Wow the country of Mt Fuji and Ninjas.
Japan has been a country shrouded in mystery due to the culture and how closed it has been through out the centuries.
I teach many Japanese in my English classes and the students are the most eager to learn students. They try so hard because they dont want to fail or even be seen to fail. Decisions to act are very carefully considered and once a choice is made every effort is put into the task at hand.
The Wikipedia tells us that Ninjas were a group of mercenaries who were very covert in their actions. It was a closely guarded network and has only become more known as Japan opened more to the rest of the world in the last century.
Japanese Jewelry has many different styles from traditional to newer contemporary styles such as these.
Cartoons such a Manga style have become very popular in the last years and cutesie pieces as in my pic (sometimes quality leaves a lot to be desired) and Hello Kitty are common even with more mature ladies. The simple childlike "wonder" is still in place.
My Jewelry is still mostly on the bench. I am working with some Larimar which is very popular with Japanese people because of its colour. Sapphires and Rubies are also very popular in the Jewelry market for Japanese. Here is a piece that is completed. It is a unisex piece that would suit a man as well as a lady.Sterling Silver and Larimar. Simple, understated and very beautiful colour stone.
There is so much more to Japan than I can put in one simple little blog. So many facets that I have left untouched but the longer I live in Asia and the more contact I have with people from Japan, the more I have learnt and understand about a mystical culture that shows one side to the world but has so much more depth behind.
Please check out the other countries that the other participants researched and enjoy your virtual travel around the world.
If you leave a comment I will put you in the draw for a bundle of Larimar to wrap or string.
Thank you
Tanya
PS, Please excuse the brevity of my post.I have been really ill for the last two weeks. Thank you for understanding. Tanya