About Tokyo
By Jordan Mollenoyux
The characteristics of an AMAZING Asian Megacity.
On the west side of Honshu, Japan's main island, is the country's capital city, Tokyo.
With a population on over 13 million people, Tokyo is the largest mega city by population. Tokyo’s population makes up 10% of the total population of Japan. Tokyo has a population density of 6,029 people per square kilometre, which is quite small compared to Manila (42,857 per square kilometre).
Tokyo has a unique culture, despite being mixed with other
cultures. It originated from the Jomon culture but has been combined with aspects
of Chinese, Korean, Greek, Indian, European and American cultures to form a
culture like no other. Their culture is reflected through their numerous
traditions, festivals and rituals as well as arts and crafts. Japan has many
art forms, such as origami (paper folding), ikebana (flower arranging) and
pottery. They also do many performances such as bunraku (puppet
theatre) and kabuki (complex dramas performed in elaborate costumes).
There are also many traditions that are strictly followed, some examples are: It is impolite, to not return a bow (the Japanese version of a handshake), shoes are not worn in homes, temples, and other places and it is necessary to bring a gift when invited to someone’s house.
There are also many traditions that are strictly followed, some examples are: It is impolite, to not return a bow (the Japanese version of a handshake), shoes are not worn in homes, temples, and other places and it is necessary to bring a gift when invited to someone’s house.
Some people in Japan follow Shintoism or Buddhism, but most people follow both. For example, most Japanese will marry in a Shinto ceremony, but when they die, they'll have a Buddhist funeral.
Shintoism follows the belief in spiritual beings called kami that live in everthing, animate and inanimate. Followers of Shintoism worship their ancestors and national heroes as well as all natural things, animate and inanimate. Nature, physical cleanliness and family are highly valued in Shintoism. All followers of Shinto have a close relationship with nature as it is believed that the closer you are to nature, the closer you are to the gods. They also highly value physical cleanliness and quite frequently take baths, wash their hands and rinse out their mouths. Ceremonies involving family such as birth and marriage are extremely important and contain many traditions. The importance of family comes from another religion called Confucianism that entered Japan in the 5th century, promoting the importance of loyalty and family.
In the 6th century, a new religion that started India, called Buddhism, travelled to Japan through China and Korea. It follows the concept of eternal life and enlightenment.
Zen Buddhism is considered to be the most Japanese from of Buddhism. Zen Buddhism stresses self-discipline through meditation. Meditation involves a person sitting in the lotus position in absolute silence, just as Buddha did, clearing their minds and focusing on their breathing. It is believed that if you follow the strict lifestyle of Zen Buddhism, you will reach enlightenment.
In the 6th century, a new religion that started India, called Buddhism, travelled to Japan through China and Korea. It follows the concept of eternal life and enlightenment.
Zen Buddhism is considered to be the most Japanese from of Buddhism. Zen Buddhism stresses self-discipline through meditation. Meditation involves a person sitting in the lotus position in absolute silence, just as Buddha did, clearing their minds and focusing on their breathing. It is believed that if you follow the strict lifestyle of Zen Buddhism, you will reach enlightenment.
Tokyo is Japan’s leading industrial centre. They are prone to
light industry such as book printing and the production of electronic equipment
but also manufactures other items such as automobiles and furniture. Electrical
products and automobiles are exported through a large man-made port at the
mouth of the Sumida River. Tokyo is the management and finance centre of Japan.
Many corporations with headquarters or branches in other parts of Japan will
usually have a large office in Tokyo because of the close relationship between businesses
and government.