5 must-see destinations for 2021
2020年12月28日
Let's discover the 5 destinations not to be missed in Japan for 2021 according to Japan Italy Bridge to travel safely with JNTO
Japan History: Ankokuji Ekei
2020年12月17日
Although Ankokuji Ekei (1539 - November 6, 1600) was a member of the Aki Takeda clan, his year of birth and his father are still uncertain. His year of birth varies from 1537 to 1539 and whether his father could have been Takeda Nobushige or Takeda…
Jidai Matsuri
2020年10月16日
From October 14th to 15th of every year in Himeji is held the Nada no Kenka Matsuri (灘のけんか祭り) one of the biggest autumn festivals in Japan.
Nada no Kenka Matsuri
2020年10月09日
From October 14th to 15th of every year in Himeji is held the Nada no Kenka Matsuri (灘のけんか祭り) one of the biggest autumn festivals in Japan.
Fuji san, a deep focus on the symbol of Japan
2020年09月24日
Breathtakingly majestic, famous cultural icon, snow-capped peak, dizzying slopes, harmonious and perfect shape: Mount Fuji.
Japan History: Saitō Hajime
2020年09月17日
Ono Tetsutaro, better known as Yamaoka Tesshu, was born in Tokyo on June 10, 1836. Let's discover together his history and his works
Japan History: Yamaoka Tesshu
2020年09月01日
Ono Tetsutaro, better known as Yamaoka Tesshu, was born in Tokyo on June 10, 1836. Let's discover together his history and his works
Wabi-Sabi, introduction and detailed focus
2020年08月28日
Accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay of reality. Seizing the meaning, the beauty. What is Wabi-Sabi for the Japanese?
Introduction to Japanese poetry
2020年08月25日
Italy, France, England, America and many other countries in the world offer a vast poetic production, but what is Japanese poetry like?
Genji’s Tale
2020年08月13日
Murasaki Shikibu is the name behind the Japanese woman who wrote what is called the world's first novel, The Genji monogatari (源氏物語 lett. "The Genji Tale").
Japan History: Eugène Collache
2020年08月06日
Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659 - 1721), also known by the Buddhist name Yamamoto Jōchō was not only a military man but also a great philosopher. We decided to talk about this Samurai also because of his importance in the literary field.
Japan History: Yukio Mishima
2020年07月30日
If you follow us closely, you've surely heard about shōchū several times. I’m about to make a small recap just to remind you what we are talking about: shōchū is a distillate made from barley, sweet potatoes or rice.
Chadō, the Japanese Tea Ceremony
2020年07月29日
If there is anything in which the Japanese are true masters is in living in harmony with life itself, this is demonstrated by the Japanese tea ceremony, also known as Chadō.
Japan History: Yukio Mishima
2020年07月21日
Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659 - 1721), also known by the Buddhist name Yamamoto Jōchō was not only a military man but also a great philosopher. We decided to talk about this Samurai also because of his importance in the literary field.
Japan History: Maeda Toshiie
2020年06月25日
Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659 - 1721), also known by the Buddhist name Yamamoto Jōchō was not only a military man but also a great philosopher. We decided to talk about this Samurai also because of his importance in the literary field.
Japan History: Yamamoto Tsunetomo
2020年05月26日
Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659 - 1721), also known by the Buddhist name Yamamoto Jōchō was not only a military man but also a great philosopher. We decided to talk about this Samurai also because of his importance in the literary field.
Japan History: Minamoto No Yoshiie
2020年04月23日
Minamoto No Yoshiie (1039 - 4 August 1106), embodies the spirit of the samurai. He was the first son of Minamoto Yoriyoshi, a famous commander.
Japan History: Toyotomi Hideyoshi
2020年04月09日
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (March 17, 1537 - September 18, 1598) was a samurai, as well as daimyō, the successor of Oda Nobunaga as "great unifier" of Japan, ending the Sengoku period
Japan History: Sasaki Kojirō
2020年03月19日
Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi was one of Japan's greatest swordsmen and we decided to dedicate a blog to him. Despite the little information, he is known as a warrior poet, protector of the weak and a great supporter of the samurai code.
Atsuta Matsuri, lanterns and fireworks
2020年02月28日
There are many Japanese matsuri but today we decide to focus on Atsuta Matsuri, in the prefecture of Aichi. In the Chubu region, more precisely in Nagoya in the Aichi prefecture, if we enter the city, hidden among centuries-old cypresses, we will…
Japan History: Akechi Mitsuhide
2020年02月25日
Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi was one of Japan's greatest swordsmen and we decided to dedicate a blog to him. Despite the little information, he is known as a warrior poet, protector of the weak and a great supporter of the samurai code.
Japan History: Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi
2019年12月13日
Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi was one of Japan's greatest swordsmen and we decided to dedicate a blog to him. Despite the little information, he is known as a warrior poet, protector of the weak and a great supporter of the samurai code.
Japan History: Shimazu Yoshihiro
2019年11月28日
Yagyū Munenori (1571 - 11 May 1646) was a Japanese swordsman, founder of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, one of two official sword styles sponsored by the Tokugawa shogunate (the other was Ittō-ryū).
Shichi-Go-San / Seven-Five-Three
2019年11月13日
November 15th is the day of Shichi-Go-San (七五 三, 7-5-3). This festival celebrates the rite of passage for girls aged 3 and 7 and children aged 3 and 5.
Bushido: ethics and conduct, the way of the Samurai
2019年11月04日
Between the period of the Kamakura shogunate (1185) and the Muromachi period (1336) the code of moral conduct known as Bushido took shape (武士道, the path of the warrior)
Japan History: Yagyū Munenori
2019年10月21日
Yagyū Munenori (1571 - 11 May 1646) was a Japanese swordsman, founder of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, one of two official sword styles sponsored by the Tokugawa shogunate (the other was Ittō-ryū).
Kitsunebi Matsuri, when folklore comes to life
2019年09月23日
In ancient Japanese folklore, the Kitsunebi (狐火, foxfire) was a yōkai that, overnight, suddenly appeared as a glowing red-orange and sometimes blue light.
Japan History: Shimazu Takahisa
2019年09月20日
Shimazu Takahisa was born May 28, 1514, son of Shimazu Sagami no kami Tadayoshi, adopted by Shimazu Katsuhisa. He became the lord of Kagoshima after Katsuhisa's escape in 1526.
(Italiano) Il Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri e l’euforia dilagante
2019年09月04日
Every year, generally during a weekend in mid-September, the streets of Kishiwada, a small town near Osaka, are invaded by the fervor and euphoria for the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (岸和田だんじ祭).
Japan History: Kusunoki Masashige
2019年08月23日
Kusunoki Masashige, (1294 - 4 July 1336) was born in Minato-gawa, province of Settsu, and was a 14th century samurai who fought for the Emperor Go-Daigo in the Genkō war.
Japan Tradition: Akita Kantō
2019年08月03日
The Akita Kantō (秋田竿燈まつり) is the Akita city festival. It is celebrated from 3 to 7 August with the aim of praying for a good harvest. This festival is very special, and to participate there is a need for special skills.
Japan History: Takeda Shingen
2019年07月26日
Takeda Shingen (Takeda Harunobu December 1, 1521 - May 13, 1573), firstborn of warlord Takeda Nobutora, was born in the powerful Takeda clan.
Japan Tradition: Tenjin Matsuri
2019年07月19日
The Japanese summer is characterized by the famous matsuri, including the Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) of which we speak today. Ranked as one of the three largest Matsuri in Japan, Tenjin Matsuri takes place in Osaka.
Tanabata, the legend and modern times
2019年07月05日
Tanabata: on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month we celebrate one of the five gosekku (五節), the most important festivals of the year.
(Italiano) Japan History: Sakamoto Ryōma
2019年06月19日
Sakamoto Ryōma (January 3, 1836 - December 10, 1867) is still recognized as one of the most important figures of the Tokugawa Shogunate and one of the greatest heroes of the Edo period.
Japan History: Torii Suneemon
2019年05月23日
Torii Suneemon (1540 - 1575) was a Japanese samurai of the Torii family, known for his courage and for the incredible value demonstrated in the battle of Nagashino (1575).
Japan Tradition: Sanja Matsuri
2019年05月16日
The Sanja Matsuri (三 社 祭) is one of the most famous festivals, largest and "wildest" festivals in Tokyo dedicated to the Shinto religion. The festival is held in honor of Hinokuma Hamanari, Hinokuma Takenari and Hajino Nakatomo, the three men who…
Japan Tradition: Kanda Matsuri
2019年05月14日
In the middle of May on every odd-numbered year, the Kanda Matsuri (神田祭) takes place in Tokyo’s Kanda. Together with the Sanno Matsuri and the Fukagawa Matsuri, Kanda Matsuri is one of the three most important Shinto festivals being held in……
Japan Tradition: Aoi Matsuri
2019年05月06日
One of Kyoto’s three most well-known festivals, Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) takes place every year on the 15th of May, also known as The Hollyhock Festival.
Japan History: Sanada Yukimura
2019年04月25日
Sanada (Yukimura) Nobushige was one of the greatest samurai of the Sengoku period. Second child of Sanada Masayuki and younger brother of Sanada Nobuyuki, he was never called "Yukimura" during his lifetime, since his real name was Nobushige.
Japan Modern Culture: 令和 ReiWa, the new Era
2019年04月03日
Exactly one month ahead of Prince Naruhito's accession to the throne, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced the beginning of the new Era for Japan. Reiwa, formed by the kanji 令 (rei) "auspicious", "ordered" and 和 wa "harmony", "peace",…
Japan Tradition: Saigō Takamori
2019年03月21日
Saigō Takamori (1828-1877) is remembered both for his important role in the Meiji Restoration which overthrew the shogunate in 1868 and for his failed rebellion against the new government less than a decade later. Although he died a renegade, a…
Japan Tradition: Hinamatsuri
2019年02月28日
There is a special celebration held annually on the third day of the third month in Japan known as Hina-matsuri, also known as Doll’s Day or Girl’s Day. During this celebration, the misfortunes of girls are transferred to the dolls and the family…
Japan Traditions: Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri
2019年01月24日
One of Japan's most famous matsuri is the Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri held in the city of Nara on the fourth Saturday of January. The Yamayaki festival (burning mountain) comes from superstitions to calm the spirits of the dead at the Uguisuzuka Kofun…
Japan History: Hasekura Tsunenaga
2019年01月17日
Tsunenaga Rokuemon Hasekura (1571 - 7 August 1622) was a Japanese samurai and servant of Date Masamune, the daimyo of Sendai, famous for having led numerous delegations of ambassadors that led him to travel the whole world. He led a delegation of…
Japan Travel: Meiji Shrine
2019年01月10日
The Meiji Period is one of Japan's most famous historical moments and includes the 44-year reign of Emperor Matsuhito. Located in the heart of Tokyo and surrounded by a natural and urban forest, the Meiji-Jingu is a pearl of Shintō worship and one…
Japan History: Tokugawa Ieyasu
2018年12月20日
Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康, Jan. 30, 1543 - June 1, 1616) was the founder and first shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate, who effectively commanded the Battle of Sekigahara in Japan in the 1600s until the reconstruction of Meiji in 1868.
Japan History: Italy & Japan 150 Years of Friendship
2018年09月22日
150 years of friendship between Italy and Japan was celebrated in 2016. This relationship between these two countries dates back to 1866, on the 4th of July, when an Italian military ship sent by King Vittorio Emanuele II arrived in Yokohama
Japan History: Forty-seven Ronin
2018年09月08日
A band of rònin (samurai without leader) avenged the death of their master. The event is known as the revenge of the forty-seven rōnin (四 十七 士 Shi-jū-shichi-shi, forty-seven samurai)
Japan History: Date Masamune
2018年03月28日
Date Masamune (伊達 政宗, September 5, 1567 – June 27, 1636) was a regional ruler of Japan's Azuchi–Momoyama period (last part of the Sengoku period) through early Edo period. Heir to a long line of powerful daimyōs in the Tōhoku region, he went on to…
Japan History: Ishikawa Goemon
2018年02月28日
Ishikawa Goemon (石川 五右衛門, 1558 – October 8, 1594) was a semi-legendary Japanese outlaw hero who stole gold and other valuables to give to the poor. Precisely because of this characteristic he is sometimes called the Robin Hood of Japan.There are…
Japan History: Hattori Hanzō
2018年01月31日
Hattori Hanzō (服部 半蔵, ~1542 – November 4, 1596), also known as Hattori Masanari or Hattori Masashige (服部 正成), was a famous samurai of the Sengoku era. He is famous for saving the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu and then helping him to become the ruler of…
Japan History: Samurai
2017年11月29日
The name Samurai derives from the verb saburau that means "to serve" or "to stand by one's side", literally "the one who serves". In Japanese,during the Heian period (794-1185), it was pronounced saburapi and later on saburai. Another name used to…
Japan History: Minamoto no Yoshitsune
2017年10月25日
Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third child he had with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's childhood name was Ushiwakamaru (牛若丸). Shortly after his birth, Heiji's rebellion broke out, and his father and his two older brothers…
Japan History: Maeda Keiji
2017年09月27日
Maeda Toshimasu, (1543-1612) also known as Maeda Keiji or Keijiro, was a Japanese samurai who lived in the Sengoku Period (1467-1568). Born in Nagoya, he was the son of Takigawa Kazumasu, later adopted by his uncle Maeda Toshihisa brother of Maeda…
Japan History: Uesugi Kenshin
2017年08月22日
Uesugi Kenshin,( 上杉 謙信) "The Dragon of Echigo" , powerful war lord and brilliant strategist, wise administrator and man of honor. Many are the names he used in his intense life, many the battles and the enemies he fought. Among them Takeda Shingen…
Japanese Tradition: Oiran
2017年08月15日
In ancient Japan ‘women of pleasure’ were called Yūjo (遊女). This word identified their job and also marked the difference between common prostitutes and courtesans, also called Oiran (花魁). The figure of the Oiran is the one we will analyze in this…
Japanese Tradition: Gion Matsuri
2017年07月28日
The Gion Festival or Gion Matsuri (祗園祭), this is how it has been called since the Meiji era, takes its name from the famous Kyōto area, Gion, Higashiyama district. It’s a religious celebration dedicated to the Susanoo God, also known as Takehaya…
Japanese Culture: Geisha & Maiko
2017年07月26日
The most representative and mysterious artistic figure of the 'Country of the rising sun' is the Geisha (芸者 "Person who embodies art"). She is often confused with the Maiko (舞妓 "Dancing girl") that is the apprentice and aspiring geisha. To become a…
Japan History: Oda Nobunaga
2017年03月24日
Oda Nobunaga is the son of Oda Nobuhide one of the daymio from the Owari province. When his father died in 1551, he started to go completely crazy taking the distance from the Oda clan allies, preferring his brother Nobuyuki. Even if he was…
Japan Tradition: Hadaka Matsuri
2017年03月14日
Even though nowadays nudity is not a shame anymore, in this part of the world, and not only here, it still is one of those topics usually considered tingly. In spite of Japan being a nation full of beautiful contrasts, there is no better chance to…
Japan Tradition: Seijin Shiki
2017年01月10日
Seijin Shiki also known as Seijin no Hi (成人の日) is the Coming of Age day. This is a Japanese holiday held every year on the second Monday of January. The goal of this day is to congratulate and encourage all those who have become 20 years old, the…
Japan History: Zojoji Temple
2017年01月05日
The Zojoji temple was founded in 1393. Relocated to the present site in 1598 after Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, entered present-day Tokyo in 1590. After the start of the Edo Period, Zojoji became the family temple of the…
Japan Travel: Asakusa & Sensoji Temple
2017年01月03日
Asakusa is one of the most famous district of Tokyo. Situated in the north-east side of the city and delimited by the Sumida river. Asakusa is a very interesting place mostly thanks to the Sensōji temple dedicated to Kannon Sama, Buddhist goddess of…
Japanese Traditions: Ōmisoka – New year’s traditions
2017年01月01日
Shogatsu (or Oshogatsu) is the new year for the land of the Rising Sun. In the Meiji period, this date was coinciding with the Chinese lunar calendar, but during the restoration of the same period, Japan changed to the Gregorian calendar too, fixing…