All answers about Japanese

788 short answers about Japanese: phrases, kanji, anime words, JLPT levels and study tips.

• 47 Ronin — What Happened and How It Ended
• Abe no Seimei — the court onmyoji who became a legend
• Akechi Mitsuhide — who he was and what he is famous for
• Akihabara: How a Radio Market Became the Anime and Game District
• Amae — the right to lean on another: Takeo Doi's concept
• Amaterasu — who is she in Japanese mythology
• Angel in Japanese: 天使 (tenshi) — spelling, readings, and words
• Anime Girl Names: Meaning and Kanji Spelling
• Anime quotes in Japanese with translation
• Aoandon — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Aokigahara — a forest on frozen lava at the foot of Fuji
• Aruki-miko — Wandering Shrine Maidens: Did They Really Serve Takeda's Intelligence?
• Ayakashi — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
• Bakeneko — Who It Is in Japanese Mythology
• Baku — who it is in Japanese mythology
• Bakufu — What It Really Means
• Bakumatsu — the Twilight of the Tokugawa Shogunate: Years, Events, People
• Bansenshūkai — the main ninja treatise: what is actually in it
• White Day in Japan — why you answer a gift a month later
• Benkei — the warrior monk said to have died standing
• What Is Bento: A Lunch Box, Ekiben, and Kyaraben
• The Battle of Sekigahara — What Happened and How It Ended
• God in Japanese: the word kami and its meaning
• Gods — who they are in Japanese mythology
• Moon Goddess — Who Is It in Japanese Mythology
• The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai: What the Print Shows
• Bonsai: what styles exist and how long such a tree grows
• Sumo wrestlers — who rikishi are, how ranks work, and how they live
• Buddhism in Japan: how it arrived, what schools exist, and how it lives today
• Budo — what the suffix "path" means in martial arts names
• Bunraku — the Japanese puppet theatre where three puppeteers move one puppet
• Bushi — who they are and how they differed from samurai
• Butsudan — What It Is and Why You Need It
• Particles は and が: What's the Difference
• Tea in Japanese: Words, Varieties, and How to Order
• Tea Ceremony — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
• How is a kimono different from a haori
• How to distinguish Chinese characters from Japanese: 4 reliable signs
• Kanji Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi
• What does "ara ara" mean in Japanese
• What does “arigato” mean and where did this word come from
• What does 'baka' mean in Japanese
• Bankai: What 卍解 Means and How It Differs from Shikai
• What does “banzai” mean in Japanese and what does it have to do with war
• What does “bushido” mean in Japanese
• What does "chan" mean in a Japanese name
• What does "chibi" mean in Japanese
• Dandere — Who They Are in Anime and How They Differ from Kuudere
• What does “dattebayo” mean in “Naruto”
• What "dattebayo" means: Naruto's catchphrase だってばよ
• What does "daisuki" mean in Japanese
• Deredere — what it means and why it's the most open dere type
• What does "desu" mean in Japanese
• What does "yōkai" mean in Japanese
• What does "gomen" mean in Japanese
• Himedere — what "princess-dere" means and how to recognize her
• What does the name Nanami mean in Japanese
• Isekai — what this anime genre is and why the hero gets hit by a truck
• What does “itadakimas” mean in anime and in life
• What does “kawaii” mean in Japanese
• What does 'kisama' mean in Japanese
• What does "kitsune" mean in Japanese
• What does 'kouhai' mean in Japanese
• Kuudere — who is this: cold outside, warm inside
• What does "kun" at the end of a name mean in Japanese
• Moe — what this word means in anime and where it came from
• What does "moshi moshi" mean in Japanese
• What does "muda muda" mean in Japanese
• What does 'nakama' mean in Japanese
• What does “nani” mean in Japanese
• What does "one-chan" mean in Japanese
• What does 'ora ora' mean in Japanese
• What does "otaku" mean in Japanese
• What does "ronin" mean in Japanese
• Sayonara — what it means and why Japanese people rarely say goodbye this way
• What does “senpai” mean in Japanese
• What does 'shinigami' mean in Japanese
• What does "sugoi" mean in Japanese
• What does "tadaima" and "okaeri" mean
• Tatakae: What 戦え Means and Why It's Repeated Twice
• What does tsundere mean in anime
• What does "urusai" mean in Japanese
• What does 'waifu' mean in anime
• Yandere — what it means and where the word came from
• What does 'yoroshiku' mean in Japanese
• What the Toyota logo means and the names of other Japanese brands
• Dango — dumplings on a skewer: mitarashi, hanami, and the proverb about flowers
• Daruma color meaning — what it is and why it's needed
• Dashi: the Japanese broth that almost all Japanese cuisine is built on
• Date Masamune — who he was and what he is famous for
• Daifuku — Mochi with a Filling: "Great Fortune" or "Full Belly"
• Daimyo — who they were and what they did
• Demon in Japanese: 鬼 (oni) and 悪魔 (akuma) — what's the difference
• The Oni Demon — Who Is It in Japanese Mythology
• The Demon King of the Sixth Heaven — Who He Is and What He's Famous For
• How to Say Girl in Japanese: 彼女, 女の子, and the Difference Between Them
• The Nine-Tailed Fox — Who It Is in Japanese Mythology
• Long Japanese Words: 11 Monsters That Are Actually Used
• Days of the week and months in Japanese
• How to say good morning in Japanese: おはようございます
• How to say good evening in Japanese: こんばんは
• Dojo — the hall for budo and zen practice: layout and etiquette
• Donburi: the Japanese bowl of rice with toppings
• Rain in Japanese: 雨 (ame) — writing, readings, and words
• Dragons — who are they in Japanese mythology
• Friend in Japanese: 友達 (tomodachi) and other words about friendship
• Zabuton: A Floor Cushion for Sitting and the Rules That Come With It
• Zazen — what this tradition is and how it goes
• Zanshin — What the Remaining Heart Means
• Zashiki-warashi — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
• Jorōgumo — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Jizō — who he is: stone statues in red bibs along Japan's roads
• Jinbei: a summer set of a tie-front jacket and short pants
• Jitte — the iron truncheon of the Edo guard: how they took criminals alive
• Zōri: flat sandals worn with tabi socks
• Dzyubokko — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Juku: the second school a Japanese student attends after class
• Food in Japanese: Words and Ordering at a Restaurant
• Japanese Language Exam: How JLPT Works
• Ema plaque — what it is and why it's needed
• Yomi — what kind of place is it in Japanese mythology
• Emoji: What These Symbols Are and Why They Have a Japanese Name
• Engawa: The Wooden Strip Between House and Garden
• Meiji Era — When It Was and What It Is Known For
• The Taisho Era — When It Was and What It Is Known For
• Flags of Japan Throughout History: What They Are and Where They Came From
• Samurai — who they really were and what they looked like
• Japanese Phrases with Meaning: Translation and Reading
• Japanese Phrases for Tattoos: 12 Options and What to Check
• Anime phrases in Japanese: 12 lines with translation and reading
• Sukuna Phrases in Japanese and 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Quotes
• Phrases from Naruto in Japanese: techniques, Pain's words, and catchphrases
• Japanese Phrases with Transcription: 15 Basic Expressions
• Japanese Phrases in Kanji: With Translation and Breakdown
• Fujibayashi Nagato — the third house of Iga and ancestor of the author of the Bansenshukai
• Fūjin — who is he in Japanese mythology
• Fukuoka — the "Hill of Good Fortune" and Hakata: One City with Two Names
• Fuma Kotaro — Who He Was and Why Different People Shared the Name
• Furoshiki: the square cloth that replaces a bag and wrapping
• Fushimi Inari Taisha: a tunnel of torii, foxes and the god of rice in Kyoto
• Fusuma: the sliding panel of a Japanese house that carries paintings
• Japanese Futon: The Bed You Fold Away in the Morning
• Gaki — Who Are They in Japanese Mythology
• Gaman — what the Japanese idea of endurance means
• Ganbaru — what it means and why it's not just "try your best"
• Gashadokuro — the giant skeleton of Japanese folklore
• Gyōza: Japanese Fried Dumplings and How They Differ from Chinese Ones
• Genkan: the entryway below floor level, where the street ends
• Uchiha Crest: The Uchiwa Fan, Sharingan, and the Clan Name
• The Japanese Imperial Seal: Why the Chrysanthemum Became a National Symbol
• Geta: Wooden Sandals on Teeth That You Hear Before You See
• Geisha — who is she and what did she do
• Ginkaku-ji — the Silver Pavilion that contains no silver
• Gion Matsuri: A Month of Festival in Kyoto and the Yamaboko Floats
• Giri — the debt of honor in Japan: from Chikamatsu to "obligation chocolate"
• Mountain Gods — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
• Mount Fuji: Height, History, and Why It's Not "Fujiyama"
• Mountain in Japanese: 山 (yama) — writing, readings and words
• Cities of Japan: the largest cities, what they are called, and what their names mean
• Goryōkaku — the star-shaped fortress of Hakodate and the last battle of the Boshin War
• Suiton, Katon and the Rest: The Ninja's Five "Elements of Escape"
• Gyaru: What This Style Is and Where the Word Came From
• Hagakure — what kind of book is it and what it is about
• Hakama — Japanese skirt-trousers: what they are and who wears them today
• Hanafuda — what it is and what it is for
• Hanako-san — the legend of the spirit in the school toilet
• Hanami — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
• Hannya — what this mask is and what it means
• Happi: a festive jacket with a crest on the back
• Harajuku: a Tokyo district, not a clothing style
• Harakiri — what it is and how it differs from seppuku
• Hattori Hanzō — who he was and what he is famous for
• Haiku — what it really means
• Hibachi: The Charcoal Brazier That Kept People Warm Before Electricity
• Hijikata Toshizō — the Shinsengumi's "Demon Vice-Commander"
• Hikikomori — who they are and how they live
• Hinamatsuri — the Doll Festival on March 3: tiers, dolls, and the superstition about marriage
• How is hiragana different from katakana
• Hiragana Chart: All 46 Characters with Romaji
• Hiroshima — the "wide island" in the delta of the Ōta River
• Hitokiri — the "man-slayers" of the Bakumatsu era
• The Hojo Clan — Who They Were and What They're Famous For
• Hokku and Haiku: What's the Difference
• Hori — the moat of a Japanese castle: water, dry, and filled in at Osaka
• How to say good in Japanese: いい, 良い and when to use which
• Iaido — Drawing the Sword in One Motion: How It Is Trained
• Izakaya: How a Japanese Tavern Works and What Happens in Order
• Izanami — who is she in Japanese mythology
• Izumo — what kind of place is it and why do people go there
• Japanese Kanji for Wealth: 富 — Writing and Words
• Japanese Kanji for Person: 人 — Writing and Readings
• Japanese Kanji for Tree: 木 — Writing and Readings
• Japanese kanji for house: 家 and how it differs from 宅
• Japanese kanji for dragon: 竜 and 龍 — which one to write
• What does the symbol on Gaara's forehead mean
• Japanese Kanji for Harmony: 和 — The Main Symbol of Japan
• Japanese Kanji for Book: 本 — Both a Book and a Counter Suffix
• Japanese Kanji for Moon: 月 — Writing, Readings, Words
• Japanese Kanji for Love: 愛 — How to Write, Read, and When Not to Use It
• Japanese hope kanji: 希望 — what it consists of
• Japanese kanji for fire: 火 — writing, readings, words
• Japanese kanji for path: 道 — from road to life's work
• Japanese kanji for sakura: 桜 — writing and meaning
• Japanese Kanji for Samurai: 侍 — Writing and Meaning
• Japanese Kanji for Happiness: 幸 — How to Write and Read
• Japanese Kanji for Family: 家族 — What the Word Consists Of
• Japanese kanji for strength: 力 — how to write and read
• Japanese death kanji: 死 — how to write it and why it is avoided
• Japanese sun kanji: 日 — writing and readings
• Japanese Kanji for Calm: 静 and 安
• Japanese freedom kanji: 自由 — writing and meaning
• Japanese kanji for flower: 花 — writing and readings
• Japanese luck kanji: 運 and 福 — which one to choose
• Japanese Kanji for Smile: 笑 and 笑顔
• Japanese kanji for water: 水 — writing, readings, words
• Japanese Kanji for Health: 健康 — What the Word Is Made Of
• Japanese kanji for woman: 女 — writing and readings
• Japanese Kanji for Life: 生 and 命 — What's the Difference
• Japanese Kanji Tattoos: What to Choose and What to Check
• Japanese Kanji and Their Meanings
• Ikebana — what this tradition is and how it goes
• Ikigai — what the word means and what four circles have to do with it
• Ikiryō — Who Is It in Japanese Mythology
• Anime Character Names: What They Mean in Japanese
• The name Anna in Japanese: what it means and how to write it
• How to Write Your Name in Japanese (Katakana)
• Inugami — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Yokohama: the port that opened the country
• Irori: an open hearth cut right into the floor of the house
• Ise Jingū: the shrine that is rebuilt from scratch every 20 years
• Ishigaki — the stone walls of a Japanese castle: how they are used to date the walls
• Ishikawa Goemon — Who He Was and Why He Was Executed
• Issun-bōshi — the one-sun-tall boy: Japan's "Tom Thumb"
• History of Ancient Japan: From Jōmon to Nara
• History of Christianity in Japan — from Xavier to Freedom of Faith
• History of Tabi — Where the Split-Toe Sock Came From
• History of Japan: Periods from Jomon to Reiwa
• The History of Japan on the Map: Provinces, Capitals, and Prefectures
• Ichigo ichie — "one encounter, one lifetime"
• How to say sorry in Japanese: すみません and ごめんなさい
• JDM — what the abbreviation means and why it isn't used in Japan
• JLPT Moscow: Where and When the Exam Is Held in Russia in 2026
• Kabuto — the samurai helmet: how it is assembled and what the horns mean
• Kaginawa — a hook on a rope that shinobi used to climb walls
• Kagura — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
• Kaguya-hime — who she is and what she is famous for
• How to say 'How are you?' in Japanese: how to ask and what to answer
• How to Hold Chopsticks for Sushi and Any Food: Grip, Mistakes, and Etiquette
• How to Speak Japanese: Conversational from Zero
• Copying or typing Japanese kanji: how it's done
• How to Learn to Read Japanese: Step-by-Step Order
• How to Write a Japanese Kanji: Stroke Order and Rules
• How to check a kanji before getting a tattoo
• How to Pass JLPT N5: What You Need to Know
• How to Learn Kanji: A Method That Works
• How to Learn Japanese from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Plan
• What does a kanji mean: how to find out the meaning of an unfamiliar character
• What does a haori look like
• What a Kappa Looks Like
• What a Kimono Looks Like
• What a kunai looks like — and how the real one differs from anime
• What a Shuriken Looks Like — Star, Spike, and What's Actually True
• How to Learn Hiragana Fast (Mnemonics)
• How to Learn Katakana Fast
• How to memorize Japanese words for the long term
• Which language is harder, Chinese or Japanese: an honest comparison
• Kamaitachi — the whirlwind weasel that cuts skin in the cold
• Kamakura: the city of shoguns, the Great Buddha, and the sea an hour from Tokyo
• Kami — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
• Kamidana — what it is and why you need it
• Kamikaze — what the word means and who they are
• Kanazawa — the "golden marsh": the city of the Maeda clan and gold leaf
• Kanzashi: The Hairpin That Tells the Season
• Kannon — Bodhisattva of Compassion: Goddess or God, and Where the Thousand Arms Come From
• Kansai: the lands west of the old barrier and its own dialect
• Kanto: the plain where a third of Japan lives
• Kaomoji: Japanese emoticons made from symbols — list
• Decorative kaomoji: sparks, frames and big smileys
• Sad Kaomoji: Crying Japanese Emoticons
• Kaomoji Cat: Cat and Bunny Emoticons
• Kaomoji Wings: Winglets and Angels Made of Symbols
• Cute Kaomoji: Japanese Emoticons to Copy
• Kaomoji Hearts: Lovestruck Japanese Emoticons
• Capsule Hotel: A Sleeping Pod the Size of a Shelf and Where It Came From
• Karakasa — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Karaoke: the meaning of the word and where the "empty orchestra" came from
• Karoshi — Death from Overwork: What the Word Means and How Japan Fights It
• Koi Carp: What They Symbolize, How Long They Live, and What Breeds Exist
• Kanji Card: What Should Be on It
• Japanese Kanji Flashcards: How to Learn Without Forgetting
• Kasha — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Kata in Karate — What It Is and Why You Repeat the Same Movements
• Katsura Kogoro — also known as Kido Takayoshi, one of the three heroes of the Restoration
• Katsushika Hokusai — who he was and why everyone knows his "Wave"
• Kaidan — what it means and where this tradition comes from
• Kaizen — what this word means in Japanese
• Kaiseki: a Japanese meal in order and a stone in the bosom
• Kaishaku — who is the second at seppuku
• Keigo: Polite Speech in Japanese
• Kendo — fighting with shinai: what kind of sport it is and how a match unfolds
• Kenjutsu — what this tradition is and how it goes
• Kei car: what keijidōsha are and why they are smaller than ordinary cars
• How is a yukata different from a kimono
• Kintaro — who is he and what is he famous for
• Kintsugi — what it is and how pottery is actually repaired
• Kyoto: a thousand years of capital, a grid of streets and the word "miyabi"
• Kirin — the benevolent beast of mythology: why the giraffe is named after it
• Kitsune (mythical creatures) — who are they in Japanese mythology
• Kiyomizu-dera: the "Pure Water" Temple in Kyoto and the Leap from the Stage
• The Iga Clan — Who They Were and What the Spies of Iga Are Famous For
• The Koga Clan — Ninja of the Koga Region and the Truth About the Feud with Iga
• The Shimazu Clan — Who They Were and What They Are Known For
• Infinity Castle in Japanese: 無限城 and the Names of All Demon Slayer Arcs
• The Book of Five Rings — what it is and what it's about
• Koan — What It Is in Zen: The Sound of One Hand Clapping and Other Teacher's Questions
• Kobe — a port city, the "shrine's estate," and the beef that bears its name
• Kobudo — Okinawan weapons: bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku and where they came from
• Kodama — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Kojiki: Myths of Ancient Japan — What This Book Is
• Koinobori — Carp Streamers on May 5: Which Carp Is Which in the Family
• Kokeshi — the Wooden Doll Without Arms: Where It Comes From and What It Means
• Komorebi — the Japanese word for light that filters through the leaves
• Compliments in Japanese: What Is Appropriate to Say
• Konbini: What a Japanese Convenience Store Can Do Besides Selling Things
• Kondo Isami — Commander of the Shinsengumi from a Peasant Family
• Short Japanese phrases: 15 expressions in one or two words
• Cat Cafes in Japan: How They Work and What the Rules Are
• Cat-Werewolf (Bakeneko) — Who Is It in Japanese Mythology
• Kosupure — what does the word mean and when is it used
• Ninja Costume: What It's Called, What It's Made Of, and Why It Wasn't Black
• Cat in Japanese: 猫 (neko) — writing, readings, words
• Kotatsu: the heated table you never want to leave in winter
• Koto — the Japanese 13-string zither: how it is played
• Beautiful Japanese Phrases: 12 Expressions with Meaning
• Beautiful Japanese Nicknames: 24 Words with Translation and Reading
• Beautiful Japanese words: 20 concepts that don't exist in English
• Beautiful in Japanese: 美しい, 綺麗 and かっこいい
• Rabbit in Japanese: 兎 (usagi) — Writing, Readings, and Words
• Shinobi — who they are and why they are not the same as the "ninja" from anime
• Who is Totoro in Japanese mythology
• Reading the air — what the Japanese phrase "kūki o yomu" means and where "KY" comes from
• Kunoichi — Who They Were and What Female Shinobi Did
• Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru — the courtyards of a Japanese castle
• Kusa — "Grass": The Lurking Scout and the Legend of "Sleeper Agents"
• Kusarigama — the chain sickle: how it works and how it differs from the katana
• Kuchisake-onna: how the name is written and why it is known outside Japan
• Kyubi — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Kyudo — the way of the bow: what the ritual of a shot consists of
• Easy Japanese Words: 15 Simple Ones to Start
• How to say fox in Japanese: 狐 (kitsune) and its nine tails
• Fox — Who It Is in Japanese Mythology
• How to say 'beloved' in Japanese: 愛しい, 大切な人 and why there is no 'dear'
• Jujutsu Kaisen: Sukuna — Who He Is and Why He's Terrifying
• Makibishi — the spikes shinobi scattered under the feet of pursuers
• Mom in Japanese: 母 (haha) and お母さん (okāsan) — what's the difference
• Maneki-neko — what the cat with the raised paw means
• Mangaka — who is it and what do they do
• Hannya mask: meaning and history
• Matcha tea: powdered green tea and why the word is spelled with 'tch'
• Matsuo Bashō — the haiku poet, the old pond, and the road to the far north
• Matsuri — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
• Maiko — who they are and what they did
• Bear in Japanese: 熊 (kuma) — writing, readings and words
• Mempo — the samurai armor mask: why it has a mustache and a grimace
• Maid Cafes in Japan: What the Format Is and What You Pay For
• Mizugumo — the ninja "water spider": did they really walk on water?
• Miko — who they are and what they did
• Cute Japanese Phrases: 13 Expressions with Translation
• Cute Japanese Kanji: Meanings and Readings
• How to Say Cute in Japanese: かわいい and What It Really Means
• Minamoto no Yoshitsune — the commander who won the war and lost to his brother
• Mirin: the sweet rice wine that Japan doesn't drink but cooks with
• Miso Paste: What It's Made From and Why There Are More Than One Kind
• Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine: the torii standing in the water
• Miyamoto Musashi — who he is and what he is famous for
• Momiji — Japanese Maples and Autumn Leaf Viewing: What It Means
• Momotaro — the "Peach Boy": the tale, its variants, and the hero's name
• Momochi Tanba — head of one of the "three houses" of Iga
• Mono no Aware — What This Sadness of Things Means
• Mononoke — Who Is It in Japanese Mythology
• Monsters — who are they in Japanese mythology
• Sea in Japanese: 海 (umi) — writing, readings and words
• Mori Ranmaru — Who He Was and What He Is Known For
• Mochi: What Japanese Rice Cakes Are Made From and Why They Stretch
• Murahachibu — the village boycott in Japan: what it is and where the word comes from
• Muramasa — a school of swordsmiths and the legend of the Tokugawa curse
• Murasaki Shikibu — the court lady who wrote The Tale of Genji
• Music in Japanese: 音楽 (ongaku) — writing, readings, and words
• Nabe: a Japanese dish named after the pot
• Japanese inscription: 13 ready-made options with translation
• Nagasaki — the "long cape" and Japan's window to Europe under the shoguns
• Naginata — Japanese Cold Weapon: Blade Types and History
• Nagoya — City of the Golden Shachihoko: Where the Name Comes From and What It's Famous For
• Naha — the capital of Okinawa: the port of the Ryukyu Kingdom and Kokusai Street
• How to Write a Kanji by Hand Correctly
• Nara: The First Permanent Capital, Deer, and Characters Chosen for Sound
• Natto — What Are These Japanese Beans and Why Do They Stretch into Threads
• Sky in Japanese: 空 (sora) — Writing, Readings, and Words
• NEET in Japan — who the "nīto" are and how they differ from freeters
• Nekomata — who it is in Japanese mythology
• Netsuke — what it is and what it is for
• Nihon Shoki — what kind of book is it and why is it needed
• Steam nickname in Japanese: how to put it together and what to consider
• Japanese Nickname: How to Make One in 4 Steps
• Japanese Nickname with Translation: 22 Options and What They Mean
• Nikkō — "sunlight" and Tōshō-gū Shrine in the Mountains of Tochigi
• Ninja House — Traps, Secret Passages, and What's Actually True
• Ninjato — the "ninja sword": did it really exist and how does it differ from a katana
• Ninjutsu — what this art is and what it taught
• Night in Japanese: 夜 (yoru) — writing, readings, and words
• Nodachi — the "field sword" and the confusion around its name
• Noren: the curtain at the entrance that says the place is open
• New Year in Japan: How Shōgatsu Is Celebrated — from Cleaning to the First Shrine Visit
• Katana scabbard (saya) — what it is made of and how it is constructed
• Nue — the chimera shot down with an arrow above the imperial palace
• Nunchaku — where they really come from and what they are called in Japanese
• Nurarihyon — Who Is This in Japanese Mythology
• Nurikabe — the invisible wall from Japanese folklore
• O-yoroi — the armor of the mounted archer: how it is built
• Obi: The Kimono Sash That Weighs More Than It Looks
• Obon — what is this tradition and how it goes
• "Nice to Meet You, God" in Japanese: How the Title Sounds
• Oda Nobunaga — who he was and what he is famous for
• Odachi — the longest Japanese sword: what it looks like and how it differs from a katana
• Okami (ōkami) — what this word means in Japanese mythology
• Okinawa Island: the Ryukyu Kingdom, its own languages, and a very different Japan
• Okita Sōji — the young swordsman of the Shinsengumi: what's true and what's legend
• The Occupation of Japan: Seven Years That Rewrote the Country
• Okonomiyaki — the "grill what you like" pancake: Osaka and Hiroshima styles
• Okuri-inu — the "escorting dog" of the night mountain path
• "Omae wa mou shindeiru" — translation and breakdown of the phrase
• Omamori — what it is and why you need it
• Omikuji — what it is and why you need it
• Omiyage — a Japanese souvenir brought for others, not yourself
• Omotenashi — Japanese hospitality: what おもてなし means and why it's not just service
• Omurice: Japanese Omelet with Rice Inside
• Onigiri: The Rice Triangle, Nori, and the Debate Over the Word "Omusubi"
• Onmyoji — who they were and what the Bureau of Yin and Yang did
• Onna-bugeisha — who they were and what they did
• Onryō — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
• Onsen — what it is and how it differs from an ordinary bathhouse
• Origami Crane — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
• The Siege of Osaka — What Happened and How It Ended
• Osaka — City of Food and Trade: Why 大坂 Became 大阪
• Autumn in Japanese: 秋 (aki) — writing, readings, and words
• Common mistakes when learning Japanese
• Hokkaido Island: the land of the Ainu, named in 1869
• Kyushu Island: Nine Lands and the Gate Through Which the Foreign Entered
• Osu (押忍) in Karate — What It Means and When It's Said
• Oiran — who they were and what they did
• Pachinko: How a Japanese Game Parlor Works and Why It Isn't a Casino
• Edo Period — When It Was and What It Is Known For
• The Heian Period — When It Was and What It Is Known For
• The Kamakura Period — When It Was and What It Is Known For
• The Muromachi Period — When It Was and What It's Known For
• Sengoku Period — When It Was and What It Is Known For
• Characters of Japanese Mythology — Who They Include
• How to say bye in Japanese: じゃあね, またね and when さようなら is appropriate
• Popular Japanese Phrases: 13 Expressions You Hear Every Day
• The Tale of Genji — what the book is about and why it has been read for a thousand years
• Karate Belts in Order: Colors, Kyu and Dan
• How to say please in Japanese: どうぞ, お願いします and ください
• Holidays in Japan: Public Days Off and Traditions of the Year
• Japan's Prefectures: 47 Units and Four Different Statuses
• Funny Japanese Nickname: Ideas with Meanings
• How to say hello in Japanese: こんにちは and lively alternatives
• Japanese Greetings: Hello, Thank You, Excuse Me
• How to say bon appétit in Japanese: いただきます
• Hiragana Practice Sheets: Print an A4 Page with Stroke Order
• Kanji Practice Sheets: Online Japanese Handwriting Worksheet Generator
• Katakana Practice Sheets: Print an A4 Page and Learn to Write
• The Hoo Bird — the Japanese Phoenix: On a Coin, a Banknote, and a Temple Roof
• Purikura: The Japanese Photo Booth That Draws on Your Face
• The Way of the Samurai — What It Really Means
• The Way of the Warrior — What Lies Behind Talk of Bushido
• Kanji Radicals: Keys to Characters
• Rakugo — the Japanese storyteller with a fan and a towel: what kind of genre is this
• Ramen — Japanese Noodles in Broth: Types, History, and How to Spell It
• Rappa and Suppa — What Spies Were Called Before the Word "Ninja"
• Domain Expansion in Japanese: 領域展開 and All the Domains
• Raijin — who is he in Japanese mythology
• Child in Japanese: 子供 (kodomo) — writing, readings, and words
• River in Japanese: 川 (kawa) — How to Write It, Readings, and Words
• Ryokan — a Japanese inn: tatami, futon and dinner in your room
• Ryōmen Sukuna — the two-faced figure from the Nihon Shoki: villain or hero
• The Meiji Restoration — How Power Passed from the Shogun to the Emperor and What Changed
• Rice in Japanese: 米 (kome) and ご飯 (gohan) — what's the difference
• Rokurokubi — who it is in Japanese mythology
• Romaji and Transcription: Polivanov or Hepburn
• How to say Russia in Japanese: ロシア and how to say 'I am Russian'
• Naruto Hand Seals: The Twelve Signs and Their Names
• Japanese Swear Words: How Rudeness Works in the Language
• Russian Names in Japanese: A Table of 40 Names in Katakana
• Fish in Japanese: 魚 (sakana) — writing, readings, and words
• How to say happy birthday in Japanese: お誕生日おめでとう
• Sai — the Okinawan truncheon: how it's built and why it was carried in pairs
• Sakamoto Ryōma — the ronin from Tosa who reconciled Satsuma and Chōshū
• Sake: How Strong It Is, What It's Called in Japanese, and What 酒 Means
• Sakura: Meaning in Japan and How It Is Written
• Shamisen — the Japanese three-stringed lute: how it sounds and where it came from
• The most complex Japanese kanji: how many strokes it has
• Sanada Yukimura — Who He Was and What He Is Famous For
• Sapporo — an Ainu name and the character 幌 that lives almost only here
• Salaryman — the Japanese office worker: where the word comes from and how he lives
• Sasaki Kojirō — who he is and what he is famous for
• Satori — what the word means and what it is not
• Saito Hajime — the Shinsengumi captain who became a Meiji police officer
• Shōjo — what the word means and when it's used
• Shoji: the paper partition that holds light and divides a room
• Shogunate — what it actually means
• Seken — "the society that watches": why Japanese people fear "what others will say"
• Seven Gods of Fortune — what they are and how they differ
• Family members in Japanese
• Sen no Rikyū — the tea master who served Nobunaga and Hideyoshi
• Shōnen — what the word means and when it is used
• Sensei — who is it and who is addressed this way
• Seppuku — what this ritual was and how it was carried out
• Tanjiro's Earrings — What They Are and Why They Matter
• Shoshin — what the beginner's mind means
• Sister in Japanese: 姉 (ane) and 妹 (imōto) — older and younger
• Setsubun — what this tradition is and how it goes
• Shōchū: the Japanese spirit that has nothing to do with sake
• Sei Shōnagon and The Pillow Book: who she was and what the book is about
• Seiza — what this tradition is and how it is practiced
• Seinen — what the word means and when it is used
• Seiyū — who is it and what do they do
• Fonts for Japanese characters: what types exist and how to choose
• Shihan (師範) — who they are in karate and other arts, and how they differ from a sensei
• Shikigami — what they are and whom onmyoji summoned
• Shikoku: Four Lands, 88 Temples, and Pilgrims in White
• Shinkansen — Japan's high-speed train: speed, history and names
• Shinrin-yoku — what is the Japanese practice of "forest bathing"
• Shinsengumi — the force that guarded Kyoto for the shogun
• Shintoism — what it really means
• Shirime — who is this in Japanese mythology
• Shisa — Okinawan Guardian Lions: Why One Mouth Is Open
• Shichi-go-san: Why Children Are Taken to a Shrine at Three, Five, and Seven
• How many kanji are there in the Japanese language, really
• How many kanji do you need to know for N5 and which ones exactly
• How long does it take to learn Japanese
• How to say ambulance in Japanese and what to say in trouble
• Japanese words with Russian transcription: 22 basic words
• Words with a Japanese Kanji: How One Character Builds Dozens of Words
• Is Japanese really hard to learn?
• Funny Japanese Phrases: 12 Expressions That Make You Smile
• Funny Japanese Words: 12 with Translations
• Snow in Japanese: 雪 (yuki) — writing, readings and words
• Soba: What Japanese Buckwheat Noodles Are Made Of
• Dog in Japanese: 犬 (inu) and why a dog says "wan-wan"
• Thank you in Japanese: ありがとう and 6 more ways to express gratitude
• Good night in Japanese: おやすみなさい and short おやすみ
• How to Say Older Brother in Japanese: 兄 and お兄さん
• What does the suffix -kun mean
• Suffix sama — what does the word mean and when is it used
• What does the suffix san mean
• Sukiyaki: Beef in a Sweet Sauce and a "Plough-Side Grill" in the Name
• Sumi-e — Japanese ink painting: Zen and the Four Noble Plants
• Sumo — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
• Susanoo — who is he in Japanese mythology
• Sushi in Japanese: 寿司 — what the kanji mean and where the word comes from
• Light in Japanese: 光 (hikari) — writing, readings and words
• Shabu-shabu: What This Dish Is and Where Its Name Comes From
• Shakuhachi — the bamboo flute of Zen monks: where the name comes from and how it sounds
• Shōninki — "True Records of the Ninja": the treatise of the Natori-ryū school
• Takasugi Shinsaku — a samurai from Chōshū who created a unit regardless of class
• Takeda Shingen — who he was and what he is famous for
• Takoyaki — Octopus Balls from Osaka: What They Are and How to Eat Them
• Takuan: the yellow pickled daikon and the monk it was named after
• Tamagotchi: What the Name Means and How an Egg with a Clock Took Over the World
• Tamamo no Mae — the beauty who turned out to be a nine-tailed fox
• Tanabata — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
• The Tanto Knife — A Short Japanese Blade and Why the Blade Shape Got the Name
• Tanuki — the shapeshifting yokai: why its statues stand outside every tavern
• Tatami Types: What They're Made Of, How They Differ, and How They Measure a Room
• Samurai Tattoo — What It Means and Which Kanji Are Used
• Tatemae and Honne — the Public Facade and True Feelings in Japanese Communication
• Tachi — the sword worn edge-down: how it differs from the katana
• The 'Strength of Spirit' Kanji for Tattoos: What to Actually Write
• Kanji tattoos on the arm: what people get and how to avoid mistakes
• Yakuza Tattoos: Where the Connection Came From and What It Means Today
• Taiyaki — a sea bream-shaped pastry and the "medetai" pun
• The Japanese Verb Te-Form: How It's Formed and Why It Matters
• Kabuki Theater: How a Performance Works and Why Only Men Perform
• Noh Theater: Masks, Slow Dance, and About 650 Years of History
• Naruto Techniques: What the Names of Jutsu Mean in Japanese
• Tekko-kagi — the iron claws of the shinobi: how they were made and why they were worn
• Japanese Texts for Beginners: 4 Short Passages with Translation
• Tempura: Batter, a Portuguese Word, and the Myth of Tokugawa Ieyasu's Death
• Tengu — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
• The Tenshō Iga War — How Oda Nobunaga Crushed Iga in 1581
• Tenshu — the main keep of a Japanese castle: why only twelve remain
• Japanese tenugui towel: thin cotton with unhemmed edges
• Tessen — the war fan disguised as something harmless
• Hiragana and Katakana Quiz Online: Test How Well You Know the Syllabaries
• Tiger in Japanese: 虎 (tora) — Writing, Readings, and Words
• Tiger — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Dere Types in Anime: Tsundere, Yandere, Kuudere, Dandere and Others
• Silence in Japanese: 静けさ (shizukesa) and 沈黙 (chinmoku)
• Darkness in Japanese: 闇 (yami) — writing, readings and words
• Todai-ji in Nara: The Great Eastern Temple and the Bronze Daibutsu
• Shimazu Toyohisa — Who He Was and What He Is Known For
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi — who he was and what he is famous for
• Tohoku: the Northeast of Honshu, Snow and Six Prefectures
• Tokyo in Japanese: 東京 — "Eastern Capital" and How It's Written
• Tokyo Revengers: The Japanese inscription and what it means
• Tokonoma: the alcove where one object stands and one scroll hangs
• Tokugawa Ieyasu — who he was and what he is famous for
• Tomoe Gozen — who she was and what she is famous for
• Tonfa — the Okinawan side-handle baton: from kobudo to police
• Tonkatsu: Japanese Pork Cutlet and the Sauce Served With It
• Torii — what is this place and why do people go there
• Herbivorous Men (草食系男子): Who They Are and Where the Word Came From
• Itachi Uchiha Quotes in Japanese: "Forgive Me, Sasuke" and More
• Quotes from Attack on Titan in Japanese: original, reading, translation
• Quotes from Demon Slayer in Japanese
• Naruto Quotes in Japanese: Naruto, Kakashi, Pain and Others
• Death Note Quotes in Japanese: Light, L, and Ryuk
• Quotes from Tokyo Ghoul in Japanese with Translation
• Madara Uchiha Quotes in Japanese: The World, the Dream, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi
• Japanese Quotes with Translation: 11 Phrases and Their Origins
• Tsuba — the guard of a Japanese sword: why it was decorated and why it is collected
• Tsukahara Bokuden — who he is and what he is famous for
• Tsukimi — the Japanese moon-viewing festival: when and how it's celebrated
• Tsukuyomi — who is he in Japanese mythology
• Tsukumogami — How Objects Become Spirits in Japanese Mythology
• Tsundoku — the word for books you bought and never read
• Crane (tsuru) — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Tsuchinoko — the Japanese cryptid: the fat snake with a bounty on its head
• How to Learn Japanese from Anime (Without Illusions)
• Teacher in Japanese: 先生 (sensei) and 教師 (kyōshi) — when to use which
• Udon Noodles: What They're Made Of and How They Differ from Soba and Ramen
• Uesugi Kenshin — Who He Was and What He Is Famous For
• Umami: the fifth taste discovered in Japan in 1908
• Umeboshi — Japanese salted plum: what it is, how it tastes, and what to eat it with
• Umeshu: Japanese Green Plum Liqueur
• Umibōzu — who is it in Japanese mythology
• Urashima Taro — the fisherman, the Ryugu-jo palace and the forbidden box
• Japanese Language Levels N5–N1 and the JLPT Exam
• Utagawa Hiroshige — the landscape master copied by Van Gogh
• Wabi-sabi — what it means and why there are two words behind it
• Wakizashi and Katana: What's the Difference
• Waraji: Straw Sandals Tied to the Foot with Cords
• What Is Wasabi Made Of: The Real Root and What's in the Tube
• Washi: Japanese Paper from Bark and How It Differs from Ordinary Paper
• Wind in Japanese: 風 (kaze) — writing, readings and words
• Types of Kimono — What They Are and When to Wear Them
• Types of Tabi — What They Are and How They Differ
• What are Japanese characters called and what types of writing exist
• Visual kei: what "kei" means and why it's not a music genre
• Wolf in Japanese: 狼 (ōkami) — Writing, Readings, and Words
• The Wolf — Who It Is in Japanese Mythology
• The Crow (Yatagarasu) — Who Is It in Japanese Mythology
• Boshin War — the Civil War of 1868–1869: sides, course, and outcome
• The Genpei War — What Happened Between the Taira and the Minamoto
• Time and Hours in Japanese
• I love you in Japanese: 愛してる, 好き and what they actually say
• Yagyū Jūbei — who he is and what he is famous for
• Yakiniku: How a Japanese Restaurant with a Grill at the Table Works
• Yakitori: What It Is — Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers and How to Order Them
• Yakuza — Who They Are and What They Are Famous For
• Yamabushi: Who the Mountain Ascetics Are and Do They Still Exist Today
• Yamamba — Who Is She in Japanese Mythology
• Yamata no Orochi — the eight-headed serpent whose tail yielded a sword
• What does the phrase “yamete kudasai” mean
• Yankees in Japan: Who They Are — Delinquents with Pompadours, Bosozoku, and 'Mild Yankees'
• How to Say Japan in Japanese: 日本 — Nihon or Nippon
• Japanese Architecture: Wood, Earthquakes, and Houses Built to Last Thirty Years
• The Japanese Army: Where It Came From, Why It Was Called the Kwantung Army, and What Remains of It
• Japanese Philosophy — What Kinds There Are and How They Differ
• Japanese Grammar for Beginners
• Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints: what they are, who the masters were, and how they were printed
• Japanese calligraphy shodō: styles, tools, and the first writing of the year
• Japanese Ceramics: The Six Ancient Kilns and Firing Without Glaze
• Japanese Macaque: Where It Lives and Why It's Called the Snow Monkey
• Japanese Mythology — Who's Who in the Pantheon
• Japanese Mythology in Art — Where and How It Was Depicted
• Japanese Mythology: Books — Where to Start Reading
• Japanese Mythology: Creatures — Who's Who in the Bestiary
• Japanese Police: From Kōban to the National Agency
• Japanese Advertising: Why a Commercial Proves Nothing
• How many grades are in a Japanese school and how its stages are structured
• Japanese School Uniform: Sailor Fuku, Gakuran, and What They're Called
• Japanese plum ume: the tree from the story of a disgraced minister
• Japanese Bath: You Don't Wash in It, You Warm Up — and the Whole Family Shares One Water
• Japanese Embroidery: Nihon Shishū, Sashiko, and How They Differ
• Japanese Idols: What Kind of Profession Is It and How Does It Differ from K-pop
• Japanese Taiko Drums: Types and Why They're Played with the Whole Body
• Japanese Gods — What They Are and How They Differ
• Japanese Hospitals: Who Pays and How a Visit Works
• Japanese Numbers: Counting from 1 to 100 with Readings
• Japanese Demons — Who Is Really Hiding Behind the Word
• Japanese Money: Denominations, Coins, and Counting by Tens of Thousands
• Japanese Villages: What 村 Is and Why There Are Fewer of Them
• Japanese Armor: O-yoroi, Do-maru, and Tosei-gusoku — How They Differ
• Japanese Spirits: Yokai, Yurei, Oni and Kami — Who's Who
• Japanese Spirits — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
• Japanese Eras — Periods of History and Reign Names in Order
• Japanese Lanterns: What Chōchin, Tōrō, and Andon Are Called and What They Mean
• Japanese phrases for travel: what to say to a tourist in Japan
• Japanese Newspapers: Five National Papers and a Delivery Carrier at the Door
• Japanese Verbs: Conjugation and Three Groups
• Japanese Chrysanthemums: Varieties, Exhibitions, and the Flower You Can Eat
• Japanese kanji for a nickname: meanings and readings
• Japanese characters and hiragana: what's the difference
• What does the name Akira mean in Japanese and other names
• Japanese clans: how a lineage differed from a house and how they were recognized by their crests
• Japanese Dolls: Types and What They Are Called
• Japanese Demon Masks and Their Meanings
• Japanese Swords: Types and Names with Photos — from Tachi to Naginata
• Japanese Pronouns: I, You, He
• Japanese Bridges: From the Humpback Bridge to the Akashi Kaikyo
• Japanese Wisdom: 16 Sayings About Life with Readings and Meanings
• Japanese Surnames and Their Meanings: The Most Common Ones and Where They Came From
• Japanese Male Names and Their Meanings: From Ichiro to Haruto
• Japanese Musical Instruments: Shamisen, Koto, Shakuhachi and Taiko
• Japanese Nicknames for Games: A Selection with Meanings
• Japanese Knives: How They Are Built Differently and How They Cut
• Japanese Islands: How Many There Are and What the Main Ones Are Called
• Japanese Trains: Who Runs Them and How a Rapid Differs from an Express
• Japanese Proverbs: 20 Sayings with Readings and Meanings
• Japanese Adjectives: い and な
• Japanese Markets: Wholesale, Shopping Street, and Morning Market
• Japanese Folk Tales: Mukashi-banashi, the Five Great Tales and Their Heroes
• Japanese Fairy Tales in Japanese: Momotaro and Urashima Taro
• Japanese sweets wagashi: what they are, what they're made of, and what they're called
• Basic Japanese Words for Beginners
• Japanese Subcultures: A List and How They Differ From One Another
• Japanese Name Suffixes: Meaning of Each
• Japanese Tattoos and Their Meanings: A Breakdown of Motifs
• Colors in Japanese with readings
• Japanese Prisons: How the Punishment System Works
• Japanese Castles: How Many Survived, How They Are Built, and What 城 Means
• Japanese Female Names and Their Meanings: 24 Names with Kanji
• Japanese Umbrellas: What Wagasa Are Made Of and What Kinds Exist
• Japanese Alphabet: How Many Letters and Which Syllabaries
• Japanese demon in tattoo: the meaning of oni and its motifs
• Japanese for Beginners: Where to Start
• Traditional Japanese House: What It's Called, How It's Built, and What's Inside
• Japanese dragon in tattoos: meaning and differences from Chinese
• Japanese Porcelain: Where It Came From and How It Differs from Ceramics
• The Japanese Navy: From Tsushima to Yamato, and What Sails Under That Flag Today
• Japanese folklore and mythology — what's the difference
• Japanese Temple — What Kind of Place Is It and Why Do People Go There
• Japanese kanji for 'black': 黒 and its meanings
• Japanese Kanji and Its Derivatives: How Complex Signs Grow from Simple Ones
• The Japanese Emperor: Who He Is, What He Does, and Why the Count Starts from a Legend
• Japanese carp tattoo: meaning of koi
• Japanese Maple: Two Different Trees and Why It Turns Red
• Japanese rock garden: what karesansui is and the mystery of Ryōan-ji
• How to learn Japanese on your own and for free
• Japanese Fans: Sensu, Uchiwa and Tessen — What's the Difference
• The Japanese Crane Tanchō: How Many Are Left and Why They Dance
• Japanese Curry: Why It's Nothing Like Indian Curry
• Japanese Subway: How to Read Lines, Station Numbers and Exits
• Japanese Mentality: Key Concepts of Japanese Society Without Stereotypes
• Japanese Television: NHK, Five Networks, and the Reception Fee
• Pitch accent in Japanese
• "Yare Yare" — what does it mean and how to translate "yare yare daze"
• Yari — the Japanese Spear: Why Ashigaru Fought with It Instead of the Sword
• Language School in Japan: How It Works and How to Get In
• Yokai — what this word means
• Yūgen — what it means and why it isn't mysticism
• Yukata — types and varieties
• Yuki-onna — who she is in Japanese mythology
• Yumi — the Japanese Bow: Why the Samurai Had It Before the Katana
• Yūrei — the kinds of ghosts in Japanese mythology
• Why Learn Japanese: 5 Compelling Reasons
• Azuchi Castle — Oda Nobunaga's castle, of which only stones remain
• Edo Castle — the shoguns' fortress that became an imperial palace
• Hikone Castle — the stronghold of the Ii clan and the birthplace of the mascot cat Hikonyan
• Himeji Castle — the "White Heron": history, layout, and the name in kanji
• Hirosaki Castle — the tower that was moved, and the cherry blossoms above the moat
• Inuyama Castle — a tenshu above the Kiso River and a castle once privately owned
• Kumamoto Castle — Kato Kiyomasa's Walls, the 1877 Siege, and the 2016 Earthquake
• Matsue Castle — dark walls above Lake Shinji and a status regained
• Matsumoto Castle — the black "Crow Castle" with an original keep
• Nagoya Castle — Golden Shachihoko on the Roof and a Name Chosen for Its Sound
• Nijo Castle in Kyoto — the shoguns' residence and its "nightingale floors"
• Osaka Castle — Hideyoshi's Fortress: Who Built It, How Many Times It Burned, and Its Japanese Name
• Shuri Castle — the palace of the Ryukyu kings on Okinawa
• Takeda Castle — the "castle in the sky" above a sea of clouds
• How to say hello in Japanese: こんにちは and polite variants
• The Woman with the Slit Mouth — The Legend of the 1979 Panic
• Snakes — who are they in Japanese mythology
• The Akatsuki Symbol: The Red Cloud and What 暁 Means
• Golden Week in Japan: Four Holidays in a Row and Where the Name Comes From
• Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion: History, the 1950 Fire, and Mishima's Novel
• Star in Japanese: 星 (hoshi) — writing, readings, and words