Are you Buddhist?

Yes. (No.) Some Japanese may be more religious than others. And some of them may say we are not religious at all. But almost all of them recognize that they have been deeply affected by the Buddhist tradition. Japan is a Buddhist country. Buddhism has influenced almost every aspect of their culture - their art, literature, their architecture, their approach to life.

But isn't Japan a Shintoist country too?

Yes. They don't see a contradiction in that. Some Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoist, and Confucianist at the same time. They recognize that they're part of all these traditions.

When do Japanese go to Buddhist temples?

There are certain traditional times to visit a Buddhist temple, like the New Year, an annual visit to a family grave, or a memorial service, for example. Or they can go anytime they want to pray for something. And many of them visit the temples to enjoy the beauty they find there.

Flower Arrangement in Japan!

Most of Japanese know something about it whether they've studied it or not. It's a centuries-old traditional Japanese art form. The original emphasis in flower arrangement, or ikebana, was on the natural materials, and the way they were used to express harmony with nature. Most Japanese have a feel for that.

Has the emphasis changed?
Not the fundamentals - the arrangement of three main branches or sprays to signify sky, earth, and mankind. But in the past, only natural materials were used. Today some avant-garde school use man-made materials as well.


According to some estimates, there are about three thousand schools of flower arrangement. And about twenty million people practice it as a serious hobby. There are also several hundred ikebana clubs outside Japan.