Japans National Anthem:

"Kimigayo" (?) is the national anthem of post-1868 Japan. It is also one of the world's shortest national anthems in current use, with a length of 11 measures and 32 characters. Its lyrics are based on a Wakapoem written in the Heian period (794-1185), sung to a melody written in the imperial period (18681945). The current melody was chosen in 1880, replacing an unpopular melody composed eleven years earlier. In summary, Kimigayo is mere one of post-1868 productions. While Kimigayo is usually translated as His Majesty's Reign, no official translation of the title nor lyrics were established by law. Prior to 1945, "Kimigayo" was the official national anthem of the Japanese Empire. When the Empire of Japan (imperial period) fell and the State of Japan (democratic period) started in 1945, polity was changed from absolutism to democracy. However, just as emperor Hirohito was not dethroned, so to was "Kimigayo" retained as the de facto national anthem, becoming legally recognized as such in 1999 with the passage of Act on National Flag and Anthem. During the democratic period, there has been controversy over the performance of the anthem at public school ceremonies. Along with the Hinomaru flag,Kimigayo is claimed as a symbol of Japanese imperialism and militarism, Kimigayo and democracy are incompatible. Thus, essential points of controversies to Hinomaru and Kimigayo are "Praise or condemnation to the Empire of Japan" and "the Empire of Japan (pre-1945) and the State of Japan (post-1945) are the same states or different states".

KIMIGAYO

Japans National Flower:

Japan has no official national flower. Most people, however, consider the cherry blossom the unofficial national flower of Japan. Furthermore, the chrysanthemum is the symbol for Japan's emperor.

Cherry Blossom

Japans Flag
The national flag of Japan is a white rectangular flag with a large red disk (representing the sun) in the center. This flag is officially called Nisshki ( ?, "sun-mark flag") in Japanese, but is more commonly known as Hinomaru (?, "sun disc").

The Nisshki flag is designated as the national flag in Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem, which was promulgated and became effective on August 13, 1999. Although no earlier legislation had specified a national flag, the sun-disc flag had already become the de facto national flag of Japan. Two proclamations issued in 1870 by the Daij-kan, the governmental body of the early Meiji Era, each had a provision for a design of the national flag. A sun-disc flag was adopted as the national flag for merchant ships under Proclamation No. 57 of Meiji 3 (issued on February 27, 1870), and as the national flag used by the Navy under Proclamation No. 651 of Meiji 3 (issued on October 27, 1870). Use of the Hinomaru was severely restricted during the early years of the American occupation after World War II, although restrictions were later relaxed. In early Japanese history, the Hinomaru motif was used on flags of daimyos and samurai. An old history Shoku Nihongi says that Emperor Mommu used a flag of sun in his court in 701, and this is the first recorded use of sun-motif flag. The oldest existing flag is preserved in Umpo-ji temple, Yamanashi, which is older than 16th century, and it is handed down that the flag was given from Emperor Go-Reizei in 11th century. During the Meiji Restoration, both the sun disc and the Rising Sun Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy became major symbols in the emerging Japanese empire. Propaganda posters, textbooks, and films depicted the flag as a source of pride and patriotism. In Japanese homes, citizens were required to display the flag during national holidays, celebrations and other occasions as decreed by the government. Different tokens of devotion to Japan and its emperor featuring the Hinomaru motif became popular during the Second Sino-Japanese War and other conflicts. These tokens ranged from slogans written on the flag to clothing items and dishes that resembled the flag. Public perception of the national flag varies. To some Japanese, the flag represents Japan, and no other flag could take its place. However, the flag is not frequently displayed due to its association with extreme nationalism. The use of the flag and the national anthem Kimigayo have been a contentious issue for Japan's public schools since the end of World War II. Disputes about their use have led to protests, lawsuits, and at least one suicide in Hiroshima Prefecture. To Okinawans, the flag represents the events of World War II and the subsequent U.S. military presence there. For some nations occupied by

Japan, the flag is a symbol of aggression and imperialism. The Hinomaru was used as a tool against occupied nations for purposes of intimidation or subjugation. Despite the negative connotations, Western and Japanese sources claim the flag is a powerful and enduring symbol to the Japanese. Several military banners of Japan are based on the Hinomaru, including the sunrayed Naval Ensign. The Hinomaru also serves as a template for other Japanese flags in public and private use.

Flag of Japan

Indigenous People of Japan

The Ainu (n) are aborigines of Northern Japan. Estimates vary on the age of Ainu people and culture, but it reached its height in the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, it is close to extinction. Centuries of oppression, racism, and forced assimilation policies have contributed to the annihilation of the Ainu culture. Modern socialization and the fear of marginalization has led recent generations to deny their Ainu identity. Urban Ainu in particular face problems of alcoholism, homelessness, and violence. The Ainu People Culture, Appearance, and Homeland "Ainu" means "human." They live by hunting, fishing, farming, and selling crafts to tourists. They have an animistic spirituality that regards all things, including inanimate objects, imbued with life and spirit. Ainu are heavily bearded and have thick wavy hair. Their mix of European and Asian physical traits contrasts so sharply from other indigenous peoples of Asiathat their origin is uncertain. Some theories hold they are of Caucasian descent; others think their distinct features are a result of isolation that allowed them to remain racially unchanged. The Japanese chronicles "Kojiki" and "Nihonsyoki" refer to them as descendants of an ancient people called Emishi. Today the term Ainu is used to denote the indigenous people of Hokkaido in Japan and Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, inRussia. Spirituality, Death and Afterlife in Ainu Culture The Ainu people regard death as the separation of soul and body. The body remains in this world and the soul goes to the other world where it is met by ancestors. The other world is underground, and a mirror image of this one, with the same structure but reversed space and time. Souls stay in one world until they are ready to return to the other. Then they are reborn back into this world. All living creatures repeat this eternal shifting between the two worlds. There is no distinction of Heaven and Hell, but the souls of extremely bad persons may be rejected by their ancestors. A shaman is summoned to convince the ancestors to accept the soul. Extraordinary attachments to or profound grudges against this world can cause the deceased to cling to strongly to this world. Again a shaman is called, to convince the recalcitrant soul to let go. The Beginning of the Threat to Ainu Culture

The threat to Ainu culture began in earnest in the 15th century when Hokkaidocame under the control of the Bakufu shogunate seeking to prevent Russian advances into Southern Japan. The shoganate instituted trade policies that favored the wajin (Japanese who emigrated to Hokkaido) and exploited the Ainu.

Ainu