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Trying to break down American family values can be a little tricky: they can be very many things. Learn what traditional family values might look like here.

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Our kid-friendly United States profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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Countries throughout the world are known for their traditional clothing. The kimono, for instance, has been worn by the Japanese for thousands of years. In Europe, kilts are traditional wear for Scotland, and in Germany and Austria Tracht clothing is their fashion identifier.
See more traditional clothing styles of the world here.
The United States has had many fashion stages over its 243 year history, but the most iconic is the American Cowboy. They arose from the Vaqueros of Mexico, and were known as expanders of the west from cattle driving. The traditional garb of cowboys includes:

Cowboy Hat - which protects the head from the sun & the elements
(John B. Stetson opened up his hat shop in Philadelphia in 1865, and today his cowboy hats are still the number one symbol of Western clothing.)

Bandanna - this simple piece of cloth has many uses from mopping up sweat to covering the face from wind & dust storms

Western Shirt - it's long sleeve protected the wearer from the sun

Jeans - the long legged pants protected the wearer from the elements and were made of sturdier fabric to prevent rips and tears
(In 1890, Levi Strauss & Co developed their first pair of 501 Jeans.)

Chaps - (pronounced shaps) were made of leather and provided protection from high brush or from the livestock while the cowboys were on horseback

Boots and Spurs - cowboy boots have pointed toes to fit into the stirrup while the raised heels act as a stopper to prevent the boot from slipping while in the stirrup. Spurs were used to signal the horse when and how to move.

Learn more about the origin of the American Cowboy here.
Today's cowboys still follow the clothing components of the early cowboys. Mens Western shirts come in a variety of colors and patterns, and have pearl snaps or buttons. Sometimes Western shirts are accented by a bolo necktie. The bolo necktie first appeared in the 1940s. A man named Victor Emmanuel Cedarstaff claimed to have invented the bolo necktie and later patented the slide design.

Womens - or cowgirls - also have a line of Western wear including pearl snap front shirts and dresses. Their dresses are often accented with fringe, conchas, and if a short skirt, a contrasting crinoline.

The Cowboy may be the icon of American fashion culture, but the United States has had a lot of amazing fashion throughout its history. SCC carries authentic vintage clothing for men, women, and children from the 1950s thru the 2000s. And...

SCC is excited to announce the expansion of our vintage and uniform collections! Take a look at some of the examples of new pieces available for rental today!

American History - United States Flag

Did you know?

The flag of the United States has been altered 26 times since 1777? The current United States flag is the 27th version and is made up of 13 horizontal stripes - 7 red and 6 white - and a field of blue with 50 white 5-pointed stars. There have been many interpretations as to what the colors mean, but the most accepted/known description came from former President Ronald Reagan in 1986 who explained, "Red for courage and readiness to sacrifice; white for pure intentions and high ideals; and blue for vigilance and justice."

The American flag also has several nicknames including: Old Glory, The Grand Old Flag, The Stars and Stripes, The Star-Spangled Banner, and The Old Red, White, and Blue.

Some have claimed that wearing the American flag as apparrel is illegal, but it's actually not. It's frowned upon, but you won't be arrested for your American flag bikini, shirt, or bandanna.

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The American Cowboy - America's Traditional Fashion

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Countries throughout the world are known for their traditional clothing. The kimono, for instance, has been worn by the Japanese for thousands of years. In Europe, kilts are traditional wear for Scotland, and in Germany and Austria Tracht clothing is their fashion identifier. See more traditional clothing styles of the world here.

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Many Americans spend holidays with their friends and family, enjoying food, parades, and games (both televised and otherwise). Though this country is still less than 250 years old, they have made up for their youth with an assortment of holidays that they love to celebrate.

American Holidays

New Year's Eve and Day

Date: December 31 and January 1

Americans celebrate New Year's Day just as many other countries do, though they do have a few customs that are their own.

At midnight between December 31 and January 1, many Americans flood the area of Times Square, Manhattan, New York to "watch the ball drop." This special ball is made of crystal and electric lights. It hangs on a pole that is 77 feet (23 meters) high until 11:59 PM on December 31, when it slowly begins to descend the pole until exactly midnight. Many other towns have their own version of the ball-drop, but most Americans who watch it do so on television, as it has been televised for many years. The tradition began in 1907.

Many Americans also watch the Rose Bowl, an American football game held in Pasadena, California. This Bowl pits two college teams together and is the highest attended college football game every year.

Though New Year's Day is a popular holiday, many people may still have to work, and many more will return to work on January 2. Schools, banks, and federal institutions are usually closed.

Inauguration Day

Date: January 20

Inauguration Day only occurs once every four years when the new or current president is inaugurated into office. This day will only change if it happens to fall on a Sunday. In those cases, the following Monday is Inauguration Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Date: Third Monday of January

On the third Monday of January, Americans remember the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for civil rights.

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister who was a leader in the African American Civil Rights Movement. He believed in advancing civil rights in a non-violent manner and received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts.

Unfortunately, he was assassinated, and many riots broke out because of his violent death. His "I have a dream" speech is well-known and well-loved among many.

Groundhog Day

Date: February 2

Groundhog Day is a holiday on which a groundhog is said to come out of his hole in the ground to decide when spring will begin. If he is frightened by his shadow, he will retreat into his hole, and there will be six more weeks of winter.

Super Bowl Sunday

Date: First Sunday in February

On this day, Americans gather to watch the Super Bowl, the championship of professional American football. Many others watch the game to enjoy the commercials as many companies vie to have the wittiest commercial.

Valentine's Day

Date: February 14

Valentine's Day in America is celebrated with the giving of flowers and chocolates. It is considered a romantic holiday. Many children in school create (or purchase) Valentines for each other. The symbol of Valentine's Day is typically a heart.

Presidents' Day

Date: Third Monday in February

On the third Monday of February, Americans celebrate Presidents' Day in honor of the first president, George Washington's birthday (born on February 22, 1732). It is typically remembered in schools, but not overly celebrated.

St. Patrick's Day

Date: March 17

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, many people dress in green and pinch those who don't. Others go to Irish pubs to drink beer. Interestingly, many (if not most) Americans celebrate the day, but don't know much about the man for which the day is celebrated.

Easter

Date: Varies Based on Moon and Spring Equinox

In celebration of Easter, many families in the United States go to church in honor of the day Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Those who don't go to church (and even those who do) also celebrate by coloring eggs, having Easter egg hunts, and celebrating the Easter bunny (who hides baskets of treats for children).

April Fool's Day

Date: April 1

Americans tend to celebrate April Fool's Day by playing tricks and pranks on each other and then declaring "April Fools!" Pranks can range from simple to elaborate, and many companies join the fun by advertising fake products or services for the day.

Earth Day

Date: April 22

Earth Day is when Americans celebrate the earth and oceans. On this day, many communities, businesses, and schools will work together to do community service by cleaning their neighborhoods, roads, and parks of debris. It is also a good day to remember the importance of recycling.

Administrative Professionals' Day (Secretaries' Day)

Date: Wednesday of the Last Full Week of April

This is the day that many administrators show appreciation to those who make their lives easier at the office by giving gifts to their assistants.

Nurses Day

Date: May 6

A day to thank nurses for their hard work in doctors' offices and hospitals. Unfortunately, this day isn't celebrated nearly enough, and nurses often go without thanks for their work.

National Day of Prayer

Date: First Thursday in May

On this day, many people gather together to pray for their country, family, or themselves.

Mother's Day

Date: Second Sunday in May

Mother's Day is a day set aside to celebrate those who raised or gave birth to us. Though traditions will vary from family to family, many Americans give their mothers chocolates, flowers, and jewelry or take her out to lunch. Others may make her breakfast and serve it to her while she is still in her bed.

Armed Forces Day

Date: Third Saturday in May

Armed Forces Day is for remembrance and honor of both living and dead soldiers of the armed forces.

Juneteenth (Liberation of Slaves)

Date: June 19

Juneteenth is a state holiday that is recognized by 32 of the 50 states. It celebrates when the African American slaves were set free. It's also known as Emancipation Day.

Father's Day

Date: Third Sunday in June

This day is set aside to celebrate fathers. As with Mother's Day, traditions will vary from family to family, but many people choose to celebrate by having a barbecue dinner and possibly playing some sort of sport in the park.

Memorial Day

Date: Last Monday of May

Though Memorial Day is set aside to remember ancestors-especially those who have fallen in battle-most Americans seem to equate the day to beaches, barbecues, and the first "three-day weekend" of summer.

That being said, most cities and towns do have ceremonies (many of which are held in cemeteries) within their town to celebrate those who have fallen in battle. Families who have lost someone dear to them (especially if they were lost recently) may go to the cemetery to "spend time" with their loved one, while others who haven't felt the sting of death may visit to pay respects to unknown fallen soldiers.

Independence Day

Date: July 4

On this day, Americans celebrate the day they became an independent nation. on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared the United States independent of Britain with the Declaration of Independence. Many go to parades and watch fireworks at night. Some communities also hold picnics and other festivities for the locals to attend. Many families will eat hamburgers, hot dogs, or other grilled food in celebration.

Parents' Day

Dare: Fourth Sunday in July

Parents' Day is a time to celebrate the hard work and love of parents. Unlike Mother's Day or Father's Day, this holiday is for all parents.

Friendship Day

Date: First Sunday in August

On this day, people spend time with someone important in their life who they would like to honor as a good friend.

Labor Day

Date: First Monday in September

Most Americans celebrate this holiday to mark the end of summer, as opposed to for political or historical reasons.

Grandparents Day

Date: Sunday After Labor Day

Parents get Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Parent's Day. This holiday is dedicated to the grandparents in your life. Many families gather together to have picnics or dinners.

Citizenship Day (Constitution Day)

Date: September 17

Citizenship Day marks the anniversary of when the US Constitution was first ratified. On this date in 1787, delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the Constitution.

National Children's Day

Date: Second Sunday in October

If parents get a holiday, why shouldn't children, too? Though not as popular as Mother's Day or Father's Day, Children's Day is a holiday for celebrating the kids.

Columbus Day

Date: Second Monday in October

Columbus Day marks the anniversary of the day that Christopher Columbus "discovered" North America in 1492. On this day, some Americans choose to celebrate a different holiday, Indigenous People's Day, instead.

Boss's Day

Date: October 16

On Boss's Day, some employees show appreciation to their bosses by giving them small gifts.

Sweetest Day

Date: Third Saturday in October

This is simply a day for spreading joy and happiness to those who are in need.

Mother-in-Law's Day

Date: October 26

Much like Mother's Day, this is a day dedicated to celebrating a special mom in your life-but this time it's your spouse's mother, not your own.

Date: October 27

This holiday celebrates the honor and achievements of the United States Navy.

Halloween

Date: October 31

Halloween is often celebrated by children dressing up as fantasy characters and going door-to-door to ask for candy by saying "trick or treat." In more recent years, many communities will have a select location for children to go to collect candy from stores, churches, or other businesses.

Depending on the community, families may attend hay mazes, haunted houses, or other events to celebrate the holiday. Families also often hold Halloween parties in their homes.

Decorations for Halloween include fake spider webs, fake tombstones, and jack-o'-lanterns (a face carved into a pumpkin). People who don't celebrate "Halloween" will sometimes celebrate a "Harvest Day" or a similar event.

Veterans Day

Date: November 11

Veterans Day honors those who have served in the war, either alive or dead. Though many businesses remain open for this day, most federal buildings, schools, and banks are closed.

Thanksgiving

Date: Fourth Thursday in November

Thanksgiving is a day for remembrance and thankfulness, in commemoration of the harvest and of pilgrims' first feast with the Native Americans. Many Americans get together with their families for a large meal (typically a turkey dinner) and recite things for which they are thankful.

Hanukkah

Date: Varies Depending on the Hebrew Calendar

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. It is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the temple in the second century BC. The holiday is celebrated by lighting candles on a unique nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah or hanukkiah. Children also often play with a dreidel in a fun and unique game.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Date: December 24 and 25

Many Americans go to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. They also celebrate Christmas by opening presents that are placed under a Christmas tree on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (the legend says Santa Claus is the man who puts the gifts under the tree). Many families also spend a lot of time and energy decorating their houses, both inside and out; and many communities even have competitions for the best-decorated house.

Kwanzaa

Date: December 26-31

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration to celebrate the culture of African Americans and that of their ancestors. The holiday was created to help African Americans reconnect with their African heritage. The celebration typically ends with a feast and the exchange of gifts amongst friends and family.

1007391 on April 10, 2020:

What about Pets day

OK2Bite on November 25, 2019:

Kwanzaa to reconnect People of Color with their African heritage? Huh, that's so few people. Why not reconnect people that LOOK white with their African heritage? Seems like those would be the more disconnected group. But HEY, BETCHA THINK THATS RACIST!

Gold king falcon on November 18, 2019:

You forget Election Day but thanks for helping

Charlotte on November 06, 2019:

I was looking for the celebration people celebrate in the usa for a project I am doing for school cuz I am in 4th grade and all it showed me was things celebrated in florida and I was looking for thing celebrated in places other than florida this website is super bad do not search this!!!

john on August 08, 2019:

its bad I asked for traditions

A_PERSON_1_2_3_ on April 03, 2019:

This is only a list of holidays commonly celebrated by Americans not holidays sometimes celebrated by Americans.

Anthony on March 17, 2019:

You guys are fools ! Cinco de Mayo is with in the 5 top. There are about 40 million Mexican Americans (60 million Latinos ) No! It's not a big Mexican( country ) thing . It's a Celebration that Americans like to be a part of.

wyatt on January 30, 2019:

thank you for the info

lia on November 23, 2018:

thanks so much for the informations

Abi on November 16, 2018:

That,s great

Twilight Sparkle on November 15, 2018:

Woah! Some of these celebrations are what I never heard of.

reza on June 15, 2018:

thank's for your information.

KNEEGROW on May 22, 2018:

thanks

dead pool on February 16, 2018:

Thanks .

you on February 01, 2018:

Thanks

Layne on January 08, 2018:

Wow, I didn't know America had so many Holidays!!!

Unknown on November 15, 2016:

Thanks it helped a lot but some I don't know

prince on October 08, 2016:

i think Americans are full of imagination and that is why they have all these holidays.

Thanks on August 26, 2015:

Thanks to everyone

Holiday Girl (author) on June 22, 2015:

Amari, I didn't know about National High Five Day, but I still didn't add it because it is a very obscure holiday. If I added all of the very obscure holidays, this list would be too long. I am going to (hopefully) start writing about the obscure holidays for each day starting next year. It will be an extensive project, but I will be sure to write about it on April 16 for sure :)

Holiday Girl (author) on June 22, 2015:

Thanks for catching that I missed Easter (and that's my favorite holiday too!) I'm not sure why I forgot it. I will add it now.

Roy on May 24, 2014:

Easter weekend should be a holiday also, why not.

daniel on May 19, 2014:

cool Americans celebrations guys they sound cool

Amari on May 12, 2014:

They forgot National High Five Day!

If you don't believe me, look it up- it's real

:D

join on November 25, 2013:

hi I like you

Dae on September 19, 2013:

You forgot Easter....

Janelle on June 30, 2013:

Thank YAH! :)

jane on October 27, 2012:

thanks

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List of Holidays and Celebrations in the USA

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Many Americans spend holidays with their friends and family, enjoying food, parades, and games (both televised and otherwise). Though this country is still less than 250 years old, it has made up for its youth with an assortment of holidays.

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Are you curious about Korean culture? Many people are since the culture in South Korea is becoming more popular all across the globe.

Perhaps you've heard about K-Pop, K-Dramas, Korean food, or Korean movies, but don't know much about them. Or maybe you've just heard a lot about South Korea in general, and you're curious what the country is all about.

Rest assured, you've come to the right place! This page is chock full o' everything you've ever wanted to know about the South Korean culture.

Read on to find out more!

History of Korean Culture

The Korean culture is one of the oldest continuous cultures in the whole wide world. Today, starker cultural differences exist in today's Korea, which has been split into North and South Korea. However, originally this cultural and historical heritage was shared quite identically across the entire Korean peninsula and even southern Manchuria.

Korean culture comprises all of its history, customs, traditions, and beliefs. It has been shaped by each of its different dynasties, wars, changes in religious beliefs, the modernization of the world as a whole, and many other customs and traditions that have passed on between generations, experiencing slight changes with each generational pass. The lasting tensions between North and South Korea, which were split into their separate countries in 1945, continue to shape up both countries today.

On a perhaps more visible surface, Korean culture also consists of its food, holidays, national sports, and societal norms, as well as its popular culture in the form of music, movies, dramas, and fashion. And those are just some of the small pieces of what the culture is as a whole.

The Korean peninsula, consisting of North and South Korea, is one of the most homogeneous regions in the world. Meaning that almost everyone residing in any part of the region is ethnically Korean. In South Korea, the population of Korean people is estimated to be a little over 51 million, and a little over 25 million in North Korea.

Additionally, there are around 7.4 million ethnic Koreans living all around the world. The native language is Korean, which you can read all about here. Lastly, their government type is a republic, with a president as the head of state.

The spiritual ground and beliefs of Koreans are built mainly around the religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Of these, especially Confucianism has a long record of influence in Korea, and its political and social philosophies can still clearly be seen in today's Korea. However, Buddhism and Christianity are also highly visible in the society where the Buddhist South Koreans account for 46% of the population and a lot of the areas in South Korea that are listed as world heritage sites are Buddhist temples.

For example, the concept of hierarchy in Korea comes from Confucianism. The hierarchy is built based on a person's age, job status, education level, and general social rank. Thanks to Confucianism, a lot of emphasis is put upon respecting one's elders and ancestors.

And although especially the younger generations of South Koreans are becoming more and more individualistic, Korea is still a largely collective society, with the family, workplace, business, and others' perception of you holding a lot of importance. Therefore, it is not rare to still see the type of family dynamics where the eldest son of the family holds additional responsibilities over the family. He is also expected to take care of the parents when they reach retirement age.

There are two major holidays in South Korea every year: Lunar New Year's Day (설날, seollal) in January-February and Korean Thanksgiving (추석) in September-October. Both holidays are celebrated together with family, with respecting ancestors, certain holiday foods, and family games playing a big part of the day. These are all part of the Korean traditions and customs.

One of the most important parts of 설날, both traditionally and today, is to perform a ritual called 세배 (sebae). In it, the whole family, dressed in 한복, performs a deep traditional bow, while wishing for the year to bring in a lot of luck. For food, it is normal to eat rice cake soup, savory pancakes, and stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables.

On 추석, on the other hand, it is 차례 (charye), an ancestral memorial rite, that is the most important part of the holiday. It involves a whole lot of preparation in order to create a table of offerings, and on the table will also be two candles at the edges, an incense holder in the middle, and the memorial tablet, symbolizing the spiritual presence of the ancestors, at the very center. For food, stuffed rice cakes (called 송편, songpyeon) are made as to the most traditional one, with a whole lot of others being enjoyed as well.

Korean Ancestral Rites

Koreans hold their ancestral rites for their ancestors through a memorial ceremony called 제사 (jesa) on different occasions such as on holidays or on the death anniversary.

There are different kinds of Korean ancestral rites that are observed. They are 기제사 (gijesa), 차례 (charye), 성묘 (seongmyo), and 묘사 (myosa).

기제사 (gijesa) is held during the death anniversary of one's ancestor. 차례 (charye) is done during the traditional holidays in Korea in each of the family's homes to pay respect to their loved ones. 성묘 (seongmyo) is when Koreans visit the tombs of their ancestors to show love and respect to them. And finally, 묘사 (myosa) is done at the tomb site in the lunar month of October.

Korean Burial Sites

There are 2 common types of Korean burial sites where they enshrine and commemorate the remains of the deceased. One is called 묘지(myoji), which means burial ground. Cemeteries are called 공동 묘지(gongdong myoji).

The other one is called 봉안당 (bongandang), a place where the remains are enshrined after cremating the deceased. There is also 봉안담 (bongandam), which is an outdoor wall-style version of 봉안당 (bongandang).

There are a variety of traditional arts in South Korea that can still be seen and enjoyed today. Thanks to the Korean people who are mastering these arts for many of us to enjoy. You can see them being performed in the country at special events and celebrated in exhibits around the world.

Based on Korean history, dances in Korea were formed as a part of shamanistic rituals an impressive five thousand years ago. Over time and the different dynasties, varieties of folk dances have evolved from these ritualistic dances. There were more than 12 types of Korean dances that were popular to perform in the court in front of royals, for example.

Some of the most popular and common traditional dances, well-known even today, are as follows:

탈춤 (talchum) = a dance performed while wearing a mask

가인전목단 (gainjeonmokdan) = a calm dance where a vase of flowers is placed at the center of the stage, and the dancers will dance around the vase, picking out flowers from the vase

농악 (nongak) = an energetic dance including also drums

부채춤 (buchaechum) = a fan dance

Painting is a type of art that has been a part of Korean culture since prehistoric times. In its earliest form, Korean painting was a form of rock art, where images were created by carving out parts of a rock surface. Once Buddhism arrived in Korea, new painting techniques were introduced, quickly becoming the common and popular way to paint. This includes, for example, calligraphy.

The history of pottery and ceramics in Korea goes back thousands of years. The dominant ingredient used in Korean pottery and its style have changed over the dynasties (Goryeo dynasty to Joseon), ranging from coils and clay to pottery, to porcelain. Korean ceramics have also had a strong influence on shaping Japanese ceramics.

Korean music is made up of traditional Korean songs ranging from folk and court to religious. This aspect of culture comprises the music in the Korean peninsula (North and South). As a whole, this genre that is made up of traditional Korean songs is known as 국악 (gukak).

Korean Folk Music

Korean folk music is typically referred to as 판소리 (pansori), which has even been designated as an intangible cultural property by UNESCO. Pansori is performed by one singer and one drummer. Some pansori songs also include dancers and/or narrators. Another type of folk music is 풍물 (pungmul), which involves drumming, singing and dancing; it is traditionally called 농악, which has been mentioned above.

Korean Court Music

Besides folk music, Korean court music is another traditional form of Korean music. It was developed at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, getting some of its influences from Chinese court music. There are also similarities to Japanese and Vietnamese court music.

There are three types of court music. The first form is 아악 (aak), which was drawn directly from the Chinese, performed in state sacrificial rites, and still existing today as music performed in some Confucian ceremonies. The second form is 향악 (hyangak), which was created entirely by Koreans. 향악 was often accompanied by traditional country dances, with the dances being performed for an audience. The third one is 당악 (dangak), which mixes Chinese and Korean court music styles into one style. There are specific types of dances that go along with 당악.

Often referred to as " hallyu" or the Korean wave, the Korean popular culture is no longer only famous and popular in Korea but becoming widespread across the globe.

Korean wave mainly includes Korean pop music, dramas, and movies. In fact, although K-Pop, through acts like BTS, is a hot topic these days, it was originally Korean dramas that became famous for watching in other countries.

When speaking of Korean cinema, it usually counts the time from 1945 onward. The movies take a lot of influence from Korea's own past, featuring a lot of material from the Japanese occupation, the Korean War, the road towards democratization and globalization, and so on. Although there is still present some shyness to putting certain materials on film, simultaneously Korean filmmakers are bold in expressing their views of society, through internationally well-received movies like The Handmaiden and Parasite.

Korean dramas differ from a lot of Western TV content, as they are typically only made to last for one season, with one overarching plot lasting 12 to 16 or so episodes. Historical stories and sitcoms may last longer, even up to 200 episodes, but the majority of prime-time television is set up this way. The dramas range on a variety of topics, from history and action to school and work life.

However, many of the most popular dramas have had a romantic story as their main element. Love stories on screen in Korea often play out quite differently from what is common in the West, with bedroom scenes and even deep kisses still remaining relatively rare to see. In the past few years, Korean dramas have also become more interested in tackling today's societal issues, such as classism, mental health, bullying, spy cameras, corruption, and so on.

K-Pop is short for Korean pop, Korea's response to Western mainstream music. The music itself samples different genres, from rock and jazz to hip-hop and techno, influenced by worldwide trends.

However, despite the influences, K-Pop is also quite different from Western pop, with idol groups being its leading force. The K-pop groups are formed by entertainment agencies from hoards of young trainees, who have been signed to the agencies in hopes of debuting as an artist at a young age, often years before getting lucky. In each group, each member plays their own role: there's a dancer, a rapper, the main singer, a pretty face, and so on.

And although the songs themselves are important, the entire concept of each "comeback" - the term used whenever a group or an artist releases new content - is carefully crafted. From hair styling to dance moves and music videos, there is often a specific theme behind each single or album release, which also influences the mood and tune of the songs.

As with other aspects of South Korean culture, traditional homes and clothing continue to be visible in today's Korea. You'll be able to see them in your daily life in South Korea. For example, in neighborhoods like Seoul's Gwanghwamun, it is possible to see modern Korea's glassy high-rise buildings blend in seamlessly with historical Korea's traditional palaces, all in one spot, complete with locals and tourists walking about wearing traditional attire.

A traditional Korean home is called 한옥 (hanok). It was thought that they cannot be built on any random spot, but the site to build the house on needs to be carefully selected. In detail this means that the houses should be built against a hill so that they'd receive as much sunlight as possible; a way of thinking that is still shared in modern Korea as well.

These traditional houses typically comprise an inner wing and an outer wing. How these "wings" are used depending on the wealth of the family, and in general, the size of the house was also directly correlated with how rich the family was. However, even if it was the richest family in Korea, the right to the largest house was reserved for the king.

A basic design of the inner wing would include a living room and a kitchen, as well as a central hall. The richer families may have some more rooms attached to this layout. Meanwhile, the poorer families would use the outer wing for their cattle. The most common building materials were wood and clay, followed by tile, stone, and thatch. That is one large reason why so many of these houses are no longer preserved in today's Korea.

For heating, 온돌 (ondol) was used. 온돌 means floor heating. It has been in use in Korea since prehistoric times, and it is still the main form of heating today, in modern apartments as well, typically heated up using gas.

Modern Korean House

The majority of Koreans live in a modern Korean house. And there are many types of modern Korean houses: apartments, villas, officetel or studios, service residences, and private houses.

A few common characteristics of these houses are having an area where sunshine can come in, open areas, lots of windows, and crystal doors.

Apartments are usually high-rise buildings that you'll commonly see around the country, especially in Seoul.

Villas are low-rise buildings that typically don't exceed 5 stories. Officetel, on the other hand, is also known as one-room. This house is inexpensive and is mostly located near subway stations.

Service residences are apartment buildings that have facilities and services similar to a hotel.

Private houses also known as stand-alone houses are the most expensive type of house among all the types of houses mentioned above. And you'll not often see this type of house in urban areas.

The traditional outfit in Korea is called 한복 (hanbok). It consists of a long-sleeved shirt and a long wide hemmed skirt. The specific styles and colors of each 한복 differ. Even today, it is normal for 한복s to be worn during the big holidays of 설날 and 추석. In addition to which they're often also worn at weddings by the bride and groom's parents, as well as the bride and groom at some point after the ceremony. Or even during the ceremony if it's held in a traditional Korean style. It can also be worn on special events in the family, in the company, or on business events.

There were different types of 한복s in use. There was the kind used for every day, the kind for ceremonial events, and the special kind, which was usually restricted for the use of shamans, officials, and the like.

In general, clothing used to be an important mark of someone's social rank, with people of different ranks dressing differently. Those of lower ranks typically wore plain clothes of plain colors, whereas upper classes and royals wore heavy and flashy outfits, complete with jewelry.

At the very center of Korean cuisine is rice. Korea has a long history of being nearly exclusively an agricultural country, with this having changed only recently, and you can still clearly see this in today's cuisine. Fish and other seafood also play an integral part in shaping Korean cuisine. Besides them, fermented dishes are largely important, kimchi being the most famous of them, rich in nutrients. The most common ingredients to use for cooking are 된장 (doenjang) which is a fermented bean paste, ginger, chili powder, fermented hot pepper paste, garlic, salt, sesame oil, and soy sauce.

In general, Koreans eat a lot of rice, vegetables, and meats. It's typical for each meal to consist of multiple different side dishes, called 반찬 (banchan), in addition to the main course. Of them, kimchi is the staple side dish present at every meal.

Pork is perhaps the meat eaten the most in Korea, with 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal), which is grilled pork belly, one of most Koreans' favorite foods. Several different chicken dishes also exist, including chicken feet. Beef is seen as the meat with the highest value, which explains its comparatively higher price, although since the latter 20th century it has become more common to eat on a regular day instead of solely on special occasions.

A lot of Korean food is served grilled, steamed, fermented, or pickled. There are also a large variety of soups and stews, as well as noodles. In addition, several specific foods, such as salty pancakes or tofu with kimchi, are commonly eaten while enjoying alcohol.

To fully understand the way of behaving and thinking of Koreans, you need to understand the concept of the face - 체면 (chaemyeon) in Korean. It is among the most integral and important things in influencing how Koreans behave in their daily life and interactions with others.

체면 (chaemyeon) in meaning translates as the appearance a person wants to - or seeks to - offer others of themselves. It is especially prevalent when it comes to one's status in society. For example, if someone is going through hardships with a relationship, an employment situation, finances, or even something more simple as struggling to do well in school, they will want to disguise that and instead show a more poised version of themselves.

This concept is also important for interactions with interpersonal relationships. Largely because of Confucian influences, Koreans hold maintaining harmony in high regard. And therefore all conflict with others is to be avoided, and it is even feared that it could lead to saving face. Thus, it is more sought after to keep harmony and hold in negative thoughts and emotions.

This is an age-old concept in Korea. However, due to the hardships that came from being under Japan's rule and then the war that led to Korea being split into two, it has regained importance in Korean society.

South Korea is a unique culture with influences from China, Japan, and the West. When you first come for a visit, you will notice some things that are familiar to your home country. For example, you will likely see chain restaurants and global stores that are popular back home. At the same time, you'll notice customs, styles, and social norms that are uniquely South Korean.

South Korea is a fast-paced and well-organized country. Many people speak conversational English in large cities (Seoul, Busan, Daegu, etc). There are a large number of Chinese, Japanese, and other foreign-language speakers because of the large amount of trade and tourism in South Korea.
South Korea is strongly influenced by Confucianism.

What is the History of Korean culture?

Korea is one of the oldest cultures in the world. Koreans have passed down their traditions and stories for centuries. The country started to become split between North Korea and South Korea in 1945, and since then the two Koreas have increased cultural differences.

Some of the South Korean traditional arts are ceramics, music, crafts, dance, and paintings. You can often see these displayed if you're visiting the cultural and tourist areas of South Korea such as 인사동 (Insadong) or 명동 (Myeongdong).

What does the dragon mean in Korean culture?

If you visit traditional buildings or look at Korean artwork, you will often see dragons. For Koreans, the dragon has a positive meaning. It symbolizes water, rain, clouds, and farming. Therefore, Korean dragons are often said to have lived in bodies of water such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. The word for dragon in Korean is 용 (yong).

South Korea shares many holidays with the rest of the world but also has some holidays unique to its culture. The most popular holidays are 추석 (Chuseok | Korean Thanksgiving) and 선랄 (Seollal | Korean Lunar New Year). During these two holidays, many Koreans return to their hometowns to visit their families.

During public holidays in Korea, most offices, banks, and government buildings are closed. However, places like museums, restaurants, cafes, amusement parks, and shopping malls remain open. The night before most public holidays, it is usually very busy in Korea with people going out to celebrate and meet friends.

There are some Korean holidays that are culturally celebrated but are not public holidays. Some examples of those are Pepero Day, Valentine's Day, White Day, and Black Day. Koreans do not get a day off during these holidays.

Korean culture is truly full of history, tradition, and uniqueness. If you want to properly learn about Korea, it is important to educate yourself on its basic pillars, which you have just done by reading our article. Korea's speedy rise from a war-ridden and undeveloped country to one of the global economy's high hitters is one reason that allows for South Koreans, and for us, to enjoy such a blend of tradition and modernism in their culture today.

What aspect of the culture are you most excited to get to explore once you're in Korea yourself one day: the food, the music, the history, or something else?

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Korean Culture - Guide to History, Customs, People, and Modern Day

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Are you curious about Korean culture? Many people are since the culture in South Korea is becoming more popular all across the globe. Perhaps you've heard about K-Pop, K-Dramas, Korean food, or Korean movies, but don't know much about them.

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Our kid-friendly South Korea profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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Find the best food to try in all 50 states, including barbecue, pizza, cheese curds and more, with this guide rom Food Network.

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Despite South Korea's rapid modernization, there are still plenty of ways to learn about the country's rich history, colorful culture, and unique traditions. Perhaps no way is better than attending a festival, of which there are many throughout the year. From an internationally renowned mud festival to lesser-known gatherings that commemorate nature, food, historical events or the changing of the seasons, there's never a lack of celebrations in this highly diverse country.
Homigot Sunrise Festival (호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전)
Watching the first sunrise of the year is a key element of New Year celebrations in South Korea, and Homigot, situated on the eastern coast, is one of the most popular destinations to partake in the tradition. Here, the Homigot Sunrise Festival is held annually and includes a fire show, sunrise concert and other activities, such as kite flying and the release of "hope balloons", which symbolize resolutions for the new year. Participants can also get a taste of tteokguk, a soup made of rice cakes that is traditionally eaten on New Year's Day after watching the sun rise over the city's famous giant hand sculpture, which reaches up from the sea.
Mountain Trout Ice Festival (화천 산천어축제) Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival (태백산 눈축제)
Yet another festival that celebrates winter in Korea is the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival, held in the national park of the same name. The biggest draw to this icy celebration is its large-scaled snow sculptures. Other highlights include the Taebaeksan Mountain Snowflake Hiking Competition, snow sliding, and the Igloo Café, where visitors can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate inside a giant igloo.
Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival (청도 소싸움축제)
Celebrating the long tradition of bullfighting in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival has drawn approximately half a million visitors annually since beginning in 1999. It is the biggest bullfighting championship in the nation, and offers a number of hands-on experience programs, a showcase of local agriculture, and exhibitions of the history of bullfighting.
Jeju Fire Festival (제주 들불축제)
As part of the three-day Jeju Fire Festival, Jeju Island's Saebyeol Oreum hill is set ablaze every spring to welcome good health and a good harvest for the new lunar year. The event represents the Korean tradition of burning old grass to wipe out vermin ahead of the new planting season. Apart from the awe-inspiring spectacle of the fire, the festival also features folk games and a magnificent fireworks display.
Jindo Sea Parting Festival (진도 신비의 바닷길축제) Hampyeong Butterfly Festival (함평나비축제) Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival (진해군항제)
While neighboring Japan may be more famous for its cherry blossoms, there are countless sites to witness their splendor in South Korea, too. The most famous of these is the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, spread across two popular locations - Yeojwacheon (Romance Bridge) and Gyeonghwa Station. At the former, couples gather to create their own K-drama-worthy moments, while the later offers a spectacular show of cherry blossom "snow" as trains pass through the station.
Boseong Green Tea Festival (보성 녹차축제) Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회) Damyang Bamboo Festival (담양대나무축제) Icheon Ceramic Festival (이천 도자기축제)
At the Icheon Ceramic Festival, those interested in the arts can get a first-hand look at the city's well-known ceramic-making culture. Visitors can meet ceramic masters and make their own pottery or learn different methods of drinking tea. Other events include ceramic exhibitions, sales and performances.
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (인천 펜타포트 락페스티벌) Sinchon Water Gun Festival (신촌물총축제)
Summers can be brutally hot in South Korea but Seoulites have found a way to cope with the extreme heat and humidity. Thousands get together in the university neighborhood of Sinchon as the temperatures rise in early July and cool off by shooting each other with water guns. The Sinchon Watergun Festival also features water slides and DJ performances to keep things cool.
Boryeong Mud Festival (보령머드축제)
At the famous Boryeong Mud Festival on Daecheon Beach, millions participate in what has become Asia's biggest mud party. Festival-goers bathe, wrestle, and party in Boryeong mud, reputed to improve skin tone thanks to its high level of germanium and bentonite minerals. Other mud-centric activities include the "Mud King" contest, firework displays, mud slides and K-pop concerts.
The Korean Queer Culture Festival (퀴어문화축제)
Similar to the Pride festivals held elsewhere, the Korean Queer Culture Festival is a modern Korean festival that aims to raise awareness about LGBT rights. The festivities include a pride parade and a film festival in downtown Seoul. Since 2000, the festival has seen participation grow from around 50 people to over 14,000.
Muju Firefly Festival (무주반딧불축제)
As the sun sets over the mountainous town of Muju in North Jeolla Province, thousands of fireflies illuminate the summer night sky with their magical natural glow. The firefly festival celebrates the insect, which is considered to be very special in Korea, and includes activities like nighttime firefly viewing and fishing.
Andong International Mask Dance Festival (안동탈춤축제)
At the Haehoe Folk Village in eastern Korea, traditional mask dances are still very much a part of everyday life. People from all over the world travel to attend the Andong International Mask Dance Festival and watch Korea's talchum (masked dances) and enjoy the unique "Seonyujul Bulnori," an event in which fireworks drip like rain, creating spectacular reflections on the river.
Hyoseok Cultural Festival (평창 효석문화제)
Every autumn, the town of Bongpyeong is covered in beautiful buckwheat flowers. In Korea, these are often a reminder of one's first love, thanks to the famous novel "When the Buckwheat Flower is About to Blossom" by Lee Hyo-seok. The story takes place at the location of the Hyoseok Cultural Festival, held to celebrate the natural beauty of Bongpyeong.
Jinju Lantern Festival (진주남강유등축제)
A spectacle for the eyes, the Jinju Lantern Festival attracts droves of tourists from across the nation with its stunning displays of paper lanterns that float down the Namgang River. Presented in various shapes, colors and sizes, the lanterns are symbolic of those that were lit during the Jinjuseong Fortress Battle of the Imjinwaeran War in 1592 as a military strategy to keep Japanese troops from wading into the river.

Busan International Film Festival (부산국제영화제)

The Busan International Film Festival takes place annually in Busan, and is one of the better-known film festivals in Asia. The event features hundreds of movies from a wide spectrum of genres, as well as those written and directed by artists from all over the world.
The Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제) Seoul Kimchi Festival (서울김장문화제)
Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전)

Held at the Garden of Morning Calm, the Lighting Festival is one of the biggest festivals of lights in the country. Blanketing an area of more than 300,000 square meters, gleaming lights add a festive glow to the natural beauty of the garden during the winter.

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Despite South Korea's rapid modernization, there are still plenty of ways to learn about the country's rich history, colorful culture, and unique traditions. Perhaps no way is better than attending a festival, of which there are many throughout the year.

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A typical Korean meal consists of a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup or stew, and some side dishes as accompaniments. But within that basic structure, there is a deliciously wide variation of dishes for every season and palate.

Koreans use a huge range of vegetables from wild greens to the leaves of flowers, everything from the sea including seaweed and jellyfish, and all types of meat and poultry in diverse preparations. Koreans may have numerous ways to pickle vegetables and wild greens for long storage, but they also prize raw fish and raw meat dishes.

These are some of the classic plates you will find in Korean kitchens all over the world, in restaurants and homes, special events and family gatherings, and in everyday life.

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Try these 10 classic Korean recipes using a broad range of vegetables, seafood, and meats in diverse preparations for a traditional meal.

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This post about Japanese culture and traditions is brought to you by Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo With Experience

Japanese culture is a set of values that puts importance on . Up until the 10th century, Japanese culture was similar to the Chinese culture, but the rise of the social harmony and hard work samurai in the Heian Period and the isolation during the Edo Period changed the rules of society. Overall, the culture was influenced by the local Shinto religion, Buddhism, Confucianism and the limited natural resources.

While Japanese lifestyle has been Westernized recently, Japanese people still do everything possible to preserve their rich cultural heritage by practicing tea ceremony, wearing kimono and studying traditional arts and crafts from early childhood.

Japan's Customs and Traditions

Since harmonyis very important in Japan, there are many customs, traditions and etiquette rules to create social bonding between people. Some of the interesting traditions that surprise foreigners are:

1. Taking off shoes when entering someone's house

2. Wearing a mask when sick

3. Not shaking hands and not hugging when meeting with loved ones

4. Bowing 45 degrees to show respect

5. Making the slurping sound when eating noodles

6. Symbolically washing hands when entering a shrine

7. Wearing slippers when using the restroom

8. Decorate one's house with dolls for the annual "girls day" and decorate the house with the samurai figure for the annual "boys day"

9. Throwing beans at people who dressed as demons during the "setsubun" festival

10. Eating a special meal called "osechi" during the new year's day

11. Bathing in the evening rather than in the morning

12. Participating in the firework festivals or bon odori festivals during the summer by wearing a yukata.

You can find out hundreds of Japanese customs and the rules of the etiquette here.

Some Basics of Japanese Culture

Japanese people always display modesty and humility. People often bow to convey the message: "I am not above you. I respect you." Bowing longer with a higher degree of angle means more respect. Additionally, Japanese people have two religions at the same time: they are both and Shintoist. When a Japanese baby is born, the ceremony is held in the Shinto shrine and when someone dies the ceremony takes place in a Buddhist temple. Lastly, in Japan, people are obsessed with hygiene: they take off their shoes when entering someone's house and take a bath almost everyday. Many foreigners are surprised that there are no trash cans in public areas but everywhere is still clean.

Festivals in Japanese Culture

There are relatively a higher number of festivals in Japan compared to other countries because Japanese religions are related to celebrating the harvest seasons and seasonal changes. Each of the 47 Japanese prefectures has a different festival which usually takes place in the summer. Locals usually participate in these festivals by wearing a yukata and sandals. The most famous Japanese festivals are:

1. Gion Festival in Kyoto. The largest parade in Japan which started in the 800's when there was an epidemic similar to the Coronavirus.

2. Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima. A Dance festival held during the Obon-Week (the week when the spirits of the deceased are believed to visit the world).

3. Nebuta Festival in Aomori. A festival dedicated to ancient warriors in Northern Japan.

Holidays and Celebrations in Japanese Culture

If you look at the Japanese calendar, you would notice that there is a major cultural celebration almost every month. Japanese people like celebrating seasonal changes to show their appreciation of new beginnings. The three most important celebrations in Japan are:

1) The new year's day. Japanese people visit a shrine after the midnight on Dec 31 to make a wish.

2) Cherry blossom celebrations in April. It is a custom to have a picnic under the cherry trees.

3) The Obon Holiday in August. Japanese people visit their hometown to commemorate the spirits of those who passed away.

Japan has a beautiful culture where hard work, respect to the elderly and politeness are some of the most important things in life. But after WW2 some new laws were enacted and there are now differences between old traditions and new traditions.
Etiquette in Japanese Culture

Since Japanese people believe individuals are less important than the group, everyone strictly follows the rules of the etiquette. Some of the most common etiquette social faux pas foreigners make in Japan are:

1. Speaking on the phone while riding a train

2. Not returning a personal favor by gifting a box of sweets

3. Eating something while walking or eating something on the train

4. Taking or giving something by only using one hand

5. Showing up for a meeting just in time (People are supposed to come to meetings 5-10 minutes earlier, NOT at the exact beginning time)

6. Passing food to someone by using chopsticks (this act is a reminder of funerals)

7. Not taking off shoes when entering someone's house

8. Writing someone's name in red ink

9. Giving white or yellow Chrysanthemum flowers to someone who is sick (this act is a reminder of funerals)

10. Not showering before entering a hot spring

You can find out hundreds of Japanese customs and the rules of the etiquette here.

Food in Japanese Culture

The staple food in Japan is rice, not bread. In the past, the tax was collected as rice and samurais' salary was paid in rice. Japanese people believe rice is healthier than wheat which has more carbs and is more difficult to digest. Up until the 19th century, the Japanese rarely ate meat because of Buddhism which bans eating animals. For the same reason, they also did not consume dairy, that is why some Japanese tend to be lactose intolerant. Fresh sushi is the most popular food throughout Japan even though it used to be the cheap fast-food for workers in the 1800's. Nowadays, a typical Japanese breakfast consists of fried fish and miso soup while a typical lunch is ramen noodles or rice bowl with deep fried meat.

Clothing in Japanese Culture - Kimono

Traditionally, Japanese people wear a one-piece garment called kimono which emerged during the Heian Period (794-1185). Kimono is made out of silk and each motif has a meaning. Cranes represent longevity; pine-trees represent the new year; the Chrysanthemum flower represents the imperial family. The summer kimono is called "yukata" and the wedding kimono is called "uchikake." Kimonos usually have long sleeves for wind to pass through and cool down the body. While children wear kimono with bright colors and flower designs, the elderly wear simple kimonos with simple motifs. Nowadays, Japanese people wear Western clothes at work and school but prefer kimono for social occasions and ceremonies.

Arts in Japanese Culture

Japanese arts can be traced back to the indigenous populations who roamed the main island thousands of years ago. The pottery vessels made by the "Jomon" 12,000 years ago are considered as the oldest in the world. Later, the Japanese arts were influenced by Buddhism and Chinese culture. The earliest forms of Buddhist statues and monochrome paintings at temples show resemblance to the Chinese arts. However, many unique forms of art, such as ikebana, ukiyo-e and kabuki, started emerging when the influence of China started diminishing after the rise of the samurai class in the 10th century.

Aesthetics in Japanese Culture

Japanese arts were influenced by Zen Buddhism where minimalism, modesty and simplicity are very important. The perception of beauty is different from the ideal beauty concept in the West. Japanese artisans believe things that are old, asymmetrical and natural are more aesthetically appealing than perfectly symmetrical new objects. Silence, open space, elegant simplicity and rustic patina are always visible in all aspects of Japanese arts.

Values in Japanese Culture

Japan is a conformist society where harmony, mutual respect and group consensus are valued. Other values such as collectiveness, diligence and conflict avoidance are actually the results of the need for social harmony. Japanese religion also has an influence on common Japanese values. The values of purity and cleanliness come from Shintoism while perfectionism and minimalism come from zen Buddhism. Additionally, the spread of East Asian teachings in Japan may have affected the culture. It is said that the values of long term thinking, perseverance, respect for social hierarchy and respect for the elderly come from Confucianism.

Communication in Japanese Culture

Japanese communication style is very unique mostly because Japan was to the outer world between the 16th and 19th centuries. There also was isolated hierarchy, similar like the Caste system in India, where the elite samurai were on top and those who took care of dead animals were at the bottom. It was very costly to become an outcast in this closely-knit hierarchical society, so people were careful not offending others.

One of the most unique aspects of Japanese communication style is the lack of rejection. Japanese people rarely use the word "no" because rejecting someone is considered as a sign of disrespect. Because of the same reason, Japanese people use symbolism and usually make a request indirectly so that the other side doesn't have to feel the pressure. When it comes to writing, Japanese people express their ideas less clearly. Westerners usually clearly state the most important point at the beginning or ending of an essay but Japanese people vaguely mention the important point somewhere in the middle.

Religion in Japanese Culture

There are two dominant religions in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism. Neither of them has a clear definition of God and the judgment day. Shintoism does not even have any holy book or the concept of sin. So, in a Western sense, Japanese religions are more like traditions rather than holy belief systems. Shintoism is Japan's own religion where some natural objects are considered sacred but not necessarily worshipped as gods. Buddhism proposes that everyone can become a Buddha (the enlightened human) if he/she leaves worldly desires and lives a simple life. Japanese people traditionally go to both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines; so they are both Shintoist and Buddhist.

Symbols in Japanese Culture

Japan has an indirect communication style, so there are many symbols in everyday life. Some of the Japanese symbols and their meanings are 1- Salt: Purity 2- Crane: Longevity 3- Sakura: Beautiful things don't last long 4- Carp: Perseverance 5- Red Gate: The door to the sacred world 6- Dragon: Strength 7- Chrysanthemum flower: Imperial family 8- Japanese flag: The Sun 9- Round Circle: Universe 10- Beckoning Cat: Good fortune & money.

Japanese literature

Japanese literature refers to the written materials produced by Japanese authors in the past. The two most well-known Japanese literary works are "the tale of genji," and "haiku" poems. The tale of Genji is a novel written in the 11th century which is sometimes called the world's first novel. It is a story about a prince who was kicked out of the imperial family and had love affairs among commoners. Haiku is the name given to minimalistic poems that consist of three phrases uttered in 17 syllabi (5-7-5). The topic is usually about seasonal changes and the phrase in the middle connects two distant concepts. Recently, Haruki Murakami became famous for his novels based on strange characters and absurd moments of life. His style is considered Western but his novels still reflect everyday life in Japan.

Folk Stories and Heroes in Japanese Culture

Japanese folklore and folktales are heavily influenced by Chinese culture and collective norms of the isolated Japanese islands. The Short stories and folk tales always try to teach the importance of patience, honesty, and hard work. The stories usually include 1- Old grandpa and grandma 2- A strong little boy 3- A beautiful little girl who grows up to be a princess 4- Devil (Oni) 5- Samurai. Samurais usually cooperate with the protagonist. 6- Forest 7- An animal that turns out to be a human or a creature with supernatural powers. The most famous children story is perhaps Momotaro (the peach boy). An old woman finds a tiny boy inside the seed of a peach. The little boy grows up by eating the dumplings made by the old lady. He then goes to the demons' island and retrieves the treasures stolen by the demons. He gets help from 3 animals during his fight agains the demons: a monkey, a dog and a bird.

Japanese Mythology and Legends

The most popular Japanese myths are about how Japanese islands were created and how the emperor of Japan was ascended to the world. These myths were originally mentioned in Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the first history books written in Japanese around the 8th century. According to the legend, the islands of Japan were created by 2 divine gods Izanami and Izanagi who were siblings. Izanagi later gave birth to 3 gods including the Sun God Amaterasu. The grandson of Ameterasu turned into a human being and ascended to the world. That person was Gimmu, the first emperor of Japan. There are many gods in Japanese mythology but the sun god Amaterasu is the most important god and her 3 sacred belongings (the mirror, jewel and sword) are still kept by the imperial family today.

Creatures and Monsters in Japanese Culture

In Japanese folklore, monsters, demons and supernatural creatures are usually called "youkai" or "akuma". Their origins go back to the creation legends of Shinto and the Buddhist beliefs. You can also think of them as evil characters in folk stories. The three most commonly known "youkai" characters are

1- Tengu: It has a distinctive long nose. It is not always evil; Tengu is also known as the protective demon of Buddhist temples.

2- Yuki Onna: The snow woman with long dark hair wearing a white dress. More common in stories from Northern Japan.

3- Hitotsume Kozo: A one-eyed bald child in folk stories.

Japanese Beliefs and Concepts

Mottai Nai: Nothing should be wasted, nothing should be thrown away.

Wabi Sabi: Things that are old and natural are more aesthetically pleasing.

Shibumi: Simple is the best.

Mono-no-aware: It is the reality of life that beautiful things in our lives don't last forever.

Kaizen: Continuous improvement. Things are never perfect, we should keep improving.

Johakyu: Slow start and sudden finish. Many Japanese movies follow this structure.

Omote nashi: Serve your guests from the heart.

Zen: Simple actions in our lives lead to awakening of our spirits.

Japanese Proverbs

Isogeba maware: If you are trying to take a shortcut, you are likely to make a mistake.

Ryouyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi: Good medicine usually tastes bitter.

Fukusui bon ni kaerazu: If something is done, there is no going back

Ueni mo ue ga aru: Even the top has a top.

Shitashiki naka nimo reigi ari: Even among friends, you should follow the etiquette

Nanakorobi yaoki: Even if you fall 7 times, you must stand up for your 8th challenge.

Deru Kui Utareru: Those who are different get hammered down.

Taisetsuno koto ha meni mienain da: Important things are not visible to the eye.

Saru mo ki kara ochiru: Even monkeys fall from trees. It is natural to make mistakes.

Hana yori dango: Instead of appearance you should care about substance.

Japanese Superstitions

Japanese people believe that breaking a comb brings bad luck.

In Japanese language the number 4 sounds the same with "death" so many buildings do not have the 4th floor (4th floor is simply called 5th floor).

In Japan people don't whistle at night because it may bring out snakes.

Seeing a spider in the morning brings good luck. Killing a spider in the morning brings bad luck.

If you hear a crow's caw it brings bad luck. If you take a rest after eating you may become a pig.

Cutting fingernails at night sets a curse on your family.

Sleeping by facing north brings bad luck because only at the funeral house the deceased faces north.

Architecture in Japanese Culture

Japanese architecture is similar to that of other East Asian countries. Japanese buildings tend to be simple with dull colors as a result of the zen philosophy. The temples, shrines and private houses are traditionally made out of wood. Most structures have elevated basements and big roofs because of high humidity and frequent rains throughout the year. The roofs also have curves at the corners that provide more light in the winter and more shadow during the winter. Rooms are separated by light wooden screens ( fusuma) or paper windows ( shoji) that can be easily moved when seasons change. Visitors of Japan are surprised by the green mats set on floors ( tatami) which are made out of plant straws.

Gardens in Japanese Culture

Japanese gardens are considered as the miniature versions of vast landscapes. Rocks symbolize mountains, bushes represent forests and ponds are reference seas and lakes. There are three main types of Japanese gardens: pond garden, rock garden and the courtyard garden. The pond garden is the most popular type of Japanese garden adopted from Chinese culture. The rock garden (karesansui), also known as the zen garden, consists of white pebbles and stones often found in zen monasteries in Kyoto. The courtyard garden (tsubo niwa) is a miniature garden built inside traditional houses. The courtyard garden is usually located in the middle of a house to get more sunshine indoors and help the residents feel like living in nature.

Tea Ceremony in Japanese Culture

Japanese tea ceremony is preparing and drinking matcha tea in a ceremonial way by using traditional utensils. The purpose of Japanese tea ceremony is to create bonding between the host and guest and also gain inner peace in our busy daily lives. Japanese people consider tea ceremony very important because it was started by the elite zen monks and practiced by noble warlords for most of history. During the ceremony, the participants practice silence, respect, mindfulness and symbolic purification. While some Japanese perform Tea ceremony as just a hobby today, most people consider it as a form of traditional arts and call it the art of tea.

Sumo Wrestling in Japanese Culture

Sumo wrestling emerged as a shinto ceremony to entertain gods. People believed that if the gods were not pleased, they would not bring a good harvest season. That is why, the sumo stage, dohyo, has been considered very sacred. On the ceiling of the sumo wrestling ring, there is usually a roof of a shinto shrine. The wrestlers throw salt on to the stage for symbolic purification and do irregular warm up routines to scare evil spirits away. The rounds usually last only 20-30 seconds and If the round takes more than 4 minutes the referee asks for a break.The sumo wrestlers usually eat a high-calorie dish called " chanko nabe" which is beef stew and vegetables hot pot. Young sumo wrestlers consume around 20,000 calories of food a day. That is why they can get fat so easily and quickly.

Martial Arts in Japanese Culture

The focus of martial arts is not beating the enemy but building a strong personality and character. Japanese people believe martial arts should be used for self-defense only. Most Japanese policemen practice Aikido to catch criminals. While Karate, judo and Aikido emerged in the 19th century, the samurai class practiced martial arts in the past for unarmed combat. There are so many different types of martial arts in Japan including kyudo, ninjutsu, kendo, jujitsu, naginatajutsu and etc.. These are the principles of martial arts in Japanese Culture a) "Dojo" is a sacred place, it must be clean, safe and quiet b) Students can only learn by watching the "sensei" c) Mental strength is more important than body strength d) Cleaning the "dojo" is part of the training e) Show respect to your opponent at all times f) You must memorize "kata": simulated defense moves g) Junior members must follow and obey senior members.

Geisha in Japanese Culture

The first geisha to appear were men who entertained groups of people enjoying parties. The apprentice geisha is called Gei-sha means the person of art. maiko when she has to live in the geisha lodging house for 5 years without using a cell phone and seeing her family only once a month. Professional know all major Japanese cultural traditions and arts including tea ceremony, ikebana flower arrangement, Japanese buyou dance, shamisen playing, Japanese calligraphy and etc.. The most popular geisha neighborhoods are located in Kyoto where watching a private geisha dance performance may cost up to $5000 a night. Geishas' silk kimonos and jewelry are also very expensive, costing more than a typical employee's annual salary.

Japanese Popular Culture & Modern Japanese Culture

Most people associate modern Japanese culture with manga, market is estimated to be worth market. The anime titled anime. Manga and anime are not the same things. Manga is the Japanese word for printed comics although nowadays most people read them online. Anime is Japanese abbreviation for animated comics. Japanese anime$20 billion, higher than the $4 billion manga "Sazae-san" is the world's longest lasting cartoon with more than 7400 episodes. Contrary to the common belief, the eyes of the manga characters are big not because Japanese want to have big eyes but because big eyes appear more appealing in general. Did you know that in Japan there is more paper used for manga books compared to toilet paper?

Kawaii in Japanese Culture

Kawaii simply means "cute" but this word is commonly used in various occasions especially by the young generation. In Japan, anything that is smaller than the original version can be called kawaii. However if a small thing is harmful (example: snake) it may not be called kawaii. The children, pet animals and tiny decorative items are always referred to as kawaii. You are supposed to call a baby "kawaii," whether the baby is cute or not.

Japanese hobbies and Games

The most popular hobby in Japan is to travel as people love traveling domestically and internationally. Other three common leisure activities are karaoke, shogi and kendama. Kara-oke means empty orchestra. Even though karaoke was born in Kobe city of Japan, there are more than 100,000 karaoke venues all around the world. Shogi means general's board game. It is similar to chess and consists of a wooden board and 40 pentagon-shaped pieces. Kendama is a popular cup-and-ball game among teenagers. The purpose is to put the ball at the end of the string into the cup without touching it.

Japanese Performing Arts

The top 3 most common Japanese performing arts are Kabuki, the performance and the Kabuki was born next to the Kamo River in Kyoto where female entertainers performed plays. During the Edo Period, Kabuki actors probably were the most famous people in the country whose images were widely distributed by Ukiyo-e prints. The red color on the face represents anger and the black color represents fear. Noh is a slow-paced dance-drama which is a combination of folk dance and the Shinto rituals. The topic is usually how a supernatural being turns into a human. Bunraku is the traditional puppet theater where puppeteers cover all of their body with black fabric to make themselves invisible. Bunraku puppet theater.

Japanese Music & Music Instruments

During the Heian period, the music entertainment was very important for the court nobilities. The three musical instruments that existed back then were the lute (also known as biwa in Japanese), the Asian stringed instrument named "koto" and the big Japanese drum called taiko. Taiko was also used in battles by the samurai to communicate with clan leaders and intimidate the enemy. During the peace period shamisen became popular. Shamisen is the Japanese guitar played in kabuki and bunraku performances. Traditionally the strings of shamisen were made out of silk and the body is covered by snake skin or cat skin. The most well-known Japanese folk song is called sakura-sakura which talks about how beautiful the feeling of the cherry blossom in Japan is.

Samurai in Japanese Culture

Samurai means "the one who serves the master."Although the samurai were the elite warrior class, the meaning of the word is not warrior.In the past, there was a social hierarchy in Japan and the samurai class was on the top of the chain. Commoners had to bow in front of the samurai and avoid eye-contact. The samurai used to follow the code called "." Bushido consisted of 7 values including courage, respect, honor and loyalty. It is said that most Japanese people do not change jobs and work so hard for their companies as a result of the "Bushido" culture. Japanese companies usually do not advertise against their competitors because of the "respect the enemy" rule in the samurai culture.

Ninja in Japanese Culture

In Japanese, ninja are usually called "shinobi" which means spy. Ninja were most active in the 1600s and 1700s being hired as spies and assassins for the daimyos. There were only 2 regions in Japan, Iga and Koga, where people could become a ninja. Although their image is usually associated by assassination, most of the time they were spies who could walk very silently, run very fast and make poisons and explosives. Since the ninja could not own horses and did not carry swords, they had to run so fast in order to survive. Some ninjas could run more than 50km in one day. They also did not wear black uniforms and preferred casual clothes as they did not want to stand out as a spy.

Furoshiki Cloth Wrapping

Japanese cloth wrapping is called furoshiki, and is the act of wrapping important items in Japanese cloth. This traditional craft emerged as a way to preserve old fabrics and utilize them in a practical way. Furoshiki is a good example of Japan's "mottai-i nai" concept which means nothing should be wasted. Some furoshiki wraps look like baskets, bags or even more complex designs! Furoshiki has become very popular in Japan and overseas as wrapping items such as gifts has been seen as trendy and eco-friendly.

Japanese Calligraphy - Shodo

There are 3 different alphabets in Japanese which are hiragana (46 characters), Katakana (46 characters) and Kanji ( approx. 20,000 characters). Japanese calligraphy, shodo, is the art of writing these Japanese characters in an aesthetically pleasing way. The samurai often practiced calligraphy especially during the Edo period. The four stages of Japanese calligraphy are: 1- Perfect Concentration 2- Continuity 3- Appreciation of Beauty 4- Formation of human character. One of the most surprising things about Japanese calligraphy is the brush. The best brushes are usually made out of horsehair. The weasel-hair brush would be ideal to make thinner lines but it tends to be expensive.

Origami

Origami is possibly the most well-known of all of Japan's cultural activities. This is practiced as an art where paper is folded to create a range of shapes including animals, flowers or people. Japanese children learn origami at elementary school to improve their focusing skills and understand the importance of following the instructions to reach an ultimate goal.This is one of the best family activities for travelers visiting Japan where the members can learn from and compete against each other and keep the paper figure they make.

Kintsugi

The Japanese have an art form called Kintsugi, which translates as " golden joinery." It is a rather unusual practice involving mending broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered precious metals. The philosophy behind Kintsugi is similar to wabi-sabi, which teaches appreciation of the imperfect things in the world. Instead of discarding damaged objects, Japanese people often repair them and use them for centuries. This art also represents appreciating our scars and failures.

Onsen - Japanese Hot Springs

Onsen means hot spring in Japanese. As a volcanic island Japan has more than 3000 hot springs. Many Japanese visit hot springs in the fall and winter to wash their body and relax. Bathing together with others is a Japanese tradition which helps preserve hot water and sources. However, people are not allowed to wear a swimsuit in the hot spring because the water may get dirty. Visitors of Japan are surprised to see snow monkeys bathing in the hot spring during the cold winter.

Bonsai, Bongsai

Bonsai, also known as bongsai, means plant in a tray. Bonsai refers to small trees that grow in tiny trays but still look natural in terms of appearance and details. Just like a normal tree, the bonsai trees change during all four seasons. Contrary to the common view, bonsai trees are not dwarf trees and there is no special seed for them. Many different kinds of plants can be turned into bonsai by using wires to shape the branches and specific scissors to trim the edges. The art of bonsai was influenced by Zen. The bonsai master must patiently wait for years to grow the tree and still keep balance, harmony and the natural look on the tree.

Ikebana

Ikebana means making flowers alive or giving flowers life. It is the Japanese way of flower arrangement also known as kado. During the Heian period, the priests who took care of altar arrangements were called ikebono and they are the first known masters who developed the best way of arranging flowers. Ikebana has simple rules influenced by simplicity and minimalism in Buddhism. There are usually 3 types of main flowers: primary flower in the middle, the secondary flower right next to it and an ornamental flower down below. There are also 2 main types of vases: the wide and low vase called moribana and the tall thin vase called nageire.

PS: The images on this page belong to Takashi Mifune (みふねたかし). Copyright owner of the images on this page is Takashi Mifune.

Ukiyoe

Ukiyoe refers to handmade woodblock prints that emerged in the 17th century. Ukiyo means the floating world and e means picture. One of the interesting things about ukiyoe is you need many woodblock molds for each color to produce a ukiyoe print. Ukiyoe paintings are known for their bold lines and the lack of perspective. Most well-known ukiyoe prints are those that depict famous kabuki artists as it was forbidden to draw the samurai or anyone from the family of the shogun during the Edo Period. It was also forbidden to criticize the samurai class in the ukiyoe paintings. The most famous ukiyoe painting drawn by Hokusai in 1877 is called the great wave of Kanagawa.

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Japanese Culture and Traditions - Tea Ceremony Japan Experiences MAIKOYA

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What is Japanese Culture Like? This post about Japanese culture and traditions is brought to you by Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo With Experience Japanese culture...

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A Look at Russian Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette

Welcome to our guide to Russia. This is useful for anyone researching Russian culture, customs, manners, etiquette, values and wanting to understand the people better. You may be going to Russia on business, for a visit or even hosting Russian colleagues or clients in your own country. Remember this is only a very basic level introduction and is not meant to stereotype all Russian people you may meet!

Facts and Statistics

Location: Northern Asia, bordering Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576 km

Capital: Moscow

Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European
Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast

Population: 142,470,272 (2014 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Belarusian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1% (1989)

Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other

Government: federation

The Russian Language

Of Russia's estimated 150m population, it is thought that over 81% speak the official language of Russian as their first and only language. Most speakers of a minority language are also bilingual speakers of Russian.

There are over 100 minority languages spoken in Russia today, the most popular of which is Tartar, spoken by more than 3% of the country's population. Other minority languages include Ukrainian, Chuvash, Bashir, Mordvin and Chechen. Although few of these populations make up even 1% of the Russian population, these languages are prominent in key regional areas.

Russian Society & Culture

The Russian Family

The Russian family is dependent upon all its members.

Most families live in small apartments, often with 2 or 3 generations sharing little space.

Most families are small, often with only one child because most women must also work outside of the house in addition to bearing sole responsibility for household and childrearing chores.

Russian Pride

Russians are proud of their country.

Patriotic songs and poems extol the virtues of their homeland.

They accept that their lives are difficult and pride themselves on being able to flourish in conditions that others could not.

They take great pride in their cultural heritage and expect the rest of the world to admire it.

Communal Mentality

For generations until the 1930's, Russian life centred on the agricultural village commune, where the land was held in common and decision-making was the province of an assembly of the heads of households.

This affinity for the group and the collective spirit remains today. It is seen in everyday life, for example most Russians will join a table of strangers rather than eat alone in a restaurant.

Everybody's business is also everyone else's, so strangers will stop and tell someone that they are breaking the rules.

Etiquette and Customs in Russia

Etiquette in Russia Meeting Etiquette

The typical greeting is a firm, almost bone-crushing handshake while maintaining direct eye contact and giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day.

When men shake hands with women, the handshake is less firm.

When female friends meet, they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating.

When close male friends meet, they may pat each other on the back and hug.

Naming Conventions
Russian names are comprised of:
Gift Giving Etiquette

Gift giving using takes place between family and close friends on birthdays, New Year, and Orthodox Christmas.

If you are invited to a Russian home for a meal, bring a small gift.

Male guests are expected to bring flowers.

Do not give yellow flowers.

Do not give a baby gift until after the baby is born. It is bad luck to do so sooner.

Russians often protest when they are offered a gift. Reply that it is a little something and offer the gift again and it will generally be accepted.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Russian's house:

Table manners are generally casual.

Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

The oldest or most honoured guest is served first.

Do not begin eating until the host invites you to start.

Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times.

You will often be urged to take second helpings.

It is polite to use bread to soak up gravy or sauce.

Men pour drinks for women seated next to them.

Leaving a small amount of food on your plate indicates that your hosts have provided ample hospitality.

Do not get up until you are invited to leave the table. At formal dinners, the guest of honor is the first to get up from the table.

Russian Business Etiquette and Protocol

Relationships & Communication

Russians are transactional and do not need to establish long-standing personal relationships before they do business with people.

It is still a good idea to develop a network of people who you know and trust. The Russian word "svyasi" means connections and refers to having friends in high places, which

is often required to cut through red tape.

Patience is essential.

It is best to err on the side of formality when you first make contact.

Sincerity is crucial as it is required to build trust, and trust is needed to build a relationship.

Most Russians do not trust people who are 'all business'.

An indication that you have successfully developed a personal relationship is being asked for a favour by that person.

Business Meeting Etiquette

Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advance as possible.

It often takes roughly 6 weeks to arrange a meeting with a government official.

Confirm the meeting when you arrive in the country and again a day or two in advance.

The first week of May has several public holidays so it is best avoided.

You should arrive punctually for meetings.

Typical Russian schedules are constantly changing and everything takes longer than expected, so be prepared to be kept waiting.

Meetings can be cancelled on short notice.

The first meeting is often a vehicle to determine if you and the company you represent are credible and worthy of consideration for future business dealings.

Use the time effectively to demonstrate what differentiates your company from the competition.

Expect a long period of socializing and getting-to-know-you conversation before business is discussed.

Have all printed material available in both English and Russian.

Russians expect long and detailed presentations that include a history of the subject and a review of existing precedents.

Meetings are frequently interrupted. It is common for several side conversations that have nothing to do with the topic of the meeting to be carried on during the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, expect to sign a 'protokol', which is a summary of what was discussed.

Business Negotiating

Meetings and negotiations are slow. Russians do not like being rushed.

It is a good idea to include technical experts on your negotiating team.

Hierarchy is important to Russians. They respect age, rank and position. The most senior person reaches decisions.

Russian executives prefer to meet with people of similar rank and position.

Russians see negotiations as win-lose. They do not believe in win-win scenarios.

Have written materials available in both English and Russian.

Russians view compromise as weakness. They will continue negotiating until you offer concessions.

Russians may lose their temper, walk out of the meeting, or threaten to terminate the relationship in an attempt to coerce you to change your position.

Russians often use time as a tactic, especially if they know that you have a deadline. Be cautious about letting your business colleagues know that you are under time pressure or they will delay even more.

Nothing is final until the contract is signed. Even then, Russians will modify a contract to suit their purposes.

Do not use high-pressure sales tactics as they will work against you.

Dress Etiquette

Business dress is formal and conservative.

Men should wear business suits.

Women should wear subdued coloured business suits with skirts that cover the knees.

Shoes should be highly polished.

Business Cards

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Russia - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette

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Welcome to our guide to Russia. This is useful for anyone researching Russian culture, customs, manners, etiquette, values and wanting to understand the people better. You may be going to Russia on business, for a visit or even hosting Russian colleagues or clients in your own country.

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Our kid-friendly Japan profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!

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Japanese cuisine encompasses the regional and traditional foods of Japan, which have developed through centuries of social and economic changes. The traditional cuisine of Japan is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes; there is an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. Seafood is common, often grilled, but also served raw as sashimi or in sushi. Seafood and vegetables are also deep-fried in a light batter, as tempura. Apart from rice, staples include noodles, such as soba and udon. Japan also has many simmered dishes such as fish products in broth called oden, or beef in sukiyaki and nikujaga.

Dishes inspired by foreign food in particular Chinese food like ramen, fried dumplings, and gyōza-as well as foods like spaghetti, curry, and hamburgers have become adopted with variants for Japanese tastes and ingredients. Historically, the Japanese shunned meat, but with the modernization of Japan in the 1880s, meat-based dishes such as tonkatsu and yakiniku have become common. Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi, has become popular throughout the world. In 2011, Japan overtook France in number of Michelin-starred restaurants and has maintained the title since.

Soya beans are a very important ingredient in Japanese cooking; it is used in soya sauce, miso and tofu. Soya milk is also used as a drink. One example of a dish with soya beans in it, is tofu. Tofu is made from pressing soybeans into cubes and then boiling them. Tofu is often in soups and stews. Deep fried tofu is also used in many popular Japanese dishes, for example as kitsune udon and inari sushi. Soya beans also have omega 3 fatty acids, that can also be found in salmon.

Noodles (like in most Asian foods) are used often in Japanese foods. The dishes usually come originally from China; nevertheless they have reached a unique development in Japan.

Ramen (egg noodles with soup, vegetables and meat or fish)

Udon (Thick noodles with soup that can be with tofu, meat or vegetables. For the hot dish, noodles and soup are usually served together in the same bowl. For the cold dish, noodles and soup are usually served in different dishes)

Soba (Thin noodles with soy-sause-based soup. In hot dishes, noodles and soup are usually served together in the same bowl. For cold dishes, the noodles and soup are usually served in different bowls)

Yakisoba (Stir fry vegetables and/or meat with egg noodles and a soy based sauce)

Sōmen (Very thin white noodles made of wheat flour)

Sōmin champurū (Okinawan very thin noodles that are stirred and fried with green onions and pork meat)

Japan is surrounded by the ocean so there is a rich variety of seafood which is an important part of Japanese cooking.

Sushi (cooked rice with raw fish, vegetables or other seafood)

Sashimi (sliced raw fish)

Yakizakana (cooked whole fish)

Asari no miso shiru (miso soup with small mussels called "asari")

Japanese people did not eat meat until the Europeans first came. Fish was the most common food.

Yakiniku (fried slices of beef with a sweet and spicy sauce- originally Korean)

Nikujaga (beef, potatoes and usually carrots cooked in mentsuyu - a soy sauce based sauce)

Yakitori (bits of chicken staked with soy based sauce)

Shabu shabu is meat (or other protein-based food) and vegetables boiled in a simple broth flavored with seaweed and/or fish. Each piece of meat is put in the broth for a short time.

Wasabi is Japanese horseradish. It is often a green paste used with sashimi and sushi. Wasabi is also used with many other Japanese foods. Wasabi is sold as a paste or in powder form. Wasabi powder has to be mixed with water to be turned into a paste. Wasabi has a strong, very spicy (hot) taste.

Sashimi is very thinly cut raw seafood. Many different kinds of fresh fish and other seafood are served raw in Japanese dishes. Sashimi is one of them. It is almost the same as sushi, but it has no vinegar rice. When the slices of fish are put on small pieces of rice they are called "Nigiri Sushi". Sashimi is artistically arranged and put on the plate on top of shredded daikon and shiso leaves. The fish pieces are dipped into soya sauce before being eaten.

Seaweed has been a very important part of Japanese dishes for a long time. Today, many different types of seaweed are used in soups, seasonings and other forms of Japanese cooking. These are the three seaweeds used the most:

Kombu (large type of seaweed)

Wakame (sold in dried form, and then put in water before people use it in their foods)

Nori (thin, dried seaweed sheets, used in sushi)

Traditional Japanese sweets are known as wagashi. Ingredients such as red bean paste and mochi are used. More modern-day tastes includes green tea ice cream, a very popular flavor. Almost all manufacturers produce a version of it. Kakigōri is a shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup or condensed milk. It is usually sold and eaten at summer festivals. A dessert very popular among the children in Japan are dorayaki. They are sweet pancakes filled with a sweet red bean paste. They are mostly eaten at room temperature but are also considered very delicious hot.

Images for kids

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Japanese cuisine encompasses the regional and traditional foods of Japan, which have developed through centuries of social and economic changes. The traditional cuisine of Japan is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes; there is an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth.

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1. New Year's

While many nations in East Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year, Japan celebrates New Year's Day on January 1 according to the Gregorian calendar. New Year's Eve is called omisoka, while New Year's Day is shogatsu or oshogatsu. New Year's is the most important festival in the annual Japanese calendar, marked by city-wide decorations, midnight visits to shrines, the ringing of temple bells, presents for children and special food with family. While January 1 is the only official national holiday, most companies will be off until the 4th.

2. Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day)

Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day) was established in 1948 to celebrate people who have reached 20 years of age, considered the age of adulthood in Japanese society. It's celebrated on the second Monday in January, making it the first holiday of the year after New Year's Day. On this day you'll see hordes of young people out on the town in formal attire: men in business suits or haorihakama (a robe-like top with an overcoat and pleated pants), and women in , a type of long-sleeved kimono. They're also usually tipsy by late in the day-20 is also the legal drinking age.

Setsubun is the last day of winter in the traditional Chinese calendar, which is now celebrated on February 3 each year in Japan. This isn't a holiday, but rather a day on which people perform a cleansing ceremony to drive out the bad and welcome in the good by flinging beans out their windows and doors, which is believed to ward off evil spirits, or oni. Many people visit their local shrine or temple on this day. Other Setsubun traditions include eating one bean for each year of your life, and eating eho-maki, a long, uncut sushi roll. The common cry on this day is, "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Evil spirits out! Good luck in!")

4. Hina Matsuri (Girls' Festival)

The Hina Matsuri, or Girls' Festival, is celebrated on March 3. Marking a day on which families pray for their daughters' health and prosperity, you'll see sets of delicate dolls displayed in or around homes starting around mid-February. They'll stay out until March 3, after which it's said to be bad luck to continue to display them. Many people have just the two main dolls representing the emperor and empress, but there are larger sets with up to seven levels of dolls representing different members of the royal court. Most people largely celebrate the event with their families.

In Japan, the practice of admiring the cherry blossoms is known as hanami-literally, "flower viewing." While this may sound dull, in practice, hanami means meeting with a horde of friends to have an all-day drinking party in a park under the blooming cherry trees. And if you're not tired out, you can head out at night to see illuminated blossoms at major shrines, parks and castles. The coming of cherry blossoms marks the end of one school year and the start of the next, making it symbolic of transition and-since it ends within just a few short weeks-the fleeting nature of life. The wave of cherry blossoms can be tracked on the news and online as it sweeps across the country from mid-March to early May.

6. Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day)

Kodomo no Hi, or Children's Day, is a national holiday celebrated on May 5. It's part of Japan's Golden Week, when holidays on April 29, May 3, 4 and 5 align to give people a highly anticipated string of vacation days. While the fifth day of the fifth month originally celebrated only boys, it was changed to a celebration of all children in 1948. In anticipation of Children's Day, you'll see homes and schools throughout the country raise strings of koinobori flags, shaped like carp swimming upstream. According to Chinese legend, if a carp could swim upstream and leap a final waterfall, it would become a dragon. The different carp flags represent the father, the mother, and the (traditionally male) children of the family. You may also see kabuto samurai helmets on display, which are seen as symbols of strength and vitality.

Tanabata is also known as the Star Festival. It was traditionally held on the seventh day of the seventh month of the old lunar calendar, celebrating the one day of the year when the legendary celestial lovers Hikoboshi (identified with the star Altair) and Orihime (identified with Vega) were allowed to meet across the veil of the Milky Way. As Tanabata approaches, people write their wishes on colorful strips of paper and attach them to bamboo trees-something you'll often see children doing at school around this time of year. You'll also see festivals in key locations across the country, though these are seldom on the Gregorian July 7: the Sendai Tanabata Festival is the largest in Japan, and it's held August 6 to 8.

Obon is Japan's biggest festival after New Year's, when people welcome the spirits of their ancestors back home. However, the festival is so big that it doesn't even have a fixed date: it was held on and around July 15 on the old lunar calendar, and only some parts of the country adapted this to August 15 when Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar, while other parts kept it in July. Nowadays it's most commonly celebrated from August 13 to 16, but most companies just give people a few days to take off in August whenever they please. While the private form of celebration varies by region, the most famous feature of the season is Obon dances, or Bon Odori, which represent the biggest festivals of the year for many regions.

9. Koyo (Autumn Colors)

In response to the cherry blossoms sweeping from south to north across Japan, the autumn leaves sweep from north to south, and they are watched just as fervently. Koyo usually starts in Hokkaido in mid-September, reaching Kyoto and western Japan around the end of November. People love to head out to the countryside to see the colorful autumn leaves, and a number of major sites-particularly in Kyoto -will offer stunning nocturnal illumination as well.

10. Shichi-Go-San

Celebrated on November 15, Shichi-go-san (literally, "Seven-Five-Three") is a date when parents pray for the development and happiness of their children, typically boys at 5 and girls at the ages of 7 and 3 (though this can vary by region). On this date, you'll see children wearing formal clothing or kimono and visiting shrines or temples with their families. Since everyone's dressed up, it's also a common date for family portraits.

Other Key Dates

While not traditional Japanese events or festivals in the strictest sense, Japanese people also observe the following dates:

Valentine's Day
On January 14, women in Japan are supposed to give chocolate to the men in their lives-or the men they're interested in!

White Day
Exactly one month after Valentine's Day, men are supposed to reciprocate with white chocolate (called giri-choco, or "courtesy chocolate") for the women in their lives on March 14. The day was invented by the National Confectionery Industry Association in 1978.

Thanks to its annual presence at major theme parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan, Halloween has been catching on in Japan, particularly in the big cities. While you won't really see trick-or-treating, every year sees more and more young adults out for costume parties.

Christmas marketing is as pervasive in Japan as it is in North America. While families might get fake trees and put out presents for their kids (by their pillows!), it's purely a commercial holiday. For adults, Christmas Eve is considered a night for couples. Then, on the night of December 25, all the Christmas decorations immediately come down and the traditional New Year's decorations go up.

And that will basically see you through a year of major Japanese traditions! Beyond that, of course, be on the lookout for local festivals, which can be just as big as any of the observances listed above!

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Japan's Key National Celebrations | All About Japan

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1. New Year's While many nations in East Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year, Japan celebrates New Year's Day on January 1 according to the Gregorian calendar. New Year's Eve is called omisoka, while New Year's Day is shogatsu or oshogatsu.

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Shichi-Go-San literally means seven-five-three in Japanese.

The celebration, held every November 15, is a traditional rite of passage for Japanese boys turning 3 and 5 and girls turning 3 and 7 years old.

The day is dedicated to the growth and happiness of young children.

Why 7-5-3?

There are some different explanations for the ages chosen for this celebration. According to Japanese numerology, these odd numbers are considered lucky. In ancient times, purification ceremonies happened at these ages. The numbers equal 15 - which is the date for this festival.

Shichi-Go-San is a combination of traditional milestones in a child's early life.

At three years old, girls and boys were allowed to start growing their hair.

At five years old, boys could wear hakama (trousers worn with a kimono) for the first time.

At seven years old, girls could begin wearing their first obi (a traditional, elegant sash).

Today, Shichi-Go-San is mostly observed as a way to give thanks for the health and happiness of a child.

Shichi-Go-San Traditions

The celebration traditionally takes place on November 15, but more recently families are moving it to the nearest weekend. Children dress in their traditional clothing (or suits and dresses) and attend a special ceremony at a shrine (place of worship) with their parents.

Following the ceremony, families take photographs and children receive a special type of candy called chitose ame, or "thousand-year candy." The long, thin sticks are red and white and represent health, growth, and long life.

The candy comes in a long paper bag decorated with images of a crane and a turtle (symbols of longevity) and images of pine trees and bamboo (symbols of good luck). Other gifts such as money and toys may also be given by relatives.

Shichi-Go-San Thousand-Year Candy Bag Craft

Learn more, and make a 7-5-3 Day Candy Bag with this FREE template from the Boston Children's Museum.

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Young explorers are guided through the research process to create a final presentation using interactive templates.

Topics include geography, food, clothing, sports, language, animals, and holidays.

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Shichi-Go-San: A Japanese Birthday Celebration | Globe Trottin' Kids

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Shichi-Go-San literally means seven-five-three in Japanese. The celebration, held every November 15, is a traditional rite of passage for Japanese boys turning 3 and 5 and girls turning 3 and 7 years old. The day is dedicated to the growth and happiness of young children.

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Explore the geography and culture of Russia through a detailed map, video, photographs, infographic, activity menu, books, and more.

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Russian food is one of the most diverse and fascinating in the world. It developed over hundreds of years, incorporating Christianity and the changes that it brought, as well as pagan foods and culinary traditions.

Due to the cold weather that lasted up to nine months in some areas, Russians prepared their winter food in advance, during the summer, making various preserves, pickles, jams, and salted, dried or smoked meat and fish. In Soviet times, when store shelves were often empty, many Russians relied on the pickled fruit and vegetables that they had grown themselves at their country plots. Many of those preserved foods remain popular icons of Russian cuisine.

Traditional Russian Foods

Blinis (блины)

Blinis come from the Slavic pagan traditions and symbolize the sun and the gods that represent it. They were originally made during the week of Масленица (the religious and folk holiday before the Great Lent) and are still one of the most favored dishes in Russia.

There are various recipes for blinis, including small drop-scones, lacy paper-thin large blinis, sweet thicker pancakes made with milk, and many more. They are often used as wraps with meat, vegetable, and grain-based fillings.

Pierogi (пирог)

The pierogi have traditionally been a symbol of domestic bliss and culinary prowess in Russia and were originally only served at special occasions or to welcome guests. The word пирог comes from пир, meaning a feast, which gives a good idea of the symbolic meaning of this popular dish.

Each different type of pierogi was used for a different occasion. For example, on name day a cabbage pierog was served, whereas Christenings were accompanied by sourdough pierogi that had a coin or a button inside, for luck. Godparents received a special sweet pierog just for them, to demonstrate their special meaning to the family.

Although there are hundreds of different recipes for this dish, they were traditionally made in an oval or rectangular shape.

Eventually, the pierogi became part of everyday cooking thanks to their convenience, as they are made with ordinary ingredients that are available to anyone.

Pierozhki (пирожки)

A smaller version of the pierogis, pierozhki can be fried or baked and appeared as a more convenient alternative to the large pierogis. Sweet and savory fillings are popular with this dish, including potatoes, meat, and apples.

Vareniki (вареники)

A Ukrainian dish, vareniki are very popular in Russia, particularly in the Southern areas that are close to Ukraine, such as Kuban and Stavropol. They are very similar to pelmeni, but are usually larger and have vegetarian fillings, which are often sweet. Ukrainians adopted the recipe from the Turkish dish dush-vara. In Russia, most home cooks make cherry, strawberry, or curd cheese-filled vareniki.

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Russian food is one of the most diverse and fascinating in the world. It developed over hundreds of years, incorporating Christianity and the changes that it brought, as well as pagan foods and culinary traditions.

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The Russian Winter Festival in Moscow is an annual attraction, running from mid-December to mid-January, with over-the-top ice sculptures, entertainment, and events. This festival pays homage to Russian Christmas, Russian New Year, and Svyatki (Russian Christmastide) celebrations and traditions customarily observed during winter.

While there are other Winter Festivals across Russia, the popularity and size (thanks to the city's resources), make the Moscow version of the Russian Winter Festival one of the biggest and best to attend.

You'll also find Russians traveling to Moscow from across the country to enjoy the celebration, so joining in the fun if you are in town during this time is a great way to enjoy the Russian winter and get a good understanding of Russian culture.

The Russian Winter Festival

The Festival is a major cultural festival celebrated on an annual basis with more enthusiasm and grander events each year. Events at Izmailovo Park and the more central Revolution Square feature performances of traditional Russian song and dance, games, crafts, food, and more.

The Christmas Village at Revolution Square is an excellent place to shop for Russian Christmas gifts including traditional folk crafts like nesting dolls, wooden toys, and painted lacquer boxes. It's a great place to find unique Christmas ornaments and traditional winter-weather wear like shawls and , traditional felt boots.

At Gorky Park, you can go ice skating or watch people play hockey-there's also the option of cross-country skiing if there has been recent snowfall.

What To See at the Moscow Winter Festival

Besides sampling Russian traditional wintertime foods, like bagels, jam, and tea, visitors to the Moscow winter festival will be able to experience many local cultural events.

, Old Man Frost, and Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, make appearances at the Winter Festival, too. The city sparkles with decorations that light up the night, and New Year's trees contribute to the festive atmosphere.

Past Russian Winter Festivals in Moscow have included displays of large, culturally significant ice sculptures. Over the years, the ice sculptures have included animals, cathedrals, a giant valenki, and an enormous ruble coin. There's a large-scale ice chess game that takes place between Moscow and London, which also hosts a Russian Winter Festival. The huge chess pieces, carved from ice, are a tradition with both festivals.

Other features of the Moscow winter festival, like fur fashion shows and balalaika concerts, draw diverse crowds. You never know what aspects of Russian culture you'll encounter during the Russian winter, and the displays are sure to be larger than life.

What To Do at the Moscow Winter Festival

Some activities at the festival hearken back to Russian days of old but are still present in today's culture. Sledding, with or without snow, is a favorite game at the Moscow Winter Festival. Swings, replicas of those used in 16th-century Russia, are also put to use.

A troika ride may be one of the most exciting of the old-fashioned activities: three horses attached to a sled replace the warm-weather horse and carriage. You've seen the romantic Troika and beautiful horses in Russian folk art, movies like Dr. Zhivago, and paintings.

Conclusion

Winter in Russia can be dark but the Moscow winter festival lights up the city and creates an exciting, happy time in the middle of a cold season with short days. Who says the Russian winter has to be bleak? Certainly, if you attend Moscow's Russian Winter Festival, your image of Russia in the winter will be forever changed for the better.

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The Russian Winter Festival in Moscow is an annual attraction, running from mid-December to mid-January, with over-the-top ice sculptures, entertainment, and events. This festival pays homage to Russian Christmas, Russian New Year, and Svyatki (Russian Christmastide) celebrations and traditions customarily observed during winter.

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Russian culture might conjure up stereotypical images of vodka and political strife, but of course, Russian traditions are much more rich and complex than that. Find out what makes Russian culture tick in this article.