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Modern performing arts, such as opera, “Buto” dance, musicals,plays, and ballet can also be enjoyed in various cities across the country. In Tokyo, especially, top artist from around the world are constantly on stage. Some are so popular that tickets have to be reserved well in advance. Tokyo Opera City is a state-of-the-art full-scale hall ideal for concerts and opera. The Takarazuka Troupe, a unique al-girl musical company, attracts many people who enjoy its brilliant performances where male roles are all played by females. The internationally celebrated “Buto” dance theater impresses the audience with its avant-garde performances unique to Japan.
The Arts
Among its indigenous arts, few are more typically Japanese than Ikebana, or the art of flower arranging. Closely related to the Zen Buddhist art of the tea ceremony, ikebana emphasizes simplicity and precision of from and aims at symbolizing the various aspects of nature. There are numerous schools teaching Ikebana, many of which offer instruction in English.
The art of tea, or Chanoyu, is an aesthetic cult of spiritual refinement that was originally very popular among the ruling samurai. Today, you can see and possibly participate in demonstrations of Chanoyu at some of the major schools and in hotels.
Ceramic and Porcelain
As Chanoyu began to spread in the Muromachi period (1333-1573), it gave rise to ceramic producing centers around the country. Each with its own distinctive style. The 17th century saw the town of Arita succeed in firing porcelains which gave further momentum to the rise of Japan’s pottery industry in subsequent years. Among numerous producing centers, the most famous are Mashiko-yaki (ware) in the Kanto region : Seto-yaki,Tokoname-yaki,Minoyaki and Katani-yaki in the Chubu region : Kiyomizu-yaki and Shigaraki-yaki in the Kansai region :Bizen-yaki and Hagi-yaki in the Chugoku area:Imari-yaki,Arita-yaki and Karatsu-yaki in Kyushu. These production centers have pottery museums, shops and pottery-making classes where even the beginner can experience shaping and designing his/her own fulfillment.
The Arts
Among its indigenous arts, few are more typically Japanese than Ikebana, or the art of flower arranging. Closely related to the Zen Buddhist art of the tea ceremony, ikebana emphasizes simplicity and precision of from and aims at symbolizing the various aspects of nature. There are numerous schools teaching Ikebana, many of which offer instruction in English.
The art of tea, or Chanoyu, is an aesthetic cult of spiritual refinement that was originally very popular among the ruling samurai. Today, you can see and possibly participate in demonstrations of Chanoyu at some of the major schools and in hotels.
Ceramic and Porcelain
As Chanoyu began to spread in the Muromachi period (1333-1573), it gave rise to ceramic producing centers around the country. Each with its own distinctive style. The 17th century saw the town of Arita succeed in firing porcelains which gave further momentum to the rise of Japan’s pottery industry in subsequent years. Among numerous producing centers, the most famous are Mashiko-yaki (ware) in the Kanto region : Seto-yaki,Tokoname-yaki,Minoyaki and Katani-yaki in the Chubu region : Kiyomizu-yaki and Shigaraki-yaki in the Kansai region :Bizen-yaki and Hagi-yaki in the Chugoku area:Imari-yaki,Arita-yaki and Karatsu-yaki in Kyushu. These production centers have pottery museums, shops and pottery-making classes where even the beginner can experience shaping and designing his/her own fulfillment.
