The Folk Tale of Momotaro

Momotaro is one of the most popular Japanese folk tales for children. I’d like to introduce this interesting story. I hope you like it.

Long ago, there lived an old man and woman who were very poor. Because they had no children to take care of them in their old age, they worked hard in the rice fields every day to afford food. For years they had prayed for a child of their own, but these prayers went unanswered.

One day, the old woman was washing her clothes in the river when she saw a huge peach floating downstream. She reached out and grabbed the enormous peach, and carried it back to the house where she and the old man lived.

Later that day, when the old man came home after a long day of work, he found his wife waiting for him with the enormous peach. The old couple could hardly believe their luck, and prepared a knife to cut it open. But before they could make the first cut, the peach suddenly opened on its own, and out stepped a baby boy.

The boy explained to the surprised couple that he had been sent as a gift from the heavens, and was to be raised as their own son. The couple was overjoyed and happily accepted the boy into their home. They named him Momotaro, or “son of the peach.”

Many years passed, and the old couple raised their new son. By the age of fifteen, Momotaro was a strong and healthy young boy, and he was known for his bravery and virtue. The old couple were happy to finally have a child, and Momotaro returned their affection and gratitude in kind.

One day, Momotaro heard stories of a gang of demons that terrorised a distant land. He decided that he would go and defeat these demons, and restore peace to the land. His parents bid him goodbye, giving him some dumplings to keep him fed on his journey.

Along the way, Momotaro met a hungry dog. Momotaro asked the dog to join him on his quest in exchange for one of his dumplings. The dog agreed to join him, and they continued on their way.

Not long after, they came across a monkey. The dog and monkey began to fight, but Momotaro calmed them down. The monkey told the boy that he had heard of his quest to fight the demons, and asked to join him. Momotaro agreed, giving the monkey one of his dumplings, and the trio set off once again.

Later, they came across a wild pheasant, and again, the dog was quick to start a fight. Momotaro scolded the dog, and having seen the skills of the pheasant in combat, asked him to join his group. Aften being offered a dumpling, the pheasant agreed to tag along.

While the three animals did not get along well at first, they soon learned from Momotaro to respect one another. When they finally arrived at the demons’ hideout, the four heroes bravely confronted their opponents. One by one, the demons fell, until finally their chief surrendered.

Momotaro and his friends returned home, bringing with them the captive demon chief, as well as all the hostages and treasures the demons had stolen. The captives were returned to their families, and Momotaro brought the treasures he had won back to his parents. With their newfound wealth, the old couple and their son lived the rest of their days in peace and comfort.

The story of Momotaro remains popular today for a number of reasons. For one thing, the talking animals and aspirational protagonist make it a very appealing story to young children, and it is often taught in schools. This had also led to it being adapted in many books, cartoons and films, cementing it as a classic story. Some people also suspect that the story of fighting a gang of demons is an allegory for the historical invasion of Japan by various countries. Regardless, almost every Japanese person has heard this story at least once, and this is likely to continue for years to come. If you want to learn more about Japanese mythology, Royall Tyler's Japanese Tales is a great place to start.

Onsen: The Hot Springs of Japan

Japanese people like to take baths. It warms and relaxes the body.

Onsen is the Japanese word for a hot spring. It is said that there are more than 3,000 hot springs throughout Japan, due to the fact that it is a volcanic country. If you are in an area where hot springs are available, you can use them at nearby hotels as well as facilities dedicated to hot springs. The springs flow into the facilities from underground, using specially designed water pipes.

One of the reasons why the Japanese love hot springs is because of their health benefits. Onsen water has a healing effect. It has been medically proven to do so. This includes both physical and psychological benefits.

The minerals in the hot water vary from region to region. Each region advertises the specific benefits of their local hot springs. People may go out in search of a hot spring that is compatible with them. Some people stay in hot springs resorts for long periods of time to restore their health.

Hot springs have a variety of benefits. They can help with fatigue, cooling, and rheumatism. Bathing in bicarbonate hot springs has a softening effect on the skin. Bicarbonate of earth hot springs can reduce inflammation. Hence, they are good for trauma, skin diseases, atopic dermatitis and allergic diseases.

Many hot springs are located in the mountains or on the coast. Visitors can enjoy the view of the mountains and the sea while soaking in the hot water. That is the best part of an open-air bath. Japanese people like to enjoy the beauty of nature and the seasons while soaking in onsen. When you experience an onsen, you will understand what it means.

There are a few rules you should be aware of when entering an onsen. Take off all your underwear before entering the bathhouse. You are not allowed to wear a bathing suit when entering the hot water. You are supposed to wash your body before entering the hot water. You are not allowed to put your head under the water in the hot water. Swimming is prohibited; this is to prevent danger and to maintain cleanliness. Hot springs also prohibit tattoos, which are closely related with gang activity in Japan. Most facilities have recently added English instructions for the benefit of foreign tourists, so please read them carefully.

Eating and drinking is another fun part of a hot spring trip. Meals will be served with different specialties depending on the area where the hot springs are located. There are some unusual foods that you can't find in the city, so that's part of the fun.

Trivia: Each of Japan's hot springs has its own distinctive name. A popular naming convention is to use the word “Hell.” One of those names is Hell in the Pool of Blood. Scary image, isn't it? That's because the iron-rich red water boiling and bubbling is compared to hell.

In spite of the names, hot springs are safe and controlled. Many Japanese people prefer hot water. Some hot springs are too hot for foreigners. It's a good idea to check the temperature before you go in.

Below is a list of famous onsen in Japan. We hope this will be of help to you.

Atami Onsen

It takes 40 minutes to get here from Tokyo by bullet train. As this is the center of Japan, people come from all parts of the country. There are plenty of tourist facilities in the hot spring area along the coast. In summer, you can swim at the beach. The scenery is beautiful from higher ground.

Atami Onsen is a mildly alkaline spring that is gentle on the skin, and the water is soft and pleasant to the touch.

Beppu Onsen

This is an island in the south of the Japanese archipelago. It boasts the largest number of hot springs in Japan in terms of the amount of water that comes out of them and the number of sources. This hot spring town is famous for the spectacle of countless steamy springs. At night, there is an observatory where you can watch the steam light up in a fantastic way. You can take a ride on a ropeway to see the beautiful night view from the mountain. This is also a great place for camping.

Kusatsu Onsen

Located in the highlands, Kusatsu Onsen is famous as a ski resort in winter. The best thing to do is to take a dip in the open-air hot spring baths in the snow. In Nishinokawara Park, there are hot springs all over the park, where you can soak your feet freely.

The Art of Origami

Origami, the art of paper folding, is known throughout the world as a distinctive part of Japanese culture. It seems that many Americans have at least some understanding of what origami is. But there may be many things you don’t yet know about this unique art form.

For one thing, origami can come in many forms. The most well known form of origami is the act of folding square paper into the shape of various animals, such as cranes, frogs and butterflies. However, there is a lot of diversity in what one can make, and the method used to make it. Objects such as boats, fans, and samurai helmets are common subjects for origami. More advanced and modern techniques might include cutting and glueing paper instead of just folding it. As a result, the complexity of origami can range widely, from simple shapes to intricate 3D works of art.

Practicing origami is an extremely common activity in Japan, especially for kids. Parents will often teach their children how to fold some of the more popular designs. In kindergarten, folding origami is a staple of most schools’ art curriculum. Many books and instructional videos now exist to teach people how to make certain designs, but origami is also an oral tradition, with techniques being passed from one generation to the next.

Despite how widespread origami is now, it was not always so ubiquitous. When paper was first invented in China more than 2000 years ago, it was considered a rare luxury that could only be afforded by nobility. Paper folding did exist, but was reserved for religious ceremonies. It was not until the advent of mass-produced paper that the masses began to develop and spread what we now call origami.

Since then, origami has assumed an important role as a symbol of Japanese culture. It reflects the importance of paper in Japan, a material which has traditionally been used in everything from children's toys to furniture. While other mediums such as calligraphy and illustration also demonstrate the unique qualities of Japanese paper, none are as simple and elegant as origami. Origami has even found its way into Japanese mythology and tradition. One of the most well known is the “senbazuru,” also called the one thousand paper cranes. The act of folding these cranes is said to confer wishes or longevity, and is often given to hospital patients in the hopes that it will help them recover.

While origami is an old tradition, it continues to evolve as it is taught to each new generation. It remains a fun and activity for all ages and backgrounds, and origami paper is very affordable, so give it a try!

The Animated Robots of Japan

What do you associate with robots? Most Japanese people think of superheroes.

When you think of robots in America, you might think of Isaac Asimov's series of Sci-Fi novels. Other than that, robots in American media are often a threat to humans.

In the movies, they are the Terminator. In many games, giant, terrifying robots are common. However, Japanese robots have always been allies of humans.

The first robot to gain popularity in Japan was Astro Boy. Astro Boy made his debut in a manga magazine in 1951. In the manga’s setting, Astro Boy was born in 2003. The original creators had hoped that Astro Boy would come to fruition half a century in the future. Unfortunately, in the year 2020, robots are still primitive. But the original creator turned his big dream into a comic book. And Astro Boy was a huge hit.

Especially as a TV animation, a moving robot was so revolutionary and fascinating. Astro Boy was a very cute kid. He has the same joys and sorrows as a human being. That's not all. He has courage, justice, and tremendous power. It's no wonder that children adore him.

After Astro Boy, robots were an influential subject in Japanese manga and animation. The next robot that became popular was Gigantor.

Gigantor is a counterpart of Astro Boy. He has the personality of a stereotypical robot. He has no emotions and moves at the command of the main character, Shotaro. Driven by a remote controller, he has no fear and no sense of justice. His every action is reflected in the will of the controller. If the controller is taken away from Shotaro by an evil person, he follows the evil one’s orders. Gigantor's thrilling battles have captured the hearts of children.

During the early days of TV animation, many Sci-Fi shows were created. Along with Astro Boy and Gigantor, 8th Man was one of the most popular of them all. The uniqueness of this show is that the main character, a robot, is an adult. While most superheroes in the US are adults, most of them in Japan are teenagers or small children. But 8th Man is a very cool and stylish character, borrowing characteristics from hard-boiled novels, making him a more realistic humanoid robot.

A characteristic of Japanese robot animation was the relationship between robots and humans. How a person controls a robot was often the highlight of the show. This has changed over time.

Mazinger Z, which appeared in 1972, was a breakthrough. A small plane piloted by a human docked with the head of a giant robot. Hence, this robot was very large. He was 60 feet tall.

Gigantor and Astro Boy consisted of primitive fistfights between robots. However, Mazinger Z uses his equipped weapons to fight the robots controlled by the villain. The enemy robots also had a variety of ingenious and secret weapons. This lineage of epic robot battles has since spawned many imitations.

In 1979, Japanese robot animation saw the introduction of a revolutionary series: Gundam. It was completely different from the robots that came before it. It had a more realistic story, and a more complicated setting aimed at an older audience. It's a really believable vision of the future.

Basically, the robots in Gundam are treated as a development of a fighter jet. Its setting is space. The protagonist is no longer a robot, but a human pilot. The story depicts the struggles of humans, and even the significance of robots' existence recedes. But interestingly, despite its author's intentions for a short series, Gundam's popularity led to its growth into a huge franchise.

Since that first show, Gundam has made numerous sequels. What's surprising is that the series has maintained its popularity, and continues to the present day. But I won't talk about it too much, as it's a long story to write.

But even after Gundam, the history of robot animation doesn't stop. New variations of robots kept coming out.

Among them, Evangelion is the most conspicuous one. This series subverts the conventions of its predecessors. It deviates from the original concept of a robot with sophisticated and organic designs. It is a child that controls it, but unlike Gigantor, the focus of the conflict is the protagonist’s inner struggle. This is a very scary and authentic Sci-Fi story.

As mentioned above, the Japanese have been relentlessly creating and transforming robots in fiction. There is a never-ending pursuit of the ideal. Their long journey is not over yet. There is a glimpse of the longing for something beyond humanity. What kind of robots will appear in the future?

Why Are Japanese Towels Long?

I'm about to start a series on Japanese and American culture. It won't be every day. Every once in a while, I'll try to write about something that strikes my fancy.

This time it's about the size of towels.

Have you ever wondered about this? The size of the towel is different between America and Japan. In American hotels, there are usually three types of towels in the room. In other words, Americans use three main types of towels. The biggest one is the bath towel, the second one is a hand towel, and the third is a washcloth.

Every Japanese person who comes to the United States takes a shower with a hand towel. That's how they wash themselves. And they always think, "Well, this towel is too short.” And Americans on the other hand will be confused by these complaints.

Why is there such a difference?

The average American hand towel is 24" x 15". It has an area of 360 sq. in.

The towel most commonly used by the Japanese on a daily basis is called a Tenugui. Its towel is 34 in. x 13.5 in. with an area of 459 sq in.

Japanese towels are longer and have a larger surface area. Why is that? The Japanese are very particular about this size. Because it's a good size for washing oneself. Why?　Americans think. Why do Japanese people with generally smaller bodies use bigger towels than American ones?

That’s because the Japanese have a different approach to washing their backs. What does this mean?

Take a Japanese tenugui towel. If you grab both ends of the towel and put it behind your back, you can pull it from side to side like a saw and wash your back. That's why Japanese towels are so long. Americans think you can wash your back with water from the shower. But the Japanese want to wash their back just as thoroughly as their chest and limbs. It is based on the idea that the skin of the human body gets dirty in the same conditions everywhere. For Americans, the back may be a blind spot.

In Japan, we have something called a public bathhouse. They are places that can accommodate dozens of people and often serve as a place for socializing with other locals. In the United States, barber shops used to play a similar role.

A common occurrence in these public bathhouses is back washing by parents and children. This is a custom especially for children to wash the backs of their parents. Each child can wash his or her own back with his or her own hand towel. It is a common and comfortable sight.

The Japanese are a people who cherish their backs. It is the same even when they wear clothes. Japanese culture has a greater emphasis on reading the emotions of other based on their backs. This is another subject that may be worth talking about later.

Even the length of the towel shows their ethnic characteristics. Isn't that interesting?

The World of Digital Art

Nowadays, a lot of people create art digitally. PCs, tablets and graphic pens have become more and more popular. Along with that, the apps are getting better and better.

In the analog age, it was not easy to get the tools needed for creation, such as brushes, drawing paper, paints, rulers, easels, etc. But digital art can be started right away with a computer or tablet at home. Many of the apps are free to download. If you like it, you can upgrade to a paid version. If you don't like it, you can simply delete it.

Digital art is becoming more and more popular because it's an easy way to experience art.

It's the same in Japan. The slight difference between Japan and the rest of the world is in the artwork style. In Japan, the priority is not on skill, but on cuteness and coolness. From a foreigner's point of view, it may give an impression of childishness. In Japan, manga and anime characters are the most popular art forms.

　

In the Japanese amateur artist community, the reproduction and re-creation of existing works is highly valued. Anyone who came close to a professional's work would be praised. As a result, amateur drawing techniques have improved. Even junior high and high school students can recreate the taste of professional works with the tools of an app. The internet is full of such hobbyist works.

Originality is the most important thing in the professional art world. Technique comes second. However, for amateur creators, a sense of familiarity is important. Even if a picture looks familiar, if it's cute, it's good. Or if it is stylish, it is admired.

This may not only be the case in Japan. Foreigners who like Japanese anime and manga also draw the same kind of illustrations. These popular art tastes may vary from country to country or region to region. Depending on their approach, they may use slightly different graphic applications.

There are a number of digital art applications that are popular in Japan today. The following are some of the most popular graphic apps in Japan. Are they a little different from your country?

Clip Studio Paint

This application is used by professionals in comics, animation and illustration production. It is often used in schools that train professionals. This is an easy tool to personalize as it allows for subtle adjustments. You can create data for a variety of platforms. You can place images and text as you wish, so you can create simple designs.

It's multifunctional, so it takes a bit of getting used to operating it. There are many features to help beginners. There are plenty of digital art tools such as pens and brushes as well as color and black and white tones. This allows you to try different painting styles right from the start.

You can add pens, brushes, tones, etc. by downloading the data from the material site. The pen and brushes are highly flexible and customizable.

There is also the ability to create multiple pages, extract lines from photos, animations and more. If you want to create illustrations, cartoons, animations, etc., then it is the best option.

Photoshop

The champion of graphics software. It's software used by all professionals, including photographers, illustrators, animators and others. It is often introduced in design schools, and can export data for web, print, and movies in multiple ways. However, it is not a software specialized for illustrations or comics. There are many customization items available, so you can set it to your liking.

Since this software was originally designed for photo processing, it is good at adjusting color tones. It also supports the CMYK color mode used in printing. Overall, it is aimed at intermediate users and above, so the price is not cheap. In Japan, Photoshop Elements is also popular among young people, with its narrowed-down features.

FireAlpaca

Free software to draw color illustrations and cartoons. It has basic features such as analog-style brushes, and can be used in conjunction with other services. You can also make animated GIFs. Recommended for those who want to make simple color illustrations and animated GIFs.

Compared to paid software, there are fewer brushes and customization items. However, you can use pen and watercolor brushes, as well as rotational symmetry and other unique effects.

It also supports the frame layout function of comic panels, so you can create your own comics! It's simple in function, but allows you to create a variety of works of art.

Ibis Paint

This app is attracting a lot of attention in Japan right now. You can draw illustrations and manga for free on your smartphone or tablet. The operation screen has been designed with mobile devices in mind. In addition to the tone control, there is also a frame function and a full range of comic production features.

In the free version, ads are displayed and brush types are limited. By watching the ad video, you can use the same features as the paid version with a time limit.

When you purchase the paid version, the ads are removed and the brush restrictions are lifted. With a premium monthly membership, you get all the services of the paid version, plus exclusive filters for members.

MediBangPaint

This is a free and simple drawing tool. It is less flexible than the paid ones. It has basic features for drawing comics, such as frame and tone control. It's more of an app for color or black and white manga production than illustration.

Various cloud features are available, and over 1,000 different tones, fonts, etc., via the cloud. You can also save your work to the cloud to continue drawing in other environments. You will need to register and log in as a user to use these features. The pen and brushes are less flexible than with paid software.

It can be used in many environments, including computers, iPads, iPhones, and Android. You can share your work on Windows and macOS.

Kakooyo!

Kakooyo! is an app that allows everyone to share a single screen and enjoy collaborative work. It's a game like experience with a limited number of themes and time limits. You can share your work and videos of the creation process on the official website and Twitter. In addition, the process of creation can be streamed live on Kakooyo!

There are many other popular graphic apps available in Japan. Some of the most popular ones in the U.S. are Procreate, Illustrator, and Pixiv. More and more people are using Sketch, Krita and others.

From now on, anyone will be able to easily draw illustrations and comics and publish them on the internet.

The Art of Bonsai

Bonsai is the art of making miniature natural landscapes in pots using trees and other plants.

People often ask, how do they keep the bonsai trees small? Bonsai masters use various techniques to keep them small. Bonsai trees are living art. They constantly change. Bonsai masters spend extensive time and effort cultivating the trees. Typical trees are pine trees, maple trees and cherry trees.

According to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), bonsai exports from Japan to foreign countries have been increasing every year, reaching 6 million dollars in 2001. Exports exceeded 7.5 billion dollars in 2004. It continues to grow even today. It is experiencing an unprecedented global boom.

About 40,000 people from 40 countries attended the 8th World Bonsai Convention held in Saitama Prefecture in April 2017. Over 5,000 bonsai enthusiasts participated in the exhibition, which featured over 300 works of art by leading bonsai artists. A demonstration was held. There was a long line of foreign tourists there, and the place was packed with people.

For a time, bonsai declined in Japan and was derided as a hobby for old people who had retired from work. However, foreign fans noticed the beauty of bonsai and took notice. As a result, the Japanese also rediscovered the value of bonsai and a new movement was born.

The formative beauty of bonsai has been understood all over the world, regardless of race. It is treated as a work of art. Recently, a bonsai priced at about $80 in Japan can be sold for more than $1,000 abroad. It's not uncommon. It is exactly the same as a work of art, with an increase in value. Bonsai trees that have been cultivated over a long period of time are highly valued in the eyes of experts.

It is said that the prototype of bonsai was introduced from China around 900 AD. Since then, it has evolved as a unique Japanese art and culture for 1100 years. According to old documents, monks and famous shoguns have also cultivated this living art form. As a result, bonsai has long been a hobby of the wealthy. After the popularization of bonsai in the modern era, critiques and analyses of bonsai grew and experts emerged. Since then, many variations of bonsai have been created and grown into a huge culture.

Bonsai isn't just about watering small plants. Many bonsai plants will exceed the pot's capacity if they are not cared for. For it to get too big means failure.

A bonsai is a long process of nurturing the plant into a beautiful shape over a long period of time. An important element for the tree to grow is the soil. You should choose the right soil for the plant you want to grow. It is also necessary to cover the surface of the soil with moss or pebbles to control the humidity of the soil. Bonsai must be maintained daily. You should observe the small branches and leaves often and remove the unnecessary ones. The direction of growth of the branches should be predicted, and subtle adjustments should be made repeatedly to ensure that they grow in the way that is imagined.

The grower must manage the health of the plant like a doctor. Advanced practitioners make fine adjustments to the angle of growth of trunks and branches to achieve perfection. They even control the root structure of the tree. But these are not forceful corrections. They observe the characteristics and abilities of each plant and adapt them to the world of the small pot. It is a very advanced technique. To do this, love for bonsai is essential. People who grow bonsai pour warmth into it as if they are raising their own children.

A beautiful bonsai never gets old. It is a microcosm of nature in a compact way. This is connected to the philosophy of Zen. While taking care of the bonsai, you will be in the same mental state as meditation. It also promotes mental health. A well-made bonsai tree is filled with amazing energy. They become a soothing and inspiring presence.

The art of growing good bonsai is very profound. In the world of bonsai, tradition is valued. There are many styles of bonsai. There is a lot to learn from them. The famous five-leaf pine bonsai, called the Seiryu, is said to be 350 years old. Its bonsai, inspired by the legendary dragon, is beautiful with its large, five-foot-long trunk. Some of the trunks are aged and dry, but that's exactly what it's aiming for. It has received high praise from experts for its wonderful formative beauty.

The bonsai is kept in the Saitama Bonsai Art Museum. Various masterpieces of bonsai are exhibited in this museum. Fans of bonsai from all over the world visit the museum. Now the splendor of bonsai has spread all over the world. In the future, a new generation of bonsai will be born in each country, with their own arrangements.

I am very much looking forward to the future development of bonsai.