japanese culture has evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original Jōmon culture to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It has likewise influenced the aesthetics of other countries, in areas ranging from impressionist painting to comic books and video games. A joke is a short story or ironic depiction of a situation communicated with the intent of being humorous. A practical joke or prank differs from a spoken one in that the humor is mainly physical rather than verbal (e.g. placing salt in the sugar bowl, or more cruel "jokes" such that involve destruction of another's property).