JNTO

**Homes** "The distinctive feature of a traditional Japanese building is the way in which the house is open to nature." pg.2 "The main materials used are wood, earth, and paper, and the construction spreads out sideways rather than upwards." pg.2 "With the steady flow of population into the cities, the price of land wentup rapidly, and Japanese-style houses with gardens became prohibitively expensive for most people." pg. 2 " This led to a great increase in the number of apartment houses and duplexes." pg. 2 " Ready- built houses, Standardized housing has become a common sight, dnchi or housing complex." "Ancient Japanese music has several styles, such as //gagaku// (ancient court music), //nôgaku// (the music played in Noh dramas), and //sôkyoku// (//koto// music)."
 * JNTO, . "Expericence Japanese Culture ." Online posting. //Traditonal Culture & Festivals// . //Japan// //National Tourism Organization// . N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sep. 2010.**
 * Music**


 * Clothing**
 * "**The //kimono// is the traditional dress of Japan, and it is worn nowadays on formal occasions."

"It is sometimes accused of being an impractical form of dress, but it has the advantage of giving the wearer a graceful and elegant deportment."

"Women's //kimono// include the //furisodé// and //tomesodé// for formal wear, the //hômongi// for paying calls, the //tsukesagé//, and the //komon."// //"//Men's //kimono// include the //montsuki hakama// for ceremonial occasions and the //haori// for going out visiting."

"There is also the //yukata//, worn by both men and women as informal dress at home, in //ryokan// or for attending local festivals." //"Cha-no-yu// (the tea ceremony) or //Sadô// (lit. the way of tea) was introduced to Japan from China and perfected by Master //Sen-no-Rikyu// based on the spirit of //Zen// in the 16th century." "For Japanese people, //cha-no-yu// is a mental discipline for pursuing //"wabi"// (a state of mind in which a person is calm and content, with a profound simplicity) and is at the same time a performance in which form and grace are paramount." "A ceremonial tea-room is usually about three meters square (a four-and-a-half tatami-mat room) and is decorated very simply. The spirit of //"wabi"// is exemplified by this tea-room."
 * ceremony**