Links about Japan
General
General
Noh, which originated in the thirteenth century, is a classical Japanese performance form which combines elements of dance, drama, music and poetry into one highly aesthetic stage art. The themes of Noh tend to be quite serious, so between the acts short Kyogen comedies are performed to provide a lighter atmosphere. Kyogen is rarely seen on its own.
Kabuki developed during the early 17th century by the shrine maiden Okuni,
Food!
Sushi
The food you love to hate. Contrary to popular belief, sushi is not eaten very often. It is typically eaten when celebrating a special occasion and is also the traditional meal following funerals. Real sushi is very expensive, about US$100 per person. More common is kaiten-zushi, or revolving sushi (because the plates of sushi travel around the circular eating area on a conveyor belt), sort of the fast-food equivalent. Kaiten-zushi is cheap and of much lower quality, but popular with just about everybody. My favorite kind of sushi is uni (sea urchin) but it's also one of the most expensive.
Ramen
These noodles originated in China, but now can be classified as a Japanese national obsession. Thousands of ramen shops can be found in Japan, from cheap holes in the wall to gourmet shops where you might have to wait on line for an hour to get a stool at the counter. At least once a week you can find a show on television singing the praises of ramen shops around the country. A visit to a ramen shop is an assault on the senses: taste, smell and sound. Slurping ramen properly is an art!
Sake
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