November 30, 2023

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LIFE

Language

Yoshiko Koide, a professor at Nagoya College, and 12 female students delved deep into otaku culture to create “Otaku Dictionary Daigenkai,” a dictionary of terms from all walks of fandom.

LIFE / Language

Nov 20, 2023

Test your otaku vocabulary, from 'oshi' to 'bacon lettuce'

By Yukana Inoue and Thu-Huong Ha

“Otaku Dictionary Daigenkai” has gathered the language of fandom, from idols to games and anime.

Kyoto’s Tofukuji temple is a notable place for viewing multicolored fall foliage.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Nov 10, 2023

The culture, customs and vocabulary of Japan’s fall season

By Eric Margolis

The changing colors of Japan’s foliage have been a prominent part of the culture since the Nara Period when they inspired artists.

Sometimes just saying that you won't break a promise isn't enough. You may need the power of the pinky finger.

LIFE / Language / Vocabulary Boost

Nov 3, 2023

Breaking a promise comes with sharp penalties in Japan

By Tadasu Takahashi

An interesting element that is present in both Japanese and English rhymes around pinky promises is the idea of needles.

Trendy buzzwords tend to be most at risk of dying out as they often reflect ideas and trends that are fleeting.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Oct 31, 2023

A foray into the realm of Japanese ‘dead words’

By Tadasu Takahashi

Old slang and problematic terms are prime candidates when it comes to slipping out of usage and disappearing from the Japanese lexicon.

A banner displayed at the entrance of Shibuya Ward’s Center Street makes clear that authorities do not want Halloween revelers to roam the streets as has become the custom.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Oct 27, 2023

Why deal with the crowds when you can have a ‘mundane Halloween’ online?

By Yuko Tamura

People are busy thinking up costumes at Halloween, so will yours be flashy and outrageous? Well, an online trend proves "bland" can be just as fun.

The pronoun you choose when referring to yourself can give off a definite vibe, so be careful in your choice.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Oct 20, 2023

Which pronoun should I take?

By Eric Margolis

Depending on the situation, you may need to use two or three different pronouns for yourself when speaking Japanese.

Whether you see it as ceremonious or a “way” of living in the moment, the tea ceremony offers a chance to relax and think about the moment you are in.

LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL

Oct 13, 2023

The linguistic influence of tea in Japan is more than ceremonial

By Cassandra Lord

The way of tea is one of inner peace and enjoying the moment. And it's good for understanding idioms, too.

An official shot for this year’s lineup for NHK’s annual “Kohaku Uta Gassen.”

Things get warmer with Xi; Johnny’s get the cold shoulder

Yoshiko Koide sits in a classroom at Nagoya College where she teaches a Japanese-language observation seminar.

How a dictionary came to spark outrage among the web’s otaku

By Thu-Huong Ha and Yukana Inoue

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Ajinomoto helps people, planet with amino acids

Ajinomoto helps people, planet with amino acids

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