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Tuesday, April 28, 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 traditionSlangUncorrected
Toru Feb 02, 2017Jan 02, 2024 attitude, iro-otoko, Japanese word, look, manly, noun, otoko-mae, role, skill, ude-mae

Otoko-mae (Manly Look/Attitude)

Yesterday I talked about the Japanese word “iro-otoko,” which mean a good-looking man or a ladies’ man. 男前 Today I’d Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionSlangUncorrected
Toru Feb 01, 2017Jan 02, 2024 Edo period, face painted white, good-looking, iro-otoko, Japanese word, kabuki, lascivious, nuregotoshi, popular with women, womanizer

Iro-otoko (A Good-looking Man)

Iro-otoko 色男 Today I will talk about the Japanese word “iro-otoko.” 今日は、「色男」という日本語を紹介します。 “Iro-otoko” means a good-looking man, a lascivious man Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyGamingJapanese traditionSlangUncorrected
Toru Jan 31, 2017Jan 02, 2024 beautiful woman, beppin, etymology, Final Fantasy, kabuki, Kirby Super Star, no makeup, slang, stage, suppin

Suppin (Unpainted Face)

Yesterday I talked about the Japanese word “beppin,” which means a beautiful woman. すっぴん Today I’m going to talk about Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyFoodHistoryJapanese traditionSlangUncorrected
Toru Jan 30, 2017Jan 02, 2024 Aichi Prefecture, beautiful woman, beppin, Edo period, eel dishes, eel restaurant, Japanese word, outstanding person, signboard

Beppin (A Beautiful Woman)

Today I will talk about the Japanese word “beppin,” which means a beautiful woman. べっぴん It is said that this Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionProverbUncorrected
Toru Jan 29, 2017Jan 02, 2024 bad luck, death, Japanese, knife, light bulb, nails, night, parents, short-lived, superstition

If you cut your nails at night…

Today I will talk about a Japanese superstition. 夜に爪を切ると “Yoru ni tsume wo kiru to oya no shinime ni aenai” Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyHistoryIdiomJapanese traditionProverbUncorrected
Toru Jan 28, 2017Jan 02, 2024 accuse, etymology, innocent sins, Japanese, nureginu, old story, rumor, stepmother, unfounded rumors, wet clothes

Nureginu (Innocent Sins)

Nureginu 濡れ衣 Today I will talk about the Japanese term “nureginu.” 今日は「濡れ衣」という言葉を紹介します。 The literal meaning is “wet clothes,” and it Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyFoodIdiomJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Jan 27, 2017Jan 02, 2024 abura ga noru, birds, fish, full swing, idiom, Japanese, prime, put on fat, taste improves, work

Abura ga Noru (Putting on Fat)

Abura ga Noru 脂が乗る Today I will talk about the Japanese idiom “abura ga noru.” 今日は「脂が乗る」という慣用句を紹介します。 The literal meaning is Read More
BusinessCultureEssayEtymologyFoodJapanese traditionUncorrected
Toru Jan 26, 2017Jan 02, 2024 Andesu melon, anshin, Anshindesu melon, core, developed by Japanese company, grow, humor, Japanese markets, melons, shin

Andesu Melon

Andesu melons (アンデスメロン) are sold in Japanese markets. アンデスメロン You might think that this melon is related to Andes Mountains Read More
CultureEssayEtymologyIdiomJapanese traditionKanjiSlangUncorrected
Toru Jan 25, 2017Jan 02, 2024 decchiage, detsu, Han reading, hiragana, hoax, netsuzo, noun, Snoopy, story, verbalized

Decchiage (To Make Up a Story )

Decchiage でっち上げ Today I will talk about the term “decchiage.” 今日は「でっち上げ」という言葉を紹介します。 “Decchiage” means to make up a story as if 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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