Japanese proverb: Turning to God in times of trouble
An amusing explanation of the meaning and cultural background behind the Japanese proverb 困った時の神頼み "Turning to God in times of trouble".
Is Japan a stressful place to live? Yes, until you figure it out.
Life in Japan can suffocate you, but Japan is a paradise on Earth for those who have figured out the real nature of its culture.
Spilling the tea of Japanese tea ceremony
What's the point of Japanese tea ceremony? Here's a fun explanation of its enlightening goal, its link with Zen and its intriguing gimmicks.
TOKUGAWA Tsunayoshi: 17th century Japanese ruler with the ethics of the future
TOKUGAWA Tsunayoshi was an iconic ruler who was nicknamed Dog King, being a maker of laws that beheaded people for killing or straying puppies.
Average stay: 12 years. Employee retention of Japanese businesses
Job retention in Japan is second highest in the world - employees stay at an organization for an average of 12 years. The cultural reason behind it.
You’re lucky you weren’t born a samurai. But samurais are lovable.
Life was hard, and short, as a samurai. In battle, at home, at their work desk, death was always right around the corner, even after Japan had entered a long period of peace. But their stoicism is to be loved.
So are Japanese people atheists or what? They’re actually not
An explanation of Shintoism and how almost all Japanese people are Shinto, in 11 minutes.
10 Japanese proverbs that will make you a better person today
10 well-known Japanese proverbs translated into English with their poetic wordings and rhythms kept, to help you remember and make better life decisions.
The history of gender fluidity of the Japanese
Japanese boy bands cast young boys with feminine facial features and hairless skin, and girls are crazy about them. Legendary Kabuki actors throughout its 400-year history are all known for pulling off the sexiest female roles, and grabbed the heart [...]
Heroes in Japanese tales are foreigners. Dragon Ball, history and ancient Japanese myths
In many Japanese myths and manga and anime, heroes are foreigners who come from outside the community. This has to do with Japan's history of seeing innovation almost always being brought from overseas. We don't know the author's real intent, but Dragon Ball is a representative example of the Japanese cultural idea about heroes.