Comparing Chinese And Japanese Cultures

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The population of Japan and China combined is one billion, five hundred, twelve million and eight hundred thousand. Surprisingly, the background of Japan is based on China’s background. China is also known as Zhong Guo– The Middle Kingdom. They chose this name for themselves because the Chinese used to believe China was in the middle of the world. However, the Japanese word for Japan is Nihon or Ninnon, which means the “Sun God”. This name came from the way Japan is positioned to the east of China. Japan lies in the same direction as where the sun rises, the east. Moreover, the main differences between the Chinese and Japanese culture include religion, cuisine, and art.

The Chinese and Japanese religions have more similar attributes than different ones. In China, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Daoism are widely practiced. On the other hand, In Japan most people are practitioners of Shintoism and Buddhism at the same time. In both countries some of the religions they practice are different; but Buddhism is still very dominant in each. Actually, a Japanese monk who studied Buddhism in China for nine years brought back to Japan new ideas, original texts, mandalas, and ritual objects. He had brought back 584 Buddhist text, 21 ritual implements, and several paintings and mandalas. Despite the similarities, many Japanese people have a Shinto wedding ceremony; but a Buddhist funeral. Furthermore, in China folk religions are very popular. Chinese folk religions does not have rigid organizational structure, blend practices from Buddhism and Daoism, and manifest in the worship of ancestors, spirits, or other local deities. The Japanese and Chinese are mildly similar. Japanese and Chinese cuisines also, differ in many ways.

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The Japanese and Chinese food dishes both are affected by their different geographics. The main foods in China include duck, chicken, pork, and beef. Their population has an effect on foods they eat; China has the world’ largest population. The meats they eat can be raised in a small areas. Whereas, in Japan their main meat is seafood, and most of their food is raw. For example, their most famous dish is Sushi; made out of raw fish, rice, and seaweed. Some of Japan’s most popular dishes rely on fresh cut seafood. Due to the fact that Japan is made up of islands, it is surrounded by a variety of bodies of water and sea animals. Also, Japanese food is considered healthier than Chinese food. The Chinese use a lot of oil, and evenly fry their food along with using various flavors and spices. In contrast, Japanese food has minimal use of oil. There are slight differences between Japanese and Chinese art.

There are many aspects of art that is different between the Japanese and the Chinese. Chinese paintings look different than Japanese painting. Chinese artists does not like to add color or any type of shading to their paintings, due to their belief that color and shading is a distraction. Japanese paintings include patterns and bright colors which made the paintings very decorative. In fact, even both of their architecture is different, but in both most things are made out of wood. In traditional Chinese architecture, wood is used a lot. China also has a preference to width over height. However, Japan houses are built elevated from the ground by a few inches. This allows the houses to remain cool in the hot and humid Japanese climate. Religion, cuisine, and art are the main differences between Chinese and Japanese cultures.

Religion, art, and cuisine has moderate differences in the Chinese and Japanese cultures. Chinese and Japanese religions differ and compare to each other. There are quite a few variations in their cuisines. Lastly, many of their art elements contrast too. There are many similarities and differences between the Japanese and Chinese cultures. Many cultures around the world have many similarities and differences that most average people don’t know about.

References

  1. Patwardhan, Anup. “The Cultural Differences and Similarities Between China and Japan.” Historyplex, Historyplex, 30 Jan. 2018, historyplex.com/cultural-differences-similarities-between-china-japan.
  2. “Chinese Vs. Japanese Painting.” Home, artnprojects.weebly.com/chinese-vs-japanese-painting.html.
  3. Cartwright, Mark. “Ancient Japanese & Chinese Relations.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 23 Oct. 2019, www.ancient.eu/article/1085/ancient-japanese–chinese-relations/
  4. “The State of Religion in China.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/religion-china.
  5. “Chinese: Data on Asian Americans.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project, 8 Sept. 2017, www.pewsocialtrends.org/fact-sheet/asian-americans-chinese-in-the-u-s/.
  6. Cartwright, Mark. “Ennin.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 24 Oct. 2019, www.ancient.eu/Ennin/.

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