Hiro | The Invisible Japan·Sep 9The Things I Never Thought Were Japanese: Everyday Japanese Culture I Took for GrantedThe ordinary parts of growing up in Japan that I only recognized after trying to explain themA response icon2A response icon2
Japanese with Aya·May 12Itadakimasu Is Not a Prayer. And It’s Not Really About Food.The Japanese word you say before every meal — and what it quietly carries.
meg togami·Aug 5, 2025August Grave Cleaning: Tradition, Decline and ReflectionThis morning I went to clean our family graves.
meg togami·Aug 2, 2025Back Home in a 100-Year-Old House: Where Buddha and Kami Share a RoofAs I mentioned in my previous blog post, I’m currently back in my hometown. Since I’m here, I thought I’d share some rural life…
meg togami·Jul 17, 2025From Kitchen to Shrine: The Life and Afterlife of a Japanese KnifeIn Japanese, the word kireaji means “sharpness” — but intriguingly, it includes the word aji, which means “taste.” Why does sharpness have…
meg togami·May 24, 2025Who Is Kindness Really For? The Kindness Boomerang Behind a Japanese ProverbEver wondered why kindness matters so much in Japan? The answer might lie in a 700-year-old proverb — *”Nasake wa hito no tame narazu”* —…A response icon2A response icon2
meg togami·Feb 1, 2025The Night Japanese People Scatter BeansEvery year on February 3rd (sometimes the 2nd), while many American households are excitedly preparing for the Super Bowl, Japanese…
meg togami·Jan 12, 2025Japan in Full Bloom: Kimono-Clad Youth on Coming of Age DayIn Japan, there are several days throughout the year when the streets fill with people wearing kimono. The first such occasion is New…A response icon5A response icon5
meg togami·Jan 7, 2025Where Do Japanese Souls Go After Death?Have you ever wondered where Japanese people who mix religions go after death?A response icon3A response icon3
meg togami·Dec 29, 2024Two Faiths, One Celebration: Japan’s Unique New Year TraditionAs I mentioned in my previous blog post, December in Japan is marked by a thorough house cleaning called “osoji” (大掃除), where every corner…A response icon35A response icon35
