9.2.4 Tradition Many traditional festivals and religious ceremonies are still practised in Japan today. Some of these have not changed for many hundreds of years, so they can provide valuable information about the way of life of Japanese people in past centuries. Many of the festivals are religious in nature and have their origins in ancient and medieval Buddhist and Shint̄o ceremonies. Others have artistic and cultural significance, such as the re-enactment of traditional Kabuki theatre performances. These can provide insights into the artistic and cultural activities of the past.
SOURCE5 The Hollyhock Festival ( Aoi Matsuri ) began as a religious festival in the sixth century. It was believed to protect people from disease and help bring good rice harvests.
9.2 SkillBuilder activity HISTORICAL QUESTIONS Japanese writing and culture have been heavily influenced by China, both during its inception and as it grew.
Likewise, our culture relies heavily on the cultures of societies before us. 1. Investigate the following cultural expressions and their origins: • Christmas, Easter and New Year’s Eve • Handshakes
• Birthday presents • Ms/Mrs/Mr/Mx • Farming cows, pigs and sheep for food (more than other animals) • Wearing a tie 2. Communicate your findings using either a colourful infographic or a brief oral presentation.
TOPIC9 Japan under the sh̄oguns 213
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