Japanese culture often becomes the focal point of countless anime narratives. Japan's thirty-thousand-year history contains myriads of traditional art forms and cultural customs that hold immense ethnic importance to the nation. Japanese art varies from more well-known and conventional crafts, like calligraphy and woodblock prints, to more obscure creative activities, such as lacquerware and traditional dance.
While most international anime fans cannot experience these Japanese traditional arts first-hand, the medium of anime can serve as a wonderful educational platform for those curious about Japanese culture and heritage. Anime viewers from all around the globe can gain a deeper appreciation for Japanese art through the medium of animation.
10 Those Snow White Notes Accentuates The Traditional Japanese Instrument Shamisen
The three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument, the shamisen, is featured in many anime series. Characters from countless shows, such as Gintama or Saekano, can be seen playing it. Nevertheless, Those Snow White Notes highlights the playing of the shamisen as the focal point of its narrative. The show focuses on the artistic journey of Setsu Sawamura, a gifted shamisen player who was inspired by his grandfather, an acclaimed master of the instrument, to find his unique musical voice. Setsu's path to recover his love for shamisen introduces the audience members to the fascinating instrument and teaches them to appreciate its music.
9 Kabuki-bu! Appreciates The Art Of Kabuki Theatre
The surreal performances of the classical Japanese kabuki theatre are familiar to people worldwide. This form of drama theatre is famous for its extravagant costumes, captivating acting, and colorful history that dates back to the early Edo period. Nevertheless, the art of kabuki theatre is still alive and popular, despite being around for centuries. The 2017 anime series Kabuki-bu! follows Kurogu, a kabuki enthusiast trying to establish a club dedicated to the theatre form in his school. Some audience members might be intimidated by kabuki's long and convoluted history, like many of Kurogu's classmates. However, the hero's genuine passion is guaranteed to spark the love for kabuki in every viewer.
8 Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life Educated The Audience About Koto
The koto is a plucked half-tube zither instrument with thirteen strings that produce an unorthodox, stunning sound. Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life strives to introduce its audience to the art of playing the koto and educate them about the instrument's surrounding culture. The series begins with a lone founder of the Koto high school club, Takezo Kurata, struggling to recruit more members. As time passes, more people join Takezo and share with him their appreciation for the iconic Japanese music instrument.
7 Tamako Market Focuses On The Culinary Art Of Making Mochi
Japan is famous for its delicious culinary arts and decadent traditional desserts. The popular Japanese rice cake, mochi, stands out as one of the county's most beloved cultural sweets. Kyoto Animation's wholesome slice-of-life series Tamako Market takes its viewers on an adventure through the Usagiyama Shopping District's vibrant business community. In the heart of the district lies the respectable mochi shop Tama-ya, run by the Kitashirakawa family. The lighthearted story of Kitashirakawa's teenage daughter, Tamako, accentuates the making of mochi, a tradition that brings together families and friends.
6 Sakon, The Ventriloquist Teaches The Viewers About Japanese Puppet Theatre
Bunraku is a form of Japanese puppet theatre that originated in Osaka at the beginning of the 17th century and had a massive cultural significance to the region. The late '90s anime series Sakon, The Ventriloquist takes an unconventional approach to incorporate bunraku into its plot.
The show focuses on a brilliant puppeteer Sakon Tachibana and his favorite doll and best friend, Ukon. Together, the two solve various murder mysteries in their community, utilizing the art of bunraku to aid their investigations.
5 Hanayamata Brings Attention To The Japanese Dance Movement Yosakoi
Yosakoi is a relatively new form of Japanese performing arts that originated on the island of Shikoku in the 1950s. Nevertheless, it quickly grew in popularity during various Japanese festivals and celebrations. The art form even received an anime dedicated to it, Hanayamata. The series narrates the story of Naru Sekiya, an average high school girl, as she encounters a transfer student from America, Hana. After falling in love with yosakoi, Hana decided to study in Japan and start her own club highlighting the unique performative dance movement.
4 Barakamon's Protagonist Is A Soul-Searching Calligraphy Artist
Calligraphy in Japan is also known as shodo, which literally translates as "the way of writing." Despite originating from Chinese calligraphy, shodō quickly established itself as its own brand of artistic expression. The slice-of-life series Barakamon tells a story of an egotistical calligraphy artist, Handa Seishuu. After punching a critic at his exhibition and sabotaging his career, Handa retreats to a remote village to find his own voice in the intricate art of calligraphy and mature as a person through interacting with the villagers of the Goto Islands.
3 Hyouge Mono Dives Into The History Of The Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony is a traditional cultural activity recognized as its own unique art form. The art of preparing and presenting tea dates back to the 9th century and is regarded as an essential part of the nation's cultural legacy. The historical series Hyouge Mono focuses on a famed Japanese warlord of the Sengoku period, Furuta Sasuke, who's lost himself in his passion for preparing tea.
The fascinating narrative highlights the intricacies of the tea ceremony and its unfortunate effects on the warlord's status and career.
2 Miss Hokusai Highlights The Craft Of Japanese Printmakers
The Japanese style of woodblock printing known as ukiyo-e and its prominent artist Katsushika Hokusai is credited for the most iconic piece of Japanese fine art, The Great Wave off Kanagawa print from the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series. Miss Hokusai focuses on the famed printmaker's daughter, O-Ei, and her life in the shadow of her father. The movie chronicles O-Ei's own artistic and personal journey, as she was, as many art experts believe, as skilled and talented as Katsushika Hokusai. Nevertheless, O-Ei's life was tragic both creatively and romantically.
1 Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu Is A Love Letter To Rakugo, A Style Of Japanese Storytelling
The spoken vaudeville performance style known as rakugo is one of the oldest forms of Japanese entertainment. Rakugo is a form of verbal storytelling in which a single performer impersonates every character through intonations and pitch while staying perfectly still. The heartfelt josei drama Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu uses rakugo as a tool for its fascinating character development. The series focuses on the life of two famed rakugo performers, Yakumo Yuurakutei and Sukeroku Yuurakutei, their personal styles of rakugo, and the path that led the latter to his death.
Post a Comment