Various forms of Art in Japanese Traditional Culture

What is Tradition?

Merriam Webster defines tradition as:

• 1 a: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as
  a religious practice or a social custom)
  b: a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly
  accepted as historical though not verifiable
• 2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
• 3: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions
• 4: characteristic manner, method, or style
  

Long-established traditions serve importance by unifying and representing a group of people. Yet as Globalization takes it course, new cotumes and products that are introduced to a culture begin to compete with old traditions. This may eventually push old traditions out of the way to make room for new ones... Does this mean that the definition of tradition is changing as well?

Maiko walking through a gate in Kyoto.

In this sense, Globalization may be seen as a threat to traditional culture. On the contrary, Japan, in particular, is infamous throughout history for holding on to its cultural traditions whilst different costumes and commodities are discovered and embraced.

Tea Ceremony, Sumie (brush painting), Shamisen, Koto (musical instruments) and Enka music, among others are all forms of traditional Japanese culture. However, when an outsider considers traditions in Japanese culture, I am certain Geisha and Sumo will always be near the top.

Geisha are often misrepresented as a form of prostitution and in 2005, Rob Marshall directed Memoirs of a Geisha based on the novel in an attempt to visually illustrate, to a Western auidence, exactly what it meant to be a Geisha. These traditional female entertainers whose skills vary in performing Japanese arts, may be thought of as something in the past, yet hanamachi geisha districts still traditionally house and train Japanese women to become Geisha. Kyoto is probably where the strongest tradition of Geisha remain. It is common to see Maiko (an apprentice Geisha) walking through the streets of Kyoto. And however common it may or may not be, any nearby spectators put their camera skills to the test when Maiko pass by.

Maiko makeover in Kyoto! You can do it too!

Another traditional art form in Japan is Sumo—Japan’s national sport. Sumo wrestling is a traditional sport of Japan and it's history dates back longer than some of the countries it is becoming popular in. Among younger generations in Japan, different forms of combat fighting like martial arts (karate, judo, kendo) and P.R.I.D.E. fighting and UFC are becoming more popular. Although Sumo wrestling in Japan may be seemily less popular than before, fan's are now accumulating internationally. Moreover, foreign competetors have also entered the ring.

This Sumo wrestler was kind enough to pose with my roommates and I
infront of Todaiji Temple in Nara.

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For more information on Sumo visit:

• http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-1_u-57_t-197_c-654/sumo-and-the-martial-arts/nsw/sumo-and-the-martial-arts/study-of-a-cultural-group-japan/leisure

This commercial aired in North America plays on the Japanese traditional stereotype with an edge.
(http://visualanthropologyofjapan.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-america-sees-japan-sumo-car-wash.html)