The Japanese language is rich in words and expressions influenced by nature, history and culture. Th...

This episode looks at words related to cherry blossoms. Cherry trees have thrived in Japan for thous...

This episode looks at words related to trees. Japan is a land of trees - two-thirds of the country i...

This episode looks at words related to the morning. Japanese people cherish the subtle changes in na...

This episode introduces words associated with water. Water has long been regarded as plentiful and a...

This episode looks at words related to the night. In ancient Japan, people appreciated the quiet and...

This episode looks at words related to houses. Traditional Japanese homes give us a glimpse of the J...

This episode introduces words related to Mount Fuji. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this iconic symbo...

This episode introduces words related to snow. Designated heavy snowfall areas cover fifty-one perce...

This episode looks at words related to the moon. The Japanese have always been captivated by the moo...

This episode introduces words related to the kimono. Once used as everyday wear, the traditional and...

This episode looks at words and phrases related to washi, or traditional Japanese paper. Refined and...

This episode looks at words related to tea. An integral part of Japan's food culture, it's celebrate...

This episode looks at words and phrases related to cats. Cats have been treasured in Japan for a lon...

This episode explores words and phrases inspired by Oni: demons, ogres and evil spirits that are a f...

This episode focuses on ships and boats. Japan is an island nation, and ships have been an integral...

This episode looks at words related to fish. Surrounded by the sea, Japan is home to rich fishing gr...

This episode looks at words related to the color red. Red is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. No...

This episode looks at words related to fire. Fire has both practical and spiritual significance in c...

This episode looks at words related to horses. Since arriving from the Asian mainland around the 5th...

This episode looks at words related to wind. Due to its geographical location, Japan experiences dif...

This episode looks at words related to swords. Since ancient times, the evolution of Japanese swords...

This episode looks at words related to shogi, also known as Japanese chess. Shogi is believed to hav...

In this episode, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan travels to Matsue City, Shimane Prefec...

In this episode, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan travels to Matsue City, Shimane Prefec...

This episode introduces words related to wagashi, or Japanese sweets. Traditionally made to accompan...

This episode introduces words related to the color blue. Its many shades were used skillfully by Jap...

This episode introduces words related to tori, or birds. For ages, the sight of birds soaring in the...

This episode introduces words related to ashi, which means both foot and leg. They have many importa...

This episode introduces words related to sumo. Throughout its long history, sumo has been performed...

This episode introduces words related to yumiya, meaning bow and arrow. Together, they've been used...

This episode focuses on words related to doro, or mud. Since ancient times, Japanese people have got...

This episode focuses on words related to kage, meaning both shadow and shade. From rooting for someo...

This episode focuses on words related to yu, meaning both hot water and a bath. From a nice cup of t...

This episode features words related to neru, meaning "to sleep." Some data show that Japanese people...

This episode focuses on words related to hachi, or the number eight. Numbers have special meanings i...

This episode focuses on words related to ne, or "root." Japan's agricultural history has inspired ma...

This episode focuses on unique words related to kami, or "hair."

This episode focuses on the many words born from the ancient board game, Go, that are now a part of...

Written Japanese was developed and refined after Japan began using Chinese kanji characters in the e...

This episode focuses on words related to yama (mountains). Mountains make up about 75% of Japan's te...

This episode focuses on me (eye). Just like other languages, Japanese has a lot of words and phrases...

This episode focuses on words related to fukuro (bag). Reflecting its unique wrapping culture, Japan...

This episode focuses on words related to shio, or salt. Salt played an important role in the develop...

In this episode, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan explores Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefec...

This episode focuses on kuruma, which means both wheel and wheeled vehicle. A ubiquitous word, it ha...

This episode focuses on kawa, which means both river and stream. These flowing bodies of water have...

This episode focuses on nana, or the number seven. Seen as a lucky number in Japan, it has given ris...

This episode focuses on kuchi (mouth). Japanese has many words and phrases related to its shape and...

This episode focuses on shibai, which means both "a play" and "acting." It describes all types of ac...

This episode focuses on gekijo, or "theater." Japanese theaters have characteristic features that ha...

This episode focuses on fumu, meaning both "to step" and "to stomp." The action is an important part...

This episode focuses on oto, or "sound." Japanese is rich in sound-related expressions and idioms, m...

The Manyoshu is the oldest extant anthology of Japanese poetry. Through poems presented in both mang...

The Manyoshu is the oldest extant anthology of Japanese poetry. Through poems presented in manga and...