It’s very easy to be inspired by Japan as an artist. From authors like Arthur Golden and David Mitchell to filmmakers like Martin Scorcese, Japan has sparked creativity in artists the world over. This, of course, also extends to music. Bands and musicians around the world have taken inspiration from Japanese art, music, language, aesthetics, …
Showcasing the imagination of the artists, kokeshi dolls take a simple idea and demonstrate stunning artwork, giving us characters to be treasured. They have changed a lot over the years but several details remain, including their limbless physique and vibrant hand-painted bodies. Find out everything about kokeshi dolls, from their history to how they are …
Discover Japanese lofi with an introduction to the genre and six lofi playlists that will transport you to another world. For so many reasons, modern life is full of stresses and anxiety is at an all-time high. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever your age or your job, you need downtime. You need relaxation, …
Delve into the fascinating history of tea in Japan, the types of Japanese tea you can try, and how to brew them at home. Plus discover some interesting books about Japanese tea and tea ceremonies. The world of tea is a fascinating subject to dive into, with a long history that few are aware of …
Here’s what to expect when you visit a Japanese izakaya for the first time, as well as what food and drinks you’ll find on an izakaya menu. The Japanese izakaya is, to put it simply, Japan’s answer to a British pub. Famed for delicious Japanese drinks and jaw-dropping Japanese food, Japanese izakaya are places that …
‘Wrapped up in our hectic lives, there’s something soothing about reading a narrative that has nowhere to be.’ Guest Post courtesy of Osusume Books The narratives found in Japanese literature have a unique power to heal the minds of its readers. A tough day of work ends. It’s time to flush the stress out of your …
The ghosts and demons (yokai) of Japanese folklore represent some of the most imaginative, diverse, and strange supernatural creatures anywhere in the world. Vengeful spirits and man-eating demons; haunted furniture and the ghosts of abandoned children populate the best Japanese ghost stories. Japanese ghost stories are a deep well of fantastical, terrifying wonders. They have …
There are few fandoms as enthusiastic and impassioned as the anime fan community. For this reason, it can be quite intimidating to figure out where to start when looking to get into anime. Hopping on Reddit and asking for the best anime for beginners will undoubtedly spark a heated debate that will leave you feeling …
There is so much beauty, mystery, and excitement to Japanese history and culture. The best books on Japan explore the art, theology, architecture, theatre, and food of Japan. To really understand Japan, it’s vital to get a rounded view of the Land of the Rising Sun by reading the best books on Japanese culture and …
Learning Japanese presents a unique issue for most students. Unlike learning another language which also relies on the Roman alphabet (French, German, Spanish etc), Japanese requires you to learn the spoken language, as well as three separate alphabets. Fortunately, two of these three alphabets — hiragana and katakana — can be mastered in an afternoon, …
