Kimi Ga Yo -君が代-

Before I begin to explain modern Japan I want to explain a few more aspects of traditional Japanese culture. I picked Kabuki, Geisha and the Japanese Tea Ceremony because these three things are still very well known elements of Japanese culture.


Kabuki (歌舞伎) is a type of traditional Japanese theatre. Kabuki is best known for its drama style story lines and elaborate makeup worn by the preformers. In the beginning Kabuki preformers were women only but now Kabuki has changed and the preformers are only men. Men take the roles of both male and female characters in the play. Kabuki preformances are grouped into 3 categories, Jidai-mono (時代物) history plays, Sewa-mono (世話物) which are plays about townspeople and commoners, and Shosagoto (所作事) which are dance pieces. Unlike Western theatre where one would watch a play for a few hours, Kabuki plays are preformed in full-day programs. This gives one a day to devote to theatre and a feeling of "escape" from the real world. Today there are only a few Kabuki theatres left in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

Geisha(芸者) are traditional Japanese female entertainers. Geisha were usually hired for an evening by rich men. Geisha would pour drinks, dance and play the Shamishen(しゃみしぇん a traditional Japanese instrument) as a form of entertainment for the men.
A full-fledged Geisha is called a Geiko (芸子) and an apprentice Geisha is called a Maiko (舞子). Apprentence Geisha must complete 3 stages before becomming a true Geisha. The first stage is called Shikomi(しこみ), at this stage the Geisha take on the role of a maid. The second stage is called Minarai(みならい), at this stage the Geisha no longer has household chores but instead spends all of her time training in music and dance. The third stage is Maiko(舞子), at this stage the Maiko are "adopted" by a senior Geisha. The senior Geisha becomes the Maiko's mentor and takes the Maiko everywhere she goes. This stage can last for years but once the Maiko becomes a Geisha she will stay a Geisha until she retires. Geisha are always single women and must retire from the profession if they decide to marry.
Geisha are not prostitutes and are not to be confused with Oiran (花魁). This confusion occurs frequently espically among Westerners. This is because Oiran look like Geisha but do not function as Geisha do. A part of an Oiran's job is to have sexual relations with her clients. A true Geisha never has sex with her clients and a pristine repuation is her primary objective. The way to tell them apart is the difference in the way they wear their Obi. An Oiran's Obi is tied in the front where as the Geisha's Obi is tied in the back.
Today, Geisha are extremely rare. The only place to find a Geisha is in Kyoto. The decline of interest in traditional arts and the high price of being entertained by a Geisha are contributing factors in their declining numbers.


Chanoyu (茶の湯) is the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. Basically, the tea ceremony is preparation and serving of tea to guests, but it has evolved into a delicate art form. The host, male or female, must wear the Japanese traditional Kimono. Each utensil used in the ceremony is ritually cleaned in front of the guests in a precise order using prescribed motions. The utensils are placed in an exact order according to the particular style of tea-making being performed. When the cleaing of the utensils is complete the host will place a measured amount of green tea powder in a bowl adding hot water and stirring in a particular set of movements. The bowl of tea will either be shared by all the guest or each guest will recieve their own bowl depending on how the host wants the ceremony to go. Some ceremonies serve food. The entire ceremony can take hours depending on the number of guest, if food is served and what type of ceremony the host performs. One goes to a tea ceremony not just for tea but for the entire experience because the host puts on quite a show.


すごい！～