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Sunday, January 25, 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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CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionSlangUncorrected
Toru Feb 16, 2017Jan 02, 2024 dictionary, Heian Era, Japanese term, kahina dayushi, kattarui, lazy, sluggish, tired arms, tiring, translation

Kattarui

Today I will talk about the Japanese term “kattarui.” かったるい “Kattarui” means “to feel sluggish” or “to feel lazy.” 今日は「かったるい」という言葉を紹介します。 Read More
CultureEssayNewsScienceUncorrected
Toru Feb 15, 2017Jan 02, 2024 adverse effects, cold, infection, medicine, Nobel Prize, pharmacists, symptoms, virus

Cold

Unfortunately I have caught a cold. 風邪 I have a sore throat and a headache, and feel a chill. 風邪をひいてしまいました。 Read More
CultureEssayFoodJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Feb 14, 2017Jan 02, 2024 bouquets, chocolate, gift, giri choco, honmei choco, Japan, love, social etiquette, supermarkets, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day in Japan

Today is Valentine’s Day. 日本のバレンタインデー On this day men in many countries present bouquets, cakes or chocolate to women. 今日はバレンタインデーです。 Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyFoodHistoryUncorrected
Toru Feb 13, 2017Jan 02, 2024 bitter, chocolate, drink, etymology, medical, Nahuatl, native Mexicans, Spanish, sweet, water

The Etymology of Chocolate

Last week I bought a lot of chocolate. チョコレートの語源 However, since I didn’t know where the word chocolate came from, Read More
CultureEssayHistoryJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Feb 12, 2017Jan 02, 2024 commemorate, culture, Emperor Jimmu, February 11, founding, Japan, mythology, National Foundation Day, national holiday

National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi)

Last week I wrote diaries related to my overseas business trip. 建国記念の日 I will talk about Japanese words and culture Read More
CultureDiaryJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Feb 11, 2017Jan 02, 2024 airplane, apartment, bus, Dubai, feet, freezer, Narita Airport, sense of accomplishment, stinky, ziplock

Return Home

In the early morning, I left from Dubai International Airport to Narita Airport. 帰宅 I rode the airplane for about Read More
CultureDiaryEuropean countriesFoodTravelUncorrected
Toru Feb 11, 2017Jan 02, 2024 airport, Begijnhof, Brussels National Airport, chocolates, cityscape, Dubai International Airport, duty free, Leuven, train, world heritage

Flight Back

Today’s morning I went to Begijnhof in Leuven, which is a world heritage. 帰国 It was very beautiful cityscape, and Read More
CultureDiaryEuropean countriesFoodUncorrected
Toru Feb 10, 2017Jan 02, 2024 Brussels, chocolates, conference, Demeestere, Grand Place, hangover, Leuven, Manneken Pis, presentations, sightseeing

International Conference Day 3

Today was the final day of the international conference. 学会三日目 I felt bad from a hangover, but I went to Read More
CultureDiaryEuropean countriesFoodJapanese traditionScienceUncorrected
Toru Feb 09, 2017Jan 02, 2024 all-you-can-eat, beer, cheese, conference, headache, Japanese participants, live performance, nervous, presentation, string instruments

International Conference Day 2

Today was Day 2 of the international conference, and it was the day of my presentation. 学会二日目 I was super Read More
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Recent Posts

  • 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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