Animated Pictograms

Fun and easy-to-understand presentation of historical culture and traditional customs that are uniquely Japanese.

  • VISIT TO TEMPLE / SHIRINE
  • BOWING
  • POUNDING RICE CAKE
  • HAILING A CAB / TAXI
  • TAKING A BATH
  • WATER ABLUTION
  • TEA CEREMONY
  • RHYTHMIC CLAPPING AT CELEBRATIONS
  • RIDING THE TRAIN
  • WINNING MOVES IN SUMŌ
  • AWA DANCE FESTIVAL
  • Coming Soon

About The Project

EXPERIENCE JAPAN PICTOGRAMS were developed to provide visual support for tourists in Japan.
For more information about the objectives and design concept of the project, please click here.

Request

If you would like us to create new PICTOGRAMS for you or have other requests, please contact us here.

SHAMISEN

三味線[SHAMISEN]

A three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument, often referred to as Japanese guitar. It is played by striking the strings with a plectrum called bachi to produce a highly percussive sound. The shamisen has been used since old times to accompany kabuki and other theatrical shows to entertain common people. Workshops are offered for foreign visitors to experience playing the shamisen. In the final of the World Figure Skating Championship, the sound of shamisen reverberated and electrified the crowd in the arena and people in front of TVs. The sound tugs the heart strings of Japanese people.