Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

japan

294

Osaka

Japan’s third-largest city is Osaka, on the south coast

of the island of Honshu. Osaka is a major industrial

center, with steel, chemical, and electrical industries.

It is also one of the oldest cities in Japan, and has

many Buddhist and shinto temples. Osaka is the site

of an impressive castle built in the 16th century by

the shogun (warlord) Toyomoti Hideyoshi, who

once ruled Japan. In 1970, Osaka was the host city

for the World’s Fair.

kyusHu

The southernmost island of Japan,

kyushu, is mountainous; the

highest point is a volcano,

Mount aso. kyushu is the

most densely populated of

the Japanese islands, and is

linked to Honshu island by

a railroad tunnel under the

shimonoseki strait.

VeHIcle IndusTry

Japanese vehicle manufacturers became world

leaders in the 1980s, thanks to their stylish

designs, new technology, and efficient

production methods. Today, automobiles are

the country’s biggest export.

Japanese vehicle

manufacturers have

also opened a

number of factories

in europe and

the us. Zen garden

rock gardens, designed to represent the universe in

miniature, are found in Zen Buddhist monasteries in

Japan. These gardens are not literal representations

of a landscape, but they give the impression of water

and land. sand or gravel symbolizes water, while

rocks represent land. The Zen garden has no plants,

trees, or water, only raked gravel or sand, and rock

groupings. These “dry gardens” were introduced by

Buddhist monks in the 1300s.

Zen Buddhists believe that performing

simple tasks such as raking pebbles in

a Zen garden can bring enlightenment

to the mind.

sake

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic

beverage made from fermented

rice. It is the national beverage,

and is served with special ceremony.

Before being served, it is warmed

in a small earthenware or porcelain

bottle called a tokkuri (right).

This Kawasaki Ninja

H2 is said to have a

top speed of 186 mph

(300 km/h).

rIce cakes

rice cakes called chimaki are traditionally eaten

throughout Japan. The rice cakes are cone-shaped

and wrapped in a bamboo leaf. a similar snack,

called sasadango, is also eaten in some areas of

northern Japan.

Find out more

asia

democracy

earthquakes

robots

Technology

kITes

carp kites are flown on the fifth

day of May to celebrate

Kodomono-hi, or children’s day.

The carp is a strong robust fish,

renowned for its energy and

determination, because it must

swim upstream against the

current, often jumping high out

of the water. The carp is thought

to provide a good example to

Japanese boys in particular, who

must overcome obstacles and be

successful. a group of carp kites

represent a family and the largest

kite symbolizes the father.

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