| The Japanese language and calligraphy play a large role in Japanese culture. Although there are few sounds in the Japanese language, they use a pitch-accent system, which allows the same word to have different meanings by placing the accent in different parts of the word. Calligraphy is seen as an art form as well as a way to document information.
Many people are familiar with kimono, which means “something one wears” and are the traditional garments of Japan. Kimonos, or nagagi, are full-length garments that are still worn on special occasions by women, men and children. Kimono come in a variety of colors, styles and sizes, where women generally wear the more vibrant and colorful patterns.
Even more well-known and popular to the western culture is sushi, a main cuisine in Japan. Sushi, tempura and teriyaki chicken have become exceedingly popular in Europe and the U.S. Rice and noodles are a staple in the Japanese cuisine and it is often believed that the diet is directly related to the longevity of the Japanese people. There are many customs and strict etiquette associated in Japanese style eating and drinking. The traditional tea ceremony, strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism, is such an involved ceremony that it can almost be thought of as a play or dance.
Some Japanese sports, such as Sumo, also involve a lot of ritual elements, such as the use of salt for purification. Although the Japan Sumo Association refers to Sumo as the national sport of Japan, legally Japan does not have an official sport. Baseball is actually the most popular spectator sport in the country. Some other popular, traditional, sports in Japan include different types of martial arts with Kenjutsu, Kyūdō, Sōjutsu, Jujutsu and Sumo being the more common ones and were developed during the Edo Period, 1603 to 1868.
The architecture in Japan also has a long standing history in Japanese Culture. Traditional Japanese architecture is widely seen throughout Japan in the form of Temples, Shinto shrines, and castles. Accenting some of the buildings are traditional Zen style gardens.
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