qbigail
Level 77
In this guide, you will find information on how to successfully roleplay as a Japanese character, whilst doing it well. All while respecting the beautiful culture that Japanese are lucky to possess. Not only does this guide include information about Japanese culture, but it also includes geography- so you can easily roleplay out living the full Japanese lifestyle. I created this because I feel as if players forget that the map is set in urban Japan. I feel as if the Japanese lifestyle is not as apparent as it should be, so I created this to influence others to include this information into their roleplay.
Please also note, I am not good at fancy formatting- so it will not be included in this guide. Apologies. My information is reliable as I have taken it from trustworthy websites and articles that contained good, vital information. If you find any information that is in this guide incorrect, please let me know by commenting on this thread or DMing me privately. This guide is split into several sections. Each one contains subcategories. Make sure to study each section carefully so you can roleplay effectively and efficiently.
Hokkaidō
Hokkaido is the second-largest, northernmost and least developed of Japan's four main islands. Its weather is harsh in winter with lots of snowfall, below zero temperatures and frozen seas, while in summer it does not get as hot and humid as in the other parts of the country. With its unspoiled nature, Hokkaido attracts many outdoor lovers, including skiers and snowboarders in the colder seasons and hikers, cyclists and campers from June to September.
Tōhoku
The Tohoku Region consists of six prefectures in the north of Japan's largest island, Honshu. It is well known for its countryside, mountains, lakes, hot springs, high-quality rice and rough winters. The Tohoku region was hit by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, and the ensuing nuclear accident. Of all the destinations in our travel guide, only Sendai, Matsushima, Iwaki and the Sanriku Coast suffered direct damage from the earthquake and tsunami, and even there most attractions reopened within a few weeks or months.
Kantō
The Kanto is Japan's largest plain and very densely populated. The large metropolises of Tokyo and Yokohama are located in the Kanto Region which consists of seven prefectures.
Chūbu
The Chubu Region consists of nine prefectures and is located in the centre of Japan's largest island Honshu. The northern part of the Chubu Region along the Sea of Japan coast (Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama) is also known as Hokuriku Region, while the southern part (Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu) is also known as Tokai Region and the prefectures of Yamanashi, Nagano and Niigata as the Koshinetsu Region.
Kinki/Kansa
The Kinki Region, also commonly known as Kansai encompasses the Osaka Plain and consists of seven prefectures. It used to be the political and cultural centre of Japan for many centuries and includes the cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe.
Chūgoku
The Chugoku Region makes up the western part of Japan's main island Honshu. It is commonly subdivided into the heavily urbanized and industrialized Sanyo Region along the Seto Inland Sea coast and the much more rural Sanin Region along the Sea of Japan coast.
Shikoku
Shikoku is Japan's fourth-largest island, southwest of Japan's main island Honshu. True to its name, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures.
Kyūshū
Kyushu is Japan's third-largest island, located southwest of the main island Honshu. An early centre of Japanese civilization, Kyushu offers many historic treasures, modern cities and natural beauty.
Okinawa
Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, consisting of a few dozen, small islands in the southern half of the Nansei Shoto, the island chain which stretches over about one thousand kilometres from Kyushu to Taiwan. Okinawa Prefecture can be divided into three major island groups, the Okinawa Islands (Okinawa Shoto) around Okinawa Island (Okinawa Honto), the Miyako Islands (Miyako Retto) around Miyako Island and the Yaeyama Islands (Yaeyama Retto) around Ishigaki Island.
How is this information good for roleplay?
Well, by having a set location of where your character grew up, you can create their backstory and how they were raised. For example, if they came from Okinawa- which is islands, their family could be fairly poor and thrived off the fishing industry to survive. Having a detailed location chosen creates a lot of interesting roleplay opportunities.
Location
Japan consists of several thousands of islands, of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the four largest. Japan's closest neighbors are Korea, Russia and China. The Sea of Japan separates the Asian continent from the Japanese archipelago.
Area
Japan's area is comparable to that of Germany or California. Japan's northernmost islands are located on a similar geographical latitude as Milan or Portland, while her southernmost islands are on a similar latitude as the Bahamas. More than 50% of the country is mountainous and covered by forests. Japan is politically structured into 8 regions and 47 prefectures.
Population
The population of Japan is about 125,000,000, including approximately two million foreign residents. More than half of the non-Japanese population is of Korean descent.
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Because Japan is located in a region, where several continental plates meet, the country experiences frequent earthquakes. For the same reason, there are many volcanoes and natural hot springs in Japan. Japan's most famous volcano and the highest mountain are Mt.Fuji.
Climate
Due to the large North-South extension of the country, the climate varies strongly in different regions. The climate in most of the major cities, including Tokyo, is temperate to subtropical and consists of four seasons. The winter is mild and the summer is hot and humid. There is a rainy season in early summer, and typhoons hit parts of the country every year during late summer. The climate of the northern island of Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan coast is colder, and snowfalls in large amounts. In Okinawa, on the other hand, the mean temperature of January is a warm 17 degrees Celsius.
How is this information good for roleplay?
By understanding the possible situations that your character could have experienced in their childhood, makes them unique. For example, your character could have been in an earthquake at a young age as was trapped in a closet- therefore, giving them PTSD and claustrophobia.
Spring
Spring is generally from March to May in Japan. “Sakura” or cherry blossoms are a symbol of spring in Japan. Many people gather under sakura trees for “ohanami,” which means cherry blossom viewing, all over Japan. Japan geographically stretches from north to south, and sakura starts blossoming in the south in late March then moves its way up to the north. Hokkaido, located in the north of Japan welcomes full blossoms in May. Spring is a mild season suitable for various leisurely activities. Wisteria, moss phlox and many other types of flowers other than sakura also bloom in the spring. These flowers become a tourist attraction but they are also is there as a guided path.
Summer
Summer is usually from June to August. Japan is surrounded by the sea, so you can enjoy swimming in various places. You can swim in the sea, but remote islands are also recommended to enjoy a relaxing time. Once the rainy season called “tsuyu”, which lasts from June to late July is over, the temperature rapidly increases. This is the season for summer festivals and firework displays happening everywhere in Japan. You can enjoy watching festivals or take part in dancing at other festivals as well.
Autumn
September to November is usually the fall season. The heat of summer eases, and the most comfortable and nicest weather comes in this season. The peak for leaves changing colors is from October to late November. Mountains in Hokkaido start to turn color, and colors of leaves gradually change from the north down to the south of Japan. Visit tourist attractions anywhere in Japan that are famous for leaves changing colors and delight in the beauty. Fall is also best for outdoor sports and leisurely activities. Seasonal foods, rich in nutrition and flavor, in other words, "the fall that makes you hungry", are also something worth tasting.
Winter
Winter is from December to February. It is the coldest season of the year, which is perfect for enjoying hot springs. Dipping in a hot spring while relishing in the beautiful winter scenery is exceptionally remarkable. Illumination events are held all over Japan toward the year-end. Drift ice and snowy landscape representing dazzling winter are not to be missed. Skiing and dog sledding are also an amusing leisurely activity of winter.
Japanese women are among the best educated in the world. In 2005, 42.5 percent of them had at least some post-secondary education. In 2010, Japan ranked 94th among 134 nations in the World Economic Forum's ranking of equality among the sexes. It was ranked 101st among 134 nations in 2009, 80th among 115 nations in 2006, 91st among 128 nations in 2007 and 98th among 130 countries in 2008. In a 2008 ranking Japanese women came in 97th in political empowerment, 102nd in economic participation and opportunity and 82nd in educational attainment. Contemporary expressions for women include "parasite single" (adult children, especially females, who live with parents and have jobs and lots of disposable income), "three meals and a nap" (an expression used to describe the carefree existence of housewives), a "Christmas cakes" (unmarried women over 25, a reference to a cake that nobody wants after December 25) and "old mountain hag" (young women with an unnatural tan, streaked hair and thick make-up). In August 2012, Jiji Press reported: “The happiness level for women in their 30s, 40s and 50s was almost uniform, but it peaked when they reached their 60s at 7.32, according to the survey. Midori Kotani, the researcher at the institute, said Japanese men in their 40s likely find the challenges of raising children, work and caring for parents stressful, but Japanese women seem to relieve their stress by talking to others with similar concerns.
How is this information good for roleplay?
Understanding how women were treated in the past can make your female OR MALE character thrive. This opens doors for controversial interactions with other characters that have the opposite beliefs. Having a well-educated, moral character makes them more likeable and interesting to roleplay with.
Unlike any other country in the world, Japan is highly spiritual with a unique belief system. One of the most interesting things about Japanese religion is how no one preaches about it, yet it acts almost like a moral code, a way of living. The Japanese don't discuss religious matters on a day to day basis, nor they frequently worship. Spirituality in Japan is primarily practised during birth, marriage, death and matusuri (festivals).
Shinto and Buddhism
Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shinto is the basis of Japanese spirituality and considered the country's indigenous religion. Shinto is concerned with living in harmony with nature and living creatures. Everything in the natural world is a kami (god). Take for example the Fushimi Inari Shrine, an iconic spiritual site which attracts countless curious tourists from all around the world. Fushimi Inari is a Shrine dedicated to the Inari god of rice. Throughout the sites, you will see many kitsune (foxes) which are considered to be God's messengers.
In Japan, all four seasons are highly cherished and celebrated, which is one of the main principles of Shinto. During Spring, when Japan becomes a dreamy pink landscape, snowed under the delicate sakura flowers, the locals embrace this seasonal change, by incorporating sakura flavours in the food, sweets and snacks. Winter is a season focused on hot, heavier food, to comfort and keep the soul warm.
Buddhism arrived in Japan during the 6th century and established itself in Nara. Throughout the years, Buddhism evolved into different sects, with Zen Buddhism being the most widely spread in Japan. With time, Shinto and Buddhism became the basis of the Japanese way of life, both carrying different spiritual symbols. Shinto is generally associated with the celebration of life, birth marriage, whereby Buddhism is mostly practised during funerals, concerned with the afterlife.
Shrines and Temples
Shrines refer to Shinto and temples refer to Buddhism. Shrines can usually be identified by a large torii gate placed at the entrance. One must pay respect to the spirits when entering a sacred place, and torii gates represent a way of passage.
Paying Respects
Paying your respects to the spirits in Japan is action independent of any religious beliefs. When entering or exiting a Shrine, you should bow once. After passing the torii gate it is common to find a water fountain where you should use the bamboo ladle to wash your hands and your mouth, to clean and purify. Rinse your left hand, then rinse your right hand. Pour some water into your left hand and rinse your mouth. Rinse your left hand again and rinse the dipper. In order to make a wish, look for the altar. It's usually where you will see a thick thread hanging from the top, attached to a bell. If you put coins in the provided wooden box, you should bow twice, clap your hands twice and make a wish. In the end, bow again.
When entering a Buddhist temple, you usually need to take your shoes off. If you wish to pray, you can kneel on the tatami in front of the altar.
Charms and Ema
Charms and superstitions are deeply integrated into the Japanese way of life. Many buy lucky charms and use them for specific needs, such as fertility, luck and wealth. They are interesting wooden tablets, with scribbles on them, called ema. These wishing plaques can be purchased for a small fee, then used to write a prayer on. The emas are left behind, so the spirits from the temple grounds can take care of the wish.
Omikuji
Another way of entering the charming spiritual world of Japan is to figure out what the future holds for you. You can do so by drawing on omikuji, or a fortune-telling paper strip. Usually seen like a game of fate, you have a draw a bamboo stick with a Japanese inscription on it. The characters will point you to a corresponding wooden drawer where you can take your written fortunate from. Should you be blessed, you can keep your paper strip with you, otherwise, wrap it around a dedicated wooden stand and leave it behind so the spirits take care of your misfortune for you.
How is this information good for roleplay?
You can use this information to either make a highly religious character and follow the beliefs- or, you can make your character a strict atheist who strays away from any form of religious beliefs. I ask, if you are going down either route, please be respectful about it. The information given shows you how you can respectfully roleplay whilst involving religion. Religion is a very serious thing to most people, so please have some consideration.
Japanese are conscious of their health. Many people restrict their diet or do exercise according to the result of annual health checks conducted at their companies. Often some of healthy food set off a boom. Foods which are introduced on TV can create a temporary shortage of its supplies at supermarkets. In recent years, healthy foods which obtain excellent diet effects and new to Japanese market such as coconut oil, chia seeds and perilla oil got huge attention. Restaurants using organic vegetables are also popular.
Eating habits
Japan is known as a country of longevity. According to the data in 2014, the average life span of Japanese men is 80.5 years and women 86.83 years. Even though they eat bread and meat nowadays, their staple diet has been rice, and traditional Japanese food consists of fish and soybean products such as natto (fermented soybeans) and tofu. It is said that the traditional Japanese diet largely influences their longevity.
Staying fit
One of the common way to stay fit is an exercise called radio gymnastic exercise that most Japanese school children do together during the summer school holiday. Not only the school children but also neighbours often join to do stretching and jumping to the music from the radio. Also, there are many people who enjoy walking and jogging as a
routine exercise to stay fit.
Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the separation of Buddhism in Japan. Eventually, Japanese literature developed into a separate style, although the influence of Chinese literature and Classical Chinese remained until the end of the Edo period. Since Japan reopened its ports to Western trading and diplomacy in the 19th century, Western and Eastern literature have strongly affected each other and continue to do so.
As with all literature, Japanese literature is best read in the original form. Due to vast linguistic and cultural differences, many Japanese words and phrases are not easily translatable. Although Japanese literature and Japanese authors are perhaps not as well known in the west compared to European and American canons, Japan owns an old and rich literary tradition that draws upon thousands of years of culture and experience.
When one looks at fashion in Japan, it’s impossible not to acknowledge that the Japanese have incredibly good taste in style. Fashion plays a massive role in a Japanese individual’s daily lifestyle. Each piece of clothing is a statement -- whether it is loud and flamboyant, or subtle and classy. Fashion is a simple way each person can express themselves freely and have a voice of their own. Clothing is a way to manifest your true self. It’s also a fabulous way to show the people you meet that you are aware of the latest trends. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are among the fashion capitals in Japan, and for all the good reasons. Here, you’ll find an amalgamation of exotic, futuristic, European and traditional styles and surprisingly, they work quite well together.
Traditional Fashion: The Kimono
When it comes to traditional Japanese fashion, perhaps the first thing that comes into everyone’s minds is the Kimono. Kimono literally translates to “clothing” and is a traditional attire that is one of the most recognized aspects of Japanese culture.
Traditional Japanese kimonos are now only worn for formal meetings, family ceremonies like weddings, and religious holidays. However, they are gaining popularity in the western world, with both men and women sporting this stunning piece of outerwear. Traditionally, there is a wide range of kimonos that are chosen according to the season, event or a person’s age or marital status.
Bosozuku
Bosozuku is a Japanese youth subculture that made its first appearance among biker gangs in the 1950s. Today, bosozuku is a beloved fashion trend, with elaborate leather jackets adorned with stunning poetry and sayings, hachimaki headbands, round sunglasses and of course, a pompadour hairstyle. The style is reminiscent of the greaser/rocker look that’s often associated with yakuza thugs. Today, bosozuku fashion is a means of showcasing one’s individuality, attitude and personal style.
Cosplay
Japan has always been popular for its street fashion. One of the most well-known Japanese subculture styles is Cosplay. Cosplay focuses on dressing up as a character from an anime, manga, fantasy movie or video game. The word Cosplay is a combination of the words “costume” and “play.” Cosplay enthusiasts are often seen dressing up as their favourites characters as accurately as possible as a hobby or to take part in cosplay competitions.
Lolita
Another popular Japanese fashion subculture is the Lolita style. The look is often inspired by outfits from the victorian era, merged with children’s clothing styles. There are a number of categories within the Lolita fashion trend. Gothic lolita, a combination of a porcelain doll and goth or punk notes. Sweet Lolita is another subcategory of Lolita fashion, which entails an abundance of lace and ribbons with clothes often in pastel shades. And finally, classic lolita, which is a more traditional and mature fashion trend, often showcased in light-colored and more muted garments.
Kogal
Kogal is most popular among young Japanese women living in big cities. There clothing is an outlet for them to emphasize their income as well as their taste in music, fashion, and social activities. Kogal is a way to let people you meet know that you are well-aware with the newest fashion trends -- whether this includes modern fashion or cultural style trends.
How is this information good for roleplay?
To young adults that occupy Karakura, fashion is obviously a HUGE influence. Follow these themes, to make it more realistic! Plus, these fashion themes are really interesting to look at and would make your character and their personality unique.
Curriculum Outline
The Japanese school system primarily consists of six-year elementary schools, three-year junior high schools and three-year high schools, followed by a two-or-three-year junior colleges or a four-year colleges. Compulsory education lasts for 9 years through elementary and junior high school. School exchanges during Japan Educational Travel are mainly implemented in junior high and high schools. For physically or mentally challenged students, there is a system called “Special Needs Education” to support special students to develop their self-reliance and thus enhance their social participation.
School Life
Public schools in Japan have classes five days a week, from Monday to Friday. There are also schools that have classes on Saturday. In junior high and high schools, there are six class periods each day, typically lasting 50 minutes for each. After classes, students clean the classrooms in shifts and then start their club activities. There are a variety of clubs such as cultural and sports ones.
Academic Calendar
In principle, the school year begins in April and ends in March of the following year. Most schools adopt a three-semester system, with the first semester from April to August, the second semester from September to December, and the third semester from January to March. There is also a summer break (from the end of July to the end of August), a winter break (from the end of December to the beginning of January), and a spring break (from the end of March to the beginning of April).
School Organization
Each school has a principal, a vice principal, teachers, a school nurse, and other administration staff. As the chief executive, the principal assumes all responsibilities of the school, including the courses provided and related administrative work. The vice principal supports the principal to manage administrative affairs of the school and to be in charge of student’s educational activities and curriculum as well. Furthermore, in order to ensure school’s smooth operation, teachers take on various responsibilities, such as taking care of educational activities, students’ school life, and employment guidance for students after graduation. Many schools also establish their own committees, for example a International Exchange Promotion Committee, and others.
Level of Education
The level of Japanese education is high even by world standards. In OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) aimed at fifteen-year-olds, Japanese students recorded high levels of achievement, particularly in science related areas. Educational activities outside of school also flourish, and programs leading to advanced education are implemented.
Enrolment in high schools, the second-half of secondary education, reaches over 90%, and the enrolments in college are also high reaching over 50%. Admission to high schools and colleges is mainly through entrance exams, held from January to March.
Foreign Language Education
English is a compulsory subject in junior high and high schools. There are also elementary schools that introduce English education from intermediate grade classes. In some high schools, apart from English, students are also allowed to take courses in Chinese, Korean, French, German, etc.
Student Clubs
Student clubs are a characteristic part in Japan’s school education. Under teachers’ guidance, students with the same interests in sports, cultural activities, or fields of study voluntarily gather together after classes and on days off. There are also numerous student clubs revolving around Japanese traditional sports and culture, such as judo, kendo(Japanese swordsmanship), sado (Japanese tea ceremony), kado (Japanese flower arrangement), shodo (Japanese calligraphy), etc. Club activities also provide students with the chance to participate in school exchange and friendly matches.
Sports Clubs
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Track and Field
- Swimming
- Judo
- Kendo (Japanese swordsmanship)
Culture Clubs
- School Band
- School Choir
- Drama
- Art
- Literature
- Kado (Japanese flower arrangement)
- Sado (Japanese tea ceremony)
- Shodo (Japanese calligraphy)
School Exchanges
A school exchange program is a program in which students visit schools and meet students of their age in Japan. Many schools while on educational travel in Japan have engaged in exchange programs with schools all around Japan. There are a wide range of school exchange programs which can meet a variety of aims such as cross-cultural communication, language learning, sports or art exchange, and more.
By paying a visit to a Japanese school and experiencing a foreign educational system, students will be able to explore things in a new environment and a different culture. This will in turn lead to increased student motivation to learn. Students can actually learn more about Japanese culture through interactions with Japanese students. When encountering a foreign culture, one can always recognize the similarities and differences between the foreign culture and one’s own. It may also be a wonderful opportunity to think about the characteristics of one’s country, and things worth cherishing. By meeting Japanese students of the same age, students have the chance to encounter values that are new to them, and this can foster in them a global perspective. This will deepen the students ability to thing from various angles, something essential for understanding the world. The best way to master a foreign language is to go to a country where the language is spoken. For students learning Japanese, it is an excellent opportunity to exposed to and learn authentic living Japanese.
How is this information good for roleplay?
By knowing this information, you will be able to better understand how the Japanese schooling system works, so you can successfully apply that to your knowledge. As well as this, by applying the knowledge of school exchanges you will be able to match up the lore for your non-Japanese character. Overall, it just makes roleplays inside the school more interesting, if you apply this information!
Ima and Chanoma – The Living Room of a Japanese House
This room is called ima and is the living room of a Japanese house. This is where people relax, sip a hot cup of tea, watch some TV, and enjoy each other’s company. Chanoma is another name for such a living room. During the Showa period (from the 20s to the 80s), it was common to have a small, round table called a shabudai in this room, where people ate their meals sitting in seiza, kneeling with one’s legs folded under one’s thighs.
In winter, a lot of Japanese families relax under the “kotatsu.” That is a low table with a thick blanket fixed under the tabletop, equipped with an electrical heater. You stretch your legs under the table, snuggle with the blanket and enjoy the cozy warmth from the radiator as you watch TV, enjoy some snacks, and have a nap. During the winter months, there’s nothing better than spending a lazy day under the kotatsu.
Tatami – The Multifunctional Mat with a Natural Aroma
It’s a special kind of flooring that is unique to Japan. The word tatami is said to come from the verb of tatamu, which means “to fold.” It is actually a general term for mats such as mushiro (rush mats), komo (reed mats), or goza (straw mats) – they all were folded and put away when not needed, which over time led to the word tatami. The mats you know today aren’t foldable anymore, and they aren’t put away either. Those started to take shape in the Heian period (around the 8th century).
It’s a special kind of flooring that is unique to Japan. The word tatami is said to come from the verb of tatamu, which means “to fold.” It is actually a general term for mats such as mushiro (rush mats), komo (reed mats), or goza (straw mats) – they all were folded and put away when not needed, which over time led to the word tatami. The mats you know today aren’t foldable anymore, and they aren’t put away either. Those started to take shape in the Heian period (around the 8th century).
Tatami mats are made by weaving soft rush called igusa. This plant has a peculiar and rather refreshing scent that seems strangely calming and relaxing. The woven mats also boast excellent moisture absorption, heat retention, and they’re quite soundproof. They match the characteristic of Japan’s four seasons perfectly. Elastic to a certain extent, tatami mats also make the seiza position more comfortable.
Because tatami mats are made out of all-natural material, they change over time. The color changes from subtle green to brown, and the woven grass itself gets worn. If that happens, the tatami map can be flipped, although that is something a specialized craftsman tends to help you with – it can’t be done by yourself.
Said craftsman will loosen the straw mat from the base, flip it over and sew it back on. That’ll leave you with a clean, fresh mat that looks brand-new again. Exposure to the sun is the main reason why tatami changes its color, and to Japanese people, this sight is familiar to pretty much every Japanese person and an iconic symbol of how years go by.
Tatami mats also have their own units of measurement, written with the same character put read as jo. One jo relates to one mat, with half jo being a tatami half-mat. In traditional houses, rooms are measured by how many tatami mats fit inside, such as 4.5 jo or 6 jo.
Oshi-ire – The Hidden Storage Space
The oshi-ire is where futons and other things are stored when not in use. A lot of Japanese people associate these kinds of hidden storage spaces with the manga/anime character Doraemon, as he sleeps in an oshi-ire. These closets are also exciting for children, as they’re perfect for playing hide-and-seek and make for excellent secret hideouts.
The oshi-ire is where futons and other things are stored when not in use. A lot of Japanese people associate these kinds of hidden storage spaces with the manga/anime character Doraemon, as he sleeps in an oshi-ire. These closets are also exciting for children, as they’re perfect for playing hide-and-seek and make for excellent secret hideouts.
These storage spaces, hidden within walls, can be found all around a classic Japanese house. Another example is the tenbukuro, a little compartment usually above a closet, door, and so on. Likewise, the jibukuro can be found in the bottom part of a wall.
Butsudan and Kamidana – Little Altars and Shrines for Everyday Faith
A lot of Japanese homes have a little Buddhist altar called a butsudan. It enshrines Buddhist statues and mortuary tablet of one’s ancestors. The room in which such an altar is placed is called butsuma and if need be, a Buddhist priest is called to hold a memorial service there.
A lot of Japanese homes have a little Buddhist altar called a butsudan. It enshrines Buddhist statues and mortuary tablet of one’s ancestors. The room in which such an altar is placed is called butsuma and if need be, a Buddhist priest is called to hold a memorial service there.
Additionally, you’ll find a family altar of the native Shinto belief, called a kamidana, in many houses. It usually hangs in the corner of the room, facing either south or east. It hangs above eye level and in a spot where no one walks around, but if there’s a second floor, white paper symbolizing clouds is hung from the ceiling of the kamidana. A southeast corner is generally a sunlit place, and the Shinto house altar can often be found in living rooms or the room in which the family usually gathers, so it’s a familiar sight. In the house we got to visit, it was decorated with things that weren’t related to faith, such as a child’s umbilical cord (preserved in a special box – another Japanese tradition), exam admission tickets, year-end jumbo lottery tickets, and so on. The kamidana is used to pray for a family’s health, prosperity, and happiness.
Japan is hot and humid in summer, cold in winter, has a rainy season, and is dry in autumn. Japanese houses are built with all kinds of little tricks in mind to adapt to the local climate. For ventilation, they feature a wooden veranda called engawa; tatami mats are used for heat retention; shoji paper doors and walls are excellent in absorbing moisture from the air while sliding doors quickly close or open a space for convenient temperature control. And antimicrobial, humidity-regulating keisodo – diatomaceous earth – is often used as the plaster base for interior walls. With all these, the house is perfectly equipped to handle the different climates throughout the year.
Nameplates and Letter Boxes – Changing With the Time
Like in many other different countries, you’ll find a nameplate and letterbox at the entrance to a Japanese house. Traditionally, nameplates are made out of stone and wood and feature the name of the resident family, spelled out in kanji characters. Recently, a lot of people opt for a nameplate out of modern material to match their house, and their name spelled with Roman characters. If someone is living with their parents, for example, it’s not uncommon to see two different names on the plate.
Like in many other different countries, you’ll find a nameplate and letterbox at the entrance to a Japanese house. Traditionally, nameplates are made out of stone and wood and feature the name of the resident family, spelled out in kanji characters. Recently, a lot of people opt for a nameplate out of modern material to match their house, and their name spelled with Roman characters. If someone is living with their parents, for example, it’s not uncommon to see two different names on the plate.
The letterbox is actually called shinbun-uke in Japanese, literally meaning “newspaper box.” Nonetheless, all mail goes into that one box or slot. Some families also have a milk carton right underneath for regular orders of milk and Yakult.
In recent years, the nameplate, letterbox, and milk carton have started to lose their traditional shape. The reason for that is concerns about one’s personal information, stalker incidents, and a decline in newspaper subscriptions. Today, you’ll often see only the family name written on the nameplate, and sometimes there’s no nameplate at all. Letterboxes can now be locked to prevent people from taking out mail – it’s a common trend in various countries. Traditionally, Japanese neighbourhoods were very tightly knit, with everyone being acquainted, providing a structure of safety and security. Especially in larger cities, this is disappearing more and more as well.
A curious trend of the time, however, is that milk cartons are replaced by “bento boxes.” Nowadays, a lot of seniors live by themselves, and they often make use of a meal delivery service or grocery shopping service.
Tokonoma – A Decorative Corner
A must in every Japanese home is the tokonoma, a slightly raised alcove that is beautifully decorated, usually with a hanging scroll and an ikebana flower arrangement. Its purpose is to entertain visitors with its design and you’ll find such alcoves a lot in ryokan, traditional Japanese inns. The seat right in front of the tokonoma, from which it is best seen, is called kamiza or seat of honour, reserved for guests of honour or the head of the family.
A must in every Japanese home is the tokonoma, a slightly raised alcove that is beautifully decorated, usually with a hanging scroll and an ikebana flower arrangement. Its purpose is to entertain visitors with its design and you’ll find such alcoves a lot in ryokan, traditional Japanese inns. The seat right in front of the tokonoma, from which it is best seen, is called kamiza or seat of honour, reserved for guests of honour or the head of the family.
Shoji – Soft Lighting and Great Absorbency
Shoji is the name for the traditional paper fitted to windows and doors. It acts like a curtain, letting in just enough daylight to dip the room in a soft, warm light without being glaring. On top of that, it absorbs moisture and has great heat retention, weathering both snowfall and the rainy season excellently well.
Shoji is the name for the traditional paper fitted to windows and doors. It acts like a curtain, letting in just enough daylight to dip the room in a soft, warm light without being glaring. On top of that, it absorbs moisture and has great heat retention, weathering both snowfall and the rainy season excellently well.
Shoji comes in various types and designs, from the frame and paper to the layout. The one you see in the picture is called yukimi, literally translating to “snow-watching.” The bottom part can be pushed up and thus opened, allowing you to enjoy the snowy scenery outside from the comfort of your home.
The downside of shoji paper is that it gets damaged easily, making maintenance a bit of a hassle. Usually, people replace the entire paper once a year. It’s a rather time-consuming task, so instead of replacing everything, little fixes are possible. The shoji paper is then cut into a decorative shape and carefully glued over the damaged part. With this technique, all sorts of beautiful patterns can be created, truly shining when the sun falls on them. In recent years, laminated shoji paper has become more and more popular because it is a lot sturdier than the traditional option.
How is this information good for roleplay?
By having this information as reference, you can make a traditional Japanese house with all the amenities. I thought it was a cute, fun idea! Japanese houses are really beautiful, so it would be nice if this was applied to roleplay.
Cell phones in Japan can be used to look up bus and train schedules, reserve tickets, shop for apartments to rent, conduct personal banking, buy and cell stock, send graphics, check the latest Sumo results, down load horoscopes and jokes of the day, check pop music charts and see what is on at local theatres, museums and concert halls. Females between 10 and 19 spend an average of 99 minutes a day accessing the Internet with their cell phones. The national average for that is 18 minutes. Japan leads the world in multi-function cell phones, where handsets are available that double as televisions, remotes or subway passes, and can be used to buy sodas and beer from vending machines or conduct banking. NTT Docomo and Mizuho have worked out a system to make cash transfers from one bank account to another by cell phone. Japanese seemed to be more fond of sending e-mails, messages and playing games than talking on their cell phones. On subways it often seems like every hand has a phone flipped open. Teenagers listen to music, read manga, and surf the Internet. Girls stop in restrooms to send progress reports about dates to their friends. Poets and musicians write down thoughts that pop into their minds. Young kids are e-mailed their parents, asking them where they are. Messages are sent with fast flaying thumbs. Some Japanese spent so much time entering messages with their thumbs they have started using their thumbs to point at things and ring doorbells. Young people who grew up playing video games and matured using cell phone developed thumbs that are stronger and more muscular that those of older people. Some can peck out 100 Chinese characters (the equivalent of 100 words) a minute with just their thumbs.
By having this information as reference, you can make a traditional Japanese house with all the amenities. I thought it was a cute, fun idea! Japanese houses are really beautiful, so it would be nice if this was applied to roleplay.
Cell phones in Japan can be used to look up bus and train schedules, reserve tickets, shop for apartments to rent, conduct personal banking, buy and cell stock, send graphics, check the latest Sumo results, down load horoscopes and jokes of the day, check pop music charts and see what is on at local theatres, museums and concert halls. Females between 10 and 19 spend an average of 99 minutes a day accessing the Internet with their cell phones. The national average for that is 18 minutes. Japan leads the world in multi-function cell phones, where handsets are available that double as televisions, remotes or subway passes, and can be used to buy sodas and beer from vending machines or conduct banking. NTT Docomo and Mizuho have worked out a system to make cash transfers from one bank account to another by cell phone. Japanese seemed to be more fond of sending e-mails, messages and playing games than talking on their cell phones. On subways it often seems like every hand has a phone flipped open. Teenagers listen to music, read manga, and surf the Internet. Girls stop in restrooms to send progress reports about dates to their friends. Poets and musicians write down thoughts that pop into their minds. Young kids are e-mailed their parents, asking them where they are. Messages are sent with fast flaying thumbs. Some Japanese spent so much time entering messages with their thumbs they have started using their thumbs to point at things and ring doorbells. Young people who grew up playing video games and matured using cell phone developed thumbs that are stronger and more muscular that those of older people. Some can peck out 100 Chinese characters (the equivalent of 100 words) a minute with just their thumbs.
Bicycles are widely used as an alternative to cars. Commuters use them to ride to the train station. Trains stations are generally no further than 1½ miles part and the time spent on a bicycle is generally less than 15 minutes, with the bicycle being faster and more convenient than buses or walking. Most train stations have large bicycle parking lots.
Mother use bicycles to go shopping, take their kids to day care and run errands. They often ride their bicycles around with their young children in special seats in the back and at the front of their bicycles, sometimes with primary-school-age kids tagging along on their own bikes. Young women in high heels, men in black suits and teenagers on cell phones all ride bikes. Hardly anyone wears bicycle helmets but many people ride in the rain with special clamps on their bikes for their umbrellas. If they don't have the clamps they ride holding an umbrella in one hand.
The parking of bicycles outside designated areas, especially around train stations and shopping areas, is a big problem in some cities. Special parking garages for bicycles have been built but bicyclist find them expensive and inconvenient and they are sometimes filled to capacity. Bicycle parking lots with a capacity of 2.4 million bicycles have been built near trains and subway stations throughout Japan. Some look like parking lots for cars and are massive but even then there are not enough spaces. Bicycles that are left outside designated parking areas are sometimes given tickets or are even impounded by police.
Japanese spend a lot of time on subways and trains. Rush-hour trains and subways in Japan can be quite crowded. One commuter told the Daily Yomiuri, "Every morning, I pack myself into an overcrowded train, so by the time I arrive at work, I'm already exhausted. The trains are so packed that people routinely faint. "On a bad day, we could have three or four people falling sick," a train employee told the New York Times. "Many of them are women who are skinny, who skip their breakfast or are on a diet, and they're not able to cope with rough crowds in the train."
Passengers line up at special marks o the platform to reduce the time that a train spends at each station to as little as 30 seconds. Those waiting to get on patiently wait for those get off before boarding. On the train many passengers read, dawdle with their cell phones or sleep. Some commuters favour positions which allows them to read or sleep. During the winter when people are bundled up in winter coats, they have more padding to absorb the pushing and shoving but less people can be squeezed into a train car. The JR Saikyo Line is known as one f the most crowed rush hour train in Tokyo. Describing a ride Chie Matsumoto wrote in the Asahi Shimbun: “Hell is probably not as crowded as a commuter train in Tokyo...I was shoved through...the carriage. I was smashed. I was stepped on and squeezed. At last I was devoured...If someone stepped on my foot that meant I had my feet on the floor; I was smacked about I had some room to breathe...I tried not to think about the person breathing hotly---in and out, in and out---on the back of my head."
Station attendants with white gloves still shove passengers into subways cars on crowded subway lines---as Life magazine showed them doing in the 1960s. The cars often hold more than twice the capacity they have been built for. The most crowded train in Japan is the stretch between Ueno and Okackimachi stations on the JR Keohin Tohuku Line.
Passengers on subways are expected not to sprawl across their seats, put their feet on the seats, eat or drink on the train (although a lot of people do this), put on their make up, talk on their cell phones or even listen to music on their I-pods. There are even posters that make the point. There are special seats reserved for elderly people, pregnant women, injured people and women with young children. It is okay for other people to sit on these seats but if someone from the aforementioned groups shows they are expected to give up their sets to them. In Yokohama teams of “courtesy staff” are employed on trains to encourage passengers to give up their seats for elderly or disabled passengers. Each team is accompanied by a security guard to ensure there is no trouble.
Manners are very important amongst the Japanese. You should make sure you are aware of the basic rules. In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. The bow ranges from a small nod of the head (casual and informal) to a deep bend at the waist (indicating respect). A bow of the head from a foreigner is usually sufficient; most Japanese people don’t expect foreigners to know the bowing rules. Shaking hands in Japan is uncommon. There are strict rules regarding indoor manners in Japan which are related to footwear. Shoes are removed not only in the home, but also in many traditional ryokan (Japanese style inns), some restaurants, temples, castles and other historic buildings. The border is not the door itself, but the entrance area which is called “genkan”, and shoes should be always pointed towards the door rather than into the building. When dining out, many restaurants have a mixture of both Western style tables and chairs as well as low traditional tables, where it’s usual to sit on a pillow (this type of dining is referred to as “zashiki”). Chopsticks are used to eat most kinds of Japanese food and these should be held towards their end, not in the middle or front third. It’s not customary to tip in Japan. Instead it’s polite to say “gochisosama deshita” (“thank you for the meal”) when leaving. Gift giving is a common part of Japanese culture and various types of gifts are given on different occasions. Gifts in sets of 4 are usually avoided, as the word for “four” is pronounced the same as the word for “death”. Gift giving on birthdays and Christmas was not previously a Japanese tradition, however due to the strong influence from the West, many families and friends do now exchange gifts on these occasions.
I will add more information where I see fit. If you would like to suggest for anything to be added, DM me!
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