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Agura
''Agura'' (, ; also called ''anza'' ) is the Japanese term for the position normally referred to as sitting cross-legged in English. Description The buttocks are on the floor (or on a cushion set on the floor) and the legs are out in front, with the knees bent and each foot crossed beneath the other leg. Cultural background In Japan, this posture is considered an informal alternative to the ''seiza'' (proper sitting) position, though it is generally considered unfeminine and uncouth for women if sitting in skirts or certain types of traditional clothing, such as the kimono (mostly due to where the opening is in a premodern kimono, and the fact that women seldom wore undergarments; whereas, under certain circumstances, men could appear in public wearing their undergarment, the ''fundoshi is a traditional Japanese undergarment for men and women, made from a length of cotton. Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese men and women. Howe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Seiza
'' Seiza '' ( or ; ; ) is the formal, traditional way of sitting in Japan. It involves a specific positioning and posture in a Kneeling, kneeled position so as to convey respect, particularly toward elders. It developed among samurai during the Edo period and was later widely adopted by the public. ''Seiza'' is associated with straw ''tatami'' flooring or ''zabuton'' pillows that allow for comfortable sitting, and it is commonly used in several Japanese practices, including Japanese martial arts and the Japanese tea ceremony. Sitting ''seiza''-style is often difficult for people who are not accustomed to it or for the physically infirm, such as injured people and the elderly. Sitting ''seiza''-style for long periods of time is associated with health problems, particularly those of the knees. ''Seiza'' may be compared to similar seated positions in other cultures, such as Indian Vajrasana (yoga), Vajrasana. Form To sit ''seiza''-style, one must first be kneeling on the floo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sitting
Sitting is a basic action and resting position in which the body weight is supported primarily by the bony ischial tuberosities with the buttocks in contact with the ground or a horizontal surface such as a chair seat, instead of by the lower limbs as in standing, squatting or kneeling. When sitting, the torso is more or less upright, although sometimes it can lean against other objects for a more relaxed posture. Sitting for much of the day may pose significant health risks, with one study suggesting people who sit regularly for prolonged periods may have higher mortality rates than those who do not. The average person sits down for 4.7 hours per day, according to a global review representing 47% of the global adult population. The form of kneeling where the buttocks sit back on the heels, for example as in the '' Seiza'' and '' Vajrasana'' postures, is also often interpreted as sitting. Prevalence The British Chiropractic Association said in 2006 that 32% of the Britis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toyotomi Hideyoshi4 (cropped)
The was a Japanese clan that ruled over the Japanese before the Edo period. Unity and conflict The most influential figure within the Toyotomi was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three "unifiers of Japan". Oda Nobunaga was another primary unifier and the ruler of the Oda clan at the time. Hideyoshi joined Nobunaga at a young age, but was not highly regarded because of his peasant background. Nevertheless, Hideyoshi's increasing influence allowed him to seize a significant degree of power from the Oda clan following Oda Nobunaga's death in 1582. As the virtual ruler of most of Japan, Hideyoshi received the new clan name "Toyotomi" in 1585 from the emperor, and achieved the unification of Japan in 1590. When Hideyoshi died in 1598, his son Toyotomi Hideyori was only five years old. Five regents were appointed to rule until his maturity, and conflicts among them began quickly. In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu deposed Hideyori and took power after winning the Battle of Sekigahara. In 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fundoshi
is a traditional Japanese undergarment for men and women, made from a length of cotton. Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese men and women. However, it fell out of use quickly after the war with the introduction of new underpants to the Japanese market, such as briefs, boxer briefs and panties. Nowadays, the fundoshi is mainly used not as underwear but as festival () clothing at or, sometimes, as swimwear. Types and uses The fundoshi is first mentioned in the classic Japanese history text, the . They are also depicted on clay figurines, . The fundoshi was the underwear of choice for all adults regardless of sex, wealth, or social status. This changed after the World War II, Second World War, when Americanization popularized elasticized undergarments. There are several types of fundoshi, including , , and . Fundoshi are worn in several basic styles depending upon how they are wrapped around the body. The most relaxed type consists of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Culture Of Japan
Japanese culture has changed greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period, to its contemporary modern culture, which absorbs influences from Asia and other regions of the world. Since the Jomon period, ancestral groups like the Yayoi and Kofun, who arrived to Japan from Korea and China, respectively, have shaped Japanese culture. Rice cultivation and centralized leadership were introduced by these groups, shaping Japanese culture. Chinese dynasties, particularly the Tang dynasty, have influenced Japanese culture throughout history and brought it into the Sinosphere. After 220 years of isolation, the Meiji era opened Japan to Western influences, enriching and diversifying Japanese culture. Popular culture shows how much contemporary Japanese culture influences the world. Identity There are two competing hypotheses that try to explain the lineage of the Japanese people. The first hypothesis proposes a dual-structure model, in which Japanese po ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Human Positions
Human positions refer to the different physical configurations that the human body can take. There are several synonyms that refer to human positioning, often used interchangeably, but having specific nuances of meaning. *''Position'' is a general term for a configuration of the human body. *''Posture'' means an intentionally or habitually assumed position. *''Pose'' implies an artistic, aesthetic, athletic, or spiritual intention of the position. *''Attitude'' refers to postures assumed for purpose of imitation, intentional or not, as well as in some standard collocations in reference to some distinguished types of posture: " Freud never assumed a fencer's attitude, yet almost all took him for a swordsman." *''Bearing'' refers to the manner of the posture, as well as of gestures and other aspects of the conduct taking place. Basic positions While not moving, a human is usually in one of the following basic positions: All-fours This is the static form of crawling which is a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
