Overview of Japan, Japanese Culture and Handicrafts …€¦ · Japanese-made video game consoles have prospered since the 1980s. Japanese music is eclectic, having borrowed instruments,

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Trade Development Authority of Pakistan

A Report on

Overview of Japan, Japanese Culture

and Handicrafts in Japan

Prepared By:

Ms Misbah Zafar (Head Special Project Cell)

For Textile & Clothing Division

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JAPAN HISTORY, CULTURE AND HANDICRAFTS

Japan is an Island Country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the East of the Sea of

Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia and Taiwan In the South.

Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. As a ceremonial

figurehead, he is defined by the constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people".

Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected members.

Japan maintains close economic and military relations with its key ally the United States. It has served as

a non-permanent Security Councilmember for a total of 19 years, most recently for 2009 and 2010. It is

also one of the G4 nations seeking permanent membership in the Security Council.

As a member of the G8, the APEC, the "ASEAN Plus Three" and a participant in the East Asia Summit,

Japan actively participates in international affairs and enhances diplomatic ties with its important partners

around the world. Japan signed a security pact with Australia in March

2007http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan - cite_note-48 and with India in October 2008. It is also the

world's third largest donor of official development assistance after the United States and United Kingdom,

donating US$8.86 billion from 2004 onwards.

Japan's environmental history and current policies reflect a balance between economic development and

environmental protection. Today Japan is one of the world's leaders in the development of new

environment-friendly technologies. Honda and Toyota hybrid electric vehicles were named to have the

highest fuel economy and lowest emissions. This is due to the advanced technology in hybrid systems,

bio-fuels, use of lighter weight material and better engineering.

Japan also takes issues surrounding climate change and global warming seriously. As a signatory of

the Kyoto Protocol, and host of the 1997 conference which created it, Japan is under treaty obligations

to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and to take other steps related to curbing climate change.

As of 2009, Japan is the second largest economy in the world, after the United States, at around

US$5 trillion in terms of nominal GDP and third after the United States and China in terms of purchasing

power parity. Japan's public debt is 192 percent of its annual gross domestic product,

Banking, insurance, real estate, retailing, transportation, telecommunications and construction are all

major industries. Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the largest, leading and

most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine

tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods. The service

sector accounts for three quarters of the gross domestic product.

Its main export markets are the United States 22.8%, the European Union 14.5%, China 14.3%, South

Korea 7.8%, Taiwan 6.8% and Hong Kong 5.6% (for 2006). Japan's main exports are transportation

equipment, motor vehicles, electronics, electrical machinery and chemicals. For that main import markets

are China 20.5%, U.S. 12.0%, the European Union 10.3%, Saudi

Arabia 6.4%, UAE 5.5%, Australia 4.8%, South Korea 4.7% and Indonesia 4.2% (for 2006). Japan's main

imports are machinery and equipment, fossil fuels, foodstuffs (in particular beef), chemicals, textiles and

raw materials for its industries. By market share measures, domestic markets are the least open of

any OECD country.

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Japanese culture has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original Jōmon culture to its

contemporary culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America.

Traditional Japanese arts include crafts (ikebana, origami, ukiyo-e, dolls, lacquerware, pottery),

performances (bunraku, dance, kabuki, noh, rakugo), traditions (games, tea

ceremony, Budō, architecture, gardens, swords) and cuisine. The fusion of traditional woodblock

printing and Western art led to the creation of manga, a typically Japanese comic book format that is

now popular within and outside Japan. Manga-influenced animation for television and film is

called anime. Japanese-made video game consoles have prospered since the 1980s. Japanese music is

eclectic, having borrowed instruments, scales and styles from neighboring cultures.

As for the Handicrafts in Japan, mentioned below are some of the articles or items that have been taken

as a part of traditional culture of Japan and have the utmost importance in the History and culture of

Japan.

1- Folding Fans

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2- Japanese Bamboo Doll

3- Japanese Chopsticks

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4- Hakata Dolls

Conservative Japanese Woman Samurai Doll

5- Shikishi (Papar with Gold Borders) Paintings

With Frame in Circular Shape

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6- Temari (Hand Balls/Toys)

7- Tenugui (Traditional Japanese Towel/Cotton Fabric for Hand Drying)

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8- Japanese Swords

9- Lacquer Ball point, Mirror, Bowls, Sets

Ball Points Hand Mirror Bowl Mirror Set

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10- Ukiyo-e (wood Block printing) Coffee Mug and Table Set

Coffee Mug Table Set

11- Japanese Masks

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12- Japanese Kanji (symbol) Brooches

13- Tapestry with Folklore

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14- Japanese Hanging Scroll (Kakejiku/kakemono (on silk))

15- Japanese Candles

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16- Key chains with Japanese words

17- Knitted or Crotched Dolls (Amigurumi)

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18- Yuzen (Japanese Pics in Silk Fabric By Dyeing or Handwriting)

19- Guinomi (Cups)

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20- Beer Cups

21- Wan (Bowls) (lipped and normal)

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22- Yakimono Cups (couple of same cups)

23- Wooden Craft (Kumiko Art)

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24- Windchimes

25- Japanese Mystic Puzzle Box

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26- Tsume Tsuzure Formal Bags and Accessories

27- Wooden Sake Set

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28- Cell Phone Strap 29- Evil Eye

30-Oru-Kami (Folding Paper Technique)