It’s not a tree root. What is burdock? A biennial plant in the Asteraceae family. Primarily consumed for its long, elongated root, it’s a uniquely Japanese vegetable rarely used outside Japan. It looks like a tree root. However, recent research has revealed several things. It is not highly nutritious, but it is rich in … Read More
Overview of Yoga Through meditation, one calms the mind, enters a mystical realm of stillness, and aims for union with the Absolute (Brahman/Atman). This is the orthodox Brahmin ascetic practice. It involves performing special postures that impose austerities on the body. In recent years, it has also been used for health and beauty purposes. … Read More
A popular photo spot for tourists in Shibuya This intersection is located immediately outside the JR Shibuya Station northwest exit (Hachiko Exit). Known as the world’s busiest intersection, its sight has become a Tokyo landmark. From the connecting bridge linking the JR Yamanote Line and Keio Inokashira Line, you can see people crossing the … Read More
Meaning of “Aozora” A clear blue sky. A cloudless blue sky. A sky that appears blue and clear. When attached to other words, it indicates “outdoors,” “outside,” or “open-air.” Description of This Calligraphy The kanji in the upper section is written horizontally, while the hiragana in the lower section is written vertically. The background, … Read More
A small island nation situated between Europe and North America. The capital, Reykjavík, lies at 64 degrees north latitude. New York City’s coordinates are approximately 40.7 degrees north latitude, and Japan’s Hokkaido is also around 40 degrees north. It certainly sounds cold. However, thanks to the warm current flowing north from Mexico, it’s a … Read More
Description for Shirogane blue pond This is a tourist spot located in Shirogane, Biei Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido. True to its name, its defining feature is the clear blue water surface. Sunlight reflecting off the water creates a beautiful scene. It is an artificial lake created by chance when water accumulated in a small … Read More
This is a Buddhist term. It means something that cannot be expressed in words or comprehended by the mind. Something beyond the reach of language or thought. Something strange and bizarre. Something vastly different from the ordinary. In modern usage, it is abbreviated to “Fushigi (不思議)” by omitting the second character “ka（可）”. Originally, it … Read More
Shibuya exists both as a place name and as a surname. Shibuya as a place name (Tokyo) A ward located in the southwest of Tokyo’s 23 wards. In 1932 (Showa 7), the three towns of Shibuya, Sendagaya, and Yoyohata in Toyotama District merged to form Shibuya Ward. Regarding the station itself, in March 2013, … Read More
Description for UAE The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal state located at the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Arabian Gulf and part of the Gulf of Oman. It consists of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain. Most of the country … Read More
A person who loves alcohol and drinks frequently A term used to describe a person who likes to drink heavily or who drinks frequently, as if it were a person’s name. It is important to understand that this word is not a compliment, as it also carries the image of a person who drinks … Read More
Description for Kaminarimon The name of the south gate of Sensoji Temple in Taito Ward, Tokyo, and the surrounding area. The name comes from the statues of the gods of thunder and wind placed on either side of the gate, and it is also called the Gate of Thunder. It is also a symbol … Read More
What is Enoshima? An island located in the northeastern part of Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is connected to Katase on the opposite shore by the Benten Bridge and Enoshima Bridge, and is home to Enoshima Shrine (Enoshima Benten), which has been a place of deep religious devotion since the Kamakura period. The … Read More
The surname of the shogunal family of the Edo shogunate, which lasted for approximately 260 years. Originally a local lord in Matsudaira Village, Kamo District, Mikawa Province, who used the Matsudaira surname, but changed it to Tokugawa during Ieyasu’s time. The Edo Shogunate began in 1603 (Keichō 8) when Tokugawa Ieyasu established it, and … Read More
A daimyo family of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. It began when Hideyoshi was appointed Grand Minister of State in 1586 and granted the Toyotomi surname. History of the Toyotomi Clan Hideyoshi, originally from the Kinoshita clan of Owari Province, became a senior retainer of Oda Nobunaga and changed his surname to Hashiba in 1573 (Tenshō … Read More
Kilimanjaro is located in eastern Tanzania, and at 5,895 meters above sea level, it is the tallest mountain in the world as an independent peak not belonging to a mountain range. Kilimanjaro National Park, which includes Mt. Kilimanjaro, was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 1987 in recognition of its beautiful mountain … Read More
The first character in the center is the old character form of Shibuya. You hardly ever see it nowadays, but this character was used until around the early Showa period. It seems some Japanese people still use this old character form in their surnames. This character is a kanji meaning “bitter taste,” “to stagnate,” … Read More