There is so much that can be gained when you learn the Japanese language. You just have to consider that while Japan has the second largest economy in the world and has 120 million people, not many of them know how to speak English. Even if the Japanese have studied a mandatory 6 years of English classes in their public schools, there are still many of them who do not speak the international language of trade at all.
Start Learning Japanese Now
So, it is best that you start learning the Japanese language now. There are no limits as to what you can achieve when you are armed with the language that has great bearing in the world of economy. There are many schools now that offer courses on learning the Japanese language. There are even a lot of sites on the Net that offer these courses. You will not only learn how to speak the language, you will also be taught how to write and read it. These online courses have tests that you can take that will enable you to keep track of your learning progress.
If you are still undecided about learning the Japanese language, here are some of its advantages that could prod you to learn it now.
The Advantages of Learning Japanese
- Learning Japanese present great career opportunities.
If you know how to speak English fluently and also knows the Japanese language there are many career opportunities that are waiting for you. You could be hired in large Japanese companies, who need people who speak the English language. You could even work for other foreign companies who deal with Japanese businessmen on a regular basis.
There are very strong ties between the western world and Japan. Not just this, Japan also has ties in just about every other place on the globe. So, if you consider the kind of trade that Japan has with the United States and the rest of the world, you can just imagine how vast the job opportunity areas there is for people who knows how to speak the Japanese language.
- The Japanese language is much easier to learn.
It is very common for people to think that learning the Japanese language is very difficult. This is because they believe that the language is as complicated as its writing. But, the truth of it is that learning Japanese is considered by many people as easier than learning European languages. The reason for this is that the grammar for the Japanese language is more consistent and simple that learning it is more easygoing than expected.
- The Japanese language is more lucrative to learn.
Even if there are many people who believe that it is better to learn European languages than Japanese, there are also others who think otherwise. They believe that it is more lucrative to learn the Japanese language because it is worth much more money when it comes to the competitive world. They believe that there is more market for people who know Japanese, simply because there are many major Japanese industries that are branching into the rest of the world.
To Learn In Japanese
Developed in the fourteenth century, Nogaku, Noh or No, is a type of Japanese musical dramas. Its roots can be traced to the Sarugaku, the Chinese Nuo Theater. The actors and musicians of Noh never practice or rehearse together. Each of them practices the movement, dances and songs separately under a senior tutor.
The traditional kagura stages are the inspiration of the traditional Noh Theater stages. Hinoki or Japanese cypress wood is the architecture material used commonly. There are four pillars to support the roof. They are placed according to some directions and each have a particular name. Shite-bashira is the back left pillar and is the point for shite to sit or stand. Waki-bashira is the front right pillar used by Waki as the point of performance. Fue-bashira is the back right corner and used by the flute player. Metsuke-bashira is the pillar which Shite faces and is also known as the looking-pillar.
Shite, waki, kyogen and hayashi are the four categories that Noh performers can be divided into. Shite or the doers are the original character of the drama. He is first a human being or Maeshite and then plays the role of a ghost or Nochijite. Tsure is the friend acquaintance of Shite. Waki is the villain and obstructs the path of Shite. Wakizure is the friend of Waki. Kyogen performs Aikyogen during the breaks in the play. Hayashis plays the four instruments of Noh, which are flute or Fue, stick drum or Taiko, hip drum or Okawa Otsuzumi and shoulder drum or Kotsuzumi. The chorus comprises of nearly eight people and is known as Jiutai. The helpers are known as Koken.
The stories of Noh drama can be divided into five categories broadly, although there are different types of division. They are Kami Mono, Shura Mono, Katsura Mono, Kiri No and miscellaneous plays. The timing of these plays can range between thirty minutes to two hours. Kami mono also known as Waki No depicts the Shite as a human in the beginning and later on taking the form of deity and usually has some mythological story based on some god. Shura mono or Asura No, shows the Shite playing the character of ghost first and then later playing the role of warrior and recreating the scene of his death. In katsura mono or Onna Mono, a woman plays the Shite character that dances and sings very beautifully. Kiri No or Oni Mono shows Shite in the form of a devil, monster or goblin. Under the miscellaneous plays, Onryo Mono or mischievous ghosts plays Genzai Mono or everyday plays, and Kyoran Mono or madness plays are included.
The styles can be divided into Geki Noh style and Furyu Noh style. Geki Noh are plays involving acting and along with which action is involved. Fruyu Noh are the plays involving dancing and singing only. There are different types of mood in Noh theater art. Mugen Noh involve supernatural characters such as ghosts, demons, and deities. Story keeps juggling between the past, present, and future. Genzai Noh portrays the travails of day to day life.
The costumes are very heavily worked and are designed according to the role played by the actor wearing it. Like serpents have consecutive triangles like the scales. The costume of the Shite is made up of expensive work of silk or brocade. The chorus and instrumentalists wear the formal Montsuki Kimono with the Hakama or shirt. The helpers wear completely black outfits. Masks are worn while playing characters of gods, demons, animals, or even a female played by a man. Shite wears a mask usually. All the characters have a hand fan while on stage. They either carry it in hand or in their pocket. The drama is still very popular in Japan and continues to attract more and more people towards it mainly due it's interesting style and characterization.
Both James Dunn & Jessica Santoli are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
