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History of Japanese alphabet: Hiragana

  • The Evolution of Japanese Hiragana: The Story of く

    The Evolution of Japanese Hiragana: The Story of く

    The character “く” evolved from the complex Chinese symbol “久,” simplifying Japanese writing while retaining meaning.

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  • The Secret Story of “Ki”

    The Secret Story of “Ki”

    The character “き” (kee) in the Japanese hiragana system evolved from the complex Chinese character “幾” (jī). Originally meaning “how many,” “幾” was simplified by Japanese scribes for practicality, transforming into the elegant “き” we use today. This reflects the evolution of language towards beauty and efficiency in writing.

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Let’s cook Japanese food

Shimmy-J Designs

  • Unleash Quiet Strength: Stunning Hiragana 'I' Samurai Tee

    Unleash Quiet Strength: Stunning Hiragana ‘I’ Samurai Tee

    The Power of Intention: Discovering “Quiet Strength” with the Hiragana ‘I’ Tee Following the vibrant “first breath” of our ‘A’ design, we are proud to introduce the second piece in our Kotodama Series: the Hiragana ‘I’ (い) T-shirt. In Japanese culture, the sound “I” often resonates with two profound words: Ishi (意志 – Will/Intention) and…

  • Japanese Hiragana “A” T-Shirt – The First Breath, Where Everything Begins | Minimal Sunrise Spiritual Tee | Kotodama Series

    Experience the Soul of Japan: Stunning Hiragana ‘A’ Tee

    Wear the Spirit: Discovering “Kotodama” with the Hiragana ‘A’ Tee When you think of Japanese fashion, what comes to mind? Is it the sleek minimalism of Tokyo or the intricate patterns of a traditional kimono? While those are iconic, there is a deeper, more invisible layer to Japanese culture that we’ve captured in our latest…

J-RPG

  • Dragon Quest III HD-2D: Why This Legend is Still a Must-Play in 2026

    Dragon Quest III HD-2D: Why This Legend is Still a Must-Play

    The Legend Reborn: Why Dragon Quest III HD-2D is a Modern JRPG Masterclass The “legend” has finally returned, and it’s more vibrant than ever. Originally released in late 2024, the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake continues to dominate the conversation in 2026. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge tech, this…

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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