Learn To Speak Japanese

Japanese is one of the fastest growing languages in the world. And while it may look very difficult to learn, it is not impossible for you to learn it. If you are enthusiastic and focused about learning this language half the battle is won. Japanese uses these scripts:

Kanji – Kanji is composed of the Chinese characters.

Hiragana and Katakana – refer to the syllables and they are based on Chinese characters. Katakana refers to foreign words and sounds. Modern Japanese uses a combination of Hiragana and Kanji.

In Japanese you write from top to bottom and from right to left. Social status of the speaker and the listener is reflected on the language. Gender is also reflected in the tone, pitch, vocabulary and grammar, as well as different speech patterns for male and female.

There are many teaching methods of learning Japanese and all have different learning levels, speed, and budget. Choose the one that best matches your degree of interest, budget, and the amount of time that you have to dedicate to learning. It all depends on your need to learn, if it is just pure conversational, to get around while traveling, or if you need to learn characters and more specific functions.

Speaking the language will be of course easier than learning the characters, although you have to concentrate in learning proper pronunciation, and the use of words in context. Listening to a native is best when learning to speak. There are cd’s that can help you with this task. If you want to concentrate in learning the writing part, many books are available which include a cd with audio. This way of learning involves dedication and practice, as well as patience since you are learning by yourself and at your own pace and convenience.

You can also focus more on the words that you need the most while learning the proper way of constructing sentences to help you speak the language. The amount of grammar and vocabulary will depend on how much you need to learn and why you need to learn the language – for what use. You can pick up on the conversational tone by imitating the sounds of the words as best as you can.

There are many websites that can help you in learning the language. Some of them contain simple and quick courses to start you up. Others offer step by step instructions using audio based tools to promote and improve communication and comprehension skills.

Whichever method you use, should match your need and desire to learn this language.

Forms Of Japanese Writing

Japanese language is often viewed as the most unique and interesting language out there. Their language has its own unique sounds. These sounds and words represent the inherent need to treat people with respect that is so prominent in their culture. The Japanese language is one full of beautiful, flowing words that link together sayings of wisdom and inspiration. Even looking at the writing one can see this respect and elegance transferred through their penmanship. Originally the language set out based on the Chinese writing; however, over time it has evolved into its own unique patterns and characters. Japanese language can serve as a course in confusion for those who are not fully researched in the culture. There are four different types of writing. One of those, Romanji, is actually only used for special types of purposes. The other three, though, are used throughout every day culture which will only lead to confusion.

Romanji

As mentioned above Romanji is a special writing. Mainly it is a form of translation for the Latin alphabet. It is used for words in English or the Latin alphabet that cannot directly translate to Japanese.

Kanji

The second type of Japanese writing is Kanji. This language is loosely based on the word, “hanzi,” or Han characters. Han stands for two things: the Chinese name for themselves and the Han Dynasty. Kanji has somewhere between 5000 and 10,000 characters; so, as you can guess using this form of the language is very hard. However, in 1981 the government of Japan tried to help simplify this by making Kanji hy or a guide for the main Kanji characters. The book holds the secrets to 1.945 characters used in everyday language and 166 that are specifically used for people’s names. Official documents, textbooks, newspapers and any other form of publication use the Kanji writing system.

Hiragana

Hiragana, the third Japanese writing system, is based largely on the Chinese form of writing. The exact translation for the word Hiragana is “ordinary syllabic script.” In the older times Hiragana was known as a women’s writing because women were mostly the people who used it. However that has changed and women and men both write with it today. Originally Hiragana had many different characters for the same symbol. Today, however, it has been simplified and it is very easy to use with only one character for every symbol.

Katakana

The Katakana alphabet is the last type of Chinese language. Its past is one of diversity and rich history. It is said that the language originally derived from the abbreviations that the Buddhist monks used. This was only used in the 9th century so that there would be accurate translations between what was said and what was written in Chinese text. Like the Hiragana, in the beginning every syllable had many different symbols. Over time, however, this confusing language has simplified. In the beginning Katakana was really only used by men. Now however it is used to write all types of things like, foreign names, onomatopoeic words, non-Chinese loan words, and telegrams. Today the Katakana language only has 48 syllables.

Traditional Japanese Paper Lanterns

Chochin lanterns are an established part of Japanese culture. They are paper lanterns, often brightly colored, and handcrafted using traditional equipment and techniques that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Most lanterns are about a foot in diameter, although larger ones can be produced for particularly special occasions. These can reach sizes of up to five or six feet are truly spectacular.

A traditional chochin, crafted by hand, will take about half a day to make. It will be painted with delicate designs and will last for up to a year, especially if it is well cared for and any minor damage such as small tears or broken ribs are repaired.

The chochin makers are highly skilled, and have often been trained to their craft by a parent who was also a lantern maker. Some of the most ancient lines of chochin craftsmen go back five or more generations in the trade, and often work with the same tools that have been passed down from father to son. They have been selling lanterns in the same stores for hundreds of years, and their workshops are filled with well worn tools, their handles smoothed with use. Stacks of lanterns and of paper waiting to be turned into new lanterns fill the workroom with rainbows of color, while the craftsman sits, head bowed over his work, creating a new masterpiece every time.

These traditional craftsmen are continuing a practice that has been performed in Japan since at least the tenth century, when temples are known to have used chochin. At this time they were of more practical use than they are today, being a useful means of moving light around. They were often displayed at the entrances of buildings, particularly stores and temples. When there was need of a light to help someone home through the night, the chochin would be taken on the end of a pole and carried before them. At this time there were probably thousands of stores across Japan that were dedicated to making and selling chochin. There are far fewer chochin makers today, and many of their customers have been deserting them in order to buy cheap plastic lanterns instead.

These plastic alternatives are far more durable than the paper lanterns, although much less care has been put into their production. They are often rather garish, but customers still favor them because of their low prices. They no longer care about getting a product that has been crafted to the highest standards and produced using traditional methods.

Creating the beautiful paper lanterns is a difficult and delicate task, and the few chochin makers who still know how to do this may be among the last of their kind. Few young people today are willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to make chochin when they know that it will be increasingly difficult to run a profitable business. The concentration and patience that is required to learn this trade are not attractive to the young people of Japan. Being a true craftsman requires absolute dedication and the determination to create something perfect.

The Beginner’s Guide to Japan

Japan is a tiny country, about the same size as California, which has had a disproportionately large impact upon the rest of the globe and on the course of human history. The traveler can experience some of the unique culture that has both caused and resulted from Japan’s place in the world, and will find that their trip is enhanced by having some prior understanding of what has made Japan into the modern and exciting country that it is today.

Japan is formed from several larger and thousands of smaller islands. Honshu is the largest and this is the part of Japan which most visitors will experience. Hokkaido Island is another popular destination, while Kyushu and Shikoku are the other fairly large islands.

The Japanese islands are volcanic in origin, and they still experience the effects of tectonic activity, particularly in the fairly frequent earthquakes. The countryside is predominantly mountainous. The most famous peak is that of Mount Fuji, and you have probably seen photos of its characteristic snow-capped dome even if you didn’t know its name.

The capital of Japan is Tokyo, and the majority of the Japanese are packed into this and other cities. The population is well over one and a quarter million, but has begun to decline in recent time. The life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world, 77 for men and 84 for women, and the literacy rate is also high, at 99%. The most commonly used language is Japanese.

The Japanese culture has been influenced by its landscape which has forced people to live around the coasts since the interior is to steep for building, and even for cultivation in places. This has resulted in densely populated cities and some beautifully untouched countryside. Another important influence had been the existence of two separate but similar religions, Shinto the “native” religion and Buddhism, which arrived here via China. There both value nature and share similar beliefs, with worshipers from each sometimes using the same temple.

Japan has an Emperor, and the current incumbent is a descendant of the first, Jimmu, who was traditionally believed to have founded Japan when he arrived more than two and a half thousand years ago.

Japan’s first Western visitors were the crew of a ship from Portugal that accidentally landed here after getting lost at sea in the 16th century. Many modern day visitors can feel similarly lost, as if they have stumbled onto an alien world rather than just another part of our own. This is partly because for many centuries there was a policy of isolationism. Foreigners were banned until mid way through the 19th century, and the Japanese culture developed without outside influences.

The changes were rapid once Japan had opened its doors. Unfortunately Japan’s new interest in world affairs resulted in their association with Nazi Germany during World War Two. Japan had fought with the Allies in World War One, and gained a reputation for military might to match its new economic status. It then developed ambitions for dominance in Asia and attacked China, and began a relationship with the Nazis. In 1941 the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor stimulated the US into action. Over three million Japanese people lost their lives during the war, and a huge amount of damage was incurred by the cities. The worst attacks came at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the US dropped atom bombs, effectively bringing about the Japanese surrender and the end of the war.

Japan has changed a lot since this low point at the end of the war, when it lost its possessions overseas and was placed under the control of General MacArthur. It became a democracy and regained control of its own governance in 1952. While its military ambitions were gone, Japan became an important player in the world economy.

The raid changes that Japan has undergone have created a unique and vibrant culture that provides much of interest for the visitor, especially the Western traveler whose home country will seem a million miles away.

Ceremonial Tea Drinking in Japan

Drinking tea in Japan is a rich and meaningful cultural ceremony, in which the process of making the drink is elaborately ritualized and every action has an important meaning imbued with ancient symbolism. To the uninitiated guest this can be a confusing experience, as there are so many new names to learn and meanings to try and uncover, but it will always be an elegant and intriguing introduction to Japanese culture, and an impressive display of the value historically placed upon tea.

The tea ceremony usually takes place in the chashitsu, a special room in a teahouse. Water, the symbol of purity, is brought in the mizusashi, a jar made of stone which only the host is permitted to touch. The tea is held in a ceramic box called the chaire, which at the beginning of the ceremony is tucked inside a silk bag, the shifuku. Waiting to hold the tea bowl is a stand, the tana, the design of which is specific to the occasion. Everything is placed carefully, with the tea pouch laid out before the water jar.

As the host enters the room they bring with them the tea bowl, or chawan. Within the bowl is a whisk (the chasen), a white cloth made from bleached linen (the chakin) and a scoop (the chashaku). These are placed with a water jar and bowl that signify the yang of the sun and the yin of the moon, respectively. The bowl for waste water (kensui), ladle (hishaku) and the rest for the kettle’s lid, made from green bamboo, are brought in next.

Once this is all set up the host sets to work, first purifying the tea bowl and scoop using a cloth made of silk (the fukasa). Next, the tea bowl is filled with some hot water, using the ladel. The tea whisk is cleaned in it, and the bowl is then emptied again and wiped with the linen cloth. Three scoops of tea per guest are added to the clean tea bowl. Enough hot water is added to blend into a paste with the help of the whisk. The host continues whisking while adding more water, producing a thick tea.

The bowl is passed first to the most important or highest ranking guest. They should take a drink of the tea, wipe the rim, and pass the bowl on to the next guest, who repeats this action. Every guest takes a turn until each has had some tea, when the bowl is passed back to the host.

The host then rinses the bowl and cleans the scoop and tea container.

Next, a fire is built in order to make a different sort of tea, this one a think liquid which is supposed to cleanse the palate after the first tea. This second tea is a symbol of the guest’s transition back into the real world from the spiritual ceremony they have just taken part in. Although it is rarely done in the tearooms today, it is traditional to offer guests a smoke at this point.

After the second round of tea, guests are made comfortable with soft cushions (zabuton) and teaburi on which to warm their hands, and they are given sweets called higashi.

Before leaving, guests are expected to thank their host for their skill in performing the tea ceremony, and for the attentive care which they have received.

Be sure to visit http://ChineseTeaBenefits.com for more details on tea drinking ceremonies in China!

A Brief Guide to the History of Japan for Modern Visitors

Japan may appear small when you look at it on the world map, but its history has had a much greater influence than its size would suggest. This is a country packed with historical and cultural sites for the visitor to discover, and a striking combination of scenic mountains and stunningly modern cities. Tourists can often feel overwhelmed by their first introduction to Japan. A brief overview of the history that has made Japan what it is today may help you to adjust more easily.

First, a refresher on the geography of Japan. The total area is a little smaller than California, although it consists of thousands of scattered islands. The main island is Honshu. Hokkaido, together with Shikoku and the island of Kyushu, make up the other three major islands. These islands are all the result of ancient volcanic activity and Japan suffers from earthquakes which are occasionally severe.

The origins of the islands are reflected by their characteristic mountains. The most famous of these is Mount Fuji, which reaches over twelve thousand feet at its summit. The steep slopes covering most of the country have caused the Japanese people to congregate in densely populated cities along the coasts. The majority live in these urban areas, such as the capital, Tokyo.

Japan has a population of over 127 million, which is gradually decreasing at the moment. The term “Japanese” is used to refer to the people, and is also the name of the main language. Japan has a literacy rate of 99%, and life expectancy here is very high, 77 for men and 84 for women. The two main religions have co-existed harmoniously in Japan for a long time due to their similar beliefs. Shinto and Buddhist temples are often shared.

The Emperor of Japan traces back his ancestry to the legendary founder of his nation, Jimmu, who supposedly created Japan as a country in about 600 BCE.

It was by chance that the first Europeans arrived in Japan, when a ship that had lost its way brought some Portuguese sailors to its shores. As more travelers came from the West they were welcomed only with suspicion. They were eventually banned from entering the country, and for two centuries Japan remained isolated. In 1854 this decision was reversed after Japan came to an agreement with the US. This time the contact with the outside world brought change to the people of Japan, and their society changed its traditional feudalism for more modern values.

Japan came out of the First World War, having supported the Allies, as a respected world power of economic as well as military value. This good relationship did not last, however. The then Emperor attempted to spread the influence of Japan by attempting to take over parts of China, hoping to make Japan the dominant power across the whole of Asia. As the Nazi party rose to power in Germany, Japan decided to ally itself with this new power.

Japan entered the Second World War with an attack on the US at Pearl Harbor in 1941. By the end of the war, with more than three million casualties and the horror the two atomic bombs dropped on their soil, Japan was left with no alternative but to surrender. Japan lost most of its overseas territories and was placed under the command of General MacArthur, until it regained its independence in 1952. Japan underwent great changes during this and subsequent times, developing as a democracy and becoming the world’s second largest economy.

Japan can be a confusing and expensive place to visit, due to its unique culture and fast-paced cities, but with a willingness to try to understand its history, modern Japan can be an extremely interesting and exciting destination- and if one thing is sure, it is that you will never be bored.