Language
More than 99 percent of the population speaks Japanese as
their first language. Japanese
is a language distinguished by
a system of honorifics reflecting the
hierarchical nature of Japanese society, with verb forms and particular
vocabulary indicating the relative status of speaker and listener. Japanese writing uses kanji and two sets of kana, as
well as the Latin alphabet and Arabic
numerals.
Besides Japanese, the Ryukyuan languages, are spoken in Okinawa. Few children learn these languages. The Ainu language, is moribund, with only a few elderly native speakers remaining in Hokkaido. Most public and private schools require students to take courses in both Japanese and English.
Besides Japanese, the Ryukyuan languages, are spoken in Okinawa. Few children learn these languages. The Ainu language, is moribund, with only a few elderly native speakers remaining in Hokkaido. Most public and private schools require students to take courses in both Japanese and English.
Daily Japanese Meals
Japanese cuisine is based on combining staple foods, typically Japanese rice or noodles, with a soup and okazu — dishes made from fish, vegetable, and tofu to add flavor to the staple food. In the early modern era, ingredients like red meats that had not been used in Japan were introduced. Japanese cuisine is known for seasonality of food, quality of ingredients, and presentation. Japanese cuisine offers a large variety of regional specialties that use traditional recipes and local ingredients.
Japanese Meeting Etiquette
- greetings are formal
- respect shown depends on your status compared to that of whom you are meeting or greeting
- wait to be introduced or you will be taken as impolite
- bow in greeting (how low depends on how much respect you want to show)
Gift Etiquette
- meaningful
- wrapping may be more important than the gift
- can be given in many occasions
- doesn't need to be expensive, but something they will appreciate
- chocolates and small cakes of great quality make great gifts
- don't give any flowers that are white or have to do with funerals in Japan
- never give potted plants ( only Bonzai)
- give items in only odd numbers and never 9.
- have gift wrapped
- don't expect the reciever to open the gift in front of you
- wrapping papers in pastel colors are the best to give
Dining Etiquette
- leave shoes at doorway and put on slippers
- point your shoes away from door
- arrive on time or only 5 minutes late
- unless going to a casual event, dress as if going to an office
- when going to the toilet, put on the toilet slippers
- wait to be told where to sit
- never eat first
- dont point your chopsticks at anyone
- never pierce your food with chopsticks
- return your chopsticks to the rest when trying to speak
- put bones on the side of your plate
- try a bit of every food served
- make comments
- you can drink your soup straight from the bowl
- dont mix your food
- if you are finished drinking, leave whatever is in your glass
- never place your chopsticks across your bowl
- finish all your food if you don't want more
- don't talk too much
- if full, you can leave a small amount of food on your plate
Traditional Clothing
Although the influence of the western civilization has spread, the traditional Japanese clothing stays the same as its unique self. Traditional
Japanese clothing includes many different types; fundoshi, furisode, hakama,
hanten, happi, jinbeit, gūnihitoe, kimono, obi (sashes), samue, sokutai,
tomesode, uwagi, and yukata. These garments are made to suit the seasons in
which they are worn. Clothing that has rustic hues and patterns, such as those
that feature russet leaves, are preferred for autumn wear. However, floral
designs, such as those that feature cherry blossoms, and more vibrant colors
are more common during the spring time. For winter, people who are dressed in
kimonos like to wear darker fabric and more layers. Sometimes, people may wear
ten layers of clothing.