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
Matagi: The Last Bear Hunters of Japan
How Japan Fell in Love with Jazz
Japan’s long-standing love affair with jazz, from Meiji era influence to the sonic sanctuary of the jazz cafe.
Monogatari, The Meiji Years, and Japan's Oral Storytelling Tradition
For centuries, an oral tradition was so much more than entertainment. Read more about Japan's unbroken heritage of oral storytelling, from ancient times to modern scenes.
Art as a Catalyst: Rethinking Regional Revitalization in Japan
From homestay programs with local artisan villagers to art projects that reimagine a new creativity in rural environments, learn more about how art is being used as a lever to reimagine the regional areas of Japan.
Ukiyo-e: Capturing the Fleeting World Through Print
Discover more about ukiyo-e, a Japanese art revealing not only artistic brilliance but also the values and social dynamics of their the Edo Period.
The 72 Micro-Seasons of Japan: When Nature Shapes Creation
Whether in the quiet contemplation of a bowl of tea, the delicate brushstroke of a seasonal painting, or the taste of a perfectly ripened ingredient, the spirit of Japan’s 72 micro-seasons endures.
The Shamisen, the Resonance of Traditional Japan
Rooted in ancient tradition, the shamisen continues to resonate in modern Japan, its distinct sound and versatility allowing it to blend seamlessly into contemporary music and visual media.
Japan’s Beating Heart: The History of Taiko in Japanese Culture
Expression in Light and Shadows: Taking Theater Outdoors
Japan’s long tradition of outdoor theater, especially that of Takigi Noh staged fireside, offers illuminating perspectives on performance.
The Beauty of the In-Between: "Ma" and its Influence on Modern Minimalism
Embracing silence and empty space, Japanese aesthetics reveal how absence—rooted in Zen and “ma”—cultivates beauty, meaning, and mindful connection in all things.
The War on Geisha: Identity in the Face of Tradition, Modernity, and the West
The complex struggle of geisha to preserve their traditional identity while adapting to the pressures of modernity, Western influence, and societal misconceptions.
The Gender Divide in Kabuki and Japanese Theater
The history of Japan's gender-divided theater traditions, from the world of kabuki to groundbreaking contributions of women in modern Japanese performance arts.
Experiencing Time through the Lens of Jo-Ha-Kyu
A rhythm of beginnings, transitions, and climaxes, jo-ha-kyu shapes art, performance—and life itself.
