Japanese popular culture has a unique aesthetic, and is completely modern as befits a wealthy industrial society. Comics, known as manga, and cartoons, known as anime are two of the more immediately recognizable elements of Japanese popular culture. Both are long-established entertainment forms in Japan and cover all genres of fiction, not just the children's genre. Indeed, some anime and manga are exceptionally graphic and brutally violent. Whereas manga and anime

The sculptures of the Asuka period also show how Japan considerably adopted and assimilated the Chinese and Korean styles into their artwork. The Horyu-ji treasures are so rare, because they date back to the seventh century. They are among the world's most precious antiquities. The temple and pagoda allow people today to see a wonderful example of architecture done in the Six Dynasties Chinese style. Because of this temple design,

While not a nostalgic or positive portrayal of nature, Miyazaki appears to strip away all civilized and male-dominated pretences towards what appears to be, and portrays to the Japanese people a vision of what lies beneath the pretence and the civilizing influence of traditionalism. Perhaps this is why his film was the highest-grossing ever in Japan at the time. Another possible reason is the sense of cultural loss that Japan

Vincent Van Gogh, Frank Lloyd Wright and Madeleine Vionnet. What did this 19th century artist, architect, and fashion designer share in common? Very simply: They all incorporated Japanese techniques into their works of genius. When Commodore Perry opened the doors to this Eastern country in 1853, an abundance of unique and influential styles of art rushed out and captured the imaginations of artists throughout the Western world. As author Emile

Starbucks has recently shown profound growth that is tempered by concerns over stores in foreign markets and the rise of a tea culture in the United States. In the past year, Starbuck's revenues have soared, and the number of stores has increased dramatically. On potential cause for concern is a new focus on opening stores in rural and low-income areas, as opposed to the well-established success for high income, urban

In Jamaica, like many other physicians abroad, Sloane collected specimen; later, he acquired the collections of others. Among the botanical material in his collection were exotic plants and bird skins, "unique albums of Durer's prints and drawings" "a vast library of manuscripts and printed books" (Geographical 2003 26+,the second two items of which probably contained abundant botanical engravings. Not all of the items Sloane collected survived. One that id, however, was