Exploring the East: Japanese Journey

Exploring the Impact of the Japanese Imperial Family Although it has been more than a century since Japan became a unified state, with all of its regions joined together under a single ruler, the impact of its former imperial family is still felt today. Currently, the head of the imperial family is the Emperor, and the role is chiefly ceremonial, serving as a symbol of state unity and national identity. This role, however, was not always the same. How did the Japanese imperial family's influence change over the years, and what have been the consequences of their decisions? The first important step in the path to modern Japan was the Meiji Restoration in 1868. This period saw the restoration of power to the Emperor of Japan, which had been greatly diminished in the centuries prior. Emperor Meiji sought to modernize the nation, and for the first time the imperial family began to take an active role in the Japanese government. The imperial family served as a symbol of national pride ...

Exploring the Main Religions of Japan Japan is a country with a rich cultural heritage, spanning back to ancient times. Its religions, too, have a long and varied history, with the primary religions being Shintoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. In this article, we'll take a look at the main beliefs and practices of each of the major religious traditions in Japan, and explore the unique aspects that make each faith unique. Shintoism is the oldest religion in Japan and is believed to have been around for nearly two thousand years. At its core, Shintoism is a set of practices focused on a reverence for nature and the belief in spirits in nature. This reverence is seen in places and objects, from mountains to trees, from sacred sites to traditional music. The practices associated with Shintoism tend to focus on rituals that are done to bring peace, harmony and wellbeing to communities and individuals. Common practices include prayers to deities or spirits, purification rituals, and cere...