Japan has more than one royal family. The Sho kings ruled present day Okinawa for more than four centuries, but not many people realize they were/are a thing. Their reign ended in 1879 but the family’s descendants live on … [Read more...]
A while back I wrote a post about 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Major in Japanese (and 2 You Might Consider it) and then followed up that post with How to Get a Job in Japan. But what about those of you looking for a Japanese … [Read more...]
You know Meowth from Pokemon? What’s up with that gold coin on his forehead? Have you ever wondered this? I know I have. Well this coin actually has a lot of history behind it. Plus, the gold used to make these coins came … [Read more...]
Hayao Miyazaki is retiring. Yes, the beloved creator who brought us Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and My Neighbor Totoro among many others is finally stepping down. His latest film, Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) is his … [Read more...]
Chopsticks. You've probably used them at some point in your life. But do you know where they came from? Whether you're a chopstick master or completely inept with the things, you may find it interesting to learn the … [Read more...]
Every once in a great while when the stars, planets, and fates align – a new Japanese drama comes out that really grabs my attention. I've found another one. Last year I wrote a post about Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu … [Read more...]