Traditional Arts
Bonsai 盆栽
Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing artificially miniaturised varieties of trees in pots. These trees are style very carefully to create a beautiful aesthetic affect.
Shodou 書道
Calligraphy (shodou 書道) is the art of writing beautifully using a brush and black ink.
Ikebana 生け花
The Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is an art form which is more than simply the placement of flowers, and is deeply immersed in the philosophy of developing a closeness with nature.
Kabuki 歌舞伎
Traditional Japanese form of theatre, a rich blend of music, dance, mime and spectacular costume and staging. It has been named as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Origami 折り紙
The art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures. The word Origami comes from the Japanese 'Oru' meaning to fold, and 'kami' meaning paper.
Tea ceremony
Chanoyu 茶の湯 or chadō 茶道, the Japanese tea ceremony is the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha 抹茶 (powdered green tea). The practice is influenced by Zen Buddhism, and seeks to purify the mind.
Ukiyo-e 浮世絵
The term "ukiyo" refers to the 'floating world', and 'e' means pictures. Ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock prints and paintings.