Japan's societal structure in modern times has mostly westernized with the exception of religion. The government is a Parliamentary democracy; head of state is Emperor Akihito; head of government is Prem. Junichiro Koizuma; and there are 47 prefectures of state (Japan). Japans military has 239,900 active troops and a defense budget of $41.4 bill (Japan). Education is compulsory: ages 6-15 (Japan). Many Children are very consumed with school work and quite often start school as early as 3-4 years old (Kristof).
Shinto and Buddhism, observed together account for 84% of the populous, thus the chief religion is not of western origin (Japan). Extended family ties are strong, which are a cultural remnant of the uji clans (Kristof). Another feature of Japanese culture that has barely westernized is food.
Japanese food is a very unique, defining part of the culture. Their styles of food originated a long time ago because the peoples of Japan used the resources that were accessible. Rice has always been an important food source in Japan and was often a symbol of wealth (Food of Samurai Period). The growing of rice was a ritualistic act that took careful planning and yet need little attention till harvest time (Food of Samurai Period). Other foods common in the Feudal era: Abalone, shrimp, oyster, carp, kelp, dried sardines, sushi (raw fish), eel, beans, diakon radish, fermented soy, brown rice, ginkgo nuts, lotus root, dried bonito, chestnuts, cucumber, rice cakes, green onion, mushrooms, ginger, yams, bamboo shoot, tempura style (deep fried), wasabi (horse radish) , sota sauce (Food of Samurai Period). Similar to most cultures there was the presence of alcohol. In Japan the beverage was called sake which is a wine made from rice (Food of Samurai Period). Alcohol levels may have been low but Japanese diet tended to heighten the affects (Food of Samurai Period). Drunkenness was not considered odious (nor is it still) and quite often it was impolite not to get drunk at a drinking party (Food of Samurai Period). Traditional Japanese food has not changed nor has disappeared but new foods been imported.
Dining in modern Japan is very similar to how it was in Ancient Japan, but the main difference would probably be chairs. Many homes still have the custom of removing shoes before entering and some families still kneel at the table for dinner (N. Taylor). It is not surprising though that restaurants and households have adopted chairs and have brought them to the dining table (N. Taylor). Japan's city streets are lined with many venders and markets. With their technological advancements, there are also unique and advanced vending machines. Originally, it was unfavorable to kill animals for food in Japan; it was only done in times of major need (N. Taylor). Now livestock are raised for meat and not just for their by products (Japan). There are many crops harvested and seafood is still a major food resource (Japan). There are imported food styles in Japan too; the Japanese Iron Chefs cook food from all over the world, and every major city in the world has a McDonalds.
During the feudal era it was custom to wear a specific style of clothing. The Kimono was the main form of dress (Samurai Clothing). Over time Different styles were fashioned: the Hitatare and the Kamishimo (Samurai Clothing). Kimonos were made of fine materials but colors were often neutral, only children wore flashy colors (Samurai Clothing). The only code on how to dress was to not look shabby (Samurai Clothing). A loincloth was worn under the kimono and resembled a diaper (Samurai Clothing). An obi, a robe belt, was worn around the waist; the katanas (Japanese swords) were hung from or
tucked through the obi (Samurai Clothing). Sandals were the main footwear; the wooden clogs often portrayed on TV were a sign of the lower class and were not common for the samurai (Samurai Clothing). Hair was worn in a topknot and facial hair was common prior to the Edo period (Samurai Clothing). The dress of the Japanese has changed greatly due to westernization.
Modern clothing in Japan is very westernized. There is a wide variety of clothing styles similar to American dress. Kimonos are rarely worn, yet, like katanas, they are still sold as a tourist novelty (N. Taylor). When women marry they wear a wedding kimono (Endo Hatsuko). Weddings are still a traditional ceremony with a “huge feast hosted at the groom's house, into which the bride will be adopted (brides wear a white kimono to symbolize her "death" to her own family, and her intention to adopt the colors of her husband's family)” (Endo Hatsuko). Endo Hatsuko, a female entrepreneur, westernized the women in Japan by introducing western makeup and commercializing the practice of purchasing bridal costumes (Endo Hatsuko). Today the traditional woman's attire of painting their faces white and blacking their teeth is continued only by the geisha, a group of women entertainers skilled in song and dance (Endo Hatsuko). Traditionally, the role of women in Japanese culture is primarily to raise the family and this has only just begun to change.
