Ainu or Ryuukuu people: The First People of Japan are celebrating cultural revival and pride.
Ainu (japan-guide.com)
Ainu, First People of Japan, The Original & First Japanese (7 minute YouTube documentary)
Ainu Museum website
The Ainu: Reviving the Indigenous Spirit of Japan
Experiencing Ainu culture (Japan: the Official Guide)
Samurai: Japan’s fascinating medieval warrior class
Samurai and Bushido (2-minute video documentary at history.com)
Samurai (japan-guide.com)
Edo Period (1603–1867) (japan-guide.com)
Shinto: Japan’s unique spiritual customs, beliefs and practices
Shinto—Japan’s native religion (Japan Zone)
Buddhism and Shinto (Welcome to Miyajima)
Shinto: Japan’s Oldest Religion
Shinto (Religions, BBC)
Buddhism: An ancient religion that has been widely adopted in Japan
Buddhism in Japan (Japan Zone)
Buddhism and Shinto (Welcome to Miyajima)
The Real Japanese Monk’s Guide to Buddhism in Japan
A brief history of Buddhism in Japan (Japanese Buddhism)
Geisha/maiko: Explore the mysterious world of Japan’s most celebrated artists and performers
Geisha (Japan Zone)
The modern lives of Geisha – an interview (Wall street Journal)
Sayuki: (Australian) Geisha in Asakusa
Memoirs of a real life Geisha (The Daily Telegraph)
Japanese Gardens: Places to inspire and delight everybody ... create your own paradise.
Gardens (japan-guide.com)
The nature of Japanese garden art (Bonsai Beautiful)
7 Japanese aesthetic principles to change your thinking (Presentation Zen)