U.S.-Japan Council’s Post

🥰 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻: 𝗔 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀.🤝🤷✨ ▶️ Cultural Roots Run Deep: Culture is not merely a construct of the mind; it flows through our veins, shaping our actions and attitudes from within. ▶️ Ingrained Gestures of Appreciation: Japanese customs beautifully exemplify this innate cultural essence, where gratitude is not just a word but a way of life. ▶️ The Art of Saying Thanks: Simple acts of courtesy, such as bowing to express thanks when someone helps you cross the road, illustrate the profound respect ingrained in Japanese society. ▶️ Beyond Words: These gestures transcend language barriers, speaking volumes about the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations. ▶️ A Tapestry of Tradition: Japanese culture weaves together a rich tapestry of customs and rituals that celebrate harmony, respect, and gratitude in everyday interactions. Video Credit: This is from the #socialmedia and all credit goes to the owner of the video. 𝗗𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 Manjunathaiah Gangadharayya 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 #JapaneseCulture #Gratitude #CulturalHeritage #InnateTraditions #RespectfulGestures #CustomsAndCourtesies #CrossCulturalCommunication #HarmonyInDiversity #AppreciationBeyondWords #CulturalEssence

10月の異名 (じゅうがつのいみな, jūgatsu no imina) Meaning: Alternative names for October October is upon us, and in Japan, this month carries poetic names that reflect the transition into deeper autumn. Let’s explore some of the beautiful alternative names for October: 神無月 (かんなづき, Kannazuki) Meaning: Month without Gods (as the gods are said to gather at Izumo Taisha) 小春月 (こはるづき, Koharuzuki) Meaning: Little Spring (Indian Summer) Example Sentence: 日本では、10月は「神無月」とも呼ばれます。 Translation: In Japan, October is also called "Kannazuki." These names capture the mystical and serene atmosphere of the season, with gentle rains and a feeling of quiet reflection as autumn deepens. 🍁🍂 Did you enjoy learning these poetic names for October? Follow for more captivating insights into Japanese language and culture! Share this post with your network to celebrate the beauty of autumn together! #CulturalTraditions #learnjapanese #japaneselanguage #japaneseculture #japanesespeaker

🌟 Exploring Cultural Perspectives in The Cat Returns 🌟 Yesterday, I reconnected with some high school friends, and it brought back memories of watching The Cat Returns by Studio Ghibli in theaters. At the time, I didn’t understand Japanese, but one thing stood out: the English and French titles weren’t literal translations of the original Japanese title. 🎥 The Japanese title 猫の恩返し (Neko no Ongaeshi) translates to The Gratitude of Cats—focusing on the theme of gratitude at the start of the story. In French, the title Le Royaume des Chats (The Kingdom of Cats) emphasizes the magical and fairytale-like aspects, while the English title The Cat Returns highlights the individuality of the character Baron. These differences reveal fascinating cultural perspectives: ✨ Japan values collective themes like gratitude, reflecting a collectivist mindset. ✨ France highlights creativity and imagination. ✨ English-speaking audiences often prefer character-driven narratives. 🔮 The Cat Returns follows Haru, a high school girl who saves a cat (Prince Lune of the Cat Kingdom). In gratitude, the cats shower her with unusual gifts like mice and even propose marriage to the prince. She seeks help from Baron, an elegant cat, to escape the Cat Kingdom and reclaim her human identity. 💡 A key takeaway? Believe in yourself. Baron’s advice to Haru—The more you lose yourself in the Cat Kingdom, the more you’ll become like a cat—resonates deeply. It reminds us that to become our authentic selves, we must overcome societal pressures and trust in our inner voice. 🧘♀️ Gratitude Meditation is a simple practice to connect with your true purpose. Spend 5-10 minutes reflecting on a heartfelt "Thank you" moment. It’s a powerful way to start or end your day on a positive note. 💬 What do you think? Do cultural interpretations in movies influence how you experience them? Have you tried gratitude meditation before? 🔗 Read the full story and learn more about self-growth at OneDailyTale.com! If you enjoyed this post, like, comment, and share to inspire others! #OneDailyTale #StudioGhibli #CulturalDifferences #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #Gratitude #Meditation #Anime #LeadershipThroughStories #Storytelling

Dive deeper into the trend of celebrating singlehood and the rise of self-love in Asia in #EyeOnAsiaBlog and discover how these cultural shifts are reshaping our perspectives on romance and relationships.💖 https://hubs.li/Q02tT6qS0 For the Japanese version of the blog you can view it here in Global Market Surfer https://hubs.li/Q02tT3jw0 Image sourced through Freepik

No tea, no shade, just facts! Ever wonder why we call it "tea" in some places and "cha" in others? 🍵✈️🚂 It's all about the journey from China. If it spread across the globe by sea, we say "tea." If it made its trek over land, "cha" is the name. Let's brew over that! 🍵 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gp2VFYyx #TrazionTranslation #Trazion #TranslationExpert #LanguageSpecialist #AsGoodAsOurWord

Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation??… No, I am not going to bring home a Samurai Outfit, but I think it’s a shame that I would be judged if I did. A couple I met on our travels was looking for a Samurai Outfit for their Dog back at home, and thoughts ran through my head if that was right or wrong. I am constantly being told by my kids that I am being inappropriate for doing this or saying that.. “Dad, you can’t say that anymore!” … and yes I get it, the world has moved on, but surely it’s not the content but context that matters !!? I was having some fun with a local guy who was dressed as a Samurai for the benifit of the tourists at a Castle in Matsumoto Japan and it was just that a bit of fun, but then I thought is this Cultural Appropriation, was I making fun of the Japanese Culture, and was he the local Japanese boy being culturaly Inappropriate as well as he wasn’t really from that era in time ???… I could just show my age and say “the world has gone crazy” but I don’t think that either, but like anything I need to understand people’s concern and be mindful of the fact that the world is getting smaller and we need to show respect where needed…. But Hey, let’s not lose our sense of Humour along the way please 🙏🙏🙏 #culturalappropriation #culturalappreciation #theworldsgonecrazy #humour #contentorcontext

*Discovering the Essence of Japanese Culture: Harmony, Respect, and Beauty*  Japanese culture is a harmonious blend of tradition, simplicity, and deep respect for both people and nature. At its core is wa (harmony), a principle that guides relationships, architecture, and even daily interactions. This focus on coexistence fosters a strong sense of community and mutual respect, visible in everything from polite greetings to collaborative efforts.   Respect (sonkei) is another defining trait. Simple gestures like bowing, gift-giving, and removing shoes before entering a home highlight the Japanese commitment to honoring others. These acts, small but meaningful, reflect a society built on thoughtfulness and care.   Japanese aesthetics embrace simplicity and imperfection through wabi-sabi, finding beauty in the fleeting and imperfect. This philosophy is evident in the ephemeral bloom of cherry blossoms, the art of ikebana (flower arranging), and the serenity of Zen gardens.   Through its traditions—such as tea ceremonies, seasonal festivals, and mindfulness practices—Japan reminds us of the importance of balancing past and present. It’s a culture that celebrates the beauty of life’s small, fleeting moments while inspiring us to live with respect, harmony, and intention.

#MostWatchedVideo - 'Local Culture in Japan 🇯🇵 ' Japan's #goldenweek, a string of four holidays is in full swing! It includes Showa Day (April 29th), Constitutional Memorial Day (May 3rd), Greenery Day (May 4th), and ends with Children’s Day (May 5th). Most Japanese take very few personal holidays, instead relying on public holidays such as Golden Week, the longest vacation period in the year.  Learn more about Japanese values, mindsets, and beliefs and the factors that influence them ⬇ #atmaglobal #japan #culture #digitallearning #globaleconomy

Hey LinkedIn Today is the first day of July! Did you know that in Japan, each month has beautiful and poetic alternative names? These names often reflect cultural traditions and the natural world. Here are some Beautiful Aliases for the July in lunar calendar with roughly corresponding to August on the modern calendar: ●文月 (ふみづき, Fumizuki) Meaning: Month of Literature ●親月 (おやづき, Oyazuki) Meaning: Month of Parents ●七夕月 (たなばたづき, Tanabatazuki) Meaning: Month of the Star Festival (Tanabata) Example Sentence: 日本では、7月は「文月」とも呼ばれます。 Translation: In Japan, July is also called "Fumizuki." Discover the beauty and history behind these alternative names. These names offer a glimpse into Japan's rich cultural heritage and its appreciation for the changing seasons. Did you enjoy this glimpse into Japanese culture? Follow for more fascinating Japanese words and concepts! Share this post with your network to spread cultural insights and celebrate the start of July together! #JapaneseLanguage #LearnJapanese #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseSpeaker

Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle - Albert Camus 🇯🇵 Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka no Hi) on November 3 is a public holiday in Japan dedicated to promoting culture, arts, and academic achievements. Originally, this day was a celebration of the birthday of Emperor Meiji (reigning 1867–1912), who played a crucial role in modernizing Japan. After World War II, in 1948, the date was re-established as Culture Day to focus on promoting peace and culture in post-war Japan. 🇯🇵 Culture Day is closely associated with the Japanese Constitution, which emphasizes the importance of peace and human rights. This holiday embodies these values through cultural appreciation and the celebration of Japanese heritage. One of the main highlights is the award of the Order of Culture (Bunka Kunsho) by the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Japanese culture, the arts, science, and academia. Recipients can include artists, writers, scientists, and scholars. 🇯🇵 Culture Day is not only a celebration of Japan’s rich traditions and modern achievements but also a day to appreciate the values of peace and creativity. It emphasizes the importance of cultural pride, creativity, and a strong sense of community, encouraging the Japanese people to reflect on their heritage and inspire the next generation. Culture Day offers both Japanese citizens and visitors a vibrant window into the country’s traditions and innovations, reinforcing national identity and appreciation for the arts and sciences. 🇯🇵 Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit - Jawaharlal Nehru 🇯🇵 Artwork from Google 🇯🇵 #newseries #thejarofthoughts #cultureday #japanculture #origin #significance #culturalidentity #nationalpride #marishasblog