Articles of Japanese Culture
History of Hiragana
What is the origin of Japanese hiragana?

History of Katakana
Katakana also originated from kanji, just like hiragana.

Arigatou Isn't Just for Gratitude?
this phrase is also used in some surprising situations.

Does "Hai" Always Mean Yes?
“hai” has a much wider range of meanings and uses.

The Surprising World of Japanese Ambiguity
Did you know that Japanese has many ambiguous expressions?

Can Keigo (Polite Language) Create Distance?
speaking too politely can make people feel distant or formal.

The Chaos of Kanji: Onyomi and Kunyomi Readings
For learners of Japanese, this can be truly chaotic!

The Magic of Japanese Onomatopoeia
Understanding onomatopoeia will make your experience of Japanese much more colorful and vivid.

The Many Ways to Say "I" in Japanese
Your choice of first-person pronoun can dramatically change the impression you give and the overall mood of your conversation.
