Learn the meaning of bushido (武士道), its kanji and pronunciation, the popular bushido code and virtues, its real history, and how the term is used in anime and modern culture.
Learn what rōnin (浪人) means in Japanese, how a samurai became masterless, what life was like for ronin, the modern student meaning, and the true history behind the 47 Ronin.
Learn the difference between seppuku and harakiri, what both Japanese words mean, their kanji and pronunciation, historical context, modern usage, and common misconceptions.
Learn what omedetou and omedetou gozaimasu mean, how to say happy birthday in Japanese, why “omedetou tanjoubi” has the wrong word order, and how to congratulate people naturally.
Learn what shiawase means in Japanese, how to write 幸せ, where the word comes from, and how it differs from ureshii, tanoshii, koufuku, and saiwai, with natural examples.
Learn what medetai means in Japanese, how to use めでたい, why it can mean auspicious or naively optimistic, its origin, kanji spellings, and differences from omedetou, shiawase, and engi ga ii.
Hello, I’m Kodak. Lanterns glow above a crowded street. Drums and flutes fill the air. People in matching coats carry a portable shrine while children buy foo
Learn essential Japanese shrine words and Shinto vocabulary, plus step-by-step shrine etiquette in Japan—from torii, temizu, and prayer to omamori, omikuji, goshuin, and matsuri.
Learn what banzai means in Japanese, why people raise both hands and shout it at celebrations, how banzai three cheers works, and how modern 万歳 differs from wartime “banzai charge.”
Learn what omikuji means, how Japanese fortune slips are ranked, how to read one, and what to do if you draw 凶 (bad luck). Includes shrine etiquette, examples, and beginner FAQs.