Essay

CULTURE

Licensed in Silk – a Mixed Nikkei’s Journey in Studying Kimono in Japan

Newly licensed in the wearing of kimono, Rin takes a look back at what drew her closer to the traditional clothing- and…

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

Pass the JLPT! How to Study JLPT Vocabulary for Your Level

Because there are so many vocabulary words to learn for the JLPT, it's important to know which ones are the most likely…

CULTURE

Japanese Pagoda: Their History and Significance

We all know the striking image of a multi-tiered Japanese pagoda. But what exactly are they? And what are they called in…

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

JLPT Kanji: How to Study Kanji for Your Level

There are far too many kanji to study them all before taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test! That's why you need to…

CULTURE

Baseball Diplomacy: How Babe Ruth Ended Up in Japan

In 1934, Babe Ruth set off with a team of all-stars to visit faraway Japan. Their goal: hit some homers -- and…

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

The Life and Legacy of Ainu-Japanese Translator Chiri Yukie

Only 19 when she passed away, indigenous Ainu translator Chiri Yukie left behind an invaluable legacy for her people and the world.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

Kotobagari: The Banned Words of the Japanese Language

It's often said that there are no swear words in Japanese. But while profanities may be rare, taboos - and banned words…

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

How to Study Kanji for the JLPT Pt.1: Kanji Radicals

The trick to memorizing kanji for the JLPT is... don't! Instead, focus on learning kanji radicals, the alphabet of kanji characters!