Culture
Osaka has a very bright and unique culture compared to other places in Japan. It is a flourishing prefecture of Japan and is considered by many Japanese people and Westerners as one of the greatest places in Japan. The people are also considered by far as the kindest people in Japan.
Ultra HD 4K Video Time Lapse n.d., Photograph, HD Time Lapse, accessed 6 November 2014,
http://www.hdtimelapse.net/details.php?movie_id=8025
http://www.hdtimelapse.net/details.php?movie_id=8025
Religion
The religion practiced in Osaka is mainly Buddhism and Shintoism over Christianity, Islam and others. In Osaka, or Japan in general, religion plays a huge part in everyday life and that is because of the amount of temples and shrines they have all across the country.
Shintoism
Shintoism or commonly known as Shinto is a religion said to be as old as the Japanese people and their nation. It is a loose structure of belief’s that Japanese hold on about themselves their families and clans and their rulers. This refers to “the way of kami” and while there is no accurate English word for this, kami simply means gods or spirits that are admired by the followers of Shinto. The kami cannot be seen but is believed to be the source of human life and existence, kami gives verity to people and gives them guidance as well.
Shinto is closely related to behavior of people and the national value system in Japan from the 19th century. Unlike some religions, Shinto shrines do not have weekly services, instead you can go any day you want to. Some people even visit the shrine every day.
Shintoism has no known founder and there aren’t any sacred books like the Bible or the Koran. Many people in Osaka and Japan in general are religiously respectful followers of Shinto.
Shinto is closely related to behavior of people and the national value system in Japan from the 19th century. Unlike some religions, Shinto shrines do not have weekly services, instead you can go any day you want to. Some people even visit the shrine every day.
Shintoism has no known founder and there aren’t any sacred books like the Bible or the Koran. Many people in Osaka and Japan in general are religiously respectful followers of Shinto.
Shinto Temple In Osaka n.d., Photograph, Im Garcade, accessed 6 November 2014,
http://imgarcade.com/1/shintoism-temple/
http://imgarcade.com/1/shintoism-temple/
Buddhism
Buddhism is seen as more of a philosophy rather than a religion in many people’s eyes. Although there may be Buddhists who believe in some different things they all believe in one basic teaching, “no-self.”
The philosophy of Buddhism is based on The Four Noble Truths. The First Noble Truth is that life is made up of pain and suffering, the second is that all the suffering in life is caused by one’s desires. The Third Noble Truth is that one can be free of their selfish desires, the freedom of these desires is called nirvana. Finally, the Fourth Noble Truth is he Eightfold Path which explains eight ways in order to reach nirvana. As well as Shinto, Buddha’s philosophy is vital for many Japanese people’s everyday life.
The philosophy of Buddhism is based on The Four Noble Truths. The First Noble Truth is that life is made up of pain and suffering, the second is that all the suffering in life is caused by one’s desires. The Third Noble Truth is that one can be free of their selfish desires, the freedom of these desires is called nirvana. Finally, the Fourth Noble Truth is he Eightfold Path which explains eight ways in order to reach nirvana. As well as Shinto, Buddha’s philosophy is vital for many Japanese people’s everyday life.
Japan Buddhist Temple n.d., Photograph, Guenther Eichhorn, accessed 10 November 2014,
http://guenther-eichhorn.com/images/JAPAN/japan_buddhist_temple_1743x1176.jpg
http://guenther-eichhorn.com/images/JAPAN/japan_buddhist_temple_1743x1176.jpg
Traditional Japanese Dresses
The Kimono is a traditional Japanese dress and is only worn on special occasions such as; weddings, tea ceremonies, formal traditional events and funerals. An appropriate style and color is to be worn depending on the occasion and the person’s age and marital status of someone. A man’s kimonos are usually subdued in colors and are made out of matte fabrics whereas a woman’s kimono is different. It is bright in color with very intricate designs and is traditionally made out of silk, however nowadays it is also made out of polyester. The price of a kimono can cost from 10,000 yen of a simple set made out of cheap fabric or millions of yen for a luxurious silk kimono with intricate designs.
Kimono n.d., Photograph, Japan Guide, accessed 10 November 2014,
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2101.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2101.html
Japanese Holidays
New Years
New Year’s Day (shogatsu or oshagutsu) on the 1st of January, is the most important and celebrated day in Japan’s calendar. Years are traditionally viewed as fresh new starts and all work has to be completed before the end of the year. Bonenkai Parties “year-forgetting parties” are held with the tenacity of forgetting all of this year’s worries and troubles behind.
In Osaka, Japan in general, it is expected to go to a shrine and temple on shogatsu. As well as seeing the fireworks and enjoying your time altogether with your family ready to start the New Year.
In Osaka, Japan in general, it is expected to go to a shrine and temple on shogatsu. As well as seeing the fireworks and enjoying your time altogether with your family ready to start the New Year.
Japan n.d., Photograph, Wordpress, accessed 10 November 2014,
http://tommybeautypro.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/happy-new-year-2013-beautiful-fireworks/
http://tommybeautypro.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/happy-new-year-2013-beautiful-fireworks/
Golden Week
Golden Week is a special week in Japan when 4 holidays are celebrated. This includes Showa Day on April 29, Greenery Day May 4, Constitution Day May 3, and Children’s Day May 5.
Showa Day (Showa no hi) is the birthday of early Emperor Showa who died in 1989. April 29, his birthday, was called Greenery Day (Midori no hi) until 2006 when it was altered.
Greenery Day, May 4, used to be celebrated on April 29 as Emperor Showa’s birthday. The day is dedicated to nature and the environment and Emperor Showa esteemed plants and nature. Before being acknowledged as Greenery Day it used to be a national holiday by law because it fell between two national holidays.
Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi) is when on May 3 in 1947, the new postwar constitution was put into effect.
Japan Festivals n.d., Photograph, Blogspot, accessed 10 November 2014,
http://christian-journeyjapan.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/golden-week-2013.html
Showa Day (Showa no hi) is the birthday of early Emperor Showa who died in 1989. April 29, his birthday, was called Greenery Day (Midori no hi) until 2006 when it was altered.
Greenery Day, May 4, used to be celebrated on April 29 as Emperor Showa’s birthday. The day is dedicated to nature and the environment and Emperor Showa esteemed plants and nature. Before being acknowledged as Greenery Day it used to be a national holiday by law because it fell between two national holidays.
Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi) is when on May 3 in 1947, the new postwar constitution was put into effect.
Japan Festivals n.d., Photograph, Blogspot, accessed 10 November 2014,
http://christian-journeyjapan.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/golden-week-2013.html
Finally, Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi) which is on May 5 is also known as The Boy’s Festival (Tango no Sekku). Families pray for the future and achievement in their son’s lives and hang up car streamers and samurai dolls. Both representing strength, power and success in life. The Girl’s Festival is celebrated on March 3.
Food
It is commonly said that the people of Osaka spend most of their coinage on food more than anything else. The term ‘kuidare’ (‘eat until you drop’) is literally meant to describe the food culture here. All the while customers have very high expectations of what the cuisine should be like, restaurants have to keep up with those expectations in order to not face closure. Many Osaka dishes, that were first just local dishes, have achieved nationwide and international fame.
Kaiseki n.d., Photograph, Osaka Prefectural Government, accessed 6 November 2014,
http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/en/attraction/cuisine/culture/index.html
http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/en/attraction/cuisine/culture/index.html
Takoyaki literally means ‘grilled octopus’. Fillings of octopus slices pickled ginger and green onion are covered in an egg and flour based batter. It is then cooked in a takoyaki pan which molds the ingredients into small little balls. Sauces or toppings are usually mayonnaise, green laver (aonori) and dried tomato (katsuobushi) are then added to complete this common street snack.
Takoyaki n.d., Photograph, I am a Food Blog, accessed 11 November 2014,
http://iamafoodblog.com/takoyaki-recipe/
http://iamafoodblog.com/takoyaki-recipe/
Okonomiyaki is a popular pancake like dish that has various styles across Japan. In Osaka, shredded cabbage and a whole range of other ingredients including; squid, prawn, octopus, or beef are all mixed into a flour base barter. This is then cooked before eaten with either okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, aonori or katsuobushi. In various other restaurants, okonomiyaki could be served on a hot plate at the customers table.
Okonomiyaki n.d., Photograph, Tofugu, accessed 13 November 2014,
http://www.tofugu.com/2012/09/24/what-is-okonomiyaki-and-why-is-it-so-awesome/
http://www.tofugu.com/2012/09/24/what-is-okonomiyaki-and-why-is-it-so-awesome/
Kushikatsu is a battered and deep-fried food on skewers. Meats and vegetables are the most popular ingredients for kushikatsu, but other restaurants have more exotic ingredients on their menu Shinsekai is probably the best place to enjoy your kushikatsu in nostalgic Osaka atmosphere.
Kushikatsu n.d., Photograph, Tasty Days, accessed 13 November 2014,
http://www.tastydays.com/recipes/cuisines/japanese-recipes/kushikatsu
http://www.tastydays.com/recipes/cuisines/japanese-recipes/kushikatsu
Kitsune Udon is actually quite a simple dish, udon (thick wheat noodles) are served with a hot soup topped with a piece of tofu. Kitsune means ‘fox’ because it is believed that fried tofu is a fox’s favorite food.
Kitsune Udon n.d., Photograph, Travel Japan Blog, accessed 13 November 2014,
http://traveljapanblog.com/wordpress/tag/kitsune/
http://traveljapanblog.com/wordpress/tag/kitsune/
Teppanyaki means ‘grilling on a metal plate’, referring to the style of cooking a meal on an iron grill in the presence of a customer. At a teppanyaki restaurant, customers sit at the counters where the chef arranges the food then serves it instantly. The enjoyment of this is to watch the maneuvered skills of a chef. The dish served would most likely be high-graded beef or seafood.
Teppanyaki n.d., Photograph, QT Gold Coast, accessed 13 November 2014,
http://www.qtgoldcoast.com.au/food-drink/yamagen/teppanyaki/
http://www.qtgoldcoast.com.au/food-drink/yamagen/teppanyaki/
Language
Japanese language n.d., Photograph, Wikimedia, accessed 14 November 2014,
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese-language.jpg |
Japanese is the key language that is spoken in Osaka, however there is an alteration of Japanese that is spoken specifically in Osaka and it is called Osakaben.
Japanese is a very difficult language to learn if you are new to it however, only a small amount of Osaka’s population know how to speak English. So, it would be easier for you if you knew some small phrases here and there to get you through the day. |
Hello
How are you? I'm fine thanks and you? My name is... Pleased to meet you... Good Morning Goodnight Goodbye Excuse me How much is this? Sorry Thankyou Where's the toilet? Do you speak English Can you translate it for me? |
今日は Konnichiwa
お元気ですか? O genki desu ka? はい、元気です。あなたは?Hai, genki desu, anata wa? ですdesu.... 初めまして Hajimemashite お早うございます / おはようございます Ohayo Gozaimasu おやすみなさい Oyasumi Nasai さようなら Sayonara すみません! Sumimasen いくらですか Ikura desu ka? ごめんなさい! Gomen nasai ありがとう Arigato 便所はどこですか Benjo wa doko desu ka? 英語はできますか Eigo wa dekimasu ka? 訳してください Yakushite kudasai |