JapanCorner - The Benihana Guide to Japan

2008

The Japanese enjoy a wide variety of entertainment from the classic to the modern. The traditional performing arts Noh, Kabuki and dance. Traditional Japanese music traditional utilizes such instruments as the koto, biwa, shakuhachi and drums. While contemporary music includes a wide variety of styles and sounds, the most widely listened to is J-pop.

Popular forms of entertainment include: karaoke (a form of sing-a-long), anime (animated cartoons) and manga (comics). While there are many video arcades throughout Japan, the traditional pachinko (Japanese pinball) is still a national favorite. The Japanese coffee-shop (kissaten), is the number one place for socializing with friends.

The traditional board games “Go” and “Shougi” and card game “karuta” are still enjoyed by young and old alike. Visit JapanCorner’s Fun and Games page to learn about traditional Japanese toys and favorite pastimes for kids.

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT

Anime (Japanese cartoon animation)
is popular among children all over the world. Speed Racer (1969) was the first Japanese animated cartoon to be introduced to American audiences. Today there are many Japanese anime programs enjoyed in both the U.S. and Japan including Sailor Moon, Pokemon, and Dragonball Z. Japanese animated feature films are also gaining recognition. Princess Mononoke, released in 1999 was a big success in both Japan and the U.S. Then in 2003, the Japanese animated feature film, Spirited Away won the Best Animated Feature Film Award. Since some themes are intended for mature audiences only, it is important for parents to review animated movies, television shows and video games to determine if they are suitable for their child.

Coffee Shops (kissaten)
were first introduced in Japan in the 1920s by Japanese who had spent time abroad and wanted to recreate a “café-type” atmosphere at home. In fact, the very first Benihana restaurant was originally one of the early Western-style coffee shops in Japan. Since the Second World War, coffee shops have become extremely popular and today can be seen on just about every other street corner. Coffee shops are much more than just place to get a cup of coffee – they are popular meeting spots where friends and business associates feel free to relax and spend upwards of an hour just chatting. Typically gourmet coffees are served and each cup costs about $4. Explore JapanCorner to learn more about green tea and the tea ceremony

J-Pop
is Japanese popular music which features contemporary songs typically sung by young vocal artists. The most popular stars become idols and there are many magazines and fan clubs devoted to them.Visit JapanCorner’s Music page to learn about traditional Japanese music and instruments.

Karaoke
pronounced “kah rah okay” is the pastime of using a microphone to sing popular songs to background music. Karaoke developed in the early 1970’s when Japanese electronics firms started marketing “personal-use” microphones which plugged into stereo systems enabling people to sing along with their favorite songs. Bars and nightclubs capitalized on the trend making karaoke a popular leisure activity.

Manga (Japanese comics)
are one of Japan’s most popular forms of entertainment. They range in theme from the humorous to the dramatic and are written for every age level. It is not uncommon for popular comics to sell well over 1 million copies within a single month. Comics line the walls of little shops at every train station and newsstand and it is not uncommon to see dozens of Japanese at a time, standing up in the aisles reading their very favorites. Since some manga are intended for mature audiences only, it is important for parents to review them to determine if they are suitable for their child.

Pachinko
is a game like pinball in which small metal balls are released through a vertical maze. The object is to move the levers in such as way as to deliver as many balls as possible into designated holes. There are hundreds of pachinko halls throughout Japan and a single game can be played for about 500 Yen.

GAMES

Go
also called igo, is one of the most played board games in Japan. First brought to Japan from China sometime between the 5th and 8th centuries, it became very popular in court during the Heian Period (794-1195). Later, it was applauded by the samurai who recognized it to be a great game of strategy. During the Edo Period (1603 - 1860), Go developed into the game it is today with a rigid system of ratings and ranks much like chess. Go is played on a board with a grid of 19 by 19 lines and game pieces (stones) are placed on the intersections of the lines rather than on the squares. There are 181 black game pieces and 180 white game pieces with black always beginning first. The object of the game is to capture the opponent’s piece by surrounding him in much the same way as in chess.

Shougi
is a Japanese board game which closely resembles chess. Like western chess, it originated in India and was later introduced to Japan via China. Shougi is played by two players and the object of the game is to capture the opponents King. The shougi board or ‘shougi ban’ is made up of 9 by 9 grids. Each player has 20 koma or game pieces which are pentagon shaped and uniform in size except for the pawn which is slightly smaller. Japanese characters are painted on each piece distinguishing the rank and type of move each can make. The pieces lay flat on the board and point in the direction of the opponent. The "human Shougi game" shown in the photograph is played as a special event in the beginning of the New Year.

Visit JapanCorner’s Fun and Games page to learn about traditional Japanese toys and favorite pastimes for kids.