Recent outbreak of coronavirus is becoming our daily concern. Become panic and buy tons of toilet rolls won’t help this situation but drawing Amabie might.

Hokusai was a great painter. He was so good that he had drawn kimono patterns and published them as a book, Shingata Komoncho.

A French artist, Florent Chavouet travelled to Manabeshima, known as a cat island in Japan and spent 2 months deeply involved with the locals with very little Japanese. He depicted all his experience and it´s amazing.

While breast feeding in public is discussed in Europe, Japanese mums are talking about the posture of breast feeding. They are funny, especially the explanations of the postures.

Kazuhiko Okushita is another single stroke drawing artist. His works extend to animation. Akai Ito, which made him popular became a favourite image of Bill Gates and James Cameron.

Japan is a country of rain and there are several different onomatopoeias to describe the type of rain. Today here, it´s raining shito shito. Can you guess the meaning?

Kaomoji (顔文字) keeps developing. Honestly, I find it difficult sometimes to read Japanese blogs because of complicated Kaomoji. They take good moments from me to understand. In the Western culture, people use Kaomoji but they are very simple and not so many variations. May be 🙂 , 🙁 , 😉 , lol are the most common ones. The life is easier. 

While Japanese Kaomoji has full of expressions. This is when you are surprised Σ(=°ω°=;ノ)ノ and this is when you are angry (#｀ε´#). Remind you, theses are only an example and there are so many to choose. It´s complicated but at the same time, it makes your normal text fun. Of course you need to know when and how much to use. A text full of Kaomoji is a little bit annoying and childish. 

One of Iromegane´s readers, Dominick sent us his Kaomoji app to share with you all. He has Kaomoji Generator page where you can simply copy and use your favourite smily face. (Click the image to view)

And he has a Kaomoji Customizer page where you can change the direction of the Kaomoji you´ve chosen. This is kind of fun too. (click the image to view)

If you have more questions, you can also contact him directly from his site. 

More Kaomoji

Japanese Kaomoji – orz

When you feel defeated or feel like not going to get it, just keep walking. Even they are small steps, we will get it. Today´s Itazuragaki.

Do you know how to get your food? Never miss eating at the table? Well I do… Itazuragaki of the day.

Ladybirds bring you good luck. Ladybirds always walk up. Today´s Itazuragaki.