On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What katakana words do you hate? Basically, we’re talking about funny, quirky and annoying katakana words! Topics Discussed Katakana-ified words that people hate Annoying katakana pronunciations Some possible reasons for why katakana words are pronounced in peculiar ways How katakana words are sometimes closer to the original pronunciation of the word they …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re joined by J.J. Walsh of the Seek Sustainable Japan podcast/YouTube talk show and we’re talking about Japanese influences in Hawaii, life in Hiroshima and the ever-popular topic of remodeling akiya (abondoned homes in Japan). About J.J. Walsh J.J. Walsh is the host of the podcast/YouTube talk show Seek Sustainable Japan. Along with her …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about depictions of Japan and Japanese people on popular American TV shows with Dr. Alisa Freedman. About Dr. Alisa Freedman Alisa Freedman is a Professor of Japanese Literature, Cultural Studies, and Gender at the University of Oregon and the Editor-in-Chief of the U.S.–Japan Women’s Journal. Her books include Tokyo in Transit: Japanese …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is that sound? This time we’re talking about Japanese onomatopoeia and yes, we’re talking about some really wacky ones too! Topics Discussed About onomatopoeia in Japanese How onomatopoeia are used in Japanese The difference between giongo and gitaigo What giongo are What gitaigo are Examples of giongo What donburako means The story of Momotaro What jirojiro means What …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about the Japanese vengeful spirits known as onryō with Jennifer Yoo. About Jennifer Yoo Jennifer M. Yoo is a doctoral candidate in Japanese Theatre at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Topics Discussed On working as a food tour guide in Kyoto What tsunokakushi is and the origins of this custom About the term oni (demon) …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, music producer, rapper and artist Shing02 talks about his life, music and more. About Shing02 Shing02 is a Japanese American music producer, rapper, and artist. Active since the ’90s in both Japan and the U.S., Shing02 has produced numerous albums, collaborated with a long list of hip hop artists and he can …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Wes Robertson stops by to talk about the wonderful mess that is the Japanese writing system. About Dr. Wes Robertson Wesley C. Robertson is Lecturer in International Studies at Macquarie University, Australia. His research focuses on variation and language play inherent in writing, with a focus on Japanese. He completed his …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Whar are buruma? Topics Discussed What buruma/bloomers are A brief overview of the history of school uniforms in Japan About the gakuran style school uniform About the supposed link between gakuran uniforms and Prussian military uniforms About sailor uniforms (sērā fuku) About “blazer” style uniforms The controversy over whether it was a school in Kyoto …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Kyle from the Tokyo Splosion stops by to talk about JapanKyo’s new YouTube channel: JapanKyo Docs! Topics Discussed About the creation of the JapanKyo Docs YouTube channel About Kyle from the Tokyo Splosion podcast The JET salary About filming in Okutama Fun anecdotes that occurred during the filming of JapanKyo Docs videos …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Chelsea Szendi Schieder joins us to talk about female students in Japan’s New Left movement, kaiju movies and more. About Dr. Chelsea Szendi Schieder Dr. Chelsea Szendi Schieder is Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics, Aoyama Gakuin University. Her latest book is titled Coed Revolution: The Female Student in the Japanese New …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Kaitly Ugoretz of the YouTube channel Eat Pray Anime discusses the allure and eclectic spirituality of Marie Kondo, as well as online Shinto communities. About Kaitlyn Ugoretz Kaitlyn Ugoretz is a Phd candidate at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her primary area of research is online religious communities, in particular Shinto …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do hands come out of the toilet in Japan? Topics Discussed Japanese stories/legends/folklore/urban legends (toshi densetsu) involving hands, toilets and hands coming out of toilets The hand in the bathroom/toilet from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask The story of Akai Kami Aoi Kami (Red Paper, Blue Paper) and its various versions The …