadokai.

upacara minum teh di jepang

Upacara minum teh (茶道, sadō (jalan teh)) adalah ritual tradisional Jepang dalam menyajikan teh untuk tamu. Pada zaman dulu disebut chatō (茶の湯, chatō?) atau cha no yu. Upacara minum teh yang diadakan di luar ruangan disebut nodate. Upacara minum teh (sado ) adalah tata-cara yang diatur sangat halus dan teliti untuk menghidangkan dan minum teh hijau matcha (dalam bentuk bubuk). Upacara minum teh menggunakan matcha disebut matchadō, sedangkan bila menggunakan teh hijau jenis sencha disebut senchadō.

Ada hal yang lebih penting daripada ritual membuat dan menyajikan teh, karena upacara ini merupakan rangkaian seni yang mendalam yang membutuhkan pengetahuan yang luas dan kepekaan yang sangat halus. Sado juga menjajaki tujuan hidup dan mendorong timbulnya apresiasi terhadap alam.


Teh dikenal di Jepang sekitar abad ke-12. Teh yang dikenal di sana adalah teh matcha yang terbuat dari bubuk teh hijau. Sementara upacara minum teh diperkenalkan Sen No Rikyu pada abad ke-16. Upacara teh masih berlangsung hingga kini. Tradisi upacara minum teh ini berlangsung sekitar empat jam.

Upacara minum teh mencerminkan kepribadian dan pengetahuan tuan rumah yang mencakup antara lain tujuan hidup, cara berpikir, agama, apresiasi peralatan upacara minum teh dan cara meletakkan benda seni di dalam ruangan upacara minum teh (chashitsu) dan berbagai pengetahuan seni secara umum yang bergantung pada aliran upacara minum teh yang dianut. dalam upacara minum teh ini, para tamu duduk berlutut di bawah. Tuan rumah, menempatkan diri di depan mereka dengan di hadapan sudah tersaji berbagai peralatan, antara lain mangkuk untuk air buangan, sendok dari bambu, tempat teh, dan sebagainya.

Seni upacara minum teh memerlukan pendalaman selama bertahun-tahun dengan penyempurnaan yang berlangsung seumur hidup. Tamu yang diundang secara formal untuk upacara minum teh juga harus mempelajari tata krama, kebiasaan, basa-basi, etiket meminum teh dan menikmati makanan kecil yang dihidangkan.

Dalam percakapan sehari-hari di Jepang, upacara minum teh cukup disebut sebagai ocha (teh). Istilah ocha no keiko bisa berarti belajar mempraktekkan tata krama penyajian teh atau belajar etiket sebagai tamu dalam upacara minum teh.

GEta (bakiak jepang)

Geta are a style of traditional Japanese footwear. They have a flat wood sole, a "V" style toe thong, and are raised up on two wood strips. In Japanese the strips are called "Ha" which is the Japanese word for tooth or teeth.The soles are rectangular and the thong that goes between the toes is centered between the two sides of the sole so that the left and right geta are identical. The thong goes between the big toe and the next one so the foot is off-center.

In Japanese there are no plurals, so the term geta applies to one, a pair, or a whole teahouse full of them. It's pronounced GE-ta as in "get a job." The geta sandal was termed geta because of the "clack clack" sound they made when walking. Geta sandals are any sandal with a separate heel. The wooden geta sandal is the most well known by Americans for the beautiful pictures seen of geisha women. However, there are many other types of geta sandals including those made of vinyl.

There are several different styles of geta. The most familiar style in the West consists of an unfinished wooden board called a dai (台, stand) that the foot is set upon, with a cloth thong (鼻緒, hanao) that passes between the big toe and second toe. As geta are usually worn only with yukata or other informal Japanese clothes or Western clothes, there is no need to wear socks. Ordinary people wear at least slightly more formal zori when wearing special toe socks called tabi. Apprentice geisha, also called "maiko", wear their special geta with tabi to accommodate the hanao.

Perhaps the strangest of all are the "tengu" or ippon-ba (one tooth) geta. These are worn by the mythical "Tengu the long nosed goblin". Tengu are reputed to wear very tall geta, and are often pictured as wearing tall geta with only one ha. Although the tengu is mythical, the tengu geta are made and sold being described as for "mountain men and priests." I read a comment once that they're good for walking in swampy areas because the mud doesn't get stuck between the two ha like regular geta. Obviously they develop balance, too!