Cultural Analysis

Rational

My rational of choosing Japan for a holiday is because I personally like their culture, savoury food and their beautiful scenery of the country.

Japan is an island in the Pacific in which is divided by the east coast of Asia by the Sea of Japan. Japan consists of four main islands that are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Tokyo is one of a prefecture of Honshu and other largest cities that include Yokahama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto, Kawasaki, Saitama, Hiroshima and Sendai in which the total population of Japan is 127 million people.

Cultural Analysis

Geisha

Geisha is a traditional Japanese entertainer who is widely known for their image of distinctive white face, red lips, glorious silk kimono and elaborately decorated hairstyle. In the past, Geisha are well trained in traditional arts such as dance, singing along with traditional musical instruments, alcohol serving, calligraphy, poetry and the art of wearing the kimono, communication with customers and social etiquette. These days geisha are taught computer skills and take up English classes in order to socialise with foreign clients.

Local Festival (Matsuri)

Obon

Obon’s festival is held in mid August and is one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons. It is an annual event for Buddhist to pay tribute to their ancestors. The belief of Obon is that the ancestors’ spirits will come back to this world to visit their relatives. During this period, to guide the ancestors’ spirits back to the house, lanterns are hung in front of the house. Obon dances (bon odori) are performed; graves visiting and offering of food are made at house altars and temples. At the end of the festival, rivers, lakes and seas are filled with floating lanterns to guide of the spirits of the deceased back into their world. Japanese followed this customs strongly from region to region.