I'm going to be sending my application for a one year internship in Japan. I will also have a study project to finish over the year. The problem is I'm not really sure what to study. It has to be something related to traditional Japanese culture.

When I try to think about what I would really enjoy studying I realize they are probably not allowed. I like Mahjong, though it has its own Japanese rules it is still a Chinese game sadly, and I like a lot of the new things from Japan: arcades, robots, anime ect.

I doubt they will allow me to choose any of those so I need to think of something really interesting to study. The deadline for the app. will end soon and I'm still undecided...

Anyone have any good ideas for a traditional Japanese culture project?

Shintoism? Or just Japanese folklore/mythology? I always find mythology really interesting, and I know there's a lot of Japanese mythology that's not really well known. I only know murky stuff like Amaterasu+cave, and something about Izanami and Izanagi making the Japanese islands. Anyway all cool stuff.

Sake brewing? ^_^

If you like Mahjong then study 碁. Its origins are Chinese (same as kanji) but it was and still is a big part of their culture.

You could focus on the historical aspect (back when Japan was awesome at it) like castle games, establishing schools ("houses"), first institutions and posts/titles dedicated to the game, its prestige or great historical masters.
On the other hand you have a contemporary aspect where Japan fell behind other Asian countries both in terms of strength and popularity. But its a game that survived over the years, still poses a problem for computers to crunch it and has dedicated followers all around the globe, much thanks to Japan which is actively promoting 碁 as part of its culture.

And to continue the trend, Shogi is even more Japanese historically speaking. If only due to its more clouded adoption!

I admit I have no good ideas as to contemporary studies. If I had my druthers I'd do more studies with the imperial poetry anthologies, because their shared-canon style as each volume builds on the previous is absolutely fascinating.

Or, given even more freedom, I'd love to travel to the areas Basho is said to have, and follow the path of his works.

Uhm. Are my literature roots showing?