JAPAN

Japanis an island nation in East Asia.The characters that make up

Japan’s name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is often referred to as the Land of the Rising Sun.

Japan has a total of 6,852 islands . The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.

KimonoA kimono is a full-length robe

made of silk, worn by both men and women. While men have a simple black or brown-colored kimono, there are different designs of this for women. Furisode for unmarried women. Tomesode for married women. Uchikake is a special kimono worn by Japanese brides. It is made of silk and is much longer than the regular kimono. The footwear of Japanese people is called Zori sandals are flat and thonged Japanese sandals made of rice straw or other plant fibers.

Zori sandals

Traditional Japanese Clothing

Japan

Furisode Tomesode Uchikake

Japan

Apart from these specific kimonos, it is interesting to note that the patterns of kimonos vary based on the prevalent season. Those in fall are less brighter than those of spring, while those of winter are made in heavier fabrics. A popular type of kimono worn in summer is known as yukata, made of cotton.

More about Japanese Crafts

Hinamatsuri dolls They can be made of many materials but the classic hina doll has a pyramidal body of elaborate, many-layered textiles stuffed with straw and/or wood blocks, carved wood hands, carved head and human or silk hair. A full set comprises at least 15 dolls, representing specific characters, with many accessories.

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Daruma dolls are spherical dolls with red bodies and white faces without pupils. They represent Bodhidharma, an East Indian who founded Zen about 1500 years ago; according to legend, he removed his own eyelids to prevent sleep from breaking his concentration, and his limbs withered after prolonged meditation. Daruma dolls are charms to bring good fortune, continued prosperity, and fortitude to accomplish goals. Usually daruma dolls are purchased without eyes.

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Kokeshi dolls have been made for 150 years.They were originally made as toys for children of farmers. They have no arms or legs, but a large head and cylindrical body, representing little girls. From a simple toy, it has now become a famous Japanese craft, and now an established souvenir for tourists.

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Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing where nature and humanity are brought together. One tries to represent the three elements sky, earth, and mankind in a well balanced relation.

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The structure of a Japanese flower arrangement is based on a scalene triangle.

Heaven

Man

earth

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Origami is a traditional Japanese art of paper folding. It has since evolved into a modern art form. The goal of this art is to transform a flat sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques, and as such the use of cuts or glue are not considered to be origami.