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Friday, January 23, 2026
Latest:
  • Kakuritsuki (確率機 – Crane Game with Probability Control): Part 1
  • Tazan no Ishi (他山の石 – Drawing a Lesson)
  • Kōkai Saki ni Tatazu (後悔先に立たず – Repentance Comes too Late)
  • Jinsei Yama Ari Tani Ari (人生山あり谷あり – Life Has Its Ups and Downs)
  • Neko wa Kotatsu de Maruku Naru (猫はこたつで丸くなる – Cats Curl up under the Kotatsu)

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CultureEssayEtymologyFoodIdiomJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Oct 08, 2017Jan 03, 2024 best thing, Buddhist term, cow, daigomi, high-grade milk product, Japanese terms, sheep, taste, true pleasure, yogurt

Daigomi (醍醐味 – The True Pleasure)

Daigomi 醍醐味 There are several Japanese terms that describe a pleasure. 面白さを形容する言葉にはさまざまなものがあります。 Today I’d like to talk about “daigomi” (醍醐味) Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionKanjiUncorrected
Toru Oct 07, 2017Jan 03, 2024 architecture, Chodoin, Daigokuden, daikokubashira, Daikokuten, etymology, Japan, kanji, pillar, tradition

Daikokubashira (大黒柱 – Breadwinner)

Daikokubashira 大黒柱 In a traditional Japanese residence, we often set a very thick pillar in the center of the house. Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionKanjiOnomatopoeiaSlangUncorrected
Toru Oct 06, 2017Jan 03, 2024 drinking party, drunk, etymology, fool, guden guden, hebereke, honorific, Japanese term, kiden, onomatopoeia

Guden Guden (ぐでんぐでん)

Yesterday we held a drinking party. ぐでんぐでん I got back to work in the middle of the second party, but Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionOnomatopoeiaSlangUncorrected
Toru Oct 05, 2017Jan 03, 2024 afford, barely, hand to mouth, Japanese, katsu katsu, lifestyle, opposite meaning, tight schedule, yoyu ga aru, yutori ga aru

Katsu Katsu (かつかつ)

Katsu Katsu かつかつ Now I am falling into a state called “katsu katsu” (かつかつ). 今、私は「かつかつ」な状態です。 “Katsu katsu” represents a state Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyFoodHistoryJapanese traditionKanjiUncorrected
Toru Oct 04, 2017Jan 03, 2024 fifteenth night, full moon, harvest moon, Japanese pampas grass, jūgoya, lunar calendar, moon viewing, October, September, Tsukimi Dango

Jūgoya (十五夜 – Full Moon Night)

Tonight is “jūgoya” (十五夜). 十五夜 The “jūgo” (十五) means “fifteen,” the “ya” (夜) means “night,” so the literal meaning of Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Oct 03, 2017Jan 03, 2024 control, etymology, freedom, hame wo hazusu, harness, horses, idiom, Japan, take off

Hame wo Hazusu (羽目を外す – Getting Carried Away)

Hame wo Hazusu 羽目を外す Have you ever had too much fun and let yourself get carried away? 調子に乗って度を過ごしたことはありますか? Such an Read More
BusinessCultureEssayJapanese traditionNewsUncorrected
Toru Oct 02, 2017Jan 03, 2024 e-commerce, free shipping, Japanese shopping sites, payment, price, shipping fee, shipping service, system, tipping custom, ZOZOTOWN

Liberal Shipping

A few days ago, the clothing shopping site “ZOZOTOWN” started liberal shipping service (it’s not free shipping). 送料自由 This service Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyFoodHistoryJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Oct 01, 2017Jan 03, 2024 bean curd, divine servant, fox, fried tofu, Inari, inari zushi, Japanese shrines, Shinto, sushi, vinegared rice

Inari zushi (稲荷寿司)

Inari zushi 稲荷寿司 I think that recently the Japanese word “sushi” has come to be used in various countries. 近年、さまざまな国で「寿司」という言葉が使われるようになってきたと思います。 Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionSlangUncorrected
Toru Sep 30, 2017Jan 03, 2024 iketara iku, invitation, Japan, Kansai, Kanto, phrases, regional differences, reply, social behavior, survey

Iketara Iku (行けたら行く – I’ll Go If I Can)

Iketara Iku 行けたら行く When people are invited to play or drinking parties in Japan, some often say “iketara iku” (行けたら行く). Read More
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  • Kakuritsuki (確率機 – Crane Game with Probability Control): Part 1
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  • Jinsei Yama Ari Tani Ari (人生山あり谷あり – Life Has Its Ups and Downs)
  • Neko wa Kotatsu de Maruku Naru (猫はこたつで丸くなる – Cats Curl up under the Kotatsu)

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