通訳案内士の日本文化（755項目）

伝統芸能必修 芸者と舞妓geikoprofessional entertainers trained in dance, music and hosting

伝統芸能必修 日本庭園Japanese gardenthe traditional garden

伝統芸能必修 俳句haikuthe seventeen-syllable poem

伝統芸能必修 浮世絵ukiyo-ewoodblock prints

伝統芸能必修 盆栽bonsaitrees grown in trays

伝統芸能必修 和太鼓wadaikoJapanese drums and the ensembles that play them

仏教必修 お墓参りohakamairivisiting the family grave

仏教必修 五重塔gojunotothe five-storied pagoda

仏教必修 禅Zena school of Buddhism built on seated meditation

仏教必修 大仏daibutsuthe great Buddha statues

仏教必修 日本の仏教Buddhism in Japanhow Buddhism arrived, changed, and ended up handling funerals

仏教必修 仏像の見分け方telling Buddhist statues apartthe four ranks of Buddhist image and how to read them

武道必修 プロ野球puro yakyuJapanese professional baseball

武道必修 まわしmawashithe thick belt a sumo wrestler wraps around the body and grips during a bout

武道必修 型kataa prearranged sequence of moves practiced alone or against an imagined opponent

武道必修 行司gyojithe referee who judges a sumo bout

武道必修 柔道judothe martial art that became an Olympic sport

武道必修 相撲sumoJapan's national sport and Shinto ritual

武道必修 道場dojoa training hall

着物必修 着物kimonothe traditional Japanese garment

着物必修 着物の右前migimaewearing a kimono with the left side over the right

着物必修 風呂敷furoshikia wrapping cloth

着物必修 浴衣yukataa light cotton kimono for summer

ことば必修 おかげさまでokagesama dethanks to you and to unseen help

ことば必修 おもてなしomotenashiJapanese hospitality

ことば必修 一生懸命isshokenmeiwith everything you have

ことば必修 漢字・ひらがな・カタカナthe three Japanese scriptswhy Japanese is written with three writing systems at once

ことば必修 思いやりomoiyariimagining how the other person feels

ことば必修 石の上にも三年ishi no ue nimo sannenthree years sitting on a stone

ことば必修 先輩・後輩senpai and kohaiseniors and juniors

工芸必修 金継ぎkintsugirepairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold

年中行事必修 おせち料理osechithe New Year food packed in stacked boxes

年中行事必修 お正月oshogatsuthe Japanese New Year

年中行事必修 お盆obonthe summer festival for returning ancestors

年中行事必修 こどもの日kodomo no hiChildren's Day and the carp streamers

年中行事必修 ホワイトデーwhite dayMarch 14, the return gift for Valentine's Day

年中行事必修 祭りmatsuria local festival

年中行事必修 初詣hatsumodethe first shrine visit of the year

年中行事必修 雛祭りhinamatsurithe doll festival on March 3rd

年中行事必修 大掃除osojithe year-end deep clean

年中行事必修 年越しそばtoshikoshi sobaNew Year's Eve noodles

年中行事必修 母の日と父の日mothers day and fathers dayhow Japan observes the two imported family days

年中行事必修 忘年会と新年会bonenkai and shinnenkaiyear-end and new-year parties

年中行事必修 盆踊りbon odorithe summer circle dance

妖怪必修 おみくじomikujifortune slips at shrines

妖怪必修 浦島太郎Urashima Tarothe fisherman who spends three days under the sea and returns three hundred years later

妖怪必修 縁起engiwhether something is considered lucky or unlucky

妖怪必修 干支etothe twelve-year cycle of zodiac animals

妖怪必修 招き猫maneki nekothe beckoning cat

妖怪必修 千羽鶴senbazurua thousand folded cranes, given as a wish for recovery or peace

妖怪必修 桃太郎Momotarothe boy born from a peach who goes to fight demons

妖怪必修 日本の昔話Japanese folk talesthe handful of stories every Japanese child grows up knowing

食べもの必修 うなぎunagifreshwater eel, grilled and glazed

食べもの必修 お茶漬けochazukerice with tea or broth poured over it

食べもの必修 カツ丼katsudonthe pork cutlet rice bowl students eat before an exam

食べもの必修 すき焼きsukiyakibeef simmered at the table

食べもの必修 そばとうどんsoba and udonthe two traditional Japanese noodles

食べもの必修 ビアガーデンbeer gardenthe rooftop beer gardens that open only for the summer

食べもの必修 まんじゅうmanjuthe steamed bun filled with sweet bean paste

食べもの必修 わさびwasabiJapanese horseradish grated from a fresh root

食べもの必修 一汁三菜ichiju sansaione soup and three dishes, the standard shape of a Japanese meal

食べもの必修 駅弁ekibenstation lunch boxes

食べもの必修 鰹節katsuobushidried, smoked and fermented bonito, shaved into flakes for stock

食べもの必修 居酒屋izakayathe Japanese pub where food comes first

食べもの必修 昆布konbuthe kelp that gives Japanese stock its savory depth

食べもの必修 雑煮zonithe New Year soup with rice cakes in it

食べもの必修 寿司sushivinegared rice with fish or other toppings

食べもの必修 焼き鳥yakitorigrilled chicken skewers

食べもの必修 親子丼oyakodonchicken and egg on rice, and the name nobody expects

食べもの必修 大福daifukuthe pounded rice cake wrapped around sweet bean paste

食べもの必修 定食teishokua set meal built around rice, soup and a main dish

食べもの必修 天ぷらtempuralightly battered deep-fried seafood and vegetables

食べもの必修 日本酒nihonshuJapanese rice wine

食べもの必修 米komerice as the center of the meal

食べもの必修 抹茶matchapowdered green tea

食べもの必修 味噌misofermented soybean paste

食べもの必修 餅mochipounded rice cake

食べもの必修 卵焼きtamagoyakithe rolled omelette, sweet or savory depending on where you are

食べもの必修 和食washokutraditional Japanese cuisine

歴史必修 元号gengothe Japanese era name

歴史必修 侍samuraithe warrior class of old Japan

歴史必修 城Japanese castlea castle of the warlord era

住まい必修 畳tatamiwoven straw floor mats

住まい必修 和室washitsua traditional tatami room

冠婚葬祭必修 遺影ieieithe portrait photograph displayed at a funeral

冠婚葬祭必修 家族葬kazokusoua funeral limited to close family and a few relatives

冠婚葬祭必修 婚姻届kon'in todokethe marriage registration form filed at a city office

マナー必修 写真を撮る前のひと言asking before you photographwhen you need permission

マナー必修 職場のお土産omiyage for the officebringing back sweets for colleagues

マナー必修 物は両手で渡すhanding things with both handswhy two hands matter

現代の暮らし必修 デパ地下depachikathe department store food hall

現代の暮らし必修 ファミリーレストランfamily restaurantthe all-purpose chain restaurant, and the drink bar

現代の暮らし必修 交通系ICカードIC cardthe tap card that works almost everywhere

現代の暮らし必修 山手線Yamanote linethe loop line that connects most of central Tokyo

現代の暮らし必修 少子高齢化shoshi koreikaa falling birth rate with an ageing population

現代の暮らし必修 新幹線shinkansenthe bullet train

現代の暮らし必修 台風taifuthe typhoons that reach Japan each year

現代の暮らし必修 地震への備えjishin e no sonaehow Japan prepares for earthquakes

現代の暮らし必修 電車の定時運行punctual trainswhy Japanese trains run on time

季節必修 火山と地震volcanoes and earthquakesliving on an unstable archipelago

季節必修 紅葉koyoautumn leaves, and going to look at them

季節必修 富士山と信仰Mount Fuji as a sacred mountainMount Fuji and mountain worship

温泉必修 温泉onsena natural hot spring bath

温泉必修 露天風呂rotenburoopen-air bath

名所必修 鎌倉の大仏the Great Buddha of Kamakurathe bronze Buddha that sits outdoors because its hall was destroyed

名所必修 祇園と花街Gionthe old Kyoto quarter where geiko and maiko still work

名所必修 京都kyotothe capital for a thousand years, and how to explain it

名所必修 金閣寺Kinkakujithe Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

名所必修 銀閣寺Ginkakujithe Silver Pavilion in Kyoto, which has no silver on it

名所必修 原宿と表参道Harajuku and Omotesandothe youth fashion street and the tree-lined avenue beside it

名所必修 厳島神社Itsukushima Shrinethe shrine built over the sea, with a torii gate standing in the water

名所必修 広島と平和記念公園Hiroshima Peace Memorial Parkthe park in the middle of Hiroshima built where the city was destroyed

名所必修 皇居と二重橋Kokyowhere the Emperor lives, on the site of Edo Castle

名所必修 新宿と歌舞伎町Shinjuku and Kabukichothe world's busiest station and the entertainment district beside it

名所必修 清水寺Kiyomizuderathe Kyoto temple with a wooden stage built out over a hillside

名所必修 浅草Asakusathe old temple district in eastern Tokyo

名所必修 大阪osakathe merchant city, and how it differs from Tokyo

名所必修 築地と豊洲Tsukiji and Toyosuthe old fish market street and the new wholesale market

名所必修 東京タワーTokyo Towerthe red and white broadcasting tower built in 1958

名所必修 東大寺と奈良の大仏Todaijithe Nara temple housing a 15-meter bronze Buddha in a vast wooden hall

名所必修 道頓堀Dotonborithe canal-side street in Osaka with the running-man sign

名所必修 奈良公園の鹿the deer of Nara Parkthe wild deer that roam a city park in Nara

名所必修 白川郷Shirakawagothe mountain village of steep thatched farmhouses

名所必修 箱根Hakonethe hot spring area in the mountains west of Tokyo

名所必修 姫路城Himeji Castlethe white castle in Hyogo, the best-preserved original keep in Japan

名所必修 富士山Mount FujiJapan's highest mountain, an active volcano and a World Cultural Heritage site

名所必修 伏見稲荷大社Fushimi Inari Taishathe Kyoto shrine with thousands of vermilion torii gates up a mountain

名所必修 明治神宮Meiji Jinguthe Tokyo shrine set in a forest that was planted from nothing

名所必修 嵐山Arashiyamathe district of western Kyoto with the bridge, the temple garden and the bamboo path

学校生活必修 夏休みの宿題natsuyasumi no shukudaithe summer holiday homework, including the free research project

神道必修 お守りomamoria protective charm from a shrine or temple

神道必修 参道sandothe approach to a shrine

神道必修 参拝の作法how to pray at a shrinethe two bows, two claps, one bow routine

神道必修 手水舎chozuyathe water pavilion where you rinse your hands before praying

神道必修 神社と寺の違いshrines and templeshow to tell a Shinto shrine from a Buddhist temple

神道必修 神道ShintoJapan's indigenous way of relating to spirits in nature and ancestors

神道必修 神輿mikoshithe portable shrine carried through the streets at a festival

神道必修 鳥居toriithe gate at the entrance to a shrine

神道必修 無宗教mushukyosaying you have no religion while keeping its customs

仕事必修 役職で呼ぶcalling people by titleaddressing colleagues by their job title

伝統芸能標準 囲碁igothe board game of go

伝統芸能標準 奥の細道Oku no HosomichiBasho's travel account of the deep north

伝統芸能標準 歌舞伎kabukiclassical Japanese theater

伝統芸能標準 歌舞伎の隈取kumadorikabuki's bold, symbolic stage makeup

伝統芸能標準 絵巻emakithe painted handscroll you unroll section by section

伝統芸能標準 掛け軸kakejikua hanging scroll displayed in an alcove

伝統芸能標準 狂言kyogenthe comic theater performed alongside noh

伝統芸能標準 琴kotothe thirteen-stringed Japanese zither

伝統芸能標準 見得miethe frozen dramatic pose in kabuki

伝統芸能標準 枯山水karesansuithe dry landscape garden

伝統芸能標準 三味線shamisenthe three-stringed instrument played with a large plectrum

伝統芸能標準 獅子舞shishimaithe lion dance that bites your head for luck

伝統芸能標準 尺八shakuhachithe bamboo flute once played by wandering monks

伝統芸能標準 書道shodoJapanese calligraphy

伝統芸能標準 将棋shogiJapanese chess

伝統芸能標準 水墨画suibokugaink painting in black and white, brought by Zen monks

伝統芸能標準 生け花ikebanaJapanese flower arrangement

伝統芸能標準 石灯籠と蹲踞stone lanterns and water basinsthe stone furniture of a Japanese garden

伝統芸能標準 川柳senryuthe comic cousin of haiku, about people rather than nature

伝統芸能標準 短歌tankathe thirty-one-syllable poem

伝統芸能標準 茶室chashitsuthe room built for a tea gathering

伝統芸能標準 茶道sadothe way of tea

伝統芸能標準 鳥獣戯画choju gigathe twelfth-century animal scrolls often called Japan's first manga

伝統芸能標準 日本舞踊nihon buyoclassical Japanese dance, largely grown out of kabuki

伝統芸能標準 能面nomenthe masks worn in noh theater

伝統芸能標準 百人一首Hyakunin Isshua hundred poems and the card game

伝統芸能標準 木版画mokuhangathe woodblock printing behind ukiyo-e

伝統芸能標準 落語rakugosolo comic storytelling

伝統芸能標準 屏風byobua folding screen

仏教標準 お地蔵さんOjizo-santhe roadside guardian of children

仏教標準 お布施ofusethe money offered to a priest, with no stated price

仏教標準 因果応報inga ohowhat you do comes back

仏教標準 観音Kannonthe bodhisattva of compassion

仏教標準 極楽と地獄gokuraku and jigokuthe Pure Land and the hells in Japanese Buddhism

仏教標準 座禅zazenseated Zen meditation

仏教標準 写経shakyocopying a sutra by hand

仏教標準 除夜の鐘joya no kanethe 108 bells on New Year's Eve

仏教標準 数珠juzuBuddhist prayer beads

仏教標準 線香senkoincense sticks for the dead

仏教標準 僧侶soryoBuddhist priests in Japan, who may marry and inherit a temple

仏教標準 托鉢takuhatsuthe walking alms round of a Buddhist monk

仏教標準 南無阿弥陀仏と南無妙法蓮華経nembutsu and daimokuthe two most common chanted phrases in Japanese Buddhism, and why they differ by school

仏教標準 仏壇butsudanthe Buddhist altar in a Japanese home

仏教標準 輪廻rinnethe cycle of rebirth

仏教標準 梵鐘bonshothe temple bell struck from the outside

武道標準 駅伝ekidenlong-distance relay running

武道標準 横綱yokozunathe highest rank in sumo

武道標準 稽古keikotraining in a traditional art or martial art

武道標準 剣道kendoJapanese fencing with bamboo swords

武道標準 高校野球と甲子園high school baseball and Koshienthe national high school baseball tournament

武道標準 合気道aikidoa martial art without contests

武道標準 黒帯と段位black belts and dan ranksthe ranking system in Japanese arts

武道標準 四股shikothe sumo leg-raising movement, done as training and as a rite

武道標準 相撲部屋sumo beyathe stable where wrestlers live

武道標準 大銀杏oicho-magethe ginkgo-leaf-shaped topknot only sumo wrestlers ranked juryo and above are allowed to wear

武道標準 大相撲の本場所honbashothe six official grand sumo tournaments held each year

武道標準 竹刀と防具shinai and boguthe bamboo sword and protective armor used in kendo

武道標準 土俵dohyothe raised clay ring a sumo bout is fought in

武道標準 土俵入りdohyo-irithe ring-entering ceremony performed by top sumo wrestlers before their bouts

武道標準 立合いと仕切りtachiai and shikirithe charge that starts a sumo bout, and the ritual staring before it

武道標準 流鏑馬yabusamearchery from a galloping horse

武道標準 礼に始まり礼に終わるrei ni hajimari rei ni owaruit begins with a bow and ends with a bow

着物標準 たすきtasukia cord that ties back kimono sleeves, now also a sash worn across the chest

着物標準 羽織haorithe short jacket worn open over a kimono

着物標準 下駄getawooden sandals

着物標準 家紋kamonfamily crests

着物標準 振袖furisodethe long-sleeved kimono for unmarried women

着物標準 雪駄settaflat sandals with a bamboo-sheath top and a leather sole, worn with kimono

着物標準 草履zoriflat thonged sandals

着物標準 足袋tabisplit-toe socks

着物標準 卒業式の袴graduation hakamathe skirt-trousers worn at graduation

着物標準 帯obithe wide sash worn with a kimono

着物標準 着付けkitsukeputting a kimono on

着物標準 着物の柄と文様kimono motifsthe symbolism behind cranes, waves and other patterns woven or dyed into kimono

着物標準 白足袋と色足袋white tabi and colored tabiwhy the color of tabi socks signals how formal the occasion is

着物標準 褌fundoshithe traditional loincloth worn as underwear or festival dress

ことば標準 ウチとソトuchi and sotoinside group and outside group

ことば標準 しつけshitsukebringing up a child to behave considerately

ことば標準 一期一会ichigo ichieone time, one meeting

ことば標準 縁enthe connection between people that brings them together

ことば標準 恩ona debt of gratitude that you carry and repay

ことば標準 顔を立てるkao wo tateruletting someone keep their standing in front of others

ことば標準 気が利くki ga kikunoticing what's needed and acting on it without being asked

ことば標準 気配りkikubariproactive thoughtfulness toward others' needs

ことば標準 察するsassuruworking out what someone means without being told

ことば標準 初心者と玄人shoshinsha and kurotothe words for a beginner and a true expert

ことば標準 身内とよそ様uchi to yosozamainsiders and the outside world

ことば標準 水に流すmizu ni nagasuletting the past wash away

ことば標準 数え年kazoedoshithe old way of counting age, from one at birth

ことば標準 世間sekenthe watching public around you

ことば標準 世間体sekenteihow you look to the people around you

ことば標準 恥hajishame as a social brake

ことば標準 腹八分目hara hachibunmeeating to eighty percent full

ことば標準 方言hogenthe regional dialects of Japanese

ことば標準 無常mujothe impermanence of everything

ことば標準 名字myojiJapanese family names and where they came from

ことば標準 流行語大賞buzzword of the yearthe annual award for new words, and what it really measures

ことば標準 和waharmony as the thing a group protects

ことば標準 侘び寂びwabi-sabibeauty in imperfection and age

ことば標準 忖度sontakuacting on what you guess a superior wants, without being told

ことば標準 絆kizunathe bond between people who will not let go of each other

工芸標準 寄木細工yosegi-zaikuHakone wooden marquetry made from woods of different natural colors

工芸標準 曲げわっぱmagewappaa bentwood box made from a thin sheet of cedar

工芸標準 錦鯉nishikigoiornamental koi carp bred for color, once called swimming jewels

工芸標準 根付netsukea small carved toggle once used to hang a pouch or case from a kimono sash

工芸標準 蒔絵maki-elacquer decoration made by sprinkling gold or silver powder onto wet lacquer

工芸標準 漆器urushilacquerware

工芸標準 焼き物の産地yakimono no sanchithe pottery towns that each make a distinct kind of ware

工芸標準 職人shokuninthe craftsman, as an identity

工芸標準 人間国宝ningen kokuhoa Living National Treasure, a state-certified master of a traditional art or craft

工芸標準 水引mizuhikidecorative cord on gift envelopes

工芸標準 扇子sensufolding fan

工芸標準 提灯chochinpaper lanterns

工芸標準 陶磁器tojikiJapanese pottery and porcelain

工芸標準 日本刀nihontothe Japanese sword

工芸標準 風鈴furinwind chimes

工芸標準 有田焼と伊万里焼Arita ware and Imari wareJapan's first porcelain, and the export port that gave it a second name in the West

工芸標準 藍染aizomeindigo dyeing

工芸標準 和紙washitraditional Japanese paper

年中行事標準 お月見otsukimimoon viewing in autumn

年中行事標準 さっぽろ雪まつりSapporo Snow Festivalthe February festival of giant snow sculptures in Sapporo

年中行事標準 どんど焼きdondo yakithe mid-January bonfire for New Year decorations

年中行事標準 衣替えkoromogaethe day everyone changes to summer or winter clothing

年中行事標準 寒中見舞いkanchu mimaithe midwinter greeting card

年中行事標準 竿燈まつりkanto matsurithe Akita festival of lantern poles balanced on one hand

年中行事標準 帰省ラッシュkisei rushthe mass return to the hometown

年中行事標準 鏡開きkagami birakibreaking open the New Year rice cakes

年中行事標準 鏡餅と鏡開きkagamimochithe stacked New Year rice cakes

年中行事標準 勤労感謝の日kinro kansha no hiLabor Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd

年中行事標準 敬老の日Respect for the Aged Daythe September holiday honoring older people

年中行事標準 建国記念の日kenkoku kinen no hiNational Foundation Day, February 11th

年中行事標準 憲法記念日kenpo kinenbiConstitution Memorial Day, May 3rd

年中行事標準 御用納めと仕事始めgoyo osamethe last and first working days of the year

年中行事標準 七草がゆnanakusathe seven-herb porridge eaten on January 7th

年中行事標準 暑中見舞いshochu mimaithe midsummer greeting card

年中行事標準 書き初めkakizomethe first calligraphy of the year

年中行事標準 昭和の日とみどりの日Showa Day and Greenery Daythe two late-April holidays that swapped names and dates

年中行事標準 松の内matsu no uchithe period New Year decorations stay up

年中行事標準 正月の遊びnew year gamesthe traditional games played at New Year

年中行事標準 精霊馬shoryo umathe cucumber horse and eggplant cow made for Obon

年中行事標準 天皇誕生日tenno tanjobithe Emperor's Birthday, a holiday whose date changes with the reign

年中行事標準 土用の丑の日doyo no ushithe day everyone eats eel

年中行事標準 冬至winter solsticethe shortest day, with a yuzu bath and pumpkin

年中行事標準 冬至とゆず湯toji and yuzu baththe winter solstice and citrus baths

年中行事標準 灯籠流しtoro nagashifloating lanterns for the dead

年中行事標準 酉の市tori no ichithe November rake market for good business

年中行事標準 二十四節気nijushi sekkithe twenty-four solar terms of the traditional calendar

年中行事標準 柏餅とちまきkashiwamochi and chimakithe two sweets eaten on Children's Day, east and west

年中行事標準 彼岸higanthe weeks around the equinoxes when families visit graves

年中行事標準 文化の日bunka no hiCulture Day, November 3rd

年中行事標準 門松kadomatsuthe pine and bamboo arrangement placed at the door for the New Year

年中行事標準 六曜rokuyothe six-day luck cycle on calendars

妖怪標準 かぐや姫Kaguya-himethe girl found in a bamboo stalk who returns to the moon

妖怪標準 だるまdarumathe round wish doll with no eyes

妖怪標準 河童kappariver spirits with a dish on the head

妖怪標準 怪談kaidanJapanese ghost stories

妖怪標準 狐と稲荷foxes and Inariwhy shrines are guarded by foxes

妖怪標準 四十九日と霊the forty-nine days after deathwhy the soul is thought to linger for forty-nine days before its fate is settled

妖怪標準 鶴と亀crane and turtlesymbols of long life

妖怪標準 天狗tengulong-nosed mountain spirits

妖怪標準 破魔矢hamayathe arrow you buy at New Year

妖怪標準 妖怪yokaiJapanese supernatural creatures

妖怪標準 龍ryuthe East Asian dragon

食べもの標準 あんぱんanpanthe sweet bean bun that made bread Japanese

食べもの標準 ご当地グルメgotochi gourmetlocal specialty foods, and the towns that market them

食べもの標準 さしすせそsashisusesothe order in which the five basic seasonings go into a Japanese dish

食べもの標準 ちゃんぽんchamponthe Nagasaki noodle dish invented for Chinese students

食べもの標準 もんじゃ焼きmonjayakithe runny Tokyo griddle dish you eat straight off the hotplate

食べもの標準 温泉卵onsen tamagothe egg cooked the other way round

食べもの標準 懐石料理kaisekithe formal multi-course meal, and the two different things called kaiseki

食べもの標準 甘酒amazakethe sweet rice drink, with and without alcohol

食べもの標準 魚を食べる文化eating fishhow much fish Japan eats, and how that is changing

食べもの標準 山菜ときのこsansai and mushroomswild vegetables and mushrooms from the mountains

食べもの標準 出汁dashithe stock at the base of Japanese cooking

食べもの標準 焼酎shochua distilled Japanese spirit

食べもの標準 食品ロスshokuhin lossfood that could have been eaten but was thrown away

食べもの標準 石焼き芋ishiyakiimosweet potatoes roasted in hot stones, sold from a truck

食べもの標準 赤飯sekihanred rice steamed with azuki beans

食べもの標準 漬物tsukemonoJapanese pickles served alongside rice

食べもの標準 南蛮菓子nanban-gashithe sweets the Portuguese brought in the 1500s

食べもの標準 日本のウイスキーjapanese whiskyhow Japan started making whisky, and why the old bottles vanished

食べもの標準 梅酒umeshuplum liqueur, and the one alcohol Japanese households legally make

食べもの標準 味噌田楽miso dengakutofu or vegetables on skewers, grilled with sweet miso

食べもの標準 洋食yoshokuWestern-style dishes invented in Japan

食べもの標準 冷やし中華hiyashi chukathe cold noodle dish that appears for one season only

食べもの標準 和菓子wagashitraditional Japanese sweets

歴史標準 1964年の東京オリンピックthe 1964 Tokyo Olympicsthe games that announced Japan's recovery

歴史標準 そろばんsorobanthe Japanese abacus

歴史標準 バブル経済the bubble economythe asset price bubble of the late 1980s

歴史標準 応仁の乱the Onin Warthe eleven-year conflict that opened Japan's age of civil war

歴史標準 街道と宿場kaido and shukubathe Edo highways and their post towns

歴史標準 関ヶ原の戦いthe Battle of Sekigaharathe 1600 battle that decided who would rule Japan for 265 years

歴史標準 関東大震災the Great Kanto Earthquakethe 1923 earthquake and fires that destroyed Tokyo and Yokohama

歴史標準 遣唐使kentoshithe missions Japan sent to Tang dynasty China

歴史標準 江戸時代the Edo periodJapan's 260 years of self-imposed peace and isolation

歴史標準 高度経済成長the high growth eraJapan's postwar economic boom

歴史標準 国宝と重要文化財national treasures and important cultural propertieshow Japan designates what it protects

歴史標準 黒船kurofunethe American warships that forced Japan to open its ports in 1853

歴史標準 寺子屋terakoyathe neighborhood schools of the Edo period

歴史標準 失われた30年the lost decadesthe long stagnation after the bubble

歴史標準 集団就職shudan shushokuthe mass migration of young workers to the cities after the war

歴史標準 城下町jokamachia town laid out around a castle

歴史標準 信長・秀吉・家康Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasuthe three who unified Japan

歴史標準 戦国時代the Sengoku periodJapan's age of civil war

歴史標準 天皇tennothe Emperor of Japan

歴史標準 日本国憲法the Constitution of Japanthe postwar constitution

歴史標準 廃藩置県haihan-chikenthe abolition of the feudal domains

歴史標準 富国強兵fukoku kyoheithe Meiji-era slogan "rich country, strong army"

歴史標準 平家物語the tale of the heikethe war tale about the fall of a clan, recited to the lute

歴史標準 万葉集manyoshuJapan's oldest surviving poetry collection

住まい標準 ちゃぶ台chabudaia low folding dining table

住まい標準 囲炉裏irorithe open hearth sunk into the floor

住まい標準 引っ越しの手続きmoving house paperworkwhat you must file when you move

住まい標準 襖と障子fusuma and shojithe sliding paper doors of a Japanese house

住まい標準 瓦屋根kawara yanethe tiled roof

住まい標準 建て替えと中古住宅tatekae to chuko jutakuwhy Japanese houses are so often rebuilt rather than resold

住まい標準 合掌造りと茅葺きgassho-zukuri and thatched roofsthe steep thatched farmhouses of the snow country

住まい標準 七輪shichirinthe small portable charcoal grill

住まい標準 床の間tokonomathe alcove in a tatami room

住まい標準 神棚kamidanathe household Shinto altar

住まい標準 打ち水uchimizusprinkling water on the ground to cool the air

住まい標準 町家machiyathe narrow deep townhouse of an old merchant quarter

住まい標準 長屋nagayathe Edo row house where most townspeople lived

住まい標準 仏間butsumathe room traditionally set aside for the family Buddhist altar

住まい標準 保証人guarantorwho vouches for you when you rent

住まい標準 木造建築wooden architecturewhy Japan builds in wood

住まい標準 木造住宅wooden houseswhy Japanese homes are rebuilt, not resold

冠婚葬祭標準 お宮参りomiyamairia baby's first shrine visit

冠婚葬祭標準 お見合いomiaian introduction with marriage in mind

冠婚葬祭標準 お祝いの席oiwai no sekia formal Japanese celebration meal

冠婚葬祭標準 お食い初めokuizomethe first meal ceremony at 100 days

冠婚葬祭標準 お葬式osoushikia Japanese funeral

冠婚葬祭標準 ご祝儀goshugithe money you give at a wedding

冠婚葬祭標準 引っ越しの挨拶greeting the neighborsthe visit you make after moving in

冠婚葬祭標準 快気祝いkaikiiwaithe thank-you gift sent after recovering from illness or injury

冠婚葬祭標準 還暦と長寿の祝いkanrekibirthdays that mark a long life

冠婚葬祭標準 結婚式の二次会nijikaithe casual after-party that follows a wedding reception

冠婚葬祭標準 香典kodencondolence money brought to a funeral

冠婚葬祭標準 骨上げkotsuagepicking up the cremated bones with chopsticks

冠婚葬祭標準 七五三shichi-go-santhe festival for children aged seven, five and three

冠婚葬祭標準 初七日shonanokathe memorial service held on the seventh day after death

冠婚葬祭標準 神前式shinzenshikia Shinto wedding

冠婚葬祭標準 喪中はがきmochu hagakithe mourning notice sent before New Year

冠婚葬祭標準 誕生日の祝い方tanjobi no iwaikatahow birthdays are marked across a Japanese life, beyond a party

冠婚葬祭標準 仲人nakodothe go-between who arranged and formally witnessed a marriage

冠婚葬祭標準 通夜tsuyathe wake held the night before a funeral

冠婚葬祭標準 夫婦の姓married surnameswhy couples must share one name

冠婚葬祭標準 名前のつけ方naming a childwhat you may and may not call a baby

冠婚葬祭標準 離婚divorcehow divorce works in Japan

マナー標準 メールの書き出しと結びJapanese business emailthe fixed opening and closing lines

マナー標準 敬語keigothe honorific levels of Japanese

マナー標準 手紙の拝啓と敬具haikei and keiguthe formal opening and closing words that bracket a proper Japanese letter

マナー標準 手土産temiyagethe gift you bring when you visit

マナー標準 正座seizasitting on your heels

マナー標準 先日はどうもsenjitsu wa domothanking someone again next time

マナー標準 電話の受け方answering the phonephone manners at a Japanese company

マナー標準 名刺交換meishi exchangeexchanging business cards

現代の暮らし標準 クールビズcool bizthe summer campaign to work without a jacket and tie

現代の暮らし標準 ジェンダーギャップgender gapwhy Japan ranks low on gender equality despite high education levels

現代の暮らし標準 シャッター商店街shatta-shotengaia shopping street where most storefronts are permanently shuttered

現代の暮らし標準 ハザードマップhazard-mapthe map showing how bad flooding or a disaster could get at your address

現代の暮らし標準 バリアフリーbarrier freeaccessibility in Japan, and the yellow tactile paving it invented

現代の暮らし標準 ポイント経済point economywhy everyone in Japan is asked for a point card

現代の暮らし標準 マイナンバーmy numberthe national identification number

現代の暮らし標準 ヤクザyakuzaorganized crime in Japan, and why the offices have nameplates

現代の暮らし標準 引きこもりhikikomorilong-term withdrawal from society

現代の暮らし標準 過労死karoshideath from overwork, and the law Japan wrote because of it

現代の暮らし標準 介護kaigolong-term care, and the insurance system behind it

現代の暮らし標準 外国人労働者foreign workershow Japan brings in workers from abroad

現代の暮らし標準 確定申告kakutei shinkokufiling your own tax return

現代の暮らし標準 漢方kampotraditional herbal medicine as practiced in Japan

現代の暮らし標準 気象警報weather warningsJapan's tiered warning system and what each level means

現代の暮らし標準 空き家akiyaempty houses left standing across Japan

現代の暮らし標準 計画運休keikaku unkyushutting down the trains before the storm arrives

現代の暮らし標準 健康診断kenko-shindanthe annual health checkup nearly every worker gets

現代の暮らし標準 交番kobanthe neighborhood police box

現代の暮らし標準 在宅勤務working from homewhy remote work spread and then shrank again in Japan

現代の暮らし標準 自動車教習所kyoshujodriving school, the required path to a license

現代の暮らし標準 車検shakenthe mandatory vehicle inspection

現代の暮らし標準 手話shuwaJapanese Sign Language

現代の暮らし標準 女性の就業women at workwhere women's employment in Japan stands

現代の暮らし標準 消費税consumption taxJapan's sales tax, its rises, and the reduced rate

現代の暮らし標準 食品サンプルfood samplesthe plastic food in restaurant windows

現代の暮らし標準 人口減少と過疎population declinea shrinking, aging country

現代の暮らし標準 宅配便と再配達takuhaibinhome delivery and the problem of repeated attempts

現代の暮らし標準 点字ブロックtenji blockthe yellow tactile paving on the ground

現代の暮らし標準 避難訓練hinan kunrenthe evacuation drills everyone has done

現代の暮らし標準 分煙smoking ruleswhere you can and cannot smoke in Japan

現代の暮らし標準 捕鯨whalingwhy Japan resumed commercial whaling, and how little whale is actually eaten

現代の暮らし標準 宝くじtakarakujithe public lottery, and why the prize is tax-free

現代の暮らし標準 麻雀mahjongthe four-player tile game, and where it sits legally

現代の暮らし標準 立ち飲みtachinomithe standing bar, where you drink fast and cheap

季節標準 沖縄と北海道の気候Okinawa and Hokkaidothe two ends of Japan's climate

季節標準 海と漁業the sea and fishinghow Japan eats from the ocean

季節標準 菊kikuchrysanthemum

季節標準 旧暦kyurekithe old lunisolar calendar Japan used until 1872

季節標準 銀杏ichothe ginkgo tree

季節標準 蛍hotarufireflies

季節標準 桜前線sakura zensenthe cherry blossom front

季節標準 紫陽花ajisaihydrangea

季節標準 秋雨前線akisame zensenthe autumn rain front that brings weeks of gray, wet weather

季節標準 松竹梅shochikubaipine, bamboo and plum

季節標準 森林の国shinrin no kunihow much of Japan is forest

季節標準 杉sugithe Japanese cedar

季節標準 雪かきyukikakiclearing snow as daily work

季節標準 雪国yukiguniJapan's heavy snow regions

季節標準 川と橋rivers and bridgesJapan's short steep rivers

季節標準 線状降水帯senjo kosuitaithe linear rainband that causes Japan's worst flash flooding

季節標準 棚田tanadaterraced rice paddies cut into mountain slopes

季節標準 竹takebamboo

季節標準 虫の声を聴くlistening to insect songsenjoying the sound of autumn insects

季節標準 朝顔asagaothe morning glory

季節標準 日本列島の地形the shape of Japana long mountainous chain of islands

季節標準 梅umeJapanese apricot blossom

季節標準 里山satoyamathe managed woodland between the village and the mountain

温泉標準 温泉とタトゥーtattoos and onsenwhy tattoos can get you refused at a bath

温泉標準 温泉マークthe onsen markthe three-steam symbol used on maps and signs for hot springs

温泉標準 温泉街onsengaia hot spring town

温泉標準 源泉かけ流しgensen kakenagashihot spring water used once and let overflow, with nothing recirculated

温泉標準 指宿の砂むし温泉Ibusuki sand batha hot sand bath on a beach warmed by hot spring water

温泉標準 銭湯sentothe neighborhood public bath

温泉標準 内湯と外湯めぐりsoto-yu-megurihopping between a hot spring town's public bathhouses in a yukata

温泉標準 旅館ryokana traditional Japanese inn

名所標準 お台場Odaibathe waterfront district built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay

名所標準 横浜yokohamathe fishing village that became Japan's door to the West

名所標準 屋久島Yakushimathe southern island of ancient cedars and constant rain

名所標準 金沢kanazawathe castle town that escaped the bombing, and its gold leaf

名所標準 銀座Ginzathe expensive shopping district named after a silver mint

名所標準 軽井沢karuizawathe highland resort that began as a missionary's summer escape

名所標準 兼六園Kenrokuenthe Kanazawa garden named for the six qualities a perfect garden should have

名所標準 高山Takayamathe mountain town in Gifu with preserved merchant streets and festival floats

名所標準 高野山koyasanthe mountain monastery where you can stay the night

名所標準 桜島sakurajimathe active volcano that drops ash on a city of 600,000

名所標準 三十三間堂Sanjusangendothe 120-meter hall in Kyoto holding 1,001 statues of Kannon

名所標準 四国八十八ヶ所shikoku pilgrimagethe 1,200-kilometer circuit of eighty-eight temples

名所標準 首里城と沖縄Shurijothe palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom in Okinawa

名所標準 上野公園Ueno Parkthe Tokyo park holding the national museums, the zoo and the cherry trees

名所標準 城崎温泉Kinosaki Onsena hot spring town in northern Hyogo known for its seven public bathhouses

名所標準 神戸kobethe port city between mountain and sea, rebuilt after an earthquake

名所標準 草津温泉kusatsu onsenthe strongly acidic hot spring with the wooden cooling ritual

名所標準 足立美術館Adachi Museum of Artthe Shimane museum whose garden is viewed like a painting, not walked in

名所標準 長崎と出島Nagasaki and Dejimathe port that was Japan's only window to Europe, and the second atomic bombing

名所標準 東京駅の駅舎Tokyo Stationthe red brick station building of 1914, restored in 2012

名所標準 道の駅michi no ekiroadside stations that sell local produce and let drivers rest

名所標準 道後温泉dogo onsenone of Japan's oldest hot springs, and its wooden bathhouse

名所標準 二条城Nijojothe Kyoto castle where the shogun gave power back to the Emperor

名所標準 日光東照宮Nikko Toshoguthe shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined, covered in carvings

名所標準 日本三景Nihon Sankeithe three famous views of Japan, chosen in the seventeenth century

名所標準 熱海atamithe hot spring town that collapsed and came back

名所標準 福岡fukuokathe city closest to the continent, and its street food stalls

名所標準 平等院鳳凰堂Byodointhe eleventh-century temple hall on the ten-yen coin

名所標準 別府と湯布院Beppu and Yufuinthe biggest hot spring town in Japan and the quiet one next to it

名所標準 別府温泉beppu onsenthe town with the most hot spring water in Japan

名所標準 名古屋nagoyathe industrial city between Tokyo and Osaka, with its own food

名所標準 有馬温泉Arima Onsenthe old hot spring town in the hills behind Kobe

ポップカルチャー標準 eスポーツesportscompetitive gaming in Japan

ポップカルチャー標準 かるたkarutathe card game where you race to grab the right card

ポップカルチャー標準 ジャンプと週刊漫画誌Weekly Shonen Jumpthe manga magazine where reader postcards ranking each week's chapters can decide a series' fate

ポップカルチャー標準 花札hanafudathe flower card game

ポップカルチャー標準 紅白歌合戦Kohaku Uta Gassenthe New Year's Eve song contest on public television

ポップカルチャー標準 紙芝居kamishibaithe paper theater a storyteller carried on a bicycle

ポップカルチャー標準 時代劇jidaigekithe period drama set before the Meiji era

ポップカルチャー標準 昔の遊びmukashi no asobithe pre-electronic children's games still taught in schools

ポップカルチャー標準 日本映画Japanese filmJapanese cinema, then and now

ポップカルチャー標準 漫才manzaitwo-person stand-up comedy

学校生活標準 PTAPTAthe parents and teachers association at a Japanese school

学校生活標準 学級会gakkyukaithe class meeting where pupils decide things themselves

学校生活標準 学級担任tanninthe homeroom teacher who teaches everything

学校生活標準 身体測定shintai sokuteithe school health check and measurements

学校生活標準 水泳の授業school swimming lessonsswimming as a compulsory school subject

学校生活標準 席替えsekigaechanging where everyone sits in the classroom

学校生活標準 朝礼choreithe morning assembly at a school or workplace

学校生活標準 部活の引退bukatsu no intaileaving your school club after the last tournament

神道標準 お祓いoharairitual purification

神道標準 伊勢神宮Ise Jinguthe central shrine of Shinto

神道標準 絵馬emaa wooden plaque you write a wish on

神道標準 祇園祭Gion Matsurithe month-long Kyoto festival that began as a rite against plague

神道標準 玉串tamagushithe evergreen sprig offered at a rite

神道標準 御神木goshinbokuthe sacred tree in a shrine precinct

神道標準 狛犬komainuthe guardian pair at a shrine

神道標準 出雲大社Izumo Taishathe shrine where the gods gather

神道標準 神職と巫女shinshoku and mikoshrine priests and shrine maidens

神道標準 神道と自然shinto and naturethe animism at the heart of Shinto belief

神道標準 総本社と分社sohonsha and bunshahead shrines and their thousands of branch shrines

神道標準 地鎮祭jichinsaithe ceremony held before building on a piece of land

神道標準 注連縄shimenawathe sacred rope

神道標準 鎮守の森chinju no morithe grove that surrounds a shrine

神道標準 天満宮と学問の神Tenmangushrines of the deity of learning

神道標準 日本神話Nihon shinwathe myths in Japan's oldest books

神道標準 厄払いyakubaraithe shrine rite performed in an unlucky year of life

仕事標準 ハラスメントharassmentworkplace harassment and the law against it

仕事標準 ハラスメント対策harassment rulesworkplace harassment law in Japan

仕事標準 ブラック企業burakku kigyoexploitative employers

仕事標準 リモートワークremote workworking from home in Japan

仕事標準 育児休業ikuji kyugyoparental leave

仕事標準 作業着と社章work uniformscompany uniforms and lapel pins

仕事標準 就活と新卒一括採用shukatsuhiring an entire year group at once

仕事標準 出張shutchobusiness trips and expense claims

仕事標準 女性管理職women in managementhow few women hold senior posts

仕事標準 職人の後継者不足shokunin no koukeisha busokuthe shortage of successors for traditional craftspeople

仕事標準 新人研修shinjin kenshutraining for new graduates

仕事標準 人事異動jinji idointernal transfers decided by the company

仕事標準 接待settaientertaining clients

仕事標準 総合職と一般職sogoshoku and ippanshokucareer-track and clerical-track hiring

仕事標準 退職金taishokukinthe lump-sum retirement payment

仕事標準 退職届taishokutodokethe one-line resignation notice

仕事標準 中小企業と下請けchusho kigyo to shitaukesmall and midsize firms and the subcontracting pyramid

仕事標準 転勤tenkincompany-ordered relocation

仕事標準 転職tenshokuchanging jobs mid-career

仕事標準 年功序列nenko joretsupay and rank by length of service

仕事標準 派遣社員hakenagency temp workers

仕事標準 非正規雇用hiseiki koyonon-regular employment

仕事標準 副業fukugyoholding a second job

仕事標準 履歴書rirekishothe Japanese-format resume

仕事標準 労働組合rodo kumiaithe labor union

伝統芸能応用 家元iemotothe head of a school of a traditional art

伝統芸能応用 雅楽gagakuthe court music of Japan

伝統芸能応用 義太夫gidayuthe narrative chanting behind bunraku puppet theater

伝統芸能応用 講談kodanstorytelling of battles and heroes, told from behind a small desk

伝統芸能応用 香道kodothe way of incense

伝統芸能応用 書院造shoin-zukurithe room style that modern Japanese rooms come from

伝統芸能応用 寝殿造shinden-zukurithe palace style of the Heian aristocracy

伝統芸能応用 組踊kumiodoriOkinawan musical theater, created for Chinese envoys

伝統芸能応用 日本画nihongapainting in traditional Japanese materials

伝統芸能応用 能nohthe oldest surviving stage art in Japan

伝統芸能応用 琵琶biwathe lute that carried Japan's war tales

伝統芸能応用 文楽bunrakupuppet theater with three operators to a puppet

伝統芸能応用 方丈記と徒然草Hojoki and Tsurezuregusathe two other great Japanese essay collections

伝統芸能応用 枕草子Makura no SoshiThe Pillow Book

仏教応用 戒名kaimyothe Buddhist name given after death

仏教応用 護摩gomaa fire ritual performed by esoteric Buddhist priests

仏教応用 寺の伽藍temple buildingswhat the buildings at a temple are

仏教応用 宗派の違いBuddhist schools in Japanthe main branches of Japanese Buddhism and how they differ

仏教応用 精進料理shojin ryoriBuddhist temple cuisine

仏教応用 卒塔婆sotobathe wooden memorial tablet at a grave

仏教応用 檀家制度danka systemwhy every family has a temple

仏教応用 念仏nenbutsucalling the Buddha's name

仏教応用 法事hojia Buddhist memorial service

仏教応用 密教mikkyoesoteric Buddhism in Japan

仏教応用 曼荼羅mandalaa diagram of the Buddhist universe used in esoteric ritual and meditation

武道応用 弓道kyudoJapanese archery

武道応用 居合道iaidodrawing the sword as a discipline

武道応用 蹴鞠kemarithe Heian court game of keeping a ball in the air

武道応用 薙刀naginatathe long-handled blade and its modern sport

武道応用 番付banzukethe sumo ranking sheet

着物応用 割烹着kappogithe full-cover Japanese apron

着物応用 十二単junihitoethe layered court robes of the Heian period

着物応用 着物の格kimono formalitythe ranking that decides which kimono may be worn where

着物応用 着物の季節の決まりseasonal kimono ruleslined, unlined and sheer kimono, and when each is worn

着物応用 法被happithe straight-sleeved festival coat

着物応用 紋付袴montsuki hakamaformal Japanese dress for men

ことば応用 けじめkejimedrawing a clear line between one thing and another

ことば応用 もののあはれmono no awarethe sadness of passing things

ことば応用 花鳥風月kachofugetsuflower, bird, wind and moon

ことば応用 甘えamaedepending on another person's goodwill

ことば応用 間mathe meaningful gap

ことば応用 義理girisocial obligation you cannot refuse

ことば応用 潔さisagiyosaaccepting defeat cleanly

ことば応用 言霊kotodamathe belief that spoken words carry power

ことば応用 三方よしsanpo yoshigood for the seller, the buyer and society

ことば応用 守破離shu ha rithe three stages of learning a traditional art

ことば応用 儒教jukyoConfucian ideas as they took root in Japan

ことば応用 初心忘るべからずshoshin wasuru bekarazunever forget how you began

ことば応用 粋ikithe understated stylishness of Edo townspeople

ことば応用 八百万の神yaoyorozu no kamithe eight million gods

ことば応用 幽玄yugendepth that is felt rather than shown

工芸応用 こけしkokeshiwooden dolls from the north

工芸応用 でんでん太鼓denden daikothe pellet drum you shake to quiet a baby

工芸応用 宮大工miyadaikutemple and shrine carpenters

工芸応用 江戸切子Edo kirikocut glass from Tokyo

工芸応用 西陣織Nishijin-orifigured silk weaving from Kyoto

工芸応用 組紐kumihimobraided cord

工芸応用 竹細工takezaikubamboo craft

工芸応用 刀鍛冶katana kajithe swordsmiths who still forge Japanese blades by hand

工芸応用 南部鉄器Nambu tekkiNambu cast ironware

工芸応用 表具師hyogushithe craftsperson who mounts hanging scrolls, folding screens and sliding doors

工芸応用 民芸運動the mingei movementthe 1926 movement that found beauty in everyday objects made by unnamed craftspeople

工芸応用 木曽のひのきKiso hinokiprized cypress from a valley protected by a harsh Edo-era logging law

工芸応用 木組みkigumijoining timber without nails

工芸応用 友禅yuzenresist-dyed pictorial kimono

工芸応用 輪島塗Wajima-nurithe lacquerware of Wajima, built up in over a hundred separate steps

工芸応用 和ろうそくwarosokuJapanese plant-wax candles

年中行事応用 えびす講ebisu kothe merchants' festival for the god of business

年中行事応用 夏越の祓nagoshi no haraethe midsummer purification

年中行事応用 花祭りhanamatsurithe Buddha's birthday

年中行事応用 五節句go-sekkuthe five seasonal festivals of the old calendar

年中行事応用 雑節zassetsuJapan's own seasonal markers, added to the imported calendar

年中行事応用 十三参りjunisan mairithe shrine visit at thirteen

年中行事応用 十三夜jusanyathe second moon-viewing night, about a month after the harvest moon

年中行事応用 重陽の節句choyothe chrysanthemum festival of the ninth month

年中行事応用 初午hatsuumathe February day for the fox shrines

年中行事応用 初夢hatsuyumethe first dream of the year, and what it is said to foretell

年中行事応用 新嘗祭と勤労感謝の日niinamesaithe harvest rite behind a public holiday

年中行事応用 針供養hari kuyoa memorial service for broken needles

妖怪応用 陰陽道onmyodothe court's system of divination and calendar making

妖怪応用 丑三つ時ushimitsu dokithe dead of night, around two in the morning, when spirits were said to appear

妖怪応用 化け狸bakedanukithe shape-shifting raccoon dog

妖怪応用 鬼門kimonthe unlucky northeast direction

妖怪応用 熊手kumadethe lucky rake for raking in business

妖怪応用 座敷童子zashiki warashithe child spirit of the house

妖怪応用 七福神shichifukujinthe seven lucky gods

妖怪応用 雪女yuki-onnathe snow woman

妖怪応用 付喪神tsukumogamiobjects that come alive with age

妖怪応用 方位と家相kasolucky and unlucky directions in a house

妖怪応用 厄年yakudoshithe unlucky years of your life

食べもの応用 ところてんtokorotenseaweed jelly pushed into noodles, sweet in the west and sour in the east

食べもの応用 屋形船yakatabunethe roofed boat you eat and drink on

食べもの応用 栗きんとんkuri kintontwo different sweets with the same name

歴史応用 君が代kimigayothe national anthem, and why it is argued about

歴史応用 憲法9条Article 9the war-renouncing article of the constitution

歴史応用 源氏物語The Tale of Genjian eleventh-century court novel

歴史応用 古墳kofunancient burial mounds

歴史応用 広島と長崎Hiroshima and Nagasakithe atomic bombings and how they are remembered

歴史応用 国学kokugakuthe Edo-period study of Japan's own classics

歴史応用 鎖国sakokuthe closed country policy

歴史応用 参勤交代sankin kotaithe alternate attendance system

歴史応用 人力車jinrikishathe two-wheeled passenger cart Japan invented and exported

歴史応用 戦後の女性の地位の変化women's status since 1945what changed and what did not

歴史応用 戦後の占領the OccupationJapan under Allied administration

歴史応用 潜伏キリシタンhidden christiansthe Christians who kept the faith through 250 years of prohibition

歴史応用 太平洋戦争the Pacific WarJapan in the Second World War

歴史応用 大正デモクラシーTaisho democracythe liberal current of the 1910s and 1920s

歴史応用 鉄砲伝来teppo denraithe arrival of the matchlock gun in 1543 and how fast Japan copied it

歴史応用 縄文と弥生Jomon and YayoiJapan's two prehistoric periods

歴史応用 藩校hanko domain schoolthe schools each domain ran for its samurai

歴史応用 武士の登場the rise of the samuraihow warriors took over government

歴史応用 武士道bushidothe way of the warrior

歴史応用 文化財の制度cultural property systemhow Japan designates national treasures and protects its heritage

歴史応用 文明開化bunmei kaikathe rush to westernize

歴史応用 平安時代the Heian periodthe age of the court aristocracy

歴史応用 明治維新the Meiji Restorationthe transformation that rebuilt Japan in decades

歴史応用 蘭学rangakuDutch learning during the closed country period

歴史応用 和算wasanthe mathematics developed in Edo-period Japan

住まい応用 縁側engawathe wooden veranda between inside and out

住まい応用 団地danchipostwar public housing estates

住まい応用 二世帯住宅nisetai jutakua house built for two generations

住まい応用 欄間ranmathe carved panel above the sliding doors

冠婚葬祭応用 お中元・お歳暮ochugen and oseibothe two seasonal gift-giving periods

冠婚葬祭応用 永代供養eitai kuyothe temple keeping your grave when nobody is left to

冠婚葬祭応用 結納yuinothe formal engagement ceremony

冠婚葬祭応用 戸籍kosekithe family register

冠婚葬祭応用 散骨sankotsuscattering ashes at sea, and the rules around it

冠婚葬祭応用 出産と里帰りsatogaeri shussangoing home to your mother to give birth

冠婚葬祭応用 墓じまいhakajimaiclosing a family grave

マナー応用 エレベーターの作法elevator etiquettewho stands where and who presses the buttons

マナー応用 公共の場での化粧makeup in publicwhy it is frowned on

マナー応用 上座kamizathe seat of honor

現代の暮らし応用 アイヌthe Ainuthe indigenous people of northern Japan, recognized in law only in 2019

現代の暮らし応用 お薬手帳okusuri techothe personal medication record book

現代の暮らし応用 ゲートボールgateballthe team game invented in Japan for children, now played by the old

現代の暮らし応用 印鑑証明inkan-shomeithe certificate proving your registered seal is genuine

現代の暮らし応用 沖縄の米軍基地US bases in Okinawawhy most US military facilities in Japan are on one small island

現代の暮らし応用 技能実習と育成就労technical intern trainingthe foreign worker program Japan is replacing after years of criticism

現代の暮らし応用 教科書検定と歴史認識textbook screeninghow Japanese textbooks are approved, and why neighboring countries react

現代の暮らし応用 献血kenketsugiving blood in Japan

現代の暮らし応用 原発と再稼働nuclear power in Japanwhat happened to Japan's reactors after 2011, and where policy stands now

現代の暮らし応用 孤独死kodokushidying alone and not being found

現代の暮らし応用 皇位継承imperial successionwho can become emperor, and the shortage of people who qualify

現代の暮らし応用 死刑capital punishmentwhy Japan still has capital punishment, and how it is carried out

現代の暮らし応用 住民票juminhyothe address registration that everything else depends on

現代の暮らし応用 奨学金shogakukinthe word that means scholarship but usually means student loan

現代の暮らし応用 待機児童taiki jidochildren on the waiting list for daycare

現代の暮らし応用 同性婚same-sex marriagewhy Japan has partnership systems in most cities but no legal marriage

現代の暮らし応用 難民認定refugee recognitionwhy Japan recognizes so few refugees, and what changed in 2023

現代の暮らし応用 入管の収容immigration detentionwhy Japan can hold people without a time limit or a court order

現代の暮らし応用 部落差別buraku discriminationdiscrimination against people linked to certain communities, based on ancestry alone

現代の暮らし応用 靖国神社Yasukuni Shrinethe Tokyo shrine for Japan's war dead, and why prime ministers' visits are disputed

季節応用 国立公園national parksJapan's national parks, where people live and work inside

季節応用 山岳信仰sangaku shinkoworship of mountains

季節応用 獣害jugaicrop damage by deer, boar and bears

季節応用 苔kokemoss

季節応用 日本の水nihon no mizuJapan's paradox of abundant but scarce water

温泉応用 混浴konyokua mixed-sex bath, now rare

温泉応用 泉質senshitsutypes of hot spring water

温泉応用 湯治tojistaying at a hot spring to recover

温泉応用 秘湯hitoa remote, hard-to-reach hot spring

名所応用 阿蘇山Mount Asothe active volcano in Kyushu with fifty thousand people living inside its caldera

名所応用 熊野古道Kumano Kodothe old pilgrimage routes through the mountains south of Osaka

名所応用 軍艦島gunkanjimathe abandoned coal island off Nagasaki

名所応用 青函トンネルseikan tunnelthe undersea tunnel joining Honshu and Hokkaido

名所応用 知床Shiretokothe northeastern peninsula where drift ice reaches its southern limit

名所応用 鳥取砂丘Tottori Sand Dunesthe large coastal dunes on the Japan Sea, often mistaken for a desert

名所応用 直島Naoshimathe small island in the Inland Sea turned into a contemporary art site

名所応用 百舌鳥・古市古墳群mozu furuichi kofunthe giant keyhole tombs you cannot go inside

ポップカルチャー応用 演歌enkasentimental Japanese ballads

ポップカルチャー応用 深夜アニメshinya animelate-night anime

ポップカルチャー応用 聖地巡礼seichi junreivisiting places from anime

ポップカルチャー応用 特撮tokusatsulive-action special effects shows

ポップカルチャー応用 宝塚歌劇団Takarazuka Revuethe all-female musical theater company

神道応用 御朱印goshuina calligraphic seal stamped at a shrine or temple

神道応用 国家神道kokka shintothe state administration of shrines from 1868 to 1945

神道応用 榊と玉串sakaki and tamagushithe evergreen branch offered in Shinto rites

神道応用 氏神と氏子ujigami and ujikothe local guardian deity and its parishioners

神道応用 式年遷宮shikinen sengurebuilding the shrine every twenty years

神道応用 社号shagowhy shrines are called jingu, taisha or jinja

神道応用 修験道shugendothe mountain ascetic tradition and its yamabushi

神道応用 祝詞noritothe formal prayer read by a priest

神道応用 神楽kaguradance offered to the gods

神道応用 神社の建築shrine architecturehow to read the buildings of a Shinto shrine

神道応用 神仏習合shinbutsu shugothe long blending of Shinto and Buddhism

神道応用 神無月kannazukithe month the gods are away

神道応用 神様の数え方counting kamiwhy Japanese counts gods with the word for pillar

神道応用 神饌と直会shinsen and naoraithe food offered to a deity and the meal shared afterwards

神道応用 八幡宮hachimangushrines of the warrior deity

神道応用 例大祭reitaisaia shrine's own most important annual festival

神道応用 禊misogipurifying yourself with water

仕事応用 根回しと稟議nemawashi and ringihow decisions actually get made

仕事応用 終身雇用shushin koyolifetime employment

仕事応用 出向shukkobeing loaned to another company

仕事応用 春闘shuntothe spring wage round

仕事応用 退職代行taishoku daikoservices that quit your job for you

仕事応用 単身赴任tanshin funintransferring without the family

仕事応用 定年と再雇用teinenmandatory retirement age and rehiring

仕事応用 島型デスクisland desksthe open office facing each other

仕事応用 報連相horensoreport, contact, consult