Japanese Culture | Iromegane

Shishi and Komainu. What´s the difference?

When you go to a shrine in Japan, you see two lion like animals at the entrance. Actually they are two animals, a lion and a komainu. Wha...

Zoom Manner in Japan. True or False?

After many Japanese companies have switched to remote work, people are talking about zoom manner. Some sound real and some sound like jok...

Japanese New Year Custom for Kids - Otoshidama-

Japanese children get money, otoshidama in the New Year. It was my best event at the beginning of the year as a child and not my favourit...

Protect your bum ball from Yokai, Kappa

There are many folklores about Kappa all over Japan. This comical looking yokai can be friendly but can lead you to death by pulling out ...

Shishi and Komainu. What´s the difference?

When you go to a shrine in Japan, you see two lion like animals at the entrance. Actually they are two animals, a lion and a komainu. Wha...

The power of Soroban -Japanese abacus -

Nowadays we don´t see anyone using abacus so often. But when I see my mother calculating in her head quickly and accurately, I wish I had...

Japanese family name - Nakamura -

Japanese family name. This time is the 8th common name in Japan, Nakamura. It has quite a deep history than I expected.

A little history of Hannya Mask - Why it´s so scary? -

This ancient theatre mask of Noh is very scary. It´s a demon called Hannya. I´ve just found out this is a female character. But why is it...

Is Seiza really the traditional way to sit for Japanese people?

You see a tea ceremony or a demonstration of martial arts and realise that people often sit on their heels, which is called seiza. Many m...

The real meaning of Gochisosama

Now we know Japanese people say Itadakimasu before eating. Then what do they say after eating? It´s Gochisosama. But do you know what doe...