Japanese stories & curiosities
Every episode of Rin & Tadashi, in writing: where the words come from, the myths around them and the Japanese you can use today.
Japanese Ghosts and Yokai Explained by Their NamesKuchisake-onna, tengu, kappa, bakeneko and yuki-onna explained by their kanji. Read the name and you know what a Japanese ghost will do to you.
Frieren Title Meaning: Her Real Name Was Given by a DemonFrieren's Japanese title isn't "Beyond Journey's End". What Sōsō no Frieren means, why a demon gave it, and what Stark, Himmel and Fern mean.
Calpis Meaning: Japan's Oldest Soft Drink Sounds Like Cow PissCalpis has nothing to do with cows. Where the name comes from, why Pocari Sweat and Homo Sausage sound fine in Japan, and the phrase that saves you.
Does Japan Charge Foreigners Double? The Real Rule ExplainedSame ramen, double price. Does Japan charge foreigners double? Himeji Castle, a Fukuoka temple and a ramen machine show the real rule, and the fix.
Anime Words in Japan: 4 That Get You in Trouble, 1 That's FineOmae, senpai, baka, onii-chan and itadakimasu: what these anime words really mean in Japan, which ones sound rude and the one anime got right.
Fake Wasabi and 4 More Japanese Food Lies You BelievedMost wasabi is horseradish with green coloring. Wagyu just means Japanese cow, tempura came with the Portuguese, and in Japan kombucha is seaweed tea.
Woman Radical Kanji 女 and Why "Hate" Is Written With ItHate 嫌, jealousy 妬 and monster 妖 all carry 女, woman. Are kanji sexist? Most of the time the woman half is a label and the other half is the sound.
Sushi Meaning Is Not Raw Fish, Plus 4 Words You Already KnowSushi doesn't mean raw fish. It means sour. Karaoke is half English, karate was a Chinese hand, tofu is rotten beans and Godzilla is a gorilla-whale.
King Kanji 王 Is Not a Tiger Mark, It's an AxeThe tiger's forehead looks like 王, the kanji for king. The cute legend is a lie. On oracle bones, king was an axe. The real story, plus 12 words.