Take a look at these fantastic websites that you can use to help you learn Japanese. Each of these is perfect for different needs and preferences, so be sure to try out a few different ones to find the perfect options. From individual courses to learning the specifics, there are websites to suit every need. …
Sake is a traditional Japanese rice wine that has been enjoyed for centuries. Whether you are a sake enthusiast or a novice, knowing the basic sake etiquette is essential to fully enjoy and appreciate this beverage. With that being said, let’s take a look at essential sake etiquette that you should know before your trip …
Japan is a country with a rich cultural heritage and unique customs that can sometimes seem mysterious or unfamiliar to outsiders. Unfortunately, this has led to a number of myths and misconceptions about Japanese culture. These untruths can be misleading or even offensive. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the …
5 Common Myths & Misconceptions About Japanese Culture Read More »
As silent spies and assassins who specialized in stealth, ninjas emerged alongside the samurai in the days of feudal Japan. While the samurai were nobles who ruled Japan in the Emperor’s name, ninjas tended to come from the lower classes. As ninjas were secretive, a lot of their names have been forgotten in the annals …
Ninjas have always been a mystery. We know they existed in history, and they are often portrayed in the media, but are there still ninjas in real life? What are the chances that ninjas are still used to commit espionage and spy? In folklore, ninjas were thought to have the ability to become invisible and …
Ninjas are often depicted as doing elaborate martial art stunts while waving nunchucks at their enemies. This all happens while they are wearing black colored clothes and covering their face to protect their own identity. However, this pop culture version of ninjas is far from the truth. While they were trained assassins, they also needed …
You may have seen ninjas in movies and wondered if they actually wear all black clothing. Ninjas were agents during feudal Japan and they had many different missions. Some of these included assassinations, infiltration, and spying in the hope of gathering important information. They were a feared bunch, and for good reason too. You would …
The term “ninja” is one that will excite a lot of people. We see them all over the media – dressed head-to-toe in black and always wielding katanas and shuriken (ninja stars). We won’t lie, ninjas are awesome, but there is a lot more to them than many of us might know. Ninjas, or shinobi, …
Fairies are popular mythical beings in many Western cultures. We have Tinkerbell, fairy godmothers, and many other characters in pop culture! However, do the Japanese have fairies in their myths and lore, too? Turns out, they do! Of course, they have a different name for them, and there are a few differences, but fairies are …
The Kabuki mask is an iconic trait when it comes to traditional Japanese theater. So much so, you might be wondering what a Kabuki mask actually is. A Kabuki mask is used to portray different characters – more often than not those with exaggerated expressions. For example, demons and gods. However, there are more to …
