Like this post? Help us by sharing it! When you come to Japan, you’re bound to come across references to samurai, who performed a key role in Japanese society from the late Heian Period (let’s say the 1100s) until 1873 – when Imperial Japan formally abolished them. That said, families with proud samurai lineage continued […]
Culture & History
The Scottish Potters Association visit Japan
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! With its rich history of world-class pottery and ceramics, Japan seemed the perfect choice for the Scottish Potters Association. As well as meeting top experts, they threw themselves into all things Japanese – riding on the bullet train, staying in a ryokan and even trying their hands […]
Art and textiles inspired by Japan: Penny Leaver Green
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! You’d be hard pushed to find someone who’s been to Japan and hasn’t been inspired in some way, but for artists working with textiles it has become something of a mecca. Like this post? Help us by sharing it!
Are geisha prostitutes? Geisha history and the prostitution myth
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Having led small group tours all over Japan Charlea has been asked a fair few questions, but “are geisha prostitutes?” come up again and again. She takes us back to the very beginning to understand the fascinating history and myths that surround the performers. Like this post? Help […]
Insider’s guide to staying at a ryokan
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Staying at a ryokan should be up there on your Japan wish-list alongside spotting a geisha, seeing Mount Fuji and jumping aboard the shinkansen (bullet train). The experience of staying at these traditional inns is uniquely Japanese, so it might be worth a few pointers to get […]
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Staying at a ryokan should be up there on your Japan wish-list alongside spotting a geisha, seeing Mount Fuji and jumping aboard the shinkansen (bullet train). The experience of staying at these traditional inns is uniquely Japanese, so it might be worth a few pointers to get […]