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 2026
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
Mottainai: Japan’s Culture of Food and Food Waste
How the Japanese culture of “mottainai” and its religious traces connect to modern issues of food consumption and waste in Japan.
The Legends and Literature Behind Wagashi
Discover the delicate world of wagashi, traditional Japanese confections that blend beauty, seasonality, and storytelling in every bite.
To Become Another: The Mask in Japanese Culture
How the ancient art of masks continues to shape Japan’s cultural identity, from crafts to culture.
Embracing Ephemera: “Mono no aware” in the Modern Shin-Hanga Movement
How the Japanese culture of “mottainai” and its religious traces connect to modern issues of food consumption and waste in Japan.
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.
Tomitaro Makino: Grafting Western Science with Japan's Natural World
Tomitaro Makino’s passion for plants reflects Japan’s enduring reverence for nature—where science, art, and spirituality intertwine in a centuries-old cultural harmony.
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.
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.
Poem and a Picture: Japanese Gardens as Reflections of the Natural World
Harmoniously blending art and nature, Japanese gardens reflect the natural world through carefully crafted landscapes that evoke poetry and timeless beauty.
Traces of the Seasons: Nagori and Appreciating the Passage of Time
Nagori, a uniquely Japanese way of appreciating the fleeting beauty of seasonal transitions and the passage of time, lives on in art, culture, and craft.
Acquiring Magic Powers in Mountain Seclusion: Shugendo and Japanese Religion
Blending myth, ritual, and endurance, Shugendo is Japan’s mystical mountain path where seekers chase enlightenment and power through nature, solitude, and spiritual trials.
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 Art of Dyeing: Traditional, Sustainable Craft
Discover the timeless art of Japanese dyeing, where traditional craftsmanship meets sustainable fashion techniques, blending cultural heritage with modern eco-consciousness.
The Origins of Omiyage in Japanese Travel
Explore the evolution of omiyage—Japan's cherished souvenir tradition—from its spiritual origins to its modern role as a symbol of connection and gratitude.
Telling Tales with Ainu
The Ainu oral storytelling tradition plays a huge role in preserving the culture and history of the Ainu people through epic, mythic, and ritual tales, despite the language’s endangered status due to forced assimilation.
In Praise of Silence: Japan’s Ancient Relationship to the Absence of Noise
Japan's historical reverence for silence, casting an undeniable impact on art, culture, and communication within Japan, comes in contrast to a modern noise-filled environment.
The Legend of Benkei and its Enduring Imagination
The legend of Japanese warrior monk Benkei continues to fascinate and inspire audiences.
Classical Words, Contemporary Feel: The Japanese Waka Poem
Japan’s timeless waka poetry continues to inspire modern creativity, blending classical elegance with contemporary expression.
Beer, Lacquer, and the Mystery Behind the Bottle
The fascinating connection between Kirin Beer, traditional Japanese lacquerware, and the hidden artistry behind the iconic beer bottle.
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