Japanese Society
Tall Women in Japan: Height Trends and Cultural Perspectives
Japanese Traditions Do Torii Gates Only Belong to Shinto Shrines? Understanding Japan’s Interwoven Sacred Spaces
Do torii gates belong only to Shinto shrines? Explore Japan’s unique religious history of Shinbutsu-Shugo and why torii sometimes appear at Buddhist temples too.
Japanese Culture Why Do Japanese People Visit Graves During the Spring Equinox? Exploring the Tradition of Higan
Discover the Japanese tradition of visiting graves during the spring equinox. Learn about Higan, its Buddhist roots, seasonal symbolism, and why honoring ancestors remains deeply important in Japan.
Japanese Society What Is Shunbun no Hi? Japan’s Spring Equinox Holiday and Its Deeper Meaning
Shunbun no Hi (Spring Equinox Day) is a national holiday in Japan that honors nature and ancestors. Learn its meaning, traditions, and how Japanese people celebrate it.
Japanese Cuisine What Is Zunda? Exploring Japan’s Sweet Green Soybean Paste
Discover zunda, Japan’s vibrant green soybean paste from Tohoku. Learn its origins, nutritional benefits, traditional sweets like zunda mochi, and modern zunda desserts you can try in Japan.
Japanese Society Why Are “Jiko Bukken” (Stigmatized Properties) Avoided in Japan? Understanding the Cultural Fears Behind Haunted Real Estate
Discover why Jiko Bukken, Japan’s stigmatized properties linked to death, are avoided in real estate. Learn about disclosure laws, cultural beliefs, and why some still rent these haunted homes.
Japanese Language What Does “Ottori Gatana de Kaketsukeru” Mean? The Surprising Samurai Origin of This Japanese Expression
Discover the true meaning of "Ottori Gatana de Kaketsukeru" — a Japanese idiom rooted in samurai culture. Learn why it means rushing urgently, not arriving calmly, and how it's still used today.
Japanese Culture The Truth About Karesansui: Is Japan’s Iconic Zen Garden Actually Influenced by China?
Discover the true origins of Japan’s Karesansui (Zen dry gardens), blending Chinese landscape traditions with Japanese Zen minimalism. Learn its history, symbolism, and modern influence.
Japanese Food Culture Why Do You Need to Wash Rice? The Cultural Science Behind Perfect Japanese Rice
Discover why washing rice is essential in Japanese cooking. Learn how rinsing removes impurities, enhances texture, and unlocks the full flavor of perfect Japanese rice.
Japanese Culture The Forgotten World of Sansuke: The Unsung Bathhouse Attendants of Japan’s Sento Culture
Discover the lost world of Japan’s Sansuke bathhouse attendants. Explore their roles, the purpose of Sansuke Rooms, and how their traditions live on in modern Japanese spa culture.
Japanese Language “Mukashi Totta Kinezuka”: The Japanese Proverb That Celebrates Skills That Never Fade
Discover the meaning of the Japanese proverb "Mukashi Totta Kinezuka," which celebrates how past skills never fade. Learn its origin, examples, and cultural significance.