Japan
It is an island nation inEast Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China,North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".
Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshu,Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, which together comprise about ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. Japan has the world's tenth-largest population, with over 126 million people. Honshū's Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyoand several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. Before being a country that has reached the height of intelligence they were a country who believed in Divine Origin
It is an island nation inEast Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China,North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".
Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshu,Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, which together comprise about ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. Japan has the world's tenth-largest population, with over 126 million people. Honshū's Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyoand several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. Before being a country that has reached the height of intelligence they were a country who believed in Divine Origin
Amaterasu
Omikami is a part of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major duty if the Shinto religion. She is the goddess of the sun, but also of the universe. The name Amaterasu derived from Amateru meaning " Shining in Heaven" The meaning of her whole name, Amaterasu-Omikami is " The Great August kami(Gama or God) who shines in heaven. The Emperor of Japan is said to be a direct descendant of Amaterasu .
Omikami is a part of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major duty if the Shinto religion. She is the goddess of the sun, but also of the universe. The name Amaterasu derived from Amateru meaning " Shining in Heaven" The meaning of her whole name, Amaterasu-Omikami is " The Great August kami(Gama or God) who shines in heaven. The Emperor of Japan is said to be a direct descendant of Amaterasu .
First settlers :
Ainu
Also called Aynu, Aino and in historical texts Ezo are an indigenous people in Japan (Hokkaidō) and Russia(Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands).
Historically, they spoke Ainu and related varieties. Most of those who identify themselves as Ainu still live in this same region, though the exact number of living Ainu is unknown. This is due to confusion over mixed heritages and toethnic issues in Japan resulting in those with Ainu backgrounds hiding their identities. Intermarriage with Japanese has blurred the concept of a pure Ainu ethnic group. Official estimates of the population are of around 25,000, while the unofficial number is upward of 200,000 people.
Ainu
Also called Aynu, Aino and in historical texts Ezo are an indigenous people in Japan (Hokkaidō) and Russia(Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands).
Historically, they spoke Ainu and related varieties. Most of those who identify themselves as Ainu still live in this same region, though the exact number of living Ainu is unknown. This is due to confusion over mixed heritages and toethnic issues in Japan resulting in those with Ainu backgrounds hiding their identities. Intermarriage with Japanese has blurred the concept of a pure Ainu ethnic group. Official estimates of the population are of around 25,000, while the unofficial number is upward of 200,000 people.
Mongol
Are an Inner Asian ethno-linguistic group. Although the largest Mongolic group are those of Mongolia, they also live as minorities across Northern Asia, including Russia, China, and many of the former Soviet Union states. Mongolic peoples belonging to the Buryat ethnic group live predominantly in what is now the autonomous republic of Buryatia, Russia. In China, they live mainly either in Inner Mongolia or, less commonly, inXinjiang. Mongolic peoples are bound together by a common culture andlanguage, a group of related tongues known as Mongolic languages.
Are an Inner Asian ethno-linguistic group. Although the largest Mongolic group are those of Mongolia, they also live as minorities across Northern Asia, including Russia, China, and many of the former Soviet Union states. Mongolic peoples belonging to the Buryat ethnic group live predominantly in what is now the autonomous republic of Buryatia, Russia. In China, they live mainly either in Inner Mongolia or, less commonly, inXinjiang. Mongolic peoples are bound together by a common culture andlanguage, a group of related tongues known as Mongolic languages.
Malay
Is an ethnic group of Austronesian peoplepredominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, eastern Sumatra, southernmost parts of Thailand, south coast Burma, island of Singapore, coastal Borneo including Brunei, West Kalimantan, and coastal Sarawak and Sabah, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations - that collectively known as the AlamMelayu. These locations today are part of the modern nations of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Burma and Thailand.
There is considerable genetic, linguistic, cultural, and social diversity among the many Malay subgroups, mainly due to hundreds of years of immigration and assimilation of various regional ethnicity and tribes within Maritime Southeast Asia. Historically, the Malays population is descended primarily from the earlier Malayic-speaking tribes that settled in the region, who founded several ancient maritime trading states and kingdoms, notably Brunei, Old Kedah, Langkasuka, Gangga Negara, Old Kelantan, Negara Sri Dharmaraja, Malayu and Srivijaya and the later Cham and Mon-Khmer settlers.
Is an ethnic group of Austronesian peoplepredominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, eastern Sumatra, southernmost parts of Thailand, south coast Burma, island of Singapore, coastal Borneo including Brunei, West Kalimantan, and coastal Sarawak and Sabah, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations - that collectively known as the AlamMelayu. These locations today are part of the modern nations of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Burma and Thailand.
There is considerable genetic, linguistic, cultural, and social diversity among the many Malay subgroups, mainly due to hundreds of years of immigration and assimilation of various regional ethnicity and tribes within Maritime Southeast Asia. Historically, the Malays population is descended primarily from the earlier Malayic-speaking tribes that settled in the region, who founded several ancient maritime trading states and kingdoms, notably Brunei, Old Kedah, Langkasuka, Gangga Negara, Old Kelantan, Negara Sri Dharmaraja, Malayu and Srivijaya and the later Cham and Mon-Khmer settlers.
Shinto
Also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the people of Japan. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. The word Shinto ("Way of the Gods") was adopted from the written Chinese combining two kanji: "shin" meaning "spirit" or kami; and "tō" meaning a philosophical path or study (from the Chinese word dào) Kami are defined in English as "spirits", "essences" or "deities", that are associated with many understood formats; in some cases being human-like, in others being animistic, and others being associated with more abstract "natural" forces in the world (mountains, rivers, lightning, wind, waves, trees, rocks). Kami and people are not separate; they exist within the same world and share its interrelated complexity.
Also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the people of Japan. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. The word Shinto ("Way of the Gods") was adopted from the written Chinese combining two kanji: "shin" meaning "spirit" or kami; and "tō" meaning a philosophical path or study (from the Chinese word dào) Kami are defined in English as "spirits", "essences" or "deities", that are associated with many understood formats; in some cases being human-like, in others being animistic, and others being associated with more abstract "natural" forces in the world (mountains, rivers, lightning, wind, waves, trees, rocks). Kami and people are not separate; they exist within the same world and share its interrelated complexity.
Jimmu
Was the first Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. He is also known as Kan'yamatoIware-biko no Sumeramikoto and personally as Wakamikenu no Mikoto or Sano no Mikoto .The Imperial house of Japan traditionally based its claim to the throne on its descent from Jimmu. While his accession is traditionally dated to 660 BC, no historically firm dates can be assigned to this early emperor's life or reign, nor to the reigns of his early successors. Most modern historians dismiss this entire period as being beyond what history can know. The reign of Emperor Kimmei (509–571 AD), the 29th emperor, is the first for which contemporary historiography is able to assign verifiable dates.
Was the first Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. He is also known as Kan'yamatoIware-biko no Sumeramikoto and personally as Wakamikenu no Mikoto or Sano no Mikoto .The Imperial house of Japan traditionally based its claim to the throne on its descent from Jimmu. While his accession is traditionally dated to 660 BC, no historically firm dates can be assigned to this early emperor's life or reign, nor to the reigns of his early successors. Most modern historians dismiss this entire period as being beyond what history can know. The reign of Emperor Kimmei (509–571 AD), the 29th emperor, is the first for which contemporary historiography is able to assign verifiable dates.
Instruments
Koto
It is played either solo or in an ensemble, and to accompany singers An ivory or plastic plectra called tsume is worn on fingers to pluck the strings.It is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese zheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan.[1] Koto are about 180 centimetres (71 in) length, and made from kiri wood (Paulownia tomentosa). They have 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the width of the instrument. Players can adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and use three finger picks (on thumb, index finger, and middle finger) to pluck the strings, otherwise known as plectr
Koto
It is played either solo or in an ensemble, and to accompany singers An ivory or plastic plectra called tsume is worn on fingers to pluck the strings.It is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese zheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan.[1] Koto are about 180 centimetres (71 in) length, and made from kiri wood (Paulownia tomentosa). They have 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the width of the instrument. Players can adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and use three finger picks (on thumb, index finger, and middle finger) to pluck the strings, otherwise known as plectr
Sho
A mouth-pipe organ made of 17 reed pipes. The shō is a Japanese free reed musical instrument that was introduced from China during the Nara period (AD 710 to 794). It is modeled on the Chinese sheng, although the shō tends to be smaller in size. It consists of 17 slender bamboo pipes, each of which is fitted in its base with a metal free reed. Two of the pipes are silent, although research suggests that they were used in some music during the Heian period.The instrument's sound is said to imitate the call of a phoenix, and it is for this reason that the two silent pipes of the shō are kept—as an aesthetic element, making two symmetrical "wings".
A mouth-pipe organ made of 17 reed pipes. The shō is a Japanese free reed musical instrument that was introduced from China during the Nara period (AD 710 to 794). It is modeled on the Chinese sheng, although the shō tends to be smaller in size. It consists of 17 slender bamboo pipes, each of which is fitted in its base with a metal free reed. Two of the pipes are silent, although research suggests that they were used in some music during the Heian period.The instrument's sound is said to imitate the call of a phoenix, and it is for this reason that the two silent pipes of the shō are kept—as an aesthetic element, making two symmetrical "wings".
Hichirihi
a bamboo flute with nine fingerholes.s It is double reed Japanese fue (flute) used as one of two main melodic instruments in Japanese gagaku music, the other being the ryūteki. The hichiriki is difficult to play, due in part to its double reed configuration. Although a double reed instrument like the oboe, the hichiriki has a cylindrical bore and thus its sound is similar to that of a clarinet. Pitch and ornamentation (most notably bending tones) are controlled largely with the embouchure. The hichiriki is one of the "sacred" instruments and is often heard being played at Shinto weddings in Japan. Its sound is often described as haunting.[1][2]The hichiriki is the most widely used of all instruments in gagaku and it is used in all forms of music aside from poetry recitation.
Kakko
A kind of drum, with two ends made of membrane, played with two sticks on each end. It is a Japanese double-headed drum. One way in which the kakko differs from the regular taiko drum is in the way in which it is made taut. Like the Shime-Daiko and tsuzumi, the skin of the heads are first stretched over metal hoops before they are placed on the body, tying them to each other and tightening them making them taut. Kakko drums are usually laid on their sides on stands so that it can be played with sticks called bachi on both heads. Kakko drums have been used in taiko ensembles, but they are also used in older Japanese court music called gagaku.The kakko is derived from the Chinese jiegu, a drum popular in China during the Tang Dynasty, as is the Korean galgo.
Shamisen
A string played with a bow. also called sangen literally "three strings", is a three-stringed, Japanese musical instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi.The Japanese pronunciation is usually "shamisen" but sometimes "jamisen" when used as a suffix (e.g., Tsugaru-jamisen). (In western Japan, and often in Edo-period sources, it is sometimes "samisen.")
Japanese Imperial Court
Was the nominal ruling government of Japanfrom 794 AD until the Meiji Era, in which the court was moved to Tokyoand integrated into the Meiji government. The shogunate system came after the Imperial Court, in which Minamoto no Yoritomo created in 1192, and became the first Shogun of Japan. Since Minamoto no Yoritomo launched the shogunate, the true power had been in the hand of the Shoguns, who were mistaken several times for the Emperors of Japan western countries.
Shotoku
Also known as Prince Umayado or Prince Kamitsumiya was a semi-legendary regent and a politician of the Asukaperiodin Japan who served under Empress Suiko. He was a son of Emperor Yōmei and his younger half-sister Princess Anahobe no Hashihito. His parents were relatives of the rulingSoga clan, and was involved in the defeat of the rival Mononobe Clan. The primary source of the life and accomplishments of Prince Shōtoku comes from the Nihon Shoki.
Over successive generations, a devotional cult arose around the figure of Prince Shōtoku for the protection of Japan, the Imperial Family, and for Buddhism. Key religious figures such as Saichō, Shinran and others claimed inspiration or visions attributed to Prince Shōtoku.
Also known as Prince Umayado or Prince Kamitsumiya was a semi-legendary regent and a politician of the Asukaperiodin Japan who served under Empress Suiko. He was a son of Emperor Yōmei and his younger half-sister Princess Anahobe no Hashihito. His parents were relatives of the rulingSoga clan, and was involved in the defeat of the rival Mononobe Clan. The primary source of the life and accomplishments of Prince Shōtoku comes from the Nihon Shoki.
Over successive generations, a devotional cult arose around the figure of Prince Shōtoku for the protection of Japan, the Imperial Family, and for Buddhism. Key religious figures such as Saichō, Shinran and others claimed inspiration or visions attributed to Prince Shōtoku.
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