International Project #1

1. International Project #1 Japan

2. Art Jōmon art, Yayoi art, Kofun art, Asuka and Nara art, Heian art, Kamakura art, Muromachi art, Azuchi-Momoyama art The first settlers of Japan were Jōmon people. They crafted lavishly decorated pottery storage vessels, clay figurines called dogū, and crystal jewels. The next wave of immigrants was the Yayoi people, they manufacture of copper weapons and bronze bells dōtaku , and wheel-thrown, kiln-fired ceramics. Kofun art is the third stage in Japanese prehistory, typical artifacts are bronze mirrors, and clay sculptures called haniwa which were erected outside tombs. During the Asuka and Nara periods, most important for the arts, new technologies, new building techniques, more advanced methods of casting in bronze, and new techniques and media for painting. During the Heian art period illustrated narrative hand scroll, known as e-maki or "picture scroll". Kamakura art consists of huge sculptures.

3. Art Jōmon art Kofun art Asuka and Nara art Heian art Muromachi art Kamakura art

4. Architecture Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is a unique blend of traditional and modern, with many temples and buildings from the past co-existing with modern achievements in architecture and technology. Visitors can be immersed in Japanese history and culture one day and get a glimpse of the future through technological developments the next. Almost all of the historical sites are still used for their original purposes while remaining open to the public. The natural beauty of Japan can be seen all year. The Golden Pavilion, Mount Fuji, Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Todaiji Temple, Great Buddha of Kamakura, Himeji Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, Jigokudani Monkey Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Tokyo City Hall,  Fuji Terebi Building, Shinjuku Park Tower, Dentsu Building, Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower.

5. Architecture Tokyo Tower The Golden Pavilion Tokyo Imperial Palace Himeji Castle Hiroshima Peace Memorial Great Buddha of Kamakura

6. A Brief History of Japanese Clothing In ancient times in Japan, Japanese clothing from as far back as the Han Dynasty in China greatly resembled Chinese dress. This is not surprising since the Japanese were known to have established a vigorous trade with their continental neighbors. During the eighth century, Japanese murals of the late seventh century could have been Chinese.  the Yoro Clothing Code instituted clothing restrictions wholly influenced by China and explicitly based upon the official Tang codes.  The Yoro Code specified that all robes should be crossed left over right, like the Chinese. The early Heian Period saw the end of diplomatic relations with China and the growth of a native style in art, architecture, writing and fashion.  the Heian court was so taken with sensitivity to art and love of subtle beauty, much detail is given to wardrobe: colors, combinations, and fabric textures. The bakufu was headquartered in Kamakura, a suburb of Tokyo , precisely to keep it physically as well asphilosophically distant from the court. This starkness is reflected in the clothing of the time which discarded the many layers of the Heian period and resorted to pure fuctionality. The political jockeying for power of the Kamakura period inevitably lead to a civil war which split the Emperial household into two separate factions, a Northern and Southern Court. . This gradual return to decadance is seen in the more elaborate dress of the period. Women ceased wearing hakama on a regular basis and their robes reached ankle length. A number of strange ways of wearing robes develop, including over the head as a veil.

7. Food Rice Bowl, Sushi, Donburi, Rice Balls, KareRaisu (Curry Rice), Fried Rice (Chahan), Chazuke (Ochazuke), Kayu, Sashimi, Yakizakana, Soba, Udon, Ramen, Somen, Yakisoba, Oden, Sukiyaki, ShabuShabu, ChankoNabe, Yakitori, Tonkatsu, Yakiniku, Nikujaga, Teppanyaki, Hiyayakko, Yudofu, Agedashidofu, Miso Soup, Korokke, Omuraisu, Hayashi Raisu, Hambagu, Bento, Tempura, Okonomiyaki, Monjayaki, Gyoza , Chawanmushi, Pickles

8. Languge The Japanese writing system consists of three different character sets: Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana. Japanese texts can be written in two ways: In Western style, i.e. in horizontal rows from the top to the bottom of the page, or in traditional Japanese style, i.e. in vertical columns from the right to the left side of the page. Both writing styles exist side by side today. Basic Japanese grammar is relatively simple. Complicating factors such as gender articles and distinctions between plural and singular are missing almost completely. Conjugation rules for verbs and adjectives are simple and almost free of exceptions. Nouns are not declinated at all, but appear always in the same form. In comparison with other languages, Japanese knows relatively few sounds, and pronunciation poses little problems to most learners. The biggest difficulty are accents, which do exist, but to a much lower extent than in the Chinese language. In addition, there are relatively many homonyms, i.e. words that are pronounced the same way, but have different meanings

9. Languge

10. Tourist spot Tokyo Is a good Tourist spot It’s a city perpetually racing toward the future, but Tokyo has refused to turn its back on the past. Ancient shrines sit in the shadows of modern high-rises. Countless shops sell the latest here-today, gone-tomorrow gadgets, while centuries-old festivals are routinely celebrated. Baseball competes with the age-old rites of sumo as the national sport. The National Museum, Meiji Shrine, and Imperial Palace provide sightseeing options, but the neighborhoods are the real attractions. From the neon glitz of Ginza, with its traditional shops and theaters; to the chic nightclubs of Shinjuku’s neon jungle; to the temples and markets of historic Asakusa; to Harajuku, where hundreds of teenagers gather on Sundays dressed as their favorite anime characters, each street reveals another glimpse at a city with countless faces and personalities.

11. Sports Many different sports are played in Japan. Traditional martial arts like judo and kendo are popular, as are sports imported from overseas, such as baseball soccer. Many Japanese go to the sea for surfing and scuba diving in the summer, while skiing and snowboarding are popular winter pursuits. Traditional martial arts, such as judo, kendo, karate-do, and aikido, thrive in modern Japan thanks to the devotion of those who practice them. Sumo, Japan's national sport, has a history spanning more than 1,000 years. 

12. Things to Know • In case of get sick while traveling : Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance. • If you feel in danger it’s a good idea to go to your embassy. • Currency of Japan is called yen. 1 US Dollar equals • 98.84 Japanese Yen. • the US Embassy in Japan is located • Ginza Line & Namboku Line = Tameike-Sanno Station (Exit 9, 12, 13; about 5 minutes walk) • Marunouchi Line , Chiyoda Line = KokkaiGijido-mae Station (Exit 3, 7; about 10 minutes walk) • Hibiya Line = Kamiyacho Station (Exit 3, 4; about 10 minutes walk

13. Climate During the summer months, from May till September, the capital city of Japan remains hot and humid enough with the average high of 29 °C. As the season gets a great level of rainfall it is sometimes called rainy season too. It also often sees typhoons each year. June is the wettest month when Tokyo receives more than 200mm of precipitation. Interestingly, the season gets not more than five hours of sunshine as June gets 120 hours only. Although the average temperature hardly falls below 18 °C nighttime remains enjoyable enough for the visitors. Winter temperature falls dramatically; the average high doesn’t reach mid teens. January is the coldest month of the year with the average low temperature of 2 °C. Moreover, the season gets snowfall regularly; January and February get more than five cm of snowfall. However, as the season advances snowfall disappears and again Tokyo becomes ready to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in Japan. Best time to visit Without a doubt, Japan are the climatically stable seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).