JapanHistory

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

September 18 is “Shimakutuba Day”: The Lost Words of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the Memory of “Kotodama”

Discover the deep history of Okinawa's "Shimakutuba Day" on September 18. Explore the Ryukyu Kingdom, the tragedy of dialect cards, the concept of Kotodama, and the modern fight to save Japan's endangered indigenous languages.
2026.09.18
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series
Japanese Culture

Japan’s Publishing Culture: High Literacy, Bunkobon, and Shinsho

Discover the secrets behind Japan's unique publishing culture, from the high literacy rates of the Edo period to the pocket-sized Bunkobon and Shinsho books.
2026.08.01
Japanese Culture
Japanese Culture

Introduction: The Global Misconception of Japan as an “Atheist Nation”

Discover the powerful truth behind the myth that Japanese people are atheists. Explore the deep connection between Shinto, ancestor worship, and the Buddhist concept of Alaya-vijnana.
2026.07.04
Japanese Culture