DIVERSITY and CULTURE case study

The history of Japanese culture separates into periods that stretch back into the prehistoric age. It began with a hunter-gatherer dynamic that wound down due to sedentism. This gave way to the classical period largely driven by religious practices such as Buddhism and the native Shinto religion. It was here that the sun became a thematic element in Japanese culture. This also saw the emergence of a court system and the birth of art. It is not uncommon to see persons dressed in traditional garments form the 18th century utilizing the latest in technological advancement. The contrast is however not garish but complimentary. With regard to its material culture, major themes include cuisine, customs, and the Japanese social life. Japan had adopted a policy of seclusion, which abated due to often-violent interactions with invader peoples.

During periods of calm Japan acquired essentials that brought the nation forward into the new age. 3 The order is typically subject first, and then the object followed by the verb. There are no articles nor are there grammatical genders or numbers. The honorific system adds an air of complexity due to the fact that the form of the language is likely to change on the basis of the people mentioned therein, the listener, and the status of the orator in relation to the listener. Japanese culture has additionally borrowed numerous elements from all over the world such as religion, systems of government, systems of thought, and writing systems. The writing and religion have a heavy Chinese influence but there are also those taken from English and other cultures.