時代を超越した日本

Timeless Japan

A meticulous attention to detail, an appreciation for the imperfection and impermanence of life (wabi-sabi), and a love of nature are all reflected in Japan’s extraordinary craftsmanship and cultural traditions. The country’s indigenous Shinto religion is essentially worship of nature, leading, for example, to the desire to create beautiful gardens and bonsai. The introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century played an enormous role in the development of Japanese aesthetics and the arts, from temple architecture to sculpture and lacquerware. And Buddhist philosophy, in particular the precise rituals of the tea ceremony, profoundly influenced flower arranging, calligraphy, ceramics, and landscape gardening. Through the centuries, Japanese artisans have refined their crafts, perfected their techniques, and passed their knowledge down for generations. Japan considers artists so vital to the nation’s cultural heritage, it officially recognizes the best of them as Living National Treasures.