Tradition
How tourism, a booming wellness culture and social media are transforming the age-old Japanese tea ceremony
How tourism, a booming wellness culture and social media are transforming the age-old Japanese tea ceremony The traditional Japanese tea ceremony, known as chanoyu or chadō, is being transformed by tourism, wellness culture, and social media. Matcha, a key ingredient in the tea ceremony, has become a global commodity, with its popularity fueled by lifestyle […]
✈️ Travel
Merry Jewish Christmas: How Chinese food and the movies became a time-honored tradition for American Jews
Merry Jewish Christmas: How Chinese food and the movies became a time-honored tradition for American Jews Chinese food has become a staple of many Jewish American traditions on Christmas Day, with some restaurants even offering kosher-style dishes to cater to observant Jews. Jewish Christmas traditions are not necessarily a sign of Americanization, but rather a […]
📰 News
Hanukkah celebrates both an ancient military victory and a miracle of light – modern Jews can pick from either tradition
Hanukkah celebrates both an ancient military victory and a miracle of light – modern Jews can pick from either tradition Hanukkah celebrates both an ancient military victory and a miracle of light, allowing modern Jews to choose which tradition they want to focus on. The main ritual of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, […]
📰 News
From ‘mail-order brides’ to ‘passport bros,’ the international dating industry often sells traditional gender roles
From ‘mail-order brides’ to ‘passport bros,’ the international dating industry often sells traditional gender roles The international dating industry has evolved from selling traditional gender roles, with “mail-order brides” to “passport bros,” reflecting changing attitudes towards love, intimacy, and global mobility. The modern international matchmaking industry emerged in the 1970s, catering to American men seeking […]
📰 News
Watch: How Halloween became the holiday it is today
Watch: How Halloween became the holiday it is today Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which involved dressing up in costumes and lighting bonfires to ward off wandering souls. The holiday was initially associated with chaos and vandalism in late 19th-century America, but its focus shifted towards family-friendly activities over […]
🎭 Entertainment
Japan’s sumo association turns 100 – but the sport’s rituals have a much older role shaping ideas about the country
Japan’s sumo association turns 100 – but the sport’s rituals have a much older role shaping ideas about the country Sumo wrestling has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries, but its rituals have roots in Shinto practices that date back even further. The sport’s popularity in Japan was initially overshadowed by baseball, which […]
⚽ Sports