BY CHRISTINE D. DAVID

Japanese and Chinese Traditions 

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a cultural tradition that originated in China. The tea was considered medicine that promoted physical and spiritual health and was consumed for enjoyment purposes primarily. The spiritual aspect involves harmony between the persons participating in the ceremony, respect for those involved in the ceremony, and purity. These three aspects bring tranquility to those who participate in the tradition.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Japanese Theater : Noh & Kabuki Drama Noh drama is rigidly traditional

Japanese drama which in its present form dates back to the early 14th century. Noh plays are short dramas combining music, dance, and lyrics, with a highly stylized ritualistic presentation.

Kabuki drama combined elements of noh drama and folk theater.

The Japanese New Year Celebration (January 1-15) In Japan, the celebration of the New Year

is the most significant and important holiday. During this time they begin the New Year with a clean slate, spend time with family and friends and prepare for the events of the New Year. After the cleaning, houses are decorated with straw ropes and pine bough that is burned in a ceremonial bonfire at the end of the New Year’s celebration.

The Kimono and Yukata

Kimono and Yukata are traditional Japanese clothing. Kimono are made of silk and are usually very expensive. Nowadays they are worn at formal or traditional occasions such as funerals, weddings or tea ceremonies. Only rarely can kimono still be seen in everyday life.

The Yukata, on the other hand, is more of informal leisure clothing.

The Sumo

Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's national sport. It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the Shinto gods. Many rituals with religious background are still followed today.

Tatami mats

Most houses in Japan have tatami mats. Tatami were originally a luxury item for the

nobility. During the Heian period, when the shinden-zukuri architectural style of aristocratic residences was consummated, the flooring of shinden-zukuri palatial rooms were mainly wooden, and tatami were only used as seating for the highest aristocrats. It is said that prior to the mid-16th century, the ruling nobility and samurai slept on tatami or woven mats called goza, while commoners used straw mats or loose straw for bedding

Haiku

Japanese Haiku started as Hokku, an opening stanza of an orthodox collaborative linked poem, or renga, and of its laterderivative, renku (or haikai no renga). By the time of Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694), the

hokku had begun to appear as an independent poem, and was also incorporated in haibun(a combination of prose and hokku), and haiga (a combination of painting with hokku). In the late 19th century, Masaoka Shiki (1867–1902) renamed the standalone hokku or poem to haiku.

The Tea

Like the Japanese, Chinese considered tea as one of their seven basic necessities. Firewood, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar were some of the basic needs. Ways of tea preparation, tasting it and the occasions on which it is consumed make the Chinese tea culture unique

In the beginning, tea was cultivated and used solely as herbal medicine mostly within temples. Monks began to use tea to teach a respect for nature, humility and an overall sense of peace and calm.

Today, there are six major aspects to consider when performing a ChineseTea Ceremony: attitude of the person performing the ceremony, tea selection, water selection, tea ware selection, ambiance and technique.

Children serve tea to their elders as a token of respect. People of lower order are supposed to serve tea to people of higher ranks. This custom is still practiced onformal occasions.

Chinese Weddings

Chinese weddings have certain traditional customs. As a form of expressing gratitude, the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and offer them tea.

In olden times, drinking the tea offered showed acceptance of marriage

Chopsticks

Chopsticks are believed to symbolize kindness and gentleness.

Confucianism taught the Chinese to abandon knives and forks from the dining table. So they have their food cut to bite-size before it comes on the table.

New Year

New Year is one of the most prominent festivals of the Chinese calendar. It is about getting together.

Red is believed to abolish bad luck. So people clothe in red for the New Year celebration.

A long dragon made of silk, bamboo, and paper are carried along streets. Young men hold the dragon and dance while carrying the dragon along. The Dragon dance is an ancient Chinese tradition.

When you give your gift make sure to wrap it in red and gold never with white, black or gray as they symbolize death.