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Takehotaru: New Samurai Bamboo T-Shirt Drops
Our new samurai bamboo t-shirt captures a full moon rising over a bamboo grove, with fireflies drifting through the dark like scattered embers, while a lone samurai stands perfectly still, taking it all in. This is Takehotaru — chapter two of our Samurai Four Seasons series, and summer has officially arrived. Our New Samurai Bamboo T-Shirt: “Takehotaru” (竹蛍) Some of the best Japanese words are the ones that capture a moment you didn’t know had a name. 竹蛍 (takehotaru) — literally “bamboo fireflies” — is one of them. It’s that specific, quiet magic of a summer night deep in a…
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Let’s practice Japanese
History of Japanese alphabet: Hiragana
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Hiragana He Origin: The Secret of the Pointy Mountain!
The Hiragana He evolved from the complex Chinese character “部,” illustrating the transformation from a busy building to a simple, swift stroke.
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Hiragana Fu Origin: The Secret of the Flying Bird!
The hiragana Fu (ふ) symbolizes lightness and breeziness, stemming from its ancient ancestor 不, transforming from a bird to a floating artistic representation.
Let’s cook Japanese food
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Fluffy Castella Cake: The Ultimate Guide of making castella
Castella Cake is a beloved Japanese dessert with European origins, known for its moist texture. It offers a delightful pairing with green tea or coffee.
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Dashimaki Tamago Omelet: Ultimate Bliss from Hidden Japan
Dashimaki Tamago is a Japanese rolled omelet known for its fluffy texture and umami flavor from dashi stock, becoming a family favorite and a bento box staple.
Shimmy-J Designs
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Takehotaru: New Samurai Bamboo T-Shirt Drops
Our new samurai bamboo t-shirt captures a full moon rising over a bamboo grove, with fireflies drifting through the dark like scattered embers, while a lone samurai stands perfectly still, taking it all in. This is Takehotaru — chapter two of our Samurai Four Seasons series, and summer has officially arrived. Our New Samurai Bamboo…
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Sakura Fubuki: New Samurai Cherry Blossom Tee
“Sakura Fubuki” is a new samurai-themed shirt celebrating cherry blossom season. Its design reflects fleeting beauty, featuring a lone ronin beneath a cherry tree and Mount Fuji.
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Find Your Connection: Captivating Hiragana ‘E’ Soul Tee
Our journey through the spiritual alphabet of Japan continues. After exploring the “First Breath” of あ (A), the “Quiet Strength” of い (I), and the “Rising Wave” of う (U), we now arrive at a character that represents the beauty of how we interact with the world: Hiragana ‘E’ (え). The Kotodama of “E”: Resonance…
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The Ultimate Flow: Discover a Powerful Hiragana ‘U’ T-shirt
Ride the Surge: The Creative Energy of the Hiragana ‘U’ T-shirt Following the “First Breath” of あ (A) and the “Quiet Strength” of い (I), the third chapter of our Kotodama journey has arrived. We are excited to reveal the Hiragana ‘U’ (う) T-shirt, a design that captures the unstoppable momentum of life itself. The…
J-RPG
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Trails in the Sky the 1st: The Heartfelt JRPG
Trails in the Sky the 1st is a heartfelt JRPG that combines a rich story of personal growth with strategic gameplay, making it a must-play for RPG fans.
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The Roots of Greatness: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
The Legend is Complete: Why Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D is an Absolute Must-Play in 2026 The journey that defined a genre has finally been reborn. Following the massive success of the DQIII remake, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D has arrived to show us where it all began. If you’re ready to see…
こんにちは。
I’m Shimachan

Welcome to “Picture this: Japanese words”!
Hello there! My name is Shimachan.
This picture book series was born from my wish to make learning Japanese fun for everyone. I’ve designed it so that even if you’ve never heard a word of Japanese before, you can learn by looking at the pictures, almost like singing a song or playing a game.
You’ll learn not only pronunciation, but also the unique pitch accent of Japanese, which is shown visually so you can understand it even without a native Japanese speaker by your side. Feel free to share the book with your family and friends and have fun saying the words out loud together!
Now, let’s start our Japanese adventure!
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