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Monday, January 26, 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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CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionProverbUncorrected
Toru Oct 13, 2016Jan 06, 2024 advantages, behavior, disadvantages, etymology, hidden, Japanese, meaning, pheasants, proverb, ridicule

Atama Kakushite Shiri Kakusazu

Today, I will talk about the Japanese proverb “Atama kakushite shiri kakusazu,” the literal meaning of which is “One hides Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionProverbSlangUncorrected
Toru Oct 12, 2016Jan 06, 2024 drink a thousand needles, fingers, genman, hari senbon nomasu, immitation, Japanese children, promise, prostitutes, ten thousands fists, yubikiri

Yubikiri Genman (Pinky Promise)

Yubikiri Genman 指切りげんまん Japanese children say “yubikiri genman uso tsuitara hari senbon nomasu” while crossing their little fingers when they Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionProverbUncorrected
Toru Oct 11, 2016Jan 06, 2024 blind to what is nearest, Japanese proverb, literal meaning, oil lamp stand, toudai moto kurashi

Toudai moto Kurashi (Under the Toudai is Dark)

Toudai moto Kurashi 灯台下暗し Today, I will talk about the Japanese proverb “toudai moto kurashi.” 今日は「灯台下暗し」という日本のことわざを紹介します。 The literal meaning is Read More
CultureEssayHistoryJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Oct 10, 2016Jan 06, 2024 1964, celebration, Columbus Day, Health and Sports Day, holiday, Japan, national holidays, October, Tokyo Olympic Games, United States

Health and Sports Day (Taiiku no Hi)

Health and Sports Day 体育の日 Today is Health and Sports Day (Taiiku no hi), and is a holiday for many Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Oct 09, 2016Jan 06, 2024 control, dictionaries, Edo period, etymology, hanage wo kazoeru, Japanese idiom, man, nose hair, pitiable, woman

Hanage wo Kazoeru (To Count Nose Hair)

Hanage wo Kazoeru 鼻毛を数える Today, I learned the Japanese idiom “hanage wo kazoeru,” which means “to count nose hair.” 今日、私は「鼻毛を数える」という日本語を学びました。 Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyFoodIdiomJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Oct 08, 2016Jan 06, 2024 cross section, expression, fruits, Japanese word, melons, similar, two eggs, two melons, uri futatsu, vegetables

Uri Futatsu (Two Melons)

Uri Futatsu 瓜二つ Today, I will talk about the Japanese word “uri futatsu.” 今日は「瓜二つ」という日本語を紹介します。 The literal translation is “two melons,” Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionKanjiProverbUncorrected
Toru Oct 07, 2016Jan 06, 2024 ashi wo arau, crime, etymology, get one's feet wet, hard-to-quit, inks, Japanese idiom, te wo someru, to dye, to start

Te wo Someru (To Dye One’s Hand)

Te wo Someru 手を染める Yesterday, I introduced a Japanese idiom “ashi wo arau” (to wash one’s feet), which means “to Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Oct 06, 2016Jan 06, 2024 ashi wo arau, Buddhism, disciples, etymology, evil jobs, Japanese idiom, Jesus Christ, purifying spirits, quit crime, wash one's feet

Ashi wo Arau (Wash One’s Feet)

Today, I will talk about the Japanese idiom “ashi wo arau.” 足を洗う The literal meaning is “to wash one’s feet,” Read More
CultureEssayHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionProverbUncorrected
Toru Oct 05, 2016Jan 06, 2024 autumn, cheating, Edo period, equality, feelings, men, proverb, sex discrimination, weather, women

Onna Gokoro to Aki no Sora (Women’s Feelings and Autumn sky)

Onna Gokoro to Aki no Sora 女心と秋の空 There is the proverb “onna gokoro to aki no sora,” the meaning of Read More
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  • Jinsei Yama Ari Tani Ari (人生山あり谷あり – Life Has Its Ups and Downs)
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