of the gods," Shinto posits the existence of kami, deities resident in almost every unusual or prominent natural feature—mountains and rivers, even large trees and rocks. These spirits must be appeased through offerings of rice and sake, and entertained with dances and festivals. Above all, Shinto reveres fertility and purity, both closely associated with water, a resource with which Japan is abundantly blessed. Flowing mountain streams symbolize the flow of human existence, and the power of water to bring life to the rice paddies is readily apparent. The ocean, identified as the source of life in the myth of Izanagi and Izanami, also provides food. The warm Japan Current and the cold Okhotsk Current meet off the coast of Japan, creating extremely fertile fishing grounds. This abundant supply of seafood, along with the Buddhist taboo on eating meat, has resulted in Japan's having the highest per capita consumption of marine products in the world.
In mountainous Japan, terraced fields are used for a variety of crops, including rice, tea, and even potatoes, growing here near Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture.
Japan's geographical position as an island at the periphery of the Chinese cultural orbit has also been an important factor in its cultural shaping. When China's influence was strong, channels of communication were open, and the Japanese engaged in wholesale cultural borrowing. Conversely, when China was weak, intercourse was disrupted, and Japan returned to being insular and isolationist. During the periods of borrowing, the Japanese showed little regard for the consequences of integrating outside influences into their own culture; periods of isolation, on the other hand, were characterized by reworking and adaptation, making what was borrowed not only harmonize with what was indigenous, but making it become Japanese.
The same waves of borrowing and assimilation have characterized Japan's relations with the West, and have given rise to the observation that the Japanese at times appear slavishly imitative, while at other times seem chauvinistically aloof. This reasoning has been extended to explain perceived alternating attitudes of inferiority and superiority toward foreigners. These observations may be useful in helping us form a mental image of the Japanese, but upon close examination, they do little more than describe the broad range of emotional responses that any close-knit community might have toward outsiders. The Japanese, like all nationalities, are products of hereditary and environmental factors. To the extent that these shaping factors are complex, interesting, and unique, so are the Japanese.
Solidified lava flows have now joined Sakurajima, an active volcano in Kagoshima Bay, to the rest of Kyushu.
Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, is typical of many Japanese port cities in that it is tightly nestled between mountains and the sea, Kobe's port has modern harbor facilities capable of handling over 10,000 vessels annually.
Nagano Prefecture, located in the middle of the Japan Alps, is known as the Roof of Japan.
Although Japan is one of the world's most densely populated nations, the northern island of Hokkaido retains wide-open spaces.
Rice farmers in Nagano Prefecture tend their fields in late summer. Although per capita consumption continues to decrease, rice remains a dietary staple.
A Hokkaido fisherwoman strips a net of small walleye, destined for use in fish cakes called kamaboko.
Office workers discuss a new project. A strong sense of group loyalty leads to teamwork at the workplace, from the assembly line to the boardroom.
A saké maker lifts the steaming rice that is the main ingredient of Japan's national drink. Quality sake is said to have five major characteristics: sweetness, sourness, pungency, bitterness, and astringency.
Japan's history is not accorded importance in the West commensurate with Japan's importance to the West. This neglect is unfortunate, obviously, because Westerners are ignoring a useful tool for understanding the Japanese. It is doubly unfortunate because Westerners are also missing out on a good story. The history of Japan is an ancient and fascinating one, replete with stories of nobility and baseness, triumph and tragedy, romance and adventure. Its heroes and villains, their successes and failures, we can readily understand and marvel at, despite a lack of shared cultural values and traditions.
The atomic bomb that exploded over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, eventually killed over 200,000 people.
Many works of Natsume Soseki (1867-1916), one of Japan's most famous writers, have been translated into English.
The well-known print Rain at Shono is from the series Fifty-three Stages of the Tokaido by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858).
Showa Era
1926-1989
Saw the militarization of Japan, culminating in disastrous defeat in World War II.
1964 Japan hosted Olympic games.
Heisei Era
1989-present
On the death of Hirohito, Akihito ascended the throne.
Taisho Era
1912-1926
Characterized by rapid economic growth and political instability.
1914-1918 Japan joined the Allies in World War I.
1923 Earthquake and ensuing fires destroyed most of Tokyo and Yokohama, taking over 100,000 lives.
Meiji Era
1868-1912
Restoration to power of the Meiji emperor marked the beginning of Japan's transition to a modern industrial state.
18765 Samurai barred from wearing swords.
1904-1905
