history

CULTURE

Taking Laughter Seriously: A History of Japanese Comedy

How comedy and the concept of laughter in Japan evolved from seriousness to silliness.

ENTERTAINMENT

Illegal Hero? China’s Legally Dubious Ultraman Movies Rile Japanese Fans

A Chinese production company continues releasing Ultraman movies that Ultraman's Japanese producers say are illegal. Are they legitimate - or another Chinese…

FOOD

Rice Flight: Why Japan’s Eating Less Rice Than Ever

Japan is considered synonymous with rice. So why has consumption decreased steadily for decades?

SOCIETY

Dawn of a New Era: Why Japan’s Calendars Will Change With the New Emperor

When Crown Prince Naruhito becomes Emperor this year, a new era will literally dawn in Japan. Alyssa Pearl Fusek explores the history…

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

Colors in Japanese: Not as Black and White as You’d Think

Did you know that Japanese once only had four colors? A look at the interesting evolution of color vocabulary in the Japanese…

CULTURE

Mottainai Culture: The History and Philosophy of Waste in Japan

Though sometimes honored more in the breach than the observance, Japan's philosophy of "waste not, want not" strongly influences everyday culture.

WOMEN

Kimura Komako: The Dancing Feminist

Born in an era in Japan when women's rights were more oppressed than ever, Kimura Komako never gave up the fight -…

CULTURE

Shinto: The History and Practice of Japan’s Native Religion

Shinto is more than a religion - it's also an indelible part of Japanese culture. Krys Suzuki discusses the structure, beliefs, and…