[1. Cherry blossoms]
Cherry blossoms, the embodiment of love and hope, are an iconic symbol of Japan. Its origins can be traced back to ancient China, native to the Himalayas in China. Carefully cultivated, this beautiful species has spread to the Yangtze River basin in China, southwest China, and the island of Taiwan. As early as the Qin and Han dynasties, cherry blossoms have taken root in the royal family and have been cultivated and inherited for more than 2,000 years. At that time, Japan was deeply attracted by the charm of Chinese culture, and not only fell in love with the splendid Chinese culture, but also brought back to Toei the art of planting and appreciating cherry blossoms, along with architecture, costumes, tea ceremonies, and kendo, making it bloom in Japan with a different kind of brilliance.
[2, kimono]
Until the end of the 19th century, kimonos were called gofu. The origin of this name can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period of China, when the trade exchanges between Soochow and Japan led to the introduction of textiles and clothing sewing techniques to Japan. In the past, there were conceptual differences between wufu and kimono, but today, the line between the two has blurred and can be considered almost synonymous. Many kimono shops even have "Kufukuya" written directly on their signs, so it can be seen that the two terms are actually synonymous.
[3. Sumo]
Sumo, a sport similar to wrestling, was known as kakuto during the Qin and Han dynasties, and from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Southern Song Dynasty. Around the time of the Tang Dynasty, sumo wrestling was introduced to Japan and gradually developed into a popular wrestling sport in Japan. Although there is a belief that sumo in China is linked to Japan, there are no conclusive records to confirm this. Sumo later became Japan's national sport, as well as its international martial arts and sports. In Japan, as a professional sport, it is called sumo wrestling.
[4, Wooden Tree]
In China, clogs are a type of Hanfu foot garment, which has a long history and can be called the oldest foot garment. Since the time of Yao Shunyu, people began to wear clogs. During the Jin Dynasty, there was a difference between men and women in the design of clogs, and the style of clogs worn by men was different from that of women. Before the Qing Dynasty, especially during the Han, Jin, Sui and Tang dynasties, clogs were a common clothing worn by the Han people. When women in the Han Dynasty got married, they would wear clogs with colorful ties. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the nobles also wore clogs in order to be frugal. In the Gangnam region, paulownia wood is used as the base, and the upper is made of pampas grass, and the twine is passed through the nostrils of the clogs to be fixed. However, due to the importance of geta in Japanese costume, many people mistakenly believe that it is a traditional Japanese costume.
[5, Tea Ceremony]
Since the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese custom of drinking tea has been introduced to Japan. By the Song Dynasty, Japan began to grow tea trees and make tea. By the Ming Dynasty, the tea ceremony gradually formed its own unique style and system in Japan, and became an important part of Japanese culture.
[6, Hanamichi]
The art of ikebana in Japan originated in the Buddhist halls of the Sui Dynasty in China. After this tradition was introduced to Japan, it developed many schools of thought based on its unique time, geography, and national conditions, and gradually became an important part of women's education.
[7, tatami mat]
Tatami mats are a type of furniture that originated in the Han Dynasty of China and flourished during the Sui and Tang dynasties. During the Tang Dynasty, tatami mats spread to Japan and South Korea. In the imperial tomb in Xi'an, China, there are records of the use of tatami mat products. However, with the popularity of stools and high beds, tatami mats gradually declined in China. Despite this, tatami mats have a history of nearly 2,000 years as a piece of furniture that was introduced to Japan during the Tang Dynasty in China.
[8, Geisha]
Geisha, a profession that involves serving sake and performing songs and dances, is not unique to Japan in history. During the Tang and Song dynasties in China, it was a common custom for scholars to sing with prostitutes, leaving behind many beautiful poems describing singers. At that time, there were similarities between official prostitutes in China, prostitutes in Korea, and geisha in Japan. However, with the evolution of history, only Japanese geisha have survived to this day, becoming one of the carriers and symbols of traditional Japanese culture.
[9. Sashimi]
Sashimi, one of the oldest traditional foods in China, dates back to the fifth year of King Xuan of Zhou, i.e. 823 BC. In ancient times, it was called "鲙" or "脍". In the pre-Qin period, raw fish was often seasoned with green onions and mustard sauce, which is also the origin of the idiom "popular among the people". Later, the gastronomic tradition of sashimi spread to Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and other places, and it became widely loved in Japan.