For the longest time I’ve run across all kinds of Japanese idioms that follow the same sort of pattern, not even realizing that they were an actual “thing.” They’d be like this: Four kanji. Meanings of the individual kanji don’t really have much to do with the idiom on a whole. Probably comes from some [...]
This week, Japan finally brought one of its most wanted criminals to justice, a domestic terrorist who helped conduct the biggest terrorist attack in modern Japan. After being on the lam for almost 20 years, Naoko Kikuchi was finally arrested for her part in the killing of more than a dozen people. Part of the [...]
Sorry ladies. I have bad news. Kanji isn’t a fan of your gender. Now, you can’t go blaming the Japanese for this. They got these kanji, along with their meanings, from China. That being said, no matter where you’re talking about, I wouldn’t say that equal opportunities between genders was a very big thing 3000-4000 [...]
People love retro styles; whether it’s the bright, neon style of the 80s, or chic, modern style of the 60s (à la Mad Men), people love to revisit old fashion and art. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t too surprised when I started finding modern artists doing old-school, Japanese woodblock art. Even though it’s been hundreds [...]
When you’re studying your kanji, have you ever thought that some kanji look suspiciously like the thing they’re supposed to be representing? In terms of the big kanji picture, this actually happens quite rarely. Most kanji don’t look anything like their meanings. I mean, sure. 顔 looks like this one guy’s face I’ve seen this [...]
Japan’s Emperor Akihito is the man. Not only because he and the Empress look like the most friendly, adorable old people to ever walk the planet, but also because he’s a bit of a trailblazer. You might not believe it from his harmless appearance, but during his lifetime Emperor Akihito has done a ton of [...]
Japanese sparkling water beer is the medicine that helps the salaryman endure their boss’ off pitch karaoke during the frequent work parties. It is the refreshing, crisp drink that gets the common Japanese red-faced in only half a pint. Those who have had the pleasure of drinking the more popular “dry” variety can probably describe them as [...]
