Deeper Views
Dive further into Japanese culture.
Join our team of culture editors in exploring deeper connections between Japan’s art, culture, and history.
Latest
More than Matcha:
Understanding Japanese Tea
While matcha might catch the most attention these days, there’s a greater variety of Japanese tea to explore.
Your Guide to Autumn in Japan 2025
Seasonal Guide
Discover the best ways to travel Japan in autumn, from momiji maple views to hiking through Japan’s most iconic outdoor scenery.
Featured
The War on Geisha: Identity in the Face of Tradition
The complex struggle of geisha to preserve their traditional identity while adapting to the pressures of modernity, Western influence, and societal misconceptions.
More entries from
Deeper Views
The Armor of a Samurai: Exploring the Craftsmanship and History of Japanese O-yoroi
The iconic armor of samurai: crafted as much for intimidation as for protection, these masterpieces of design and engineering reflect the warrior's status, identity, and the artistry of their era.
Sumo: Tradition, Religion, and Sport
How religion remains at the roots of sumo wrestling, a sport of longstanding tradition and intense connection to Japanese culture.
The Mind of No-Mind: Zen Buddhism, Samurai, and Martial Arts in Japan
Beyond myth and movies, the Zen warrior reflects centuries of evolving philosophies, misunderstood ideals, and the art of winning not by strength, but by wisdom.
Unsheathing Bushido and Gender: The Female Samurai Warriors of Aizu
In the quiet valor of Takeko Nakano and the joshitai, bushido reveals itself not as masculinity, but as a timeless, genderless code of life.
The Legend of Benkei and its Enduring Imagination
The legend of Japanese warrior monk Benkei continues to fascinate and inspire audiences.
