Japanese comedy has a long and illustrious history which I find to be a fascinating subject to explore. And, as you may expect, the country has spawned many different “categories” of comedy over the past several centuries. In America, where I now live, there are parallels to this. We have many different varieties of comedy as well, some of which are based on regions, such as hillbilly, or redneck humor. Japan’s “humor” categories are also regionally based, the prime example being Manzai.
For this article, I’m going to focus on Manzai, since it is my favorite flavor of Japanese comedy.
Manzai is a traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japanese culture, which usually involves two performers-a straight man (tsukkomi) and a funny man (boke)-trading jokes at great speed. Most of the jokes revolve around mutual misunderstandings, double-talk, puns and other verbal gags. Americans may liken Manzai to those fabulous Abbot and Costello routines of the 1930’s and 40’s. If the names of Abbott and Costello don’t ring a bell to those of the younger generation, perhaps you’ve heard their famous routine: “Who’s on First?”. Manzai humor is very similar to Who’s on First” in many regards.
Manzai can trace it roots back to the region of Osaka, where the comedians would carry out their witty and funny lines speaking in the Kansai dialect. Yoshimoto Kogyo, a large entertainment conglomerate based in Osaka was the driving force behind manzai, and was instrumental in introducing it to Tokyo audiences way back in 1933. According to some sources, it has now become the most common flavor of Japanese comedy in the Land Of The Rising Sun.
To discover the origins of manzai, we need to delve into Japanese history. The roots of this comedy variation can be attributed to an ancient New Year festival held during the Heian period. The pattern of the straight man and funny man is carried out by the performers supposedly delivering messages from the gods. Opposition is the name of the game as one performer spoils the party of the other.
Eventually the Edo period cam into existence as the Heian period faded into history. At this point the style shifted with more emphasis on the humorous facet of stand-up. In addition there newer variances and more varied styles.
Now we fast forward to the 20th century. The Taisho period was coming to an end, and the Foundation of Yoshimoto Kogyo was about to happen. It was 1912 to be exact, when these events paved the way for a fresher, more modern version of manzai.
The change proved to be a good one as the new style began to spread further into Japan which included Tokyo. The popularity of Manzai was boosted with the advent of communications technologies such as radio, and eventually television. Yes indeed, manzai has survived the passing of the centuries, and is flourishing even today in our high technology world.
I hope you enjoyed this brief look into Japanese Comedy. I hope you feel as I do that comedy, when performed well, can make the world a better place.
By: Melanie Maloy
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Sep 1st, 2010. 
The Japanese Dragon Tattoo is a very beautiful and colorful tattoo design and very symbolic, with its origins in myths and folklore. It is also very mystical, adding to the appeal of the Japanese dragon tattoo. Over the ages, from Egyptian times the dragon has represented good and also represented evil. However, the attraction of the Japanese dragon, apart from its stunning beauty is that it represents good luck and the source of wealth. The Japanese dragon also represents the meaning of freedom and being fearless, both very attractive qualities.
In the Greek language, dragon is sourced from draca, which means serpent.
Like the angel, the Japanese Dragon also has the meaning of guardianship, providing a protective force over those it was associated with. Other meanings associated with the Japanese dragon is strength and power. In Japanese culture the dragon is associated with supernatural powers, and amazing wisdom.
There are six forms of the Japanese Dragon. They are:
Sui-Riu is the king Dragon and is in control of the rain. Therefore in this day and age of drought he is all powerful!
Han-Riu has many stripes on his body and is up to forty feet in length. One of the biggest dragons.
Ri-Riu dragon is a rare breed that is not well understood. However, it is known that they have amazing eye sight.
Ka-Riu is a brilliant red color, and a petite dragon in comparison with the others.
Fuku-Riu is a favorite dragon of many people as it is the dragon of luck.
Hai-Riyo is known as the dragon bird, and the most advanced form of dragon. It evolved out of Chinese mythology.
The colors of the dragons have special significance, which are based on their parents. For example a dragon with a black color means their parents are very old and wise. Green dragons are smaller than average, but are representative of life and of the earth. Gold colored dragons are special because they have many special attributes such as wisdom, kindness and the ability to face challenges head on.
Yellow dragons represent the east. They are great companions when you need a hand, but can be self absorbed at times. Blue dragons are from the west. They are forgiving and compassionate, but on the negative side can be lazy and uncaring when it suits them.
Finding the right Japanese Tattoo Design for you can be quite daunting. Check out all the free sites on the net to get as many ideas as you can. Just remember that many other people have done the same thing to get ideas. For example, last month, over 41,000 people searched for dragon tattoo designs on Yahoo. Apparently, roughly 8 times that amount check out Google for the same search term. Then there is MSN and the other search engines. So a huge amount of people see the same free designs as you. If you want original Japanese Dragon tattoo designs, it is recommended that you check out books or other sources of tattoo designs that are not freely available. I have checked out three Japanese dragon tattoo galleries on the internet that have from 3,500 to 6000 different designs, so you will have no trouble finding what you want.
By: Graeme Wheeler
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If you are after the best Japanese Dragon tattoo galleries around check out the review and grab a Free Tattoo Designs Ebook.
Good luck in your search for your ultimate tattoo.
Graeme Wheeler
Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Aug 12th, 2010.
The origin of Japanese Symbols or Japanese Kanji are the Chinese characters which are used in modern day Japanese logo-graphic writing together with Hiragana and Katakana Symbols which form the architecture and foundation of the Japanese Language System. In Japanese, the term Kanji simply means “Han characters”.
Kanji Tattoos on peoples body are symbols and scripts based based on simple and complex ideographic characters. ( An ideogram or ideograph is a graphic symbol that represents an idea, rather than a group of letters arranged according to the phonemes of a spoken language ).
Kanji Tattoo characters can represent objects, ideas, specific meanings and much more in a single character structure form. By viewing the Kanji Tattoo characters or set of characters, people can understand the meanings of the Kanji right away. ( well those that understand the Japanese language to be precise )
Japanese Symbols show meanings of words in visually expressive ways. The Kanji Dictionary consists of thousands of Characters / Symbols which represent and mean so many different things.
The Kanji strokes on a single character can sometimes exceed over 20 strokes.
It is now very popular among people all over the world to get Japanese Symbols Kanji Tattoos for all kinds of words, phrases, slogans and meanings. For many people, Japanese Kanji Symbols are unique and mysterious and for others, it can be cool and hip.
Whatever your reasons are for getting a Kanji Tattoo done in Japanese Symbols Scripts, the most important aspect which is often overlooked when getting these Kanji Tattoos is the actual translation itself of the English words to accurate Japanese symbols.
Its really impossible to get an accurate computer translation of a English word or phrase to a Japanese Kanji Tattoo Symbol. A single word or phrase can be expressed in so many different ways meaning many different things. Nothing beats a human translation where the person in charge clearly understands the reason and meanings for the Words and Phrases which will be made into a Tattoo.
Its important to understand that a Kanji Tattoo will remain on your body forever. If you don’t have knowledge of the complicated Japanese language and Characters system, it can be very difficult to get the right characters to express what you want on your Kanji Tattoos.
Many people use free kanji tattoo sites or computer translations to get there Kanji Tattoo Symbols only to regret very dearly later because what they thought they had was totally different from what they expected.
In recent years, Kanji Tattoos have become really popular with celebrities, sporting stars and many other people around the world. Its important that the Kanji you choose to get is accurate in what its supposed to mean to you. These tattoos will remain and age with you forever.
The idea to make a Tattoo for many is a very personal decision to most people therefore much time and consideration should be given when deciding the word or phrase you would like to get tattooed in Japanese Symbols.
By: Kamal Chandra
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Jul 28th, 2010.
My timing was perfect, even if the place was not as I imagined. How could two cities be so different yet share something so distinct as to make them like sisters in a family? There was no doubt in my mind that it was the cherry blossoms that created the illusion before me – an illusion of something Japanese, in a place as American as New York City. Today was the annual Sakura Matsuri or cherry blossom festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden where more than 200 cherry trees were in full bloom. I remembered the Japanese because of the cherry trees.
In this shimmering spring day
Ah, with ever anxious heart
The blossoms are falling…
Ki no Tomonori
Japanese waka poet
What could be more joyful than this moment, when all the Japanese flowering cherry trees or Sakura were bursting with pale pink and white blossoms? I could see the delicate blossoms falling to the ground even before withering out, as if someone had shaken the cherry trees and thrown the petals in the air. The scent of cherries wafted the cool breeze in the garden, blending like a symphony with the laughter of the people who posed under, besides or in front of the cherry trees.
The radiance of cherry blossoms
Their scent, ever fresh with every passing year,
So man grows old, eternally.
Ki no Tomonori
Japanese waka poet
Like any tourist, I admired the cherry blossoms for its aesthetic value, not knowing the Sakura symbolized something more profound to the Japanese. The falling leaves or blossoms are a metaphor for death in Buddhism. That’s because the Japanese compared the short life of a cherry blossom to the life of a samurai or warrior who was fully prepared to sacrifice his life in the cause of his master. I thought the samurai was rather like a Christian martyr who was fully prepared to sacrifice his life in the cause of his faith in Jesus.
Myriads of things past
Are brought to my mind –
These cherry blossoms!
Basho Matsuo
Japanese haiku poet
A few days ago, we were at the Senso-ji Temple, in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan where I noticed the cherry blossoms within the courtyard of the famous Buddhist Temple. Our good friend Yachiyo explained a little about the cherry and Buddhism.
“Those are not real anymore but made of plastic,” she said. “They are there all year round so that people could hang their prayer petitions under the trees. We don’t have a mass like you do. We don’t worship a God like you do.”
Yes, I did notice several sheets of paper (with characters on it) hanging under the shade of the cherry trees. It was something that even I could relate to. The scene reminded me of how the Jews inserted prayer petitions between the bricks of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Even Catholics have prayer petitions thru lighted candles or written paper that are burned after praying.
From a Buddhist’s perspective, however, the cheery tree is a deity and each petal of cherry blossom is a person who sacrifices himself for a certain mission or ideal. It is as simple as the flower will wither, the warrior will die, and the world will fade away.
The rains poured down as I sat to eat our bento lunch underneath a large tent. Surrounded by cherry trees, I understood how people see the world from the perspective of their own faith but regardless of faith, I sensed the connection of mankind to nature and to a higher power above. Yes, immortality was never meant for man on earth but how beautiful it is to know that we have a purpose to strive for and like the Buddhists, we could live well at the moment with eternal spring in our heart.
This year on, forever,
It’s all gravy to me now-
Spring arrives.
Issa
Japanese haiku poet
By: Elaine Friend
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Jul 23rd, 2010.
Japanese tattoo designs have been experiencing a real revival in recent years and with the beautiful designs it is easy to see why. The Japanese have been doing tattoos for thousands of years and they have developed an some of the most beautiful designs and tattoo themes ever. If you are thinking about getting a Japanese tattoo design for women then here are some ideas and guidance that will help you in making your decision.
The History
Of course tattooing has long been a tradition in Japan. However, it was not until recent years that tattoos in Japan and their designs really came into acceptance. Way back in the days of Samurai’s tattoos were used to brand criminals. This branding of criminals continued down into the Yakuza (Japanese Gangs) choosing to tattoo themselves as a mark of the chosen lifestyle. In more recent years though the young in Japan are not getting tattoos even though they don’t belong to Yakuza. Tattoos are kind of going through a rebirth of sorts in Japan and they are becoming more widely acceptable as they have here in the US.
Japanese Tattoo Designs For Women
Here are some of the top designs that work very well for the female body. Of course any design is open to get by any female. A person is free to choose any design they want and a lady could get a huge samurai on their back if they want. However, these themes below tend to be favored by women.
Cherry Blossom Tattoos
Cherry blossoms are a beautiful flower that blooms from the cherry tree typically in April. These beautiful flowers have long been a passion for the Japan in general. They are symbolic of how fragile and beautiful life can be. Often the Samurai would write poems about Cherry Blossoms and they thought of the blossoms as being brave and ready to die at any minute. That is how the Samurai lived their life all the time. So the cherry blossom is a symbol of beauty first and foremost but it also symbolize living life to its fullest each and every day.
Geisha The Oriental Pinup
Another popular and traditional theme in Japanese tattoos are Geisha. These women were not the *********** or hookers but rather women of culture and refinement that were seen to carry the traditions of the culture. They were often extremely beautiful and talented women they could sing, play traditional instruments, dance and entertain. There of course are tons of traditional woodcuts that feature the “floating world” where the Samurai and Geisha would meet. Many of these woodcuts and themes have been done in tattoo designs. If you are looking for a strong female image then you could always get a design of a samurai’s wife who were traditionally trained in martial arts and expected to defend their home if needed.
Koi Fish
Koi fish have long been a symbol for perseverance and spiritual struggle throughout Japan and China. The myth is that the koi fish swim up stream to reach the heavily gate where they then become a flying dragon and fly off into the sky. These beautiful fish are seen to be fighters and individualists since they go against the flow of the stream and they fight their way to the top. This is a powerful symbol and a very beautiful tattoo design. With the golden and orange colors of the fish combined with the blue splashing water in the background it is a very beautiful combination.
Finding A Design
If you are considering getting a traditional or even modern interpretation of a Japanese tattoo design for women then you might want to consider one of the above. There are tons of other ways you could go with a design and these are just a few ideas to get your creative mind thinking.
By: Chris Ryerson
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Jul 22nd, 2010.
The ancient art of Japanese calligraphy is captured today in numerous pieces of artwork. Some are used as home or office decor; others are becoming popular gift items. Others are even used as tattoo images.
“Shodo,” a Japanese term for calligraphy that means the way of writing is taught to children at very young ages in schools. Adults practice it as a hobby. Getting started on learning the art of Japanese calligraphy may require you to complete a set consisting of six elements. One is a black, soft mat that provides a comfortable, soft surface where you will sit. It is called a Shitajiki. The next is a Bunchin, a metal stick used as weight for the paper during writing. Another is the Hanshi, or a special, thin calligraphy paper. Of course, you will need a brush or what they call the Fude.
There are two kinds of Fude. There is the large brush to write main characters with and a smaller one to write the artist’s name; although sometimes artists use the smaller ones to draw the characters, too. The next element is the Suzuri, a heavy black crucible holding the ink. The last one is the Sumi or a solid black material that when rubbed in water produces the black ink used for writing. This is for the more traditional calligraphers. For the rest, commercially available ink will serve the same purpose.
Japanese characters are drawn using one of the three styles: the square style called Kaisho; the semi-cursive Gyosho; and the cursive Sosho. The last two styles are faster to execute than the more traditional Kaisho.
Writing calligraphy is art in itself, and there are many collectors who host exhibits and auctions of Japanese calligraphy art prints. Most feature classic words of wisdom. They are usually framed in wood.
By: Alison Cole
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Jul 2nd, 2010.
You see the Japanese characters everywhere and figure that they are really interesting looking. You are amazed and starting to understand why people are getting tattoos in that language. From this, a decision comes to mind: I want to write something in Japanese too! There is one problem, you do not know how to. I guess it would be a good decision to learn something about Japanese symbol writing if you want to part-take in what the rest of the world is doing. But you ask, “Where can I learn about Japanese symbol writing?” Here is a list of ways to learn Japanese symbol writing.
1. Do a search on the internet. Surf over to a major search engine and type in “Learn Hiragana” or, “Learn Katakana” (These search queries are two forms of the Japanese syllabary). From all the results you will be given many different sites that you can learn with. Pick a site to learn based on credibility. You can go about checking credibility by finding reviews or stories from people who used the site before. Nonetheless, the internet is a perfect place to learn how to write Japanese symbols.
2. Get a teacher to help educate you. If you do not know how to write in Japanese, get the wisdom from someone that is professionally trained to know and teach others. Search for schools in you area that have a Japanese language program. If you find one, they will definitely have teachers that will be willing to teach you how to write and understand Japanese.
3. Ask a Japanese friend to teach you. If you have a friend who knows Japanese, try to work a deal out with them so they will teach you all the symbols they know for free. Buy them dinner or a hair cut. This method is cheaper than the above tip. This way you can keep the money that you would spend on fees to pay the teacher.
4. Get a book that shows you how to write in Japanese. Go to your local library and find a kiosk to type in “Learn Japanese”. Find the section that contains books on the Japanese Language. Search for a particular book that shows you how to write Hiragana or Katakana. Further, you can use that exact same book finding method at a bookstore, but their knowledge will cost you some money.
5. Get software that can teach you how to write in Japanese. There are many types of software online and at stores that can help you learn. Compile a list of all the different types of software you find and research if they are actually able to teach you–some companies say they can teach you, but never live up to what they say. Make sure you are checking for reviews from people who used the software that you are analyzing. This will help prove the effectiveness of the software.
These were only a few methods of learning Japanese symbol writing. It takes practice, but practice often. Be patient and you will eventually get the hang of writing in Japanese. Before long, you will be a professional writer for the Japanese language.
By: Cindy Jackson
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Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Jun 30th, 2010.
Choosing a Japanese symbol for a tattoo design can be a hard choice. There are so many characters to choose from, it is worth taking the time to look into and understand all of the choices. There are a number of tattoo designs that are always seem to be popular. One of these is the Japanese symbol for strength. This article will tell you more about this Japanese character and popular Japanese tattoo symbol.
Strength in Japanese, when used for a tattoo is usually written in Kanji. If you have not studied Japanese, you may not be aware that there are three Japanese alphabets. These are called hiragana, katakana and kanji. Although it is possible to write the word strength in all of the alphabets, most people will choose to write it in Kanji. Kanji is usually used for concepts and Katakana is usually used for Names and foreign words. Kanji is the word in Japanese that is used to refer to chinese characters. These characters were originally simplified from characters brought to Japan from China.
The Japanese symbol for strength is drawn with only two strokes or lines. Some characters can be much more complex and made up of multiple strokes, so the symbol for strength is one of the most simple characters to learn and draw. When you see it, it may remind you of an arm muscle bulging with strength. The Japanese word for strength or power is Chikara. It is pronounced Chi Ka Ra.
Some of the other Japanese symbols that are always popular for tattoos are also related to the strength or power theme. These include spirit, warrior, courage and bravery. If you have looked at all of the Japanese symbols related to family and still can’t decide, then you could always go for a universally popular character, the character for Peace. In Japanese the word for Peace is ‘Heiwa’. It is a great choice if you are looking for a symbol with a powerful yet simple meaning in one character.
By: Emily Kato
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Read more on Japanese Symbol For Strength – A Great Japanese Tattoo Symbol Choice…
Filed under Arts And Entertainment by on Jun 28th, 2010.