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Japanese Inspirations

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Inspired by Japan - the people, the place, the language and the culture

Japan has always been a country that has fascinated me - the people and the culture have always been an interest for me. So much so, that I have studied the language at school and at university and have lived there for over two and a half years. I sometimes wonder if I would still be living there now if it were not circumstances back in Australia that made me come back ten years ago.

My home is full of memories of my time in Japan - photos, ornaments, artwork, and the beautiful china. When I first started creating designs, it came as no surprise to me that these were heavily influenced by my love for Japan and therefore, calling the gallery 'Japanese Inspirations' seemed the most natural name for me to select.

This lens is dedicated to all things Japan. Please visit frequently as I add new delights from a country and a culture that has captured my heart!

Japanese Cherry Blossom

The sakura, or Japanese Cherry Blossom is one of the most famous symbols of Japan and is often featured in Japanese art or Japanese-style designs. In Japan, hanabi or flower viewing is a popular past-time, particularly in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. At this time of year, it is not unusual to see parks filled with people of all ages, sitting under the cherry blossoms, drinking beer and sake and singing with their portable karaoke machines.

The sakura blossoms only last for a short period and the nightly news stations give the dates on when the blossoms will be best for viewing. Due to Japan being in a number of temperate zones, the blooms first show in places such as Okinawa, slowing moving northwards. These reports are important for organising the hanabi parties.

Gifts Featuring Japanese Blossoms

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Origami

Japanese Paper Art

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Through the use of folds in the paper and crease patterns, objects can be created. Generally, this is done without gluing or cutting the paper, and using only one piece of paper.

The most well known form is probably the Japanese paper crane, as pictured here. This is often the first object taught when people learn origami.

The paper used for Origami can be bought pre-packaged and often comes in wonderful patterns and colours. The paper is often different colours on each side.

Origami Designs

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Japanese Writing

Japanese writing is made up of three different alphabets - hiragana, katakana and kanji.

Hiragana is probably best described as the everyday alphabet used for Japanese words. This is the first alphabet learnt by Japanese children and people studying the Japanese language. Katakana is used to write words borrowed by the Japanese and given a Japanese flavour in its pronunciation.

The kanji writing system was adopted from China, and there are almost 2,000 symbols used in Japanese daily life. Probably one of the most recognisable kanji symbols for non-Japanese people is the kanji for love, which is pictured here (pronounced ai in Japanese). Many words in Japanese can use a combination of kanji and hiragana and it takes many, many years to even just learn the basic kanji used in Japan and the many possible combinations.

Japanese Food

It's not all raw!

A common misconception about Japanese food is that it consists of all raw fish and the sad thing for the people who believe this, is that they miss out on all the wonderful delicacies that Japan has to offer. I have taken many a friend who thought they would hate Japanese food to a Japanese restaurant who are now frequent diners of this yummy cuisine.

I have even created some lovers of raw fish - particularly tuna. For those who have not tried it, it melts in the mouth and has the most delicious taste - milder than cooked tuna. Not what you would expect whatsoever.

Gifts featuring Japanese Writing

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T-shirts with a Japanese Food Theme

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Sport in Japan

The most popular sports in Japan are sumo and baseball. Increasingly soccer is becoming more popular - particularly in the lead up to and following the Football World Cup in 2002 which was co-hosted with South Korea.

Other popular sports include skiing, snowboarding, golf, tennis, motorsport and a range of martial arts, such as aikido and judo. Japanese board games such as shogi and go are also very popular

Gifts Featuring Japanese Sports

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Haiku

Japanese Poetry

Haiku are an unrhymed 17 syllable poem of Japanese origin, which usually have a seasonal reference. Traditionally, haiku written in Japanese are printed in a single vertical line, while haiku in English usually appear in three lines, to parallel the three metrical phrases of Japanese haiku:
line 1 - 5 syllables
line 2 - 7 syllables
line 3 - 5 syllables

Here is an example of classic haiku by one of the masters, Matsuo Bashoo:
fuji no kaze ya oogi ni nosete Edo miyage
This can be translated to:
The wind of Mt. Fuji, I've brought on my fan! a gift from Edo

Haiku Prints

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Japanese Beauties

Japanese women have always featured highly in many art styles - their beauty and Japanese fashion, such as the beautiful kimonos, make wonderful subjects for any artist.

Gifts Featuring Japanese Beauties

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Kokeshi

Japanese Wooden Dolls

Kokeshi are Japanese dolls which are handmade from wood and were originally made in Northern Japan.

The types of wood used for kokeshi vary, with cherry used for its darkness and dogwood for its softer qualities. Japanese maple is also used in the creation of both traditional and creative dolls. The wood is left outdoors to season for one to five years before it can be used.

Gifts Featuring Kokeshi Dolls

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Anime

Japanese Cartoons

The word 'anime' is derived from the word 'animation' and is usually used to refer to a cartoon television series or movie made in Japan.

In a Japanese anime series, the characters traditionally have extremely large, doe-like eyes and spikey or long hair. The originator of this look in Japanese anime, Osamu Tezuka, was inspired by the large eyes depicted on such characters as Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop and Bambi as he believed this allowed his characters to show distinct emotions.

Anime is not only hugely popular in Japan - it has a wide audience in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Gifts Featuring Japanese Anime

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Samurai

Japanese Warriors

The samurai, or bushi, were the members of the military class in Japan. All samurai were expected to lead their lives according to "the way of the warrior" or bushido. Loyalty to one's master, self-discipline and respectful and ethical behaviour were important concepts in bushido.

The most famous weapon and symbol of the Samurai was their sword, however they did also use a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns.

After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by cutting their abdomen rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable death.

Gifts Featuring Japanese Samurai

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Ninja

Japanese Mercenary

Over the past thirty or so years, the Western world has become interested in and intrigued by the Ninja and has become part of popular culture. Ninjas were the mercenaries of feudal Japan who specialised in espionage, sabotage, assassination and open combat.

One of the main differences between the ninja and the samurai, was the ninja used underhand tactics to get their results, whereas the reputation of the samurai was paramount and they were cautious of tarnishing their image.

Ninjas feature prominently in Japanese folklore which makes it difficult to determine fact from fiction. Some of the Ninja's legendary abilities include invisibility, walking on water, and control over natural elements.

Gifts Featuring Japanese Ninja

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Tatsu

Japanese Dragons

Japanese dragons, called tatsu, are similiar to Chinese dragons - they tend to be wingless and are serpentine. One of the differences is that Japanese dragons have three claws, whereas Chinese dragons have five, and a Japanese one also has spines along its back. Japanese dragons are usually considered to be beautiful and wise, similiar to those in China.

Dragons are highly regarded in the Shinto religion which tells of the Dragon King Ryu-Wo, who was the guardian of the Shinto faith who lived in a palace under the sea.

According to Japanese legend, they have the ability to change size and shape, even becoming invisible at times. The Japanese dragon is said to be constantly in conflict with the tiger, their arguments causing storms and quakes.

Gift Ideas Featuring Japanese Dragons

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Oni

Japanese Demons

Oni are part of Japanese folklore and feature in Japanese art, literature and theatre. Japanese demons are usually portrayed as very ugly, with wild hair, claws, and having large horns growing from their heads. The skin can be any colour, but the most common colours are red and blue.

Gifts Featuring Japanese Oni

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Koi

Japanese Carp

Koi are very popular in Japan because they are a symbol of love and friendship. There is a wide variety of colours including white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream.

About 400 to 600 years ago, the common carp was first introduced into Japan from China. Common carp were first bred for color in Japan in the 1820s. By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established, most notably the red-and-white Kohaku.

Gifts Ideas Featuring Koi

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The Way of Tea

Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a traditional ceremony involving the preparation and presentation of powdered green tea, known as matcha, which has been influenced by Buddhism.

When attending a tea ceremony, the person performing the ritual has studied the Way of the Tea to become skilled in all the different aspects of the tea's preparation and presentation to those participating in the ceremony. It is not unusal in Japan, for the tea houses to be set in beautiful gardens.

Japanese Proverb

Even Monkeys Fall From Trees

One of the popular Japanese proverbs is "Even Monkeys Fall From Trees" - this is the Japanese equivalent of such sayings as nobody is perfect or everyone makes mistakes in English.

Meishi

Japanese Business Cards

In Japan, business cards, called meishi, are given and received with both hands. When receiving a card, it is important to make a mental note of the name and title of the individual and you should examine the card carefully as a show of respect.

The business card should be printed in your home language on one side and in Japanese on the other. When giving your card, you should present it with the Japanese language side up.

You should always take special care handling the cards you receive - do not write on the card and do not put the card in you pocket or wallet, as these actions will be viewed as defacing or disrespecting the business card.

In a business situation in Japan, business cannot begin until the meishi exchange process has been completed.