How to Use SUMIMASEN Practically
You definitely have heard that Japanese people often say “sumimasen.” Probably you know it means “sorry.” This is true, but actually, it also has another two definitions, like “excuse me“ …
Knowledge
♪Matcha, Matcha, Matcha♪ ～Tea Ceremony～
What are your favorite drinks? Coffee, tea, water, pop, beer, wine, milk, juice…there are many kinds of drinks here and there. Even though the variety of drinks might differ from …
Gokigen-you!~Useful Expressions That Make You Sound Sophisticated~
Do you have any plans to visit Japan? Are you interested in the Japanese language? If so, I’d like to introduce some expressions that make you sound elegant, polite, and …
Five-Storied Pagoda
There are many three- or five-storied pagodas in Japanese temples. This style was introduced to Japan (and South Korea) from India via China. The Indian original was made of stone. …
Cranes ー Wishing for Peace
The crane has long been a symbol of good fortune and is a bird well-known in Japanese culture. Although most cranes are known to be migratory birds, the “tancho,” a …
Wonderful Traditional Cloth “Furoshiki”(風呂敷)
Have you heard of Furoshiki(風呂敷)? Have you ever used one? Furoshiki is a thin cloth which is shaped close to a square for wrapping, carrying or decorating something. Furoshiki is …
Things commonly in Hawaii unexpectedly originally from Japan
As you may know, Japanese products have gained worldwide recognition. What comes to mind when you hear wonderful things from Japan? Maybe you would say TOYOTA, SONY, Nintendo and possibly …
Phrases popping out of Japanese people’s mouths
This time, I’d like to Introduce 3 phrases that Japanese people use frequently. 1. “Sumimasen” I guess that many foreigners know this phrase because it’s famous. Sumimasen is really useful. …
The 8 Japanese Virtues From My Perspective
When I think of Japanese virtues, I always remember a book, Nanso Satomi Hakkenden(南総里見八犬伝), by Takizawa Bakin. I read it in elementary school, and through the story, I learned about …
Washi 和紙 (Japanese paper) Take a look, touch and enjoy it in your own way
As you may know, two-thirds of the land in Japan is composed of mountains and forests. A lot of areas are blessed with abundant timber and clear water. For that …