Born from the trauma of World War II, this bow-wearing cartoon icon became a powerful tool for diplomacy, reinvention, and ...

imperial pre-war culture of Japan to its modern-day role in the global arena. The Children’s Peace Memorial in the park is very special, with paper cranes and other symbols of peace constantly ...

Bamboo groves are considered sacred spaces in Japan, often associated with purity and protection against evil spirits. Many temples have bamboo forests surrounding them so as to create serene ...

But the flame is far from the most interesting part of this unusual symbol of Japanese history and culture. The mayor of Tokyo gave the lantern to the United States in 1954, but its surface is ...

The Ainu, mainland Japan’s ancient indigenous people ... “It is powerful for any culture to have a central, unifying symbol and when it is one that is equal parts formidable and gorgeous ...