1878 – 1942 与謝野晶子 Yosano Akiko The revolutionary Tanka poet, progenitor of 50,000 works and mother of twelve children . The Literary Awakening of a Merchant’s Daughter Born December 7, 1878, in Sakai City, Osaka, to a family running a prosperous traditional confectionery shop, Surugaya. Her given name was Shiyou. Though raised in a merchant-class setting, her household fostered a strong cultural atmosphere thanks to her father’s extensive book collection. From a young age, Shiyou was exposed to classical arts, including the koto and shamisen, alongside rigorous studies at a Chinese classics school, where she learned Confucianism and Zhu Xi…
View More JAPANESE SAMURAI /Yosano AkikoCategory: LEARNJAPAN
Japan Now! What Is Typhoon Season in Japan, and Should Travelers Worry? (6/25)
If you are planning a summer trip to Japan, you have probably pictured warm evenings, festivals, and clear skies over Mt. Fuji. Here is something that does not always make the travel brochures. Summer is also typhoon season, and right now two of them are spinning near Japan at the same time. If you are visiting between roughly June and October, this is worth understanding before you go. Quick Answer: Japan’s typhoon season runs from about June through October, with the peak in August and September. Typhoons are powerful tropical storms (the Pacific cousin of hurricanes) that can bring extreme…
View More Japan Now! What Is Typhoon Season in Japan, and Should Travelers Worry? (6/25)Japan Now! Why Did Male Artists Just Sweep ALL 10 of Japan’s Mid-Year Music Charts? (6/24)
Japan’s Oricon 2026 Mid-Year Ranking is out, and all 10 sales charts went to male artists. See why BTS, Kenshi Yonezu, Arashi, Snow Man and more topped the list.
View More Japan Now! Why Did Male Artists Just Sweep ALL 10 of Japan’s Mid-Year Music Charts? (6/24)Japan Now! Why a Tiny Japanese Rubber Stamp Just Took Down Asia’s Biggest Cyber-Crime Syndicate (6/22)
If you have been following global security news, you likely know that the US and UK governments recently slapped heavy economic sanctions on the Prince Group—a massive, Cambodia-based Chinese conglomerate flagged as one of Asia’s largest criminal syndicates. But today, the story took an unexpected turn right in the heart of Tokyo. On June 22, 2026, Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested a top executive of this notorious group. The charge? Legally speaking, it is “making and using a false entry in an official electromagnetic record.” In plain English: falsifying official corporate registry documents to hide their tracks. “【BREAKING】Executive of One of…
View More Japan Now! Why a Tiny Japanese Rubber Stamp Just Took Down Asia’s Biggest Cyber-Crime Syndicate (6/22)Want to Work at Anime Expo? How to Find Short Term Jobs in LA!
Every July, Los Angeles lights up for Anime Expo, the largest Japanese pop culture event in North America. Around 400,000 fans flood the Los Angeles Convention Center for cosplay, panels, merch, and some seriously good Japanese food. If you love anime and Japanese culture, here’s something you might not have considered: you don’t have to attend just as a fan. You can be part of the team that makes it happen. In this article, we’ll walk through the kinds of short-term jobs that pop up around Anime Expo, and how to find them, even if your Japanese is limited or…
View More Want to Work at Anime Expo? How to Find Short Term Jobs in LA!Japan Now! Why is Japan Quintupling Its Visa Fees? The Story Behind the Massive 2026 Price Hike 🇯🇵 (6/19)
For decades, Japan has been the ultimate dream destination for American travelers, offering stunning temples, unmatched hospitality, and in recent years, an incredibly favorable exchange rate due to the weak yen. But Japan visa fees are about to change in a big way. A major financial update from Tokyo is currently making headlines across Japan, and it’s something every future traveler and expat needs to know. Starting July 1, 2026, the Japanese government will implement a massive hike in foreigner visa fees, marking the first major overhaul of its kind since 1978. “【Announcement】Visa fees for foreigners to be raised 5…
View More Japan Now! Why is Japan Quintupling Its Visa Fees? The Story Behind the Massive 2026 Price Hike 🇯🇵 (6/19)Japan Now! Why Mt. Fuji is About to Send Reckless Hikers the Bill (6/18)
Mt. Fuji is the ultimate postcard image of Japan, drawing hundreds of thousands of hikers every year. But behind those serene sunrise photos lies a growing, costly crisis. Local authorities in Shizuoka Prefecture are officially moving to end “free” rescue operations during the off-season. From now on, if you ignore the warnings and get stuck, the bill is yours. “【Accidents Successive】Shizuoka Prefecture to Formally Discuss “Charging for Rescues” on Mt. Fuji During the Off-Season Currently, the cost of rescue operations for stranded climbers is borne by local governments. The Mayor of Fujinomiya urged for the monetization of off-season rescues, stating,…
View More Japan Now! Why Mt. Fuji is About to Send Reckless Hikers the Bill (6/18)Japan Now! Why Local Cities are Pressing “Stop” on the Airbnb Boom? (6/17)
If you are planning a trip to Japan, your Airbnb booking might be at risk. Japan is currently facing a massive turning point regarding Minpaku—the Japanese term for private home rentals like Airbnb. For years, the Japanese government encouraged these rentals to help welcome the world. But in a sudden and dramatic shift, the Japan Tourism Agency is about to allow local governments to effectively ban Minpaku entirely in their areas. “The Airbnb ban is finally HERE!!! [Local Governments Will Be Allowed to Effectively Ban Short-Term Rentals] Japan Tourism Agency to Issue Notice, Shifting Policy Due to Rising Troubles” Why…
View More Japan Now! Why Local Cities are Pressing “Stop” on the Airbnb Boom? (6/17)Japan Now! Why Japan’s “Samurai Blue” Turned Adversity Into a Historic 2–2 Draw with the Netherlands (6/16)
Across Japan today, the Samurai Blue’s 2-2 draw against the powerhouse Netherlands in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener has sent shockwaves through the country. It is dominating morning talk shows, trending on social media, and fueling office water-cooler chatter. To understand why a tie is being celebrated like a victory, you have to look at the sheer adversity the Japanese team, affectionately known as the Samurai Blue, faced just days before stepping onto the pitch in Dallas. “🔹MATCH OVER🔹️🏆FIFA World Cup 2026™ ⚔Group Stage Matchday 1🇯🇵SAMURAI BLUE 2-2 Netherlands National Team🇳🇱“ Japan’s Hidden Depth and Heartbreaking Setbacks The Captain’s…
View More Japan Now! Why Japan’s “Samurai Blue” Turned Adversity Into a Historic 2–2 Draw with the Netherlands (6/16)Japan Now! Why Elon Musk Is Being Reimagined as an Anime Character 🇯🇵 (6/12)
Move over, “Billionaire.” Today, June 12, 2026, Elon Musk officially became the world’s first Trillionaire thanks to the SpaceX IPO. While Wall Street is doing boring financial math, the Japanese internet is currently having a collective meltdown over this news. Why? Because to the Japanese public, Elon Musk didn’t just get richer—he officially achieved the status of a fictional anime villain. “Elon Musk set to become the world’s first “trillionaire” as SpaceX IPO pushes net worth above $1 trillionElon Musk, CEO of U.S. space company SpaceX, is expected to become a “trillionaire” (a person with a net worth exceeding $1…
View More Japan Now! Why Elon Musk Is Being Reimagined as an Anime Character 🇯🇵 (6/12)Japan Now! Why Are They “Blue”? Japan is Buzzing as the World Cup Kicks Off! 🇯🇵 (6/11)
The wait is officially over, the opening ceremony has wrapped up, and the world’s biggest sporting event is finally underway!Japan’s national soccer team has a famous nickname: “Samurai Blue.” But here is a curious mystery. Japan’s flag is strictly red and white, so why does the team wear bright blue? The answer is one of the most beloved stories in Japanese sports. “#FIFAWorldCup The Opening Ceremony has wrapped up! 👏Up next at 4:00: The opening match between host nation 🇲🇽Mexico and 🇿🇦South Africa!Catch the live broadcast on DAZN and NHK General!📺 The ultimate battle begins now, with a record-breaking 48…
View More Japan Now! Why Are They “Blue”? Japan is Buzzing as the World Cup Kicks Off! 🇯🇵 (6/11)Japan Now! Why Japan’s Summer Heat Isn’t Letting Up Even After El Niño Arrived? 🇯🇵 (6/10)
Japanese summer conjures up images of traditional festivals in Kyoto or vibrant fireworks in Tokyo. However, summer in Japan is currently facing a severe shift, driven by the powerful effects of El Niño. What is El Niño? According to meteorological data, El Niño conditions—warmer ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific—have officially developed. Historically, El Niño brought cooler summers to Japan. However, combined with modern global warming, the weather patterns have flipped. Japan’s rainy season ended early, trapping the islands under a massive heatwave. Japan’s “Sauna” Weather Unlike the dry, manageable summer heat of California, Japan’s summer is defined by extreme…
View More Japan Now! Why Japan’s Summer Heat Isn’t Letting Up Even After El Niño Arrived? 🇯🇵 (6/10)