General Diet (Food)~
Soba Noodles is a native form of Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour. It is generally served with wasabi (Japanese horseradish), a side of soy dipping sauces, and sometimes vegetables.
Sushi is a Japanese dish, including small rolls of rice, raw fish, eggs, and vegetables packed into a seaweed outer shell.
Mochi is a sweet rice cake that originated in Japan. It is made of glutinous rice, which is then made into paste and molded into various shapes. Mochi is a very popular dish, especially during Japanese New Year.
Sake is a common alcoholic drink in Japan. It is made from brewed rice, and is also called "rice wine". Sake is also referred to as Japanese liquor.
This picture shows one of the most common side dishes, Tempura. Tempura is made of seafood or vegetables which are battered and then deep fried.
Seafood was a very big part of Japanese culture, and still is today. Since Japan is an island, their seafood diet consists of seaweed, fish, clam, shrimp, octopus, and whale meat.
Languages~
At this time,the primary and mostly spoken language was Japanese. Since they had strong ties with the Dutch, some spoke Dutch.
Belief Systems~
There were three main belief systems that were practiced by them. Buddhism was practiced by a majority of the people. Shinto, a native spiritual religion of Japan was also practiced. Many people also followed Neo-Confucianism, a philosophical belief system. Though they had a strong realtionship with few European people, Ieyasu persecuted Christianity from the empire from 1614 and on.
Sports~
Sumo is a form of Japanese wrestling. It was originally created so that the Shinto deities could be entertained.
Jujutsu is a Japanese martial arts form that uses either small or no weapons. It was originally created as a military tactic.
Kyūdō, meaning "Way of the Bow", is Japanese Archery. It is said by many to be the purest form of martial arts.
Activities~
Koma is a Japanese top. Top spinning games were popular among children and adults. Even today, Koma is played but mostly during their New Year.
Yakkodako is a Japanese kite that depicts a male servant. They derived from Chinese kites, and were poular throughout the empire.
Origami is the art of paper folding. The special origami paper is folded into different shapes and figures. Origami is not only popular in Japan, but today people all over the world do Origami.
Hanetsuki is a traditional game, similar to badminton. It is played with a paddle called a hagoita, and a shuttle called the hane. This, like many other activities is popular during Japanese New Year.
Iroha Karuta is a card game. It consists of 24 reading cards (proverbs written on them) and 24 grabbing cards (pictures that match the proverbs). The object of the game is to match a picture to whichever proverb was being read out.
Trade in the Tokugawa Shogunate~
Ieyasu built good relations with the English and the Dutch, and traded with them. The Tokugawa Shogunate didn't trade very much. In 1639, Iemitsu (shogun) almost entirely isolated the empire from others. They limited their trade to only the Netherlands and China through port Nagasaki.
Public Services~
- In 1671-1672, The empire opened an eastern and western sea route. This enabled more foreign trade.
- The empire's people had the service of currency. Their money varied in material (gold to silver) and size (large to small).
- Once their population increased, the government became a bureaucracy. This lead to the government providing people with road systems, and exporting goods to benefit economy.
- The Tokugawa Shogunate military was very strong. This provided the service of protection throughout the empire.
- The empire's people had the service of currency. Their money varied in material (gold to silver) and size (large to small).
- Once their population increased, the government became a bureaucracy. This lead to the government providing people with road systems, and exporting goods to benefit economy.
- The Tokugawa Shogunate military was very strong. This provided the service of protection throughout the empire.