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
Repair and Reuse: Crafting New Stories from the Old
How Japan’s traditions of repairing and reusing have survived generations, connecting with modern movements of sustainability.
Mudras, Mantras, Foxes, and Falls: The Japanese Religious Background of Anime and Manga
Discover how Japanese pop culture draws upon ancient spiritual practices to weave deeper meaning into anime and manga through a rich tapestry of religious symbolism and folklore.
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.
Jazz, Coffee, Cats, and Feminism: Why Japanese Literature Has the West in its Thrall
Modern translations of Japanese literature - of cats, jazz, and ambient atmospheres - draw readers deeper into a place of both healing and of redefinition.
The Untold History of Women in Sake Brewing
From once occupying a pivotal role in sake production to being barred from setting foot into breweries where they once worked, women in sake have experienced a fluctuating past.
Sacred Springs, Samurai Spas, and the Evolution of Onsen in Japan
With a history almost as old as Japan itself, onsen hot spring culture in Japan has evolved with the times, from eras of emperors and samurai soldiers to those of popular travel destination.
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.
The Evolution of Wagasa Imagery in Modern Media
How wagasa have stood the test of time and transformed into a true cultural and artistic icon.
Seasons in Verse: The Poetic Significance of Wafu Getsumei in Haiku
Japan’s seasons flow like poetry, each moment captured in kigo—seasonal words in haiku. Discover how imagery captures the essence of each microseason.
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.
Foxes, Tanuki, and Lion-Dogs: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Dive into the fascinating world of Japan's folkloric creatures, from the mischievous tanuki and foxes to divine deer and lion-dogs guarding sacred sites.
Japan’s Beating Heart: The History of Taiko in Japanese Culture
Japonisme 2.0: A Global Art Meta-Genre
How Japonisme, a 19th-century art movement that introduced Japanese aesthetics to Europe and inspired icons like Monet and Van Gogh, shaped modern art and continues to influence design today.
The Chashi: Symbols of Commerce and Conflict in Japan's Frontier North
The rich history of chashi, ancient Ainu fortresses that shaped Hokkaido's cultural landscape, and their unique role in diplomacy and defense during an era of expansion and discord.
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 Creation of Coffee Culture & Modern Japan
The formation of Japan as a modern nation included many changes to culture and society - including the introduction of coffee into everyday Japanese life.
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.
