akamonkai_online Studying the Japanese language means you will be learning about the culture as well. In fact, that is one of the most fun aspects of the learning experience!
In Japanese culture, there are many ornaments, everyday objects, animals, and natural phenomena that are representative of the country’s tradition and values. You will encounter a lot of these symbols in your Japanese lessons online. By being aware of them, you will be able to turn them into points of conversation and learn something interesting when the topic comes up in your course.
To give you an overview, we will be going over some symbols in Japanese culture. You may recognize some of these, while others might be newto you. Want to find out?
Let’s get right into it!
Koi Fish
In your Japanese lessons online, you are very likely to learn about the Koi fish. They are a representation of ambition, resilience and good fortune in Japanese culture. Their strong and vibrant colors make them gorgeous to look at, as well.
According to legend, a group of Koi fish swam all the way upstream in the Yellow River of China, reaching a waterfall at the top. They jumped for a hundred years, until one fish made it to the top, and with a blessing by the gods, transformed into a golden dragon.
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)
In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom represents impermanence. They bloom during the spring, and bring about a feeling of life and vibrancy.
After one to two weeks, the petals fall off, representing the temporary nature of life itself. In your Japanese lessons online, you will encounter these flowers in poems, stories and more, as they are a very important symbol in Japanese culture.
Fuji Mountain
Mount Fuji is the tallest peak in Japan, a 100,000+ year old volcanic mountain, standing at 3776 meters. It represents endurance, and the beauty of nature.
It is also part of Japanese spirituality, as the journey of climbing Mount Fuji is considered a spiritual journey for many. There are also several shrines and temples built around and on the mountain, adding to its association with spirituality and enlightenment.
Torii Gate
Speaking of spirituality, the Torii gates are the red gates that mark the entrance to a shrine. They serve as the gateway from the human world into the sacred shrines.
In a way, Torii gates are what separates the regular from the spiritual grounds. They are found outside of shrines too, though. Torii gates also represent deities, like mountains or sea, which is why they can also be present in such places.
The Kimono
The Kimono is not only a garment iconic to Japan; it is a symbol of heritage and prosperity. Their elegant designs and motifs are a direct representation of the meticulous work ethic of the Japanese people.
On top of that, the choice of color can be representative of the passing season. The Kimono is often used in formal occasions, making it a key element of Japanese tradition and festivals.
Maneki-Neko (Lucky Cat)
The maneki-neko, also known as the lucky cat, is a symbol of fortune and prosperity. This joyous cat can symbolize different things depending on its color and which hand it is holding up.
Primarily, though, it manifests friendship, luck and wealth. It is found in Japanese shrines, offices, houses and all across everyday life.
Origami Cranes
Origami is a traditional Japanese art form, which uses paper to create beautiful shapes. The crane is an origami shape that is recognized globally. It symbolizes peace, hope and the spirit of Sadako Sasaki.
Sadako Sasaki was a survivor of Hiroshima, who was diagnosed with leukemia. Her goal was to fold 1,000 paper cranes in hopes that her wish to heal would come true, though she would unfortunately pass from her illness. Sadako’s story has touched hearts all across the world, and a statue of her holding a paper crane, called “The Children’s Peace Monument” was built in Hiroshima, Japan.
Daruma Dolls
Daruma dolls are a symbol of perseverance in Japanese culture. Due to their shape and structures, they stand back up when knocked over.
They represent commitment, and the spirit of bouncing back from failure. Some people directly use Daruma dolls for inspiration, painting one of their eyes upon setting a goal, and the other when the goal is achieved.
Bonsai Trees
In your Japanese lessons online, you may learn about the art of Bonsai. It involves growing miniature trees in small containers, aiming to replicate the beauty of nature.
Bonsai requires patience, care, attention to detail, and it brings balance to the mind and soul. It represents a lot of values in Japanese culture.
Ikebana (Flower Arrangements)
Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. It represents tranquility, harmony and mindfulness. The way of the flowers is an art form closely tied to Japanese culture, as it emphasizes the appreciation of nature, balance and an eye for detail.
In your Japanese lessons online, you will notice the significance of ikebana in Japanese tradition.
The Katana
During the samurai era, the katana was a symbol of power, valor and discipline. It was also a status symbol, as only the samurai could wield it. The significance of the katana goes way beyond that, though.
The samurai greatly valued loyalty, which is a key virtue in Japanese society to this day. The katana symbolizes the commitment to ethical code across Japanese history. Honor has always been extremely important in Japanese culture, and that remains true to this day.
Sake Bottles
Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage, made by fermenting rice. It is also part of Japanese tradition. On many occasions, sake is used as a tribute to deities, by people hoping to connect with them.
It has also developed into its own art form, as there are etiquettes and formal methods of serving it in formal ceremonies. It is even used in weddings, to “tie together” the relationship between the bride and the groom!
In your Japanese lessons online, you may learn that sake symbolizes celebration, connection between people and the divine, and purification.
Tatami Mats
Tatami mats symbolize several aspects of Japanese lifestyle; the first being simplicity. Their designs are easy on the eye and modest in design, serving as context to the atmosphere of the room. Traditionally, people sit in a kneeling position on them, another example of the strong connection with nature in Japanese culture.
Zen Gardens
Zen gardens are places of tranquility, symbolizing peace and meditation. They were originally intended to be a space of meditation for Buddhist monks, but now they are universally appreciated as an art form.
Simply looking at a Zen garden evokes mindfulness and relaxation. Zen gardens represent nature, in a miniature setting and a minimalistic style, and chances are you will learn about them in your Japanese lessons online.
Noh Masks
Initially used for religious purposes, later becoming an integral part of Japanese theater drama, Noh masks are intrinsic to Japanese symbolism.
They were used to represent characters of different kinds, often otherworldly spirits, ghosts, deities, demons etc. The designs of Noh masks have historically been intricate and expressive, symbolizing various emotions and qualities.
Bamboo
Bamboo symbolizes prosperity, purity, and flexibility in Japanese culture. It is sturdy, unharmful and useful in several different ways.
Some people use bamboo for cooking, others in construction(scaffolding), and it can also be used for carpentry. Bamboo is associated with innocence and is used, in festivals and shrines, to keep evil away.
Fan (Uchiwa/Sensu)
On the topic of fending off evil spirits, uchiwa fans were used by people of high stature to hide their face and protect themselves from evil spirits. On top of that, they have historically been common in dances, ceremonies, and rituals.
Sensu fans on the other hand, also known as foldable fans, were introduced as a way for men to take notes during court. As time went on, they became accessories, and they are still commonly used to cool off in the summer. Talk about finding a new path for oneself!
Chadogu
The utensils used in the Japanese tea ceremony are called Chadogu. Different utensils are used depending on the season, but they all share the symbolism of the mindfulness, manners and respect that goes into the process of temae.
The ritual is an experience of bonding with guests, as well as oneself, as each step of preparation is completed with love and respect. Your Japanese lessons online will teach you about the process of temae.
Haiku Scrolls
Haiku scrolls are a symbol of Japanese poetry, and a balance of creativity and minimalism. The haiku is a poem made of three lines, where the first and third line have five syllables each, and the middle line has seven.
Haiku is an elegant way of channeling thought into paper, and its structure reflects modesty and conciseness, traits that are found at the core of Japanese culture.
Kites (Tako)
Kites, also known as Tako, symbolize celebration, the arrival of spring and its festivals, and prosperity. They were used in prayer to wish for bountiful harvests and healthy children. Now in Japan, kites are flown during Children’s Day.
In your Japanese lessons online, you will notice that kites are common in other celebrations as well, including New Year’s and the birth of children.
Lanterns (Chochin)
Lanterns are more than a decoration in Japanese tradition. They represent happiness and good luck, as well as the five elements of nature in Buddhism.
Paper lanterns are used in the festivals of Obon and Toro Nogashi, to guide the spirits of those who have passed, onto the afterlife. You will likely learn about the significance of lanterns in your Japanese lessons online!
Shinto Shrines
Shinto shrines are the symbol of Japanese spirituality and the country’s indigenous religion. They are the places where the kami reside, and they represent divinity.
People visit shinto shrines to worship, pray to and connect with deities and practice spirituality. On top of that, they are gorgeous representations of Japanese architecture. There are over 80,000 shinto shrines scattered across Japan!
Rice (Gohan)
Rice is not only a key ingredient in Japanese cuisine, it is a symbol of purity, prosperity and fertility. It is also present in Japanese spirituality.
As we know by now, the appreciation of nature is a massive part of Japanese spirituality. Rice was used as an offering to the deity Inari, in praying for abundance. Even the Emperor would participate in rice-planting ceremonies, hoping for a good harvest, as that signified prosperity for everybody in the land.
Shamisen
The shamisen is a three-string instrument with a rich, distinct and expressive sound. It symbolizes the history and evolution of Japanese music.
The shamisen represents Japanese identity on both a cultural and subcultural level, which is what makes the instrument a gateway into the history of Japanese society.
Sumo Wrestling Mawashi & Sagari
The rikishi’s belt, also known as the mawashi, is worn by sumo wrestlers during training and matches. In official matches, the mawashi are paired with sagari, which are symbolic of the sacred ropes in front of shinto shrines.
They have between an odd number of strings between 17 and 21, which is associated with luck in shinto.
Conclusion
Learning a new language is not all about grammar and sentence rules. You learn about culture, tradition, customs, religion, and the everyday life of Japanese society.
This is among the most fascinating aspects of studying the Japanese language, so feel free to ask questions to your instructors about cultural elements you want to learn more about! In your Japanese lessons online, you will encounter a lot of different symbols that represent the values of Japanese culture.
For the best Japanese lessons online, look into Akamonkai Japanese Language School!