“One…two…three…” On a quiet night, a woman’s voice echoes from the bottom of an old well. … Summer Ghost Stories: The Ghost of Banchō Sarayashiki (番町皿屋敷)Read more
Culture & Society
Summer (夏・なつ) Means Ghost Stories
暑いね！ It’s been incredibly hot (あつい) lately, hasn’t it? Years ago, people would be surprised and … Summer (夏・なつ) Means Ghost StoriesRead more
Why ありがとう Became “Thank You” in Japanese (Plus a Turtle Parable)
You probably already know that the Japanese word for “thank you” is ありがとう (arigatou). And yes, … Why ありがとう Became “Thank You” in Japanese (Plus a Turtle Parable)Read more
Waifu, Mottainai, Yōkai: 11 Japanese Words Added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2025
In 2025, the Oxford English Dictionary added 11 Japanese words that cover a wonderfully chaotic range, … Waifu, Mottainai, Yōkai: 11 Japanese Words Added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2025Read more
はつゆめ (hatsu-yume): The First Dream of the Year
If you were anything like my downstairs neighbor, you rang in the new year with a … はつゆめ (hatsu-yume): The First Dream of the YearRead more
Rei (礼): Mastering the art of Japanese politeness
One of the most complex aspects of Japanese culture for foreigners (myself included) to wrap their heads around … Rei (礼): Mastering the art of Japanese politenessRead more