japanese culture
My Sumo Foray — A Sport I Can Actually Enjoy Watching
I’m not one for sports. American football puts me to sleep. Football–soccer–does the same. I’ve never really found a sport I could get into. Too many commercial breaks. Too many rules. I’m a bit soured to sports because of the focus my hometown placed on basketball and American football. The arts were always cut before…
Understanding Japanese Talismans, Amulets, and Good-luck Charms
Talismans, amulets, and good-luck charms appear throughout anime. Japan isn’t unique for having these–every culture has their own version–but Japanese charms have become a bit more international with their appearance in manga and anime. Some work similar to the American lucky-rabbit’s foot. Others are rather different. Talismans and other charms overlap with toys in Japanese…
Japan, the Sexless Society?
By 2060, Japan is expected to have a population of 86.7 million, down from the peak of 128 million in 2008. At least 40% of the 86.7 million is expected to be 65 or older. As the population declines, there will be fewer young people to care for the older. Tokyo is expected to have…
Yakuza, A Brief History
The yakuza need no introduction. The organized crime groups appear throughout Japanese and American films. Next to the Italian mafia, they are the most famous crime group. The name yakuza comes from a losing hand in a traditional Japanese card game. Ya ku sa — eight, nine, three. The group began in the Tokugawa period,…
![The Status of Japanese Working Women [Long Work Hours, Low Equality, Sexual Harassment]](https://www.japanpowered.com/media/uploads/944px-Sailor_fuku_girls.jpg)
![The Status of Japanese Working Women [Long Work Hours, Low Equality, Sexual Harassment]](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20944%20768%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Status of Japanese Working Women [Long Work Hours, Low Equality, Sexual Harassment]
As of 2016, more Japanese women had jobs than American women. 74.3% vs. 76.3% (Shambaugh, 2017). For the longest time, Japanese women trailed in employment compared to their American counterparts. Much of this had to do with Japanese culture. Japan’s society expects women to spend their time at home once children enter the picture. Women…
Your Face Isn’t Good Enough: Filters and Kawaii Culture
Social media has become such a part of our lives that we can barely remember what the Internet was like before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and the rest. However, research has linked social media with all kinds of problems, from bullying to depression. The photo sharing and the ubiquitous profile photo has a large influence…
