On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Should you go to grad school for Japanese? Topics Discussed About why we went to grad school Whether you should attend a Japanese focused graduate school program About Japanese linguistics programs The good and bad of doing a master’s degree focused on Japanese linguistics About different fields within linguistics (sociolinguistics, syntax, phonology, …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is that snot bubble anime characters get when they sleep called? (Nose Expressions in Japanese) Topics Discussed About the snot bubbles seen in anime and video game characters from Japan when they are sleeping (鼻提灯, hanachō`chin) About nose related phrases & idioms in Japanese hana ga takai hana ga hikui Hana …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, independent researcher and translator Eric Shahan joins us to talk about his work translating forgotten Japanese books on topics like martial arts, tattoos, ropes, ninja and more. About Eric Shahan Eric Shahan is an independent translator of Japanese books on a variety of topics mainly Jujutsu, sword techniques, police manuals, Karate, Ninja …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, printmaker Wuon-Gean Ho joins us to talk about her time living and studying in Japan, printmaking, ukiyoe and more. About Wuon-Gean Ho Wuon-Gean Ho is an accomplished printmaker and is currently a Research Associate at the University of the West England’s Center for Print Research. Topics Discussed About spending time in Kagoshima …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: How do you count that in Japanese? Topics Discussed The counter system used in Japanese Japanese counter suffixes The sometimes confusing nature of Japanese counters The correct suffix for counting chopsticks in Japanese Various counters used with different kinds of chopsticks How to properly count squid in Japanese How the shape of …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Kansai-ben? Topics Discussed What the Kansai dilaect is The different that are found within the Kansai region of Japan Osaka-ben vs other dialects within the Kansai-ben umbrella The stereotype of the Ōsaka no obachan (older lady from Osaka) Leopard print clothing Who uses ōkini and where it is typically used …

 On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony answers the question: How did you become so familiar with Japan? About Tony Vega Tony Vega is a writer, editor, and podcaster. He has lived in Japan as both a student and participant of the JET Programme. He possesses an M.A. in Japanese language and linguistics from the University of …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What first person pronoun should I use when speaking Japanese? Topics Discussed The most common first person pronouns used in Japanese The tendency for Japanese speakers to avoid using pronouns The lack of true pronouns in Japanese How choosing which first person Japanese pronoun to use can be confusing even for …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese mistake stories? Topics Discussed How “sayonara” is not used in most situations when saying “goodbye” in Japanese A mix up at a convenience store Getting used to referring to people in the Japanese language What exactly a rōtari is Being asian Dealing with people that …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is a kirakira name? Topics Discussed What a so-called kirakira nēmu is What kirakira means Five of the most difficult to read “kirakira names” The fact that many Japanese people seem to be unaware that Winnie the Pooh’s name is Winnie and not Pooh The famous 1993 case of a …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: How do Japanese names work? Topics Discussed How people in Japan normally state their family name before their given name The complicated history of naming practices in Japan Commoners being prohibited from using family names during the Edo Period The Meiji era laws that mandated every Japanese person take a family name …

Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why does to “nyan nyan” mean to “have sex” in Japanese? Topics Discussed Japanese expressions/idioms related to cats What the Japanese expression neko no te mo karitai means and how it is used What pets are most popular in Japan The Japanese festival game of kingyosukui What the Japanese expression …