The country of the rising sun is Japan. History of Japan. Legends and Myths of Japan

The country of the rising sun, the photo of which will be presented below, is considered one of the developed countries of the world. The highest point of the territory is the Fuji volcano. Japan is a country with a rich culture and history. In addition, it is a state honoring its traditions. At the same time, it should be said that Japan has not always been this way. There were periods of economic decline. But despite all the difficulties, the state managed not only to overcome the emerging crises, but also to reach certain heights in various spheres of human activity. His position in the world serves as a proof of this. What is the history of Japan? How was the development of the state? What is the Land of the Rising Sun today? About this later in the article.

General information

The country of the rising sun is located on the archipelago, which consists of a huge number of islands. In total there are 6852. About 97% of the total territory is occupied by the four largest islands: Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido and Honshu. Most areas have a mountainous, volcanic terrain.

The country of the rising sun - Japan - is in the world in the tenth place in terms of population. More than 127 million people live on its territory. Big Tokyo - the region, which includes, in fact, the capital of the state and a number of the closest prefectures - is considered the largest world agglomeration. More than thirty million people live here.

The state has a high standard of living. The country is on the tenth place in the human potential development index. Also here high indicators for life expectancy. In 2009, it was 82.12 years. In addition, it has the lowest infant mortality rate. Japan is the only state in the world against which nuclear weapons were used.

Standard of living

Today, the Land of the Rising Sun (Japan) is on the third place in the world in terms of GDP, nominal and calculated by the parity of the consumer ability. The state is the fourth largest exporter and sixth importer. It is also part of the G-8, regularly elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Despite official denial of the right to declare war, Japan has a large and modern army. The armed forces provide protection of borders and participate in peacekeeping operations.

Name of State

Why is Japan the Land of the Rising Sun? To answer this question, one should refer to the origin of the name of the state. The word "Japan", as we call it, is an exonym and passed from German. The inhabitants themselves call their homeland as "Nihon" or "Nippon". And the first and second versions are recorded with the help of "kanji". "Nippon" - the name is more official. It, as a rule, is applied on postage stamps, yen, in the names of any events of national importance. In everyday life, most often used "Nihon".

The Japanese call themselves "nihondzin", the language they speak is "nihongo". Officially, the state is called "Nippon Coke" or "Nihon Koku". The last version is literally translated as "the birthplace / source of the Sun". This name appeared for the first time in the correspondence between the Emperor and representatives of Sui (Chinese dynasty). "Nihon" is often translated as "Country of the Rising Sun". Actually this name began to be used approximately from the period of Nara. Until then, the state called "Yamato".

History of Japan

For the first time the archipelago began to occupy about the 40th millennium BC. E. The ancient Japanese were engaged in gathering and hunting, making tools of rough processing. At that time there were no ceramic products, in connection with which that period is called "the period of pre-ceramic culture".

After him the "dzemon" time began. According to the archeological periodization of states, it corresponds to the Neolithic and Mesolithic. A characteristic feature of that time was the formation, in fact, of the archipelago itself. During this period ceramic goods began to appear in everyday life.

Around 500 BC. E. Time began "yay". This period is characterized by the appearance of irrigated rice sowing, a loom and a potter's wheel, the beginning of the processing of metals (iron, bronze, copper), the erection of protective fortifications. All these innovations have emerged thanks to visitors from Korea and China. For the first time, "The Land of the Rising Sun" is mentioned in one Chinese chronicle - "Han'shu". More "land Wa" (the so-called Chinese archipelago) is described in the "History of the Three Kingdoms." According to the information, the most powerful in the third century was the principality of Yamatay. He was led by the ruler Himiko.

The state and political structure

The country of the rising sun - Japan - is a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. According to the Basic Law of the State of 1947, the Emperor is "a symbol of the unity of the people and the state." All decisions and appointments are accepted and implemented by him in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers. The emperor at diplomatic meetings serves as the Head of State. The board since 1989 is in the hands of Akihito.

The parliament acts as the supreme body of state power and a single legislative structure. It includes two chambers: representatives and advisers. The latter is updated every 3 years by 50%. There are 480 deputies in the House of Representatives. They are elected for 4 years. The Chamber of Councilors consists of 242 deputies elected for 6 years. In accordance with the Constitution, the parliament is endowed with absolute legislative power and has the exclusive right to manage finances.

All residents who have reached the age of twenty can take part in elections. Election of deputies to the Chamber is carried out by secret ballot. There are two main parties in Japan. In 2009, the democratic party of social liberals was replaced in the parliament by a liberal democratic conservative association that ruled 54 years, gaining a majority of votes.

Culture of Japan

From the end of the first millennium AD literature began to develop actively. The first texts of the Japanese anthem date back to the 9th-10th centuries. Some monuments of architecture and painting of the beginning of the second millennium have also been preserved. During the formation of the culture of Japan, China, and then Western Europe, had a great influence on it.

Traditionally, the folk epic was rich in various stories about monsters, ghosts, strange creatures. The most popular were "ekay". Each of these characters had unique goals and traits that were associated with their demise. In the process of the development of society, many images were "modernized". In Japan, there is a fairly popular legend. The Legend of Vanilla Hanako is a modern version of the myths about "yuray." During the survey of the population of modern Japan, it was possible to collect more than a hundred different stories about monsters. Common to all "yurei" traits were different ugliness. For example, the mouth hidden behind the hair, the absence of the lower half of the body, like that of the chopped Reiko Kashima, now moving on elbows and slashing people.

Painting

The fine arts of Japan are first and foremost chic pictures made on paper, murals of palaces, fabrics, screens, fans and theater masks. The early works include illustrations for stories, tales, stories. They are dated 8-12 centuries. The ancient art of the Land of the Rising Sun is first and foremost a tribute to the beautiful, natural, natural. In the 14th century, the landscape technique of mascara painting penetrated into painting. Japanese artists have reached a truly unprecedented level of their skills. With the help of black, they created really masterpieces and conveyed the riot of colors of nature. One of these masters is Sassya. His creations look very lively and natural. In paintings, the mood of the painter is also perfectly conveyed.

Painting on the walls

His heyday of this type of art reached by the 12th and 13th centuries. It was at that time that the walls of palaces were covered with majestic colorful paintings. As a rule, they illustrated the lyrical characters of the stories popular at the time. Thanks to the painting of the walls of the palaces, the art of Japan included such techniques as xylography - woodcut engravings. These masterpieces were created not only by artists, but also by craftsmen who cut out special printed plates, as well as a printer working on prints.

Since the 13th century, the manufacture of icons and amulets began. But it should be said that as an independent kind of art woodcuts were recognized only in the 17th century. Until the 18th century, the engravings were black and white. In the 17th-19th centuries a new style of woodcuts was created - "Ukiye-e". Translate this title as an "illustration of a floating world". This type of engraving is considered one of the directions of "Edo" - art, the main theme of which was the festive and everyday life of the townspeople.

Great masters

Japanese engraving was glorified by a number of artists. Among them, First of all, Tosyusya Syaraku should be singled out. The master's illustrations illustrated kabuki actors, vividly describing and in some ways exaggerating the character traits of each of them. Another author - Kitagawa Utamaro - in his works portrayed beautiful women. Katsushika Hokusai created "36 species of Fuji".

It should be said here that the use of color in woodcuts came from China. First, the wizard used a limited number of shades. By the 18th century the technique of color took the leading place in woodcuts. At that time, art was mainly concentrated on such genres as "yakusya-e" and "bidding". The main theme of the latter was the girls who lived in "green neighborhoods" (pleasure houses).

It should be noted that the color in these engravings was not only an artistic, but also an informative tool. The subjects illustrated the city residents with new fashion trends, different directions from the life of the capital, the activities of artisans and merchants, and their families. Works of style "yakusya-e" can be attributed to the advertising flow. They were very similar to posters and portrayed actors who played in famous theaters and were favorites of the public.

The science

The country of the rising sun - Japan - is considered one of the leaders in the field of science, robotics, biomedicine. In various research works involved about 700 thousand professionals. Japan is in third place in terms of funds that are expended on the development of science. On the use and production of robots, the state is in the lead. In fundamental science, Japan also takes a leading place. In the state, 13 scientists are Nobel laureates in medicine, chemistry and physics. In the country itself, more than half of the developed and released robots are used.

Space exploration

Aerospace agency carries out aviation, planetary and space research. Its employees also are engaged in the design of satellites and rockets. The Agency has the opportunity to launch artificial satellites into the Earth's orbit, automatic interplanetary stations. In addition, the research complex actively participates in the International Space Program. So, in 2010, a satellite was launched to study the planet Venus. In addition, preparations are underway for the study of Mercury, it is planned to erect a base on the Moon by 2030. Japan, apparently, is carrying out large-scale work on the study of outer space. In 2007, the second artificial satellite was launched. His work is aimed at collecting information about the origin and development of the moon.