The “Princess Di” of Japan, about Japan as a “vertical” society, and I can see the Sphinx from my house
There's a minor hullabaloo going on between Japan and Australia right now after the publication of a controversial book on ...
Tag: culture
Understanding Japanese society through business cards, some fun Japanese words that are pregnant with meaning, and all about Shinjuku
I was making up some Japanese business cards for one of my employees yesterday, trying different layouts and fonts to ...
A new appreciation for American medicine, all about the word ‘baka’ and a really annoying girl in a yellow dress who I can’t stop listening to…
It was Thomas Paine -- a possible ancestor of mine, although I somehow doubt it -- who uttered the words, ...
The warmest winter ever in Japan, all about the Japanese kanji character ‘ki’ and excitement at my son’s school
We've been watching the extra-cold winter dumping lots of snow on the U.S. this year and feeling more than a ...
Shrinking the Earth and watching Football, all about the word “sumimasen” and the four islands of Japan
That old planet Earth, she just keeps on getting smaller and smaller, and it's a lot of fun to sit ...
Understanding world culture through Japanese hip hop music, thinking about thinking in a foreign language, and out with devils!
It's funny how culture criss-crosses the globe, never stopping at such laughable things as national borders as it flows to ...
Thoghts on learning Japanese back in 1987, the many nuances of Japanese name suffixes, and being romantic under an umbrella
I sometimes find myself thinking back to my college days when I first started learning Japanese, and it never fails ...
Culture shock for foreigners coming to Japan, reflections on the Japanese word “nantonaku” and test culture as a Great Democritizer in Japan
When a foreigner comes to live in Japan, he or she is in for some changes. I remember my first ...
All about Japan’s most enigmatic food natto, how reading your Hemingway can help you under modern otaku culture, and a happy day for a town in Japan
The fermented soybeans known as natto (NAT-toh) are one of the most famous foods in Japan, enjoyed throughout the country, ...
Going to ge a haircut and learning about Japanese culture instead, when Japanese people must become bold, and using songs to master Japanese
People talk about convergence all the time, of things coming together in a more convenient form. Living in Japan, one ...
Peter’s Unified Theory of Japan meets Great Britain, going to the beach in January, and understanding Japan through its bicycles
Part of Peter's Unified Theory of Japan is that the Land of the Rising Sun has a lot in common ...
All about our bath in Japan, the concept of Japanese-style “trust,” and what’s up with Vermont Curry?
Bathing is very important in Japan, and almost all Japanese take time to enjoy a slow bath at the end ...
Coming of Age Day in Japan, on Japanese puns used in TV commercials, and right wing politics at work in Japan
Today is a holiday in Japan, Seijin-no-hi, or Coming of Age Day. Venture into any Japanese city right now and ...
Learning your own language by teaching ESL, funny English used in Japan, and all about chopsticks
One of the cool things about teaching ESL in Japan was learning my own language and its grammar. Language is ...
Happy New Year from J-List, and some information about the Year of the Pig and something with the cool name of “Sexegenary Cycle”
Happy New Year from J-List! In Japanese, the phrase is akemashite omedeto gozaimasu (ah-kay-mah-shtay oh-meh-deh-TOH go-ZA-EE-mahs), literally "congratulations on opening ...
On the magical blending of features in “haafu,” a Japan cell phone update, and some Japanese words I am passionate about
Somewhere between the staid features of futsu (normal) Japanese and the dizzying varieties of face, hair and body types seen ...
How Japan’s writing system works, a summary of the past few years in kanji, and Japanese learning to deal with “hen na gaijin”
Kanji (KAHN-gee), the Chinese characters that the Japanese use to express most words in writing, is fascinating to Westerners because ...
Good things and bad about living in Japan, more ways Japanese look to the West, and social benefits of love hotels
There are a lot of good things about living in Japan. Good food, from sushi to sashimi to Indian curry. ...
Thoughts on ordering “peanuts butter,” a tasty Japanese treat in the winter, and a friend who can’t receive New Year’s Cards
You know you've been in Japan too long when your mother sends you a bottle of nutmeg spice for Christmas, ...
Multiple meaning of “wa,” raising bilingual kids, and what cute culture has to do with the rock band KISS.
Many English speakers know the Japanese word wa (和） which means harmony and peace, and in some cases additionally refers ...
Being an American in Japan during Thanksgiving, subtleties of Japanese pronunciation, and a cultural lesson for PSP owners
By and large, an American expat living in Japan has two choices when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving: completely forget ...
A very Buddhist way of looking at your house pets, how to beat the Chinese at kanji, and thoughts on Japan’s future
Pets are a part of our household in Japan, and currently we've got a dog (faithful old Sakura) and two ...
American uniqueness vs. Japanese uniformity, a new debate on “beautiful Japan” and the little joys of living in Japan
Just as Americans are accustomed to thinking of our country as a union of semi-soverign states, each with its own ...
Checking one’s cultural preconceptions at the door, all about Tokyo and surrounding areas, and J-Drama update
When you come to a place like Japan, it's always best to check your cultural preconceptions at the door and ...
