Noh Masks: Neutral Theatre Brought To Life

In Japan masks belong to a highly developed theatrical tradition. Its purpose used to be strictly religious but this has long since changed. Of all the Japanese masks the Noh mask is said to be the most artistic one. The origins of Noh theatre go back to the thirteenth century. At that time a very popular performance was ‘Dengaku no Noh’ which translates as ‘Field-music Performance’ and it had its root in rustic acrobatic and juggling exhibitions. By the fourteenth century, however, Noh had become a kind of opera in which the performers recited while sitting next to each other and then danced. As the fourteenth century went on, another type of Noh, Sarugaku, which used a lot of buffoonery, developed into a serious dramatic performance.

In 1647 the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu (the Shogun was the Japanese military ruler) ordered that no variations were allowed in Noh performance. At that time stage directions were written down, costumes and masks were clearly defined and actors were allocated fixed positions on stage.

Elaborate costumes are a very important part of creating a striking performance. If a play begins rather slowly it is likely that the audience will get bored, therefore the Noh actors choose bright and colourful costumes. Costumes can also help to communicate a special context, so a broad-brimmed hat made of bamboo would suggest country life. These expensive costumes were often gifts to a famous actor by his admirers, something that still happens today.

Stage props on the other hand were hardly needed at all. More important than the costume was the Noh mask. Masks are only worn by the main character, his mask would stylise the person it represents and show them in a truer light than reality could do by depicting only the absolutely essential traits of character. There are five categories of Noh masks: gods, demons, men, women and the elderly.

The masks used in Noh theatre generally show a neutral expression so it is up to the skill of the actor to bring the mask to life through his acting. The parts are all acted by men, so the task of performing as a young woman is one of the most challenging for any actor. The masks are comparatively small and they only cover the front of the face having only small holes for eyes, nostrils and mouth.

Noh masks have to be very light because they are worn throughout a performance that lasts for several hours. They are carved from one piece of cypress wood. After the masks has been carved to the desired thickness, holes for eyes, nose and mouth have been cut, it is then coated with layers of gesso mixed with glue. This coating is then sanded down, giving the mask its final shape. Finally it is painted in the colours prescribed for the particular character and some parts of it might be gilded. Some of the masks’ eyes are inlaid with metal leaving a tiny hole. The hair and the outlines of the eyes are traced with black ink.

Japan’s Revolutionary Toilet

The Japanese toilet that draws the most attention is perhaps the recently invented electronic sitdown toilets. The seat rest has an installed heater, a welcomed feature during wintertime. There are also hydraulic jets that can spray water to clean either the female private part or the anus. The disadvantage though is that when a person does not know how to use it properly, she/he can end up very wet. The jet of water can be strong or weak. The strong mode can be upsetting for some first time users. The other ergonomic controversy is the fact that sometimes users, particularly foreigners who do not know how to use the electronic toilets is unable to stop the jet of water and may end up washing their face if they turn around to face the toilet bowl in an attempt to stop the water jet.

It will take a lot of public education and civic-consciousness before these toilets can be installed in other Asian countries without vandalism or other forms of misuse or abuse by members of the public. Besides the toilet seats itself, there are also features of Japanese toilet that indicate the coming of age of Japanese toilet usage. For example, in many of the shopping centres, particularly the big ones in the city, there are hairdryers located in the toilets for the convenience of the women. This is an extremely advanced features as such hairdryers may easily become the object of theft or vandalism in other Asian countries. In addition, some even had installed sofas. More important than such advanced gadgets and relatively expensive features, are the toilet seat covers. These are things that should be popularized in other Asian countries in the interest of public hygiene. In conclusion, Japanese toilets could very well end up as models for other Asian countries in terms of development. It is certainly a model that is worthwhile to follow as more Asian economies progresses, particularly for the advanced developing countries of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong SAR. These countries are slowly catching up with the Japanese standards of hygiene and may level Japan someday. For example, one can certainly find more electronic automatic flushing toilets in high-tech Singapore. This is probably an example of latecomer’s advantage.

The Art Of The Japanese Hot Stone Massage

Have you ever felt during a massage that the masseuse was just not strong enough to push through the ridges of tension in your shoulder blades, and at the same time not gentle enough to melt the tension in your neck or legs? Then try Japanese Hot Stone Therapy, a post-modern combination of gentle massage with ancient tools of muscular penetration. Japanese Hot Stone Therapy is based upon ANMA, the oldest form of East Asian Massage. It was developed over 7000 years ago and is a kneading, rotation, and vibration based technique. Japanese Hot Stone Massage is much more than placing stones along side of the body, or sliding stones over the body. An expert will “hook” into a muscle with the stone and then gently rotate and/or knead the muscle…then apply pressure and use a rapid vibration technique to further relax the muscles and drive the heat deeper. It is quite an experience to feel the deeply relaxing, penetrating heat from the basalt stones alternating with the toning and refreshing coolness of the marble stones. The use of extremes of temperature has long been scientifically and medically proven to be of benefit to the body. Those who wish to relax and tone their muscles with a minimum of effort see this in the use of ice packs for muscle trauma and the use of saunas. Stone massage makes you feel deeply relaxed, allowing you to let go of all the stress that is held within your body.

Osaka Castle: Classic Japanese Architecture

Osaka Castle is located in the eastern and most historic section of Osaka, Chuo-ku.
The term “castle” in Japanese refers to the entire compound or campus, not just the main keep or donjon.

In addition to its history, Osaka Castle is visited for its classic Japanese architecture that features the Main Tower’s eight guilded roof top dolphins, ornamental roof tiles and reliefs carved in the shape of tigers. Some of the castle’s support structures include a Gunpowder Storehouse, Treasure House which formerly housed silver and gold, The Well-house of Kinmei-sui, as well as single and multi-storied turrets.

The grounds of Osaka Castle host the Nishi-no-maru Garden. The garden boasts over 600 cherry trees along with blooming azaleas. Situated in the garden is the Hoshoan tea house which serves the city of Osaka’s most luxurious tea ceremony.

Originally constructed in 1598 by nearly 60,000 laborers, Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the first unifier of the Japanese people, on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by a fire in 1580.

Early in the 17th century, amidst a war the Osaka Castle was demolished. Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan’s new leader ordered that the castle be rebuilt with “walls twice as tall”.

In the mid 1660’s lightening struck an explosives warehouse and the subsequent fire was contained.

However, for the third time in Osaka Castle’s history it suffered major damage in 1783, this time to the Main Tower when lightening struck again.

While the outlying buildings were restored in the mid-19th century, the Main Tower remained damaged until the citizens of Osaka voluntarily contributed for its refurbishing. The restoration effort of the Main Tower of Osaka Castle was completed in 1931.
World War II and a typhoon in the 1950’s plagued the castle with more damage, necessitating its 1995 renovation.

Mickey in Japan: Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland is filled with many people through the year, and is said to be the busiest of all the Disney parks around the globe - there is no off-season here. A great trip for for both children and adults alike, Tokyo Disneyland is located in Urayasu, Chiba. It is right outside of Tokyo. The best way to get there is by taking the JR Keiyo line train from Tokyo to Maihama station. Then it is only a 10 min. walk from Maihama station to Tokyo Disneyland.

There are so many things to do in Disneyland, so you might want to stay at the hotels near Tokyo Disneyland. Tokyo Disneyland Official Hotels are expensive but are very convenient. There are direct buses from Narita/Haneda Airport to these hotels, and there are free shuttle buses to Tokyo Disneyland from those hotels. You can come back to your room to rest during the day and go back to Disneyland. The big daddy of Tokyo’s theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland is a pretty close copy of the Californian original, plonked in commuter land, a fifteen-minute train ride east of the city centre. Its theme lands, parades and zany extravaganzas follow the well-honed Disney formula and, whatever your preconceptions, it’s pretty hard not to have a good time. You’ll probably want to devote a whole day to Disneyland to get your money’s worth; a one-day “passport”, covering all attractions except the “Shootin’ Gallery”, costs ¥5500, or on certain evenings a ¥4500 “starlight passport” is available for entry after 5pm. The resort is generally open from 8am or 9am to 10pm, but hours may vary and the park is occasionally closed for special events, so it’s best to check beforehand. Tickets are sold in the main entrance of the park, but usually there is a long waiting line so the best way to go is to purchase your tickets ahead of time in okyo Disneyland Ticket Center is located in Hibiya Mitsui Building in Hibiya station, Tokyo or at a travel agent.

Gifu Wagasa: A Dying Tradition

Still known today as a center for the production of traditional Japanese umbrellas, manufacture of wagasa began in the Kano district of Gifu City in the middle of the 18th century. At that time the state had feudal organization and the local lords had a great deal of economic and political autonomy within the domains to which they were assigned. The feudal lord who was transferred in to rule the feudal domain around Gifu had to contend with a local economy that was devastated by floods. He saw an opportunity to stimulate local industry and to provide the means to supplement the living of the impoverished lower samurai (warrior elite) by encouraging them to make umbrellas.

The local area had a long history of paper making. Mino-washi, a local product, was a strong handmade paper due to the long fibers it contained. Good quality bamboo was to be found in the valley of the Kiso River, and it was easy to obtain sesame oil and lacquer from the local mountains, indispensable for water proofing. These advantages made the area well suited to umbrella making, since the basic construction of Japanese umbrellas involves affixing paper over a frame of bamboo-strip ribs, and then applying oil and lacquer for waterproofing.

Production peaked at the beginning of the 20th century, when over a million umbrellas per year were manufactured. Since then the metal-and-cloth Western-style umbrella has become generally used, and the number of people who use Japanese umbrellas has dwindled. These days the local craftworkers make only few tens of thousands of wagasa a year.

The traditional Japanese umbrella uses only natural materials and, requiring several months to undergo the various separate processes that are needed for completion, the skilled hands of a dozen seasoned craftworkers contribute to the finished item. In addition to the usual type of rain umbrella, Gifu Wagasa also come in various other types including large red outdoor parasols that are used to provide shade on outdoor occasions, such as tea ceremonies. Then there are smaller colorful buyo-gasa that figure in performances of traditional Japanese dance, Gifu Wagasa are an indispensable part of traditional Japanese art and culture.

The Getabako: More Than Just A Space Saver

While traditional Japanese dress has been largely replaced with western clothing, some of its customs still survive intact. The most common is the practice of removing one’s shoes when entering someone’s home. The custom is a combination of cleanliness and the fact that traditional flooring is made from tatami, straw matting that is easily damaged by footwear. There is a story of the first American consul to Japan, Townsend Harris getting off to a bad start with his hosts by walking straight into the shogun’s presence in Edo Castle without removing his shoes.

While geta have become pretty rare, the shoe cupboard in every home’s genkan (entrance hallway) is still called a getabako (geta box). When you enter the genkan, you must remove your shoes and the formal etiquette is to leave them neatly aligned and to the side, facing inwards. The host turns them around and puts them in the center before you leave. Younger people tend not to worry about these finer details anymore. But when entering shrine or temple buildings and many Japanese-style restaurants, you will be expected to remove your shoes. Many restaurants and homes provide slippers for guests, though these should be removed when entering a room with tatami mat flooring. Also, there will be a separate pair of slippers to be changed into in the toilet.

The Japanese have a very deep-rooted though largely unspoken understanding of the difference between spaces. The genkan is a kind of border post post between the outside world and the inner sanctum of the home. Delivery men may quite casually step into your genkan but that’s as far as they’ll go without you inviting them in. There is almost always a step up into the home and the Japanese word for entering a home is literally to “step up“. Even when entering your own home (uchi, meaning inside), the act of removing your shoes is symbolic of casting off the worries and troubles as well as the dirt of the outside world (soto). “Dosoku de agarikomu” (literally, go inside with soiled feet) is a metaphor for meddling thoughtlessly in someone else’s affairs.

Otaku:The Growing Japanese Geek Market Part 1

At his favorite neighborhood cafe, Shunsuke Yamagata, a college student who proudly calls himself a nerd, smiled shyly behind his horn-rimmed glasses at waitresses hurrying about in black Minnie Mouse shoes and lacy, racy mini-dresses inspired by Japanese comics. The place is a dream come true for Yamagata, whose passion is collecting comics and cartoons. He giggled with glee when his servers addressed him in the squeaky little character voices they use to delight their fantasy-loving clientele.

For Yamagata, 20, it was just another night out with the pocket-protector crowd in Tokyo’s neon-splashed Akihabara district, where “costume cafes” are the latest of hundreds of new businesses catering to Japan’s otaku , or nerds. A subculture of social misfits obsessed with electronic role-playing games, manga comics and Japanese animation, they began gathering in Akihabara in the late 1990s, lured by the district’s proliferation of electronics retailers and stores selling everything you would need to build your own computer.

Maligned and shunned by mainstream society, here they stayed, their tastes and habits transforming the area also known as Electric Town into what sociologists are calling an urban first — a ghetto of geeks.

Otaku: Part 2

On streets once packed with housewives or couples shopping for refrigerators and microwave ovens, hundreds of thousands of nerds — mostly men between about 18 and 45 — now wander through the area’s multi-story comic warehouses and elaborate game arcades. Eyeglass adjustment kiosks compete for space with shops selling nondescript dress shirts and thick leather shoes.

There are bigger-ticket items, as well. With some analysts estimating the Japanese geek market to be worth as much as $19 billion a year, companies are jostling to cash in. One Akihabara antique electronics boutique displays an intact 1985 NEC computer, gingerly housed behind glass, with a $2,500 price tag.

“We have been discriminated against for being different, but now we have come together and turned this neighborhood into a place of our own,” said Yamagata, nursing his tea as he sat with a portly computer technician friend at Akihabara’s Cos-Cha, one of a dozen “maid cafes” in the neighborhood. Here, the waitresses’ uniforms are inspired by the French maid-meets-Pokemon outfits of adult manga. At other cafes, waitresses greet patrons at the door with a curtsy and the words “Welcome home, master.”

Sociologists and urban planners compare the phenomenon to ethnic and social enclaves such as New York’s Chinatown or San Francisco’s gay Castro district, born of a blend of discrimination and shared cultural cues. Japanese geeks are outcasts in a society known for its rigid social norms. But their culture has gone mainstream.

My Favourite Japanese Gardens

I have always wanted to have a Japanese garden. The Japanese are true masters in turning nearly everything in their culture to an artform, and the garden is no exception. Many of the famous gardens in Japan are located within Zen monasteries, an influence that is often conjectural at best. There must have been important religious influences on early garden design as well, given the significance of natural objects in Shinto beliefs. Although its original meaning is somewhat obscure, one of the Japanese words for garden—niwa—came to mean a place that had been cleansed and purified in anticipation of the arrival of kami, the deified spirits of Shinto, and the Shinto reverance for great rocks, lakes, ancient trees, and other “dignitaries of nature” would exert an enduring influence on Japanese garden design. The individual elements of Japanese gardens can fill a book, and often has. This includes waterfalls, rocks, bridges, islands, flowers, water and of course, trees. Here are my favourite ones:

Ginkaku-ji

The temple of Jisho-ji is more popularly known as Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion. Both the pavilion and the garden were part of the retirement villa of Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth Shogun of the Muromachi Period, who began construction in 1482. The complex became the very center of Japanese aesthetic concerns during the eight years of Yoshimasa’s residency, particularly in the areas of art collecting, flower arranging, and the tea ceremony.

Shoseien
Popularly known as Kikokutei Hall Garden, this is currently part of the Higashihongan-ji Temple (although separated from it physically). Its landscaping—attributed to Ishikawa Jozan and Kobori Enshu—dates to the Edo Period, but the large pond may originally have been part of the Heian estate of Minamoto no Toru, younger son of the Emperor Saga. It is one of a number of such Kyoto ponds that are all that remain of the great gardens of the Heian aristocracy.

Daisen-in

Founded in 1509 by the Zen priest Kogaku Sotan (1464-1548) upon his retirement as abbot of Daitoku-ji. The hojo, his residence, was completed in 1513, and the most famous of the gardens that surround that structure probably dates from the same period. While the theory that other early Zen gardens were intended to imitate Chinese landscape paintings or their Japanese equivalents is open to question, there can be little doubt that this was the intention at the Daisen-in. The garden that flanks two sides of the hojo is a miniature landscape whose vertical rocks suggest the mountains from which a waterfall and its resulting river flow.