Welcome fellow Japanophiles, to the 3rd issue of the Hai Japan Newsletter — your Weekly Dose of Japan!

Before our issue begins, did you know…

that the number 4 is an unlucky number in Japan as it is sometimes pronounced ‘shi’, which is another word for death.

So don’t even reference this depressing number once you’re in Japan!

In today’s email:

• Japan is Letting You Graduate High School as an Anime character.

• First Literature class - Kokoro

• The anime/manga that I’m currently watching and want to watch.

• Cool pictures, grammar tidbits, and more!

This newsletter follows the K.A.W.A.I.I format which is a format I made up which you’ll figure out as you read. Again, thank you to you all for your kind words! I’ve received great reception to this project and I’m eternally grateful.

You’re all free to reply to this newsletter to share any thoughts or opinions you may have.

Now without further ramblings, enjoy!😁 

— Oh! This is coming out soon by the way:

Now let’s start!

"This girl has big eyes and blue hair" can be translated as:

この女の子は大きな目と青い髪をしています。 (Kono onnanoko wa ōkina me to aoi kami o shiteimasu.)

• この (Kono): This is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this." It indicates that we are talking about a specific girl that is near the speaker or the listener.

• 女の子 (Onnanoko): This means "girl." It consists of two parts: 女 (Onna), which means "woman," and の子 (no ko), which is a suffix meaning "child" or "girl."

• は (Wa): This is a topic marker that indicates the topic of the sentence, which in this case is "this girl."

• 大きな (Ōkina): This is an adjectival phrase meaning "big" or "large." It is modifying the noun 目 (me), which means "eyes."

• 目 (Me): This means "eyes."

• と (To): This is a particle used to connect nouns. Here, it is connecting the two nouns 目 (me, "eyes") and 青い髪 (aoi kami, "blue hair").

• 青い (Aoi): This is an adjectival phrase meaning "blue." It is modifying the noun 髪 (kami), which means "hair."

• 髪 (Kami): This means "hair."

• をしています (O shiteimasu): This is a verb phrase that combines the particle を (o) with the verb する (suru, "to do") in its progressive form しています (shiteimasu, "is/are doing"). In this context, it means "has" or "is sporting."

In Japanese, "This girl looks very friendly. What is her name?" can be translated as:

この女の子はとても親しみやすそうですね。名前は何ですか？ (Kono onnanoko wa totemo shitashimiyasusō desu ne. Namae wa nan desu ka?)

Let's break down the grammar:

1. この (Kono): "This," indicating a specific girl.

2. 女の子 (Onnanoko): "Girl."

3. は (Wa): Topic marker indicating the subject of the sentence.

4. とても (Totemo): "Very."

5. 親しみやすそう (Shitashimiyasusō): "Friendly-looking." This is an adjectival phrase made up of the stem 親しみやすい (shitashimiyasui, "friendly") and the auxiliary verb そう (sō), which indicates that something appears to be a certain way based on observation.

6. ですね (Desu ne): Polite ending used to seek agreement or confirmation. It can be translated as "isn't it?" or "don't you think?"

7. 名前 (Namae): "Name."

8. 何 (Nan): "What."

9. ですか (Desu ka): Polite question marker. It turns the statement into a question, asking "What is?"

In Japanese, "Look! It's the Tokyo Tower!" can be translated as:

見て！東京タワー！ (Mite! Tōkyō Tawā!)

Let's break down the grammar:

1. 見て (Mite): "Look!" This is the imperative form of the verb 見る (miru, "to see/look").

2. 東京タワー (Tōkyō Tawā): "Tokyo Tower." This is the name of the famous landmark in Tokyo.

"What are these animals called?" can be translated as:

これらの動物は何と呼ばれていますか？ (Korerano dōbutsu wa nan to yobareteimasu ka?)

Let's break down the grammar:

1. これらの (Korerano): "These." This is a demonstrative pronoun indicating a group of objects near the speaker.

2. 動物 (Dōbutsu): "Animals."

3. は (Wa): Topic marker indicating the subject of the sentence.

4. 何と (Nan to): "What." This is used to ask for the name or title of something.

5. 呼ばれていますか (Yobareteimasu ka): "Are called." This is the passive form of the verb 呼ぶ (yobu, "to call"). The passive form is used here because we are asking about the name by which the animals are known. The ています (teimasu) form indicates the present continuous tense, and か (ka) is the question marker.

Anime I am currently watching:

• Dr Stone (Season 3, Episode 1) - After a long hiatus I am finally going to continue with the third season of Dr Stone. The end of the 2nd season didn’t really excite me enough to jump on this season as soon as it released but I still think it’s a cool anime. If you haven’t watched it, please do!

• Ranking of Kings (Season 2 episode 1) - I love this anime so much!

• Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Season 1, Episode 13) - I’m getting into it.

• One Piece (Season 14, Episode 1092) - Really good.

• Sleepy Princess (Season 1, episode 2) - Promising.

• Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun ( Season 3, episode 3) - A comedy anime about a human who attends a Demon School. If you’re looking to for a funny anime with cool characters, then I suggest this! This’ll tickle your funny bone definitely.

• SPY x FAMILY (Season 1, episode 4) - This may be a controversial opinion but I’m not feeling it so far. The only reason I started watching it is because it is so wildly praised, but I am yet to see the appeal.

• MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES (Season 2, Episode 17) - THE BEST!

A TV show I am currently watching:

Tokyo Vice:

Based on a true story, Tokyo Vice is a TV show which has garnered critical acclaim since its initial release in 2022. It follows Jake Adelstein, an American journalist who plugs into the Tokyo Vice police squad and descends into the neon underbelly of Tokyo. After seeing some clips on social media and listening to my friends drone on about it, I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and watch the show. I am very excited.

Manga I am reading:

I chose these two mangas because they contrasted each other very well. One is very heavy while the other is about stand-up comedy. I won’t be too depressed but also not too happy! A perfect balance! Or is it?

Getting Serious with Shodo: Learning Japanese Calligraphy

Combine your love of kanji and art by becoming a calligraphy master. 

Shodo: The Art of Japanese Calligraphy

Your first encounter with Japanese culture and kanji might lead you to shodo, or Japanese calligraphy.

Watching calligraphy masters is mesmerizing, but trying it yourself can be challenging. Yet, if you're determined, you can excel. Here's how:

Casual vs. Committed Practice

For casual practice or exploring art styles, you can use suisho youshi (water writing paper) or fude pens (brush pens) without committing much time or fancy equipment. Alternatively, get proper equipment from hundred-yen shops.

For serious mastery, consider a calligraphy certification. It suits casual hobbyists, allowing you to work towards recognized "calligrapher" status without daily commitments.

Shodo Grading

Similar to karate, shodo has ranks: 10 kyu to 1 kyu, then 1 dan to 6 dan. Your teacher can submit your work for grading. No test is needed until master or teacher level, but you must pass with specific pieces.

You become a calligrapher at 1-dan and a master or teacher at 6-dan, qualifying as an instructor or assistant instructor.

Essential Equipment

Join a school for grading through their online or in-person registration. Essential tools include:

• Fude (brush)

• Bokuju (liquid ink) or sumi (ink stick)

• Suzuri (inkstone or inkwell)

• Bunchin (paperweight)

• Shitajiki (undercloth)

Common Concerns and Misconceptions

• Is shodo expensive? Classes start from ¥2,000. Cheaper equipment works for practice; use nicer materials for submissions or display.

• Can foreigners get certified? Yes, non-Japanese students can earn certifications and become teachers.

• Is shodo difficult? It's no more difficult than any other art form. Regular practice shows progress.

• Do I need to know Japanese characters for shodo? No, you can start without knowing kanji.

Where to Learn Shodo

• Local calligraphy schools: Ideal for interactive learning and certification in Japan.

• Seisho school (Osaka and online): Offers English-taught courses and helps students worldwide get certified.

• Ikusui Calligraphy School (Tokyo only): Teaches from basics upwards in Tokyo.

• Nihon Shodo Association (Japanese only): Offers lessons in Japan or correspondence classes worldwide.

• Aeon culture club: Good for introductory classes.

• YouTube channel – Japanese Calligrapher Takumi: For self-study initially, but register for certification later.

Have you tried Japanese calligraphy without knowing any Japanese? Share your experience!

Japan to get first “metaverse high school,” students will attend using 3D anime avatars 

Japanese VR and metaverse developer AOMINEXT has unveiled plans to establish the first metaverse high school in Japan, offering a fully virtual educational experience. Through this innovative system, students will attend classes remotely using personalized 3D avatars and will graduate with regular high school diplomas.

AOMINEXT's collaboration with Yushi International High School aims to create a metaverse correspondence school with a three-year, credit-based course accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Graduates of this virtual high school will receive diplomas equivalent to those earned by traditional high school graduates. To facilitate participation, students will receive VR equipment free of charge, enabling them to attend classes from anywhere in Japan or abroad. They will navigate the virtual school environment using 3D avatars, which can be customized according to their preferences.

Emphasizing freedom from physical constraints, the school's official website promotes the opportunity to "be yourself without being constrained by your appearance," allowing students to focus on their studies without concerns about gender, appearance, or insecurities. An introductory video showcases the virtual school building and classroom, featuring diverse avatars engaged in class activities and interactions. In addition to standard high school subjects, the curriculum will include education on virtual reality and metaverse creation. The school plans to foster engagement through virtual homeroom sessions, e-sports tournaments, and virtual school festivals.

The metaverse high school is currently seeking prospective students and will accept mid-year transfers, offering a unique and cutting-edge approach to education in Japan.

Terrace House:

Terrace House was a popular Japanese reality TV show which amassed a large international following for not only its unconventional approach the reality television format but also for an intimate look at the daily lives of Japanese people. It revolved around an ensemble of six men & women moving into a large house together. Romance. Unexaggerated drama. Interesting storylines. This show had everything. In my opinion, it truly shined with its celebrity hosts (above) who would, every episode, hilariously discuss the events twice an episode. After many hours of watching this show, I am finally approaching its end. I say ‘finally’ because it’s embarrassing how many hours of my life I’ve devoted to this show. I might take up Calligraphy now that I’ve got more time on my hands. Anyway, if you’re looking to kill time whilst learning more about Japanese culture then I recommend you check out this show on Netflix, but please watching if you’ve got nothing going on lmao.

Music I’m listening to:

Pizzicato Five is essential listening for anyone interested in Japanese pop music.

They were a Japanese pop band fomed in 1979 by Yasuharu Konishi and Keitarou Takanami, and after some personnel changes in the late 1980s they gained international fame as a duo consisting of Konishi and Maki Nomiya.

Their music is some of the most energetic, and entertaining I’ve heard in the genre. You can tell they had fun filming each music, recording each song, and never taking themselves too seriously. Plenty of personality!

My favorite songs are “Telepathy” and:

If you’re looking for more, listen to this:

Introduction to Our Book: Kokoro

In this third edition of our newsletter, we embark on a journey into the world of Japanese literature with the renowned novel "Kokoro." Written by Natsume Sōseki, a prominent figure in modern Japanese literature, "Kokoro" is a timeless classic that delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships.

Despite its literary depth, "Kokoro" is accessible to readers of various levels. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, this book offers valuable insights into Japanese culture and language. Each chapter presents an opportunity to learn and grow, making it an ideal choice for our study group.

About the Author: Natsume Sōseki

Natsume Sōseki, born Natsume Kinnosuke, was a Japanese novelist active in the Meiji period. He is widely regarded as one of Japan's greatest modern writers, known for his insightful portrayals of the human condition. His works often explore themes of identity, alienation, and societal change, making them both thought-provoking and engaging.

Text Extract with Furigana

私はその人を常に先生と呼んでいた。だからここでもただ先生と書くだけで本名は打ち明けない。これは世間を憚かる遠慮というよりも、その方が私にとって自然だからである。私はその人の記憶を呼び起すごとに、すぐ「先生」といいたくなる。筆を執っても心持は同じ事である。よそよそしい頭文字などはとても使う気にならない。

Book One - Sensei and I

I always called him Sensei. Herein, therefore, I will write of him as Sensei and not use his true name. It's not so much that I fear how the world may judge him, but rather that it feels to me more natural. Whenever I think of him, the word "Sensei" immediately forms on my lips. As I take up my pen, the same feeling arises. To use an initial, or some such detached term, would be to make him a stranger.

To facilitate your reading experience, we have provided a link to a website where you can find the text of "Kokoro" with Furigana. Furigana are small hiragana characters placed above kanji to aid in pronunciation, particularly helpful for learners who may not yet be familiar with all the kanji used in the text. You can access the text with furigana here.

Analysis and Discussion

1. Vocabulary:

   • 先生 (sensei) - teacher/master

   • 呼んでいた (yonde ita) - was calling

   • 打ち明けない (uchiakenai) - not reveal

   • 世間 (seken) - society

   • 憚かる (habakaru) - to refrain

   • 遠慮 (enryo) - discretion

   • 方 (hō) - way

   • 記憶 (kioku) - memory

   • 呼び起す (yobiokosu) - to recall

   • すぐ (sugu) - immediately

   • 筆 (fude) - pen

   • 執って (totte) - taking up

   • 心持 (kimochi) - feeling

   • よそよそしい (yosoyososhii) - stiff/formal

   • 頭文字 (kashimoji) - initial letter

   • 使う気 (tsukau ki) - desire to use

   • ならない (naranai) - not feel like

2. 私はその人を常に先生と呼んでいた。 (I always referred to that person as "Sensei.")

   • This sentence uses the past progressive form 呼んでいた (yonde ita) to indicate a continuous action in the past. The use of 常に (tsune ni, "always") emphasizes the consistency of the action.

3. だからここでもただ先生と書くだけで本名は打ち明けない。 (So even here, I only write "Sensei" and do not reveal the real name.)

   • The sentence begins with だから (dakara, "so"), indicating a causal relationship with the previous statement. The verb 打ち明けない (uchiakenai, "do not reveal") is in the negative form to express the speaker's decision not to disclose the real name.

4. これは世間を憚かる遠慮というよりも、その方が私にとって自然だからである。 (This is not so much out of reluctance to face society, but rather because it feels more natural to me.)

   • The phrase 世間を憚かる遠慮 (seken o habakaru enryo, "reluctance to face society") is negated with というよりも (to iu yorimo, "rather than"), indicating that the speaker's choice is not driven by societal pressure. The sentence ends with である (de aru), a formal way to express a state or condition.

5. 私はその人の記憶を呼び起すごとに、すぐ「先生」といいたくなる。 (Every time I recall that person's memory, I immediately want to say "Sensei.")

   • The verb 呼び起す (yobiokosu, "recall") is used in the te-form 呼び起すごとに (yobiokosu goto ni) to indicate that the action occurs every time a certain condition is met. The verb いいたくなる (iitaku naru, "want to say") is in the potential form いいたくなる (iitaku naru), expressing the speaker's internal desire or inclination.

6. 筆を執っても心持は同じ事である。 (Even when I hold the pen, my feelings remain the same.)

   • The verb 執る (toru, "hold") is in the te-form 執って (totte), indicating a concurrent action. The phrase 心持は同じ事である (kokoromochi wa onaji koto de aru, "my feelings remain the same") is a formal expression to state a consistent sentiment.

7. よそよそしい頭文字などはとても使う気にならない。 (I have no intention of using formal initials, etc.)

   • The phrase よそよそしい (yosoyosoi, "formal") is used to describe 頭文字 (atamamoji, "initials"). The verb 使う気にならない (tsukau ki ni naranai, "have no intention of using") is in the negative form to express the speaker's lack of desire or intention.

Class is over!

Thank you so much for reading this far!

I hope this issue was entertaining and educational to you all. Enjoy your Sunday, and don’t miss next week’s issue!