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Tansu
are traditional Japanese mobile storage cabinets. are commonly used for the storage of clothing, particularly kimono. were first recorded in the Genroku era (1688–1704) of the Edo period (1603–1867). The two characters, and , appear to have initially represented objects with separate functions: the storage of food and the carrying of firewood. Since the radical for appears in each of these characters, it may be surmised that bamboo, and not wood, was the original material used in . As gradually became a feature of Japanese culture and daily life, both hard and softwoods were used by ( craftsmen), often in combination for a single chest. Woods commonly used in included , , , , and . are collectable, and many collectors focus on finding genuine antique . There are just a few workshops who produce in imitation of the classic antiques, due to the high cost of materials and the very low prices of second-hand . Larger chests are sometimes reduced in size, particularly fu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zelkova Serrata
''Zelkova serrata'' (Japanese zelkova, Japanese elm or keyaki or keaki; ja, 欅 (ケヤキ) keyaki /槻 (ツキ) tsuki; ; ko, 느티나무 neutinamu) is a species of the genus ''Zelkova'' native plant, native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan.Flora of China''Zelkova serrata''/ref>Andrews, S. (1994). Tree of the year: Zelkova. ''Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook'' 1993: 11-30. It is often grown as an ornamental tree, and used in bonsai. There are two variety (biology), varieties, ''Zelkova serrata'' var. ''serrata'' in Japan and mainland eastern Asia, and ''Zelkova serrata'' var. ''tarokoensis'' (Hayata) Li on Taiwan which differs from the type in its smaller leaves with less deeply cut serration on the margins. Description ''Zelkova serrata'' is a medium-sized deciduous tree usually growing to tall. It is characterized by a short trunk dividing into many upright and erect spreading stems forming a broad, round-topped head. The tree grows rapidly when young though the growth ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kura (storehouse)
are traditional Japanese storehouses. They are commonly durable buildings built from timber, stone or clay used to safely store valuable commodities. ''Kura'' in rural communities are normally of simpler construction and used for storing grain or rice. Those in towns are more elaborate, with a structural timber frame covered in a fireproof, clay outer coating. Early religious ''kura'' were built in a "log cabin" style, whilst those used later to store gunpowder were constructed from stone. Earthen ''kura'', ''dozō'' have evolved a particular set of construction techniques in order to make them relatively fireproof. History The ''kura'' storehouse was specifically used to store precious items. Other sorts of storehouses such as outbuildings (''naya'') and sheds (''koya'') were used to store more mundane items. The first ''kura'' appear during the Yayoi period (300 BC – 300 AD) and they evolved into ''takakura'' (literally ''tall storehouse'') that were built on columns ra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paulownia Tomentosa
''Paulownia tomentosa'', common names princess tree, empress tree, or foxglove-tree, is a deciduous hardwood tree in the family Paulowniaceae, native to central and western China. It is an extremely fast-growing tree with seeds that disperse readily, and is a persistent exotic invasive species in North America, where it has undergone naturalisation in large areas of the Eastern US. ''P. tomentosa'' has also been introduced to Western and Central Europe, and is establishing itself as a naturalised species there as well. Etymology The generic name ''Paulownia'' honours Anna Pavlovna of Russia, who was Queen Consort of the Netherlands from 1840 to 1849. The specific epithet ''tomentosa'' is a Latin word meaning ‘covered in hairs’. Description This tree grows tall, with large heart-shaped to five-lobed leaves across, arranged in opposite pairs on the stem. On young growth, the leaves may be in whorls of three and be much bigger than the leaves on more mature growth. The le ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sumptuary Law
Sumptuary laws (from Latin ''sūmptuāriae lēgēs'') are laws that try to regulate consumption. '' Black's Law Dictionary'' defines them as "Laws made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures for apparel, food, furniture, etc." Historically, they were intended to regulate and reinforce social hierarchies and morals through restrictions on clothing, food, and luxury expenditures, often depending on a person's social rank. Societies have used sumptuary laws for a variety of purposes. They were used to try to regulate the balance of trade by limiting the market for expensive imported goods. They made it easy to identify social rank and privilege, and as such could be used for social discrimination. They could also be used to prevent, or at least reduce opportunities for political bribery and corruption. The laws often prevented commoners from imitating the appearance of aristocrats, and could be used to stigmatize disf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meiji Restoration
The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored practical imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Although there were ruling emperors before the Meiji Restoration, the events restored practical abilities and consolidated the political system under the Emperor of Japan. The goals of the restored government were expressed by the new emperor in the Charter Oath. The Restoration led to enormous changes in Japan's political and social structure and spanned both the late Edo period (often called the Bakumatsu) and the beginning of the Meiji era, during which time Japan rapidly Industrialisation, industrialized and adopted Western culture, Western ideas and production methods. Foreign influence The Japanese knew they were behind the Western powers when US Commodore (United States), Commodore Matthew C. Perry came to Japan in 1853 in Black Ships, large warshi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nagamochi Kuruma
A hope chest, also called dowry chest, cedar chest, trousseau chest, or glory box is a piece of furniture traditionally used by unmarried young women to collect items, such as clothing and household linen, in anticipation of married life. The term "hope chest" or "cedar chest" is used in the Midwest or South of the United States; in the United Kingdom, the term is "bottom drawer"; while both terms, and "glory box" are used by women in Australia. "By the turn of the 0thcentury the trousseau and the glory-box had become accepted institutions for the readers of the weekly and monthly women's magazines." Social context Using her own needlework skills to construct a trousseau and stock her glory-box "was for the working girl the equivalent of planning and saving for marriage on the part of the provident and ambitious young man." The collection of a ''trousseau'' was a common coming-of-age rite until approximately the 1950s; it was typically a step on the road to marriage betwee ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meireki Fire Woodblock
was a of the Edo period, after the '' Jōō'' era and before '' Manji'' era. This era's period spanned the years from April 1655 to July 1658. The reigning emperor was .Titsingh, Change of era * 1655 : The era name was changed to mark the enthronement of Emperor Go-Sai. The previous era ended and a new one commenced in ''Jōō'' 4, on the 13th day of the 4th month. The source of the new era name was: * From the ''Book of Han'': "With the Nine Chapters of the Great Law, the five eras will be known" (大法九章、而五紀明歴法) * From the '' Book of the Later Han'': "The Yellow Emperor began the passing of time, so that is why the character 歴 assing of timeand 暦 hythmic cycleare used together" (黄帝造歴、歴与暦同作) Events of the ''Meireki'' era * 1655 (''Meireki 1''): The new ambassador of Korea, arrived in Japan. * 1655 (''Meireki 1''): The ex-Emperor went for the first time to Shugakuin Rikyū.Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). ''Kyoto: the Old Capit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Edo Hibachi
Edo ( ja, , , "bay-entrance" or "estuary"), also romanized as Jedo, Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of Tokyo. Edo, formerly a ''jōkamachi'' (castle town) centered on Edo Castle located in Musashi Province, became the ''de facto'' capital of Japan from 1603 as the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate. Edo grew to become one of the largest cities in the world under the Tokugawa. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868 the Meiji government renamed Edo as ''Tokyo'' (, "Eastern Capital") and relocated the Emperor from the historic capital of Kyoto to the city. The era of Tokugawa rule in Japan from 1603 to 1868 is known eponymously as the Edo period. History Before Tokugawa Before the 10th century, there is no mention of Edo in historical records, but for a few settlements in the area. Edo first appears in the Azuma Kagami chronicles, that name for the area being probably used since the second half of the Heian period. Its development started in late 11th century with a branch of the c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chōnin
was a social class that emerged in Japan during the early years of the Tokugawa period. In the social hierarchy, it was considered subordinate to the samurai warrior class. Social Class The ''chōnin'' emerged in ''joka-machi'' or castle towns during the sixteenth century. The majority of ''chōnin'' were merchants, but some were craftsmen. were not considered ''chōnin''. Later, peasants, servants, and workers were also considered members of the social class. While ''chōnin'' are not as well known to non-Japanese as other social classes in Japan, they played a key role in the development of Japanese cultural products such as ''ukiyo-e'', ''rakugo'', and handicrafts. Aesthetic ideals such as ''iki'', ''tsū'', and ''wabi-sabi'' were also developed among the ''chōnin''. This association with cultural development emerged as a way for members of the class to break the strict social barriers that prevented individuals from ascending in the social hierarchy. Members of th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tōhoku Region
The , Northeast region, or consists of the northeastern portion of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. This traditional region consists of six prefectures (''ken''): Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata. Tōhoku retains a reputation as a remote, scenic region with a harsh climate. In the 20th century, tourism became a major industry in the Tōhoku region. History Ancient & Classical period In mythological times, the area was known as Azuma (吾妻, あづま) and corresponded to the area of Honshu occupied by the native Emishi and Ainu. The area was historically the Dewa and the Michinoku regions, a term first recorded in (654). There is some variation in modern usage of the term "Michinoku". Tōhoku's initial historical settlement occurred between the seventh and ninth centuries, well after Japanese civilization and culture had become firmly established in central and southwestern Japan. The last stronghold of the indigenous Emishi on Honshu and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 million residents ; the city proper has a population of 13.99 million people. Located at the head of Tokyo Bay, the prefecture forms part of the Kantō region on the central coast of Honshu, Japan's largest island. Tokyo serves as Japan's economic center and is the seat of both the Japanese government and the Emperor of Japan. Originally a fishing village named Edo, the city became politically prominent in 1603, when it became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate. By the mid-18th century, Edo was one of the most populous cities in the world with a population of over one million people. Following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the imperial capital in Kyoto was moved to Edo, which was renamed "Tokyo" (). Tokyo was devastate ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
