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Culture of Japan

Proposed Q&A site for experts/enthusiasts of Japanese culture: history, social behavior, painting, calligraphy, sculpture, ukiyo-e, ikebana, performing arts, architecture, clothing, drama, movies, television, games. Covered by other QAs: language, anime, manga.
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Please upvote good questions. We cannot advance to commitment phase without at least 40 questions with score of 10 or more. We only have 6 so far. – atlantiza Apr 21 at 2:42

9
votes
4
answers

Q&A on specific cultures instead of a general Q&A on all cultures

may 13 at 21:34 NesreenA 110
3
votes
1
answer

What is off-topic for “Culture of Japan”?

aug 11 at 15:13 Lukman 723

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37 Example Questions (4 closed)

active oldest votes
up vote 14 down vote
In Japanese companies, does the boss always pay for all when at a restaurant with colleagues?
added by Nicolas Raoul Aug 9 '11 at 7:07
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Interesting:) Does he? – Herr Kaleun Dec 5 '11 at 14:54
up vote 11 down vote
If someone brings me a gift, am I expected to reciprocate with a gift of my own?
added by Troyen Aug 9 '11 at 8:03
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up vote 11 down vote
What is the proper way to use a public bath?
added by Flaw Aug 9 '11 at 8:35
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Does the web need one more "onsen for dummies" page? – Andrew Grimm Apr 21 at 23:12
up vote 11 down vote
Is it necessary to say "itadakimasu" before start eating at restaurants in Japan?
added by Lukman Aug 9 '11 at 10:13
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My feeling on this is like 50-50 between culture and language, so I'll leave it to you guys to decide. – Lukman Aug 9 '11 at 10:18
2  
it is definitely a good topic on culture. – Benoit Aug 13 '11 at 6:31
2  
Saying it and knowing its meaning is language; knowing when to use it is culture. In my opinion at least. Also, an interesting addition to this question could be "What if you are eating alone?" – atlantiza Feb 24 at 20:43
up vote 10 down vote
Can a yukata be worn at the coming-of-age ceremony (seijinshiki) ?
added by Nicolas Raoul Aug 9 '11 at 7:13
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up vote 10 down vote
Does Japan have a similar or equivalent practice of [asker's culture's practice]?
added by Flaw Aug 9 '11 at 14:07
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up vote 10 down vote
If I'm on a business trip to Japan, is it better to present my gifts near the beginning or the end of the trip?
added by Troyen Aug 13 '11 at 23:04
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This seems like something that a lot of people not specifically interested in Japanese culture could benefit from. Even businessmen/businesswomen with no interest in Japanese culture might want to know this. So +1 for a question that can easily bring in visitors. – atlantiza Feb 24 at 20:41
up vote 10 down vote
When should I maintain eye contact? When should I stare at the ground?
added by Nathan Ellenfield Aug 15 '11 at 15:20
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up vote 9 down vote
Is it offensive in Japan when you make a wish in a shrine/temple without donating to the shrine beforehand?
added by Ken Li Aug 18 '11 at 23:50
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up vote 6 down vote
When was published the first work that can be considered a manga?
added by Nicolas Raoul Aug 9 '11 at 7:02
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I would say this is on-topic... it is about a Japanese form of art / popular culture. – Nicolas Raoul Aug 11 '11 at 4:46
My understanding is that this is a historical based question, which in my opinion is related to culture. So, I agree with this example question :) – dat5h Aug 11 '11 at 16:48
this is a question on the history of manga. manga is recognized as subculture in Japan. if we don't focus on manga, it will be good. because there are so many things to talk about and we need to build another site – Benoit Aug 13 '11 at 21:39
2  
Actually I saw there is already a site about manga/anime so this question is off-topic – Nicolas Raoul Aug 14 '11 at 1:20
1  
If there is a manga site this would be off-topic here, if there is only a manga proposal then it is on-topic here too until such time that one or both sites exits beta. – hippietrail Nov 7 '11 at 22:07
show 1 more comment
up vote 5 down vote
Did Meiji Restoration give way to westernization of Japan or did westernization of Japan give way to Meiji Restoration?
added by Lukman Aug 13 '11 at 14:54
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Even though it's about history of Japan, I think this is on-topic because it's asking about westernization, which is a cultural topic. But I'll leave it to you guys to vote whether it's on or off-topic :) – Lukman Aug 13 '11 at 14:57
up vote 5 down vote
Is it always OK to hold your food bowl or dish in one hand when eating? Would it be wrong not to?
added by hippietrail Aug 25 '11 at 21:31
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up vote 4 down vote
Is there some kind of rite associated with mori-shio outside of restaurants? Ought you do something with it while you are entering or leaving?
added by Knu Aug 10 '11 at 11:56
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up vote 3 down vote
Can a composition be called ikebana even if there is no flower in it?
added by Nicolas Raoul Aug 9 '11 at 7:02
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i think it's about the definition of a word – Benoit Aug 13 '11 at 21:30
Depends if the definition is "Traditional art of Japanese flower arrangement" or something much larger. – hippietrail Apr 30 at 6:31
up vote 3 down vote
Am I encouraged to slurp my ramen by Japanese because it's the proper way to eat it, because it's more enjoyable, or to help cool it down?
added by hippietrail Aug 25 '11 at 21:35
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up vote 2 down vote
Why Japanese constantly acknowledge their interlocutor? "yeah I get it please continue" = "mmmh mmmh"
added by Knu Aug 10 '11 at 12:03
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up vote 2 down vote
Is there a cultural reason why in the Japanese version, Mr Bean talks to himself constantly compared to the original where he almost never speaks?
added by hippietrail Aug 25 '11 at 21:32
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up vote 1 down vote
How often do tatami have to be replaced? [closed]
added by Nicolas Raoul Aug 9 '11 at 7:09
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closed as off topic by Lukman, Flaw, jonsca, Benoit, hippietrail Aug 25 '11 at 21:30

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

1  
I'm not sure about this. Tatami room might be a part of Japanese culture, but asking when to replace tatami is more like home improvement to me ... – Lukman Aug 9 '11 at 10:15
@Lukman: you're right! Frankly I wrote it thinking it was on-topic, but it is probably off-topic after all. – Nicolas Raoul Aug 9 '11 at 10:19
Maybe something like "Should I replace my tatami after a certain period even if it still seems fine?" might be a more culture-specific wording. – hippietrail Nov 7 '11 at 22:09
up vote 1 down vote
I heard that surnames are relatively new in Japan, what type of system was used prior to everyone one receiving a surname?
added by Louis, edited by hippietrail Apr 30 at 6:33
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1  
"Last name" is ambiguous in Japanese where the surname comes first and the given name comes last. I changed it to "surname" for clarity. – hippietrail Apr 30 at 6:33
Good point =).. – Louis Apr 30 at 8:15
up vote 1 down vote
How important/valued is correct kanji stroke order for daily life? (as in not for calligraphy)
added by atlantiza Feb 24 at 20:39
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It seems to be important for some computer written input systems too. – hippietrail Apr 30 at 6:32
up vote 1 down vote
Is gendered language in the Japanese language considered sexist by some people in Japan?
added by Andrew Grimm Apr 21 at 23:16
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I think the scope of this question needs to be narrowed to "considered sexist by some people in Japan ". Otherwise, it's just a general culture or maybe even general gender studies question completely based on outside cultures. (Maybe you meant this originally but just didn't put it in the title) – atlantiza Apr 27 at 1:51
up vote 0 down vote
Are there any signs for Japan to get out of the deflation that is ongoing since the 1990s? [closed]
added by Lukman Aug 9 '11 at 10:35
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closed as off topic by Flaw, Nicolas Raoul, jonsca, asalamon74, Benoit Aug 13 '11 at 21:40

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

1  
economy, not culture. – Nicolas Raoul Nov 30 '11 at 8:53
up vote 0 down vote
Have globalization and modernization diminished the importance of rice in Japanese culture?
added by Troyen Aug 13 '11 at 22:52
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up vote 0 down vote
Can you translate this Japanese into English? [closed]
added by Nathan Ellenfield Aug 15 '11 at 15:17
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closed as off topic by Knu, Lukman, Nicolas Raoul, hippietrail, Veger Sep 16 '11 at 7:43

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

1  
belongs to existing site "Japanese Language&Usage" – Nicolas Raoul Nov 30 '11 at 8:53
up vote 0 down vote
In Japan, does your co-workers and colleagues always say よろしくお願いします when you collaborate with them on a new project?
added by Ken Li Aug 18 '11 at 23:54
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up vote 0 down vote
How common are sacred mountains in Japan? Are mountain practices different between the main religions?
added by froderik Dec 5 '11 at 8:43
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I might suggest rephrasing this to be about how prevalent the holy mountains / temples / shrine atop them thing is. Asking what to visit is maybe too travelish more than culturish? – hippietrail Dec 5 '11 at 8:57
up vote 0 down vote
Do Japanese still do 5s (workplace organization methodology) during work?
added by Nap Feb 15 at 1:30
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up vote 0 down vote
How acceptable is it for different age groups/genders to express a casual interest in anime/manga? What about strong interest?
added by atlantiza Feb 24 at 20:48
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up vote 0 down vote
What was/is female sword fighting?
added by Andrew Grimm Apr 21 at 23:08
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up vote 0 down vote
Do Japanese put money into envelopes because they consider it dirty?
added by Andrew Grimm Apr 22 at 4:27
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I wonder if this question is too loaded/leading. Maybe it should just be "Why do Japanese put money into envelopes?" – atlantiza May 5 at 3:26
up vote 0 down vote
How does Japan typically view mixed Japanese-(SomethingElse) people?
added by atlantiza May 5 at 3:24
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I realize that this could be a very sensitive question, but someone told me that the attitude is not always so pleasant... So I'd like to see if this is true or not. – atlantiza May 5 at 3:25
up vote 0 down vote
I'm attending a [kabuki|noh|...] theater. What should I expect? What should I know so I can appreciate the performance?
added by David Gorsline May 7 at 21:17
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up vote 0 down vote
I don't understand the pictorial conventions of Japanese painting. How can I "see" what's near and what's far?
added by David Gorsline May 7 at 21:25
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up vote 0 down vote
A Japanese colleague/friend has lost a loved one. How can I show proper respect for his bereavement?
added by David Gorsline May 7 at 21:27
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up vote 0 down vote
What is wabi-sabi?
added by David Gorsline May 10 at 14:48
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up vote 0 down vote
When is it OK to start calling your significant other's parents お父さん/お母さん?
added by atlantiza May 15 at 0:54
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up vote -2 down vote
What is the political atmosphere in Japan like right now? [closed]
added by dat5h Aug 11 '11 at 16:51
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closed as off topic by Troyen, Dori Oct 3 '11 at 3:15

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.

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Nicolas Raoul
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