Martial Arts
Bushido vs. Chivalry: A Cross-Cultural Look at Warrior Codes from Japan and Europe
Japanese Culture
Japanese Culture Why Are Raincoats Called “Kappa” in Japan? The Surprising History Behind the Word
Discover why raincoats are called "kappa" in Japan. Explore the word's origins, history, and cultural significance, from ancient rainwear to modern usage.
Japanese Culture Kusatsu Onsen: Japan’s Legendary Hot Spring of Healing and Tradition
Explore Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s most famous hot springs. Discover its rich history, unique acidic waters, therapeutic benefits, and timeless traditions like Yumomi.
Japanese Culture Why Japan Doesn’t Use Daylight Saving Time: A Cultural and Historical Perspective
Discover why Japan doesn’t use Daylight Saving Time. Explore Japan’s brief history with DST, cultural attitudes, and the practical reasons behind its year-round standard time.
Japanese Culture Showa Day: Japan’s National Holiday Reflecting on the Showa Era
Discover the meaning of Showa Day, Japan’s April 29 national holiday. Learn how it evolved from Greenery Day and why it serves as a time for reflection on Japan’s complex 20th-century history.
Japanese Culture Japan’s Firefighting System: Understanding Career Firefighters and Volunteer Fire Brigades
Explore Japan's unique firefighting system, combining career firefighters with centuries-old volunteer fire brigades. Discover how culture and disaster preparedness shape Japan’s emergency response.
Japanese Culture Bon Odori: The Spirited Dance of Summer and Ancestral Remembrance
Discover the history and meaning of Bon Odori, Japan's traditional summer dance festival that honors ancestors and unites communities—both in Japan and around the world.
Japanese Culture Shichi-Go-San: Japan’s Celebration of Growing Up
Explore the origins, history, and cultural meaning of Shichi-Go-San, Japan’s traditional celebration of childhood milestones, observed every November 15th.
Japanese Culture Kamidana: The Sacred Home Altars of Japan and Their Enduring Cultural Significance
Discover the origins, meaning, and cultural role of the kamidana—Japan’s traditional home altar that honors Shinto deities and ancestral spirits.
Japanese Culture Uchippanashi: The Japanese Term for Golf Driving Ranges
Explore the origins and meaning of "uchippanashi," the uniquely Japanese term for golf driving ranges, and how it became a staple of golfing culture in Japan.
Japanese Culture Torii Gates: Exploring the Sacred Thresholds of Japan’s Spiritual Landscape
Discover the origins, meaning, and symbolism of Japan’s torii gates—sacred entrances to Shinto shrines that mark the boundary between the everyday and the divine.