Japan, a small island country that has a lot to offer in this age of technology and progress, has found one more way to improve our lives through its history and legacy. The beauty of this culture cannot be put into words and the uniqueness of its legacy is breathtaking.
There are lots of things that come from Japan which are renowned around the world. Haiku poetry, small poems that describe a unique moment in the authors life, has been offered to us by Matsuo Basho, a renowned poet from the Edo period of Japanese history.
What makes Haiku poetry so special is the difference between it and other forms of poetry. The use of metaphors and other methods of filling a text with imagery are completely absent, making the reader feel like he is in the exact place of the author. In order to honor the memory of Matsuo Basho, one of the greatest Japanese symbols has been dedicated to him and named Bashos tsuba.
This tsuba is a piece of Japanese jewelry that commemorates the first writing of a poem by Matsuo. He achieved this at the age of 18, after he was asked by one of the Zen teachers about his state of consciousness, to which he responded in his characteristic way.
There are many forms of tsuba that can be held as important and illustrious pieces of Japanese jewelry. If you dont know what a tsuba is, think about the samurai swords the shape of which is probably very familiar to you. The tsuba is the small square or round shape that was used on samurai swords as protection for the hands of its wielder. You are probably wondering why this is now a decorative item.
Each piece of Japanese jewelry is designed according to the period of time in which it was created. While the times of war implied that the tsuba was to be crafted from hard materials for protection, the times of peace brought out the decorative side from this once functional and brutal item.
Therefore lots of interesting Japanese jewelry items were developed. Some designs of a tsuba include insects like ants, which implies diligence and communication, others include cranes, that mean longevity and fidelity, but most of them have a meaning hidden at first glance.
Apart from the tsuba, another item can be found represented in Japanese jewelry and that is the Torii gate. Basically a Torii gate is formed of two supports and two crossbars at the top and it can be found at the entrance of a shrine for Shinto believers.
The symbolic implication of the Torii gate is that of purification and sanctification, along with washing the hands and mouth with water, on the way to pray. This stands as inspiration to a piece of Japanese jewelry called the Shinto ring.
Jewelry pieces are often used to represent the wearers and what they cherish most. Owning a piece that does more than that is something which can be done through the purchase of a piece of jewelry from a designer that holds meaning and powers at a level that cannot be matched. This designer is David Weitzman and his products can be found at ka-gold-jewelry.com.
By: Ckint Jhonson
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Even though it is a relatively small country, Japan has a history filled with events that led to the development of a unique culture. Each Japanese jewelry item makes you feel close to people and the events that took place over there.
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