Feature Articles
Culture
08/19/01 - Symbols of Japanese Summer
August is the hottest month of the year in Japan. Not only is the temperature high, so is the humidity. This week we will look at symbols of the hot Japanese summer.06/24/01 - The Number Seven
It seems that every culture has lucky numbers and unlucky numbers. Seven appears to be a universally lucky or holy number. Find out how the number seven is used in the Japanese language.05/06/01 - Trends in Baby Names
Baby names are like mirrors to reflect the times. Let's have a look at the transitions in popular baby names and recent trends.04/29/01 - Japanese Baby Names
Learn about naming conventions and the meanings of Japanese names. There are links to explore thousands of Japanese baby names.03/04/01 - Proverbial Fish
Fish are closely related to Japanese culture. There are quite a few expressions and proverbs including fish in Japanese. Find out more.02/25/01 - Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival)
Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival) is held on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for young girl's growth and happiness. Find out more.02/11/01 - Talking About Love
Learn how to say, "I love you" in Japanese. You will also learn some expressions including the word "love".02/04/01 - Is Red the Color of Love?
What is like Valentine's Day in Japan? You will also learn Japanese conception of the color of red, and how they use it in their culture.01/21/01 - The Year of the Snake
It is the year of the snake! The Japanese use animal zodiac symbols like the Chinese. You will learn expressions including snake.01/14/01 - Movie Titles in Japanese (2)
We will have another look at translated movie titles.01/07/01 - Movie Titles in Japanese (1)
Western movies are popular in Japan. When the titles are translated into Japanese, they are sometimes turned into totally different titles from the ones in English. Find out more.12/16/00 - Let's Sing the "Rudolph" Song in Japanese
The Japanese celebrate Christmas in their own way. There are many Christmas songs translated into Japanese. Let's sing "Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer" in Japanese!12/09/00 - Writing New Year's Cards
The Japanese send New Year's cards rather than Christmas cards. Try sending them to surprise your Japanese friends!11/04/00 - Japanese Ghosts (2)
I will tell you about Japanese ghosts "youkai (bewitching apparition)," and look at the characters for them.10/28/00 - Japanese Ghosts (1)
This week I will tell you about Japanese ghost, though the Japanese ghost is usually a thing of summer. Find out more.04/14/00 - Era Names
Learn the Japanese era names.03/30/00 - The Emperor of Japan
Learn the history of the Emperor of Japan.03/04/00 - Japanese National Anthem
A look at the history of the Japanese National Anthem.11/15/98 - Manga
The famous comics found in most Japanese newspapers. Not you regular Sunday comics.10/04/98 - Japanese Zodiac
Learn about the Japanese zodiac and find out what animal you are.08/22/98 - Calligraphy Brushes
The Japanese brush is a complex piece that, given the love and attention that goes into its decoration, should be considered a work of art in itself.08/07/98 - The Four Treasures
What is the four treasures of Japanese calligraphy? Find it out.04/07/98 - Green Tea
Tea-picking: Green tea (ryoku-cha) is the main drink of the Japanese people.01/25/98 - History of Japanese Literature (5)
In the latter portion of the 8th century, the capital of Japan was moved.01/18/98 - History of Japanese Literature (4)
The twenty volume Man’youshuu is the oldest anthology of poems in Japan.01/11/98 - History of Japanese Literature (3)
Local records began to be recorded in Japan in the year 713.12/30/97 - History of Japanese Literature (2)
The oldest historical work existing in Japan is the Kojiki. A fascinating three volume set.12/18/97 - History of Japanese Literature (1)
Japan, lacking a writing system prior to the arrival of kanji, has no historical records earlier than the 5th century.12/11/97 - Calligraphy Styles
Japanese calligraphy has three basic styles: kaisho, gyousho, and sousho. Kana is sometimes considered a fourth style.12/04/97 - Japanese Calligraphy - History
One can trace shodo’s history to China, where the master Wang Xizhi is credited with the creation of the art.11/26/97 - Japanese Calligraphy
Japanese calligraphy, shodo, is a specialized art using a brush and black ink to write kanji and Chinese characters.
