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Ultimate way to Learn Japanese! Watch, Read, Speak! Word “あ”
A new YouTube channel launched a video to teach Japanese pronunciation through engaging visuals and audio, designed to complement a series of picture books.
Blogs
Let’s practice Japanese
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🌟 New YouTube Video Released! Learn Japanese “E” Words
A new YouTube video from “Picture this: Japanese Words!” teaches Japanese words starting with the sound え (E) to improve pronunciation and vocabulary.
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NEW! Hiragana ‘U’ Sound: Video Practice & Mastery Hub OPEN!
A new YouTube video for practicing Japanese Hiragana focuses on words starting with the ‘U’ sound, enhancing vocabulary and pronunciation skills for learners.
History of Japanese alphabet: Hiragana
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Discover the History Behind Japanese Character ‘え’
The post explores the fascinating history of the Japanese character “え,” which represents the “e” sound. Originally, this character was derived from the ancient Chinese character “衣,” meaning “clothes” or “garment.” It reflects the robe-like shape of its ancestor. As Japan developed its writing system, scribes chose “衣” for its phonetic similarity but found it cumbersome for frequent use. Thus, they simplified the character over time, creating the streamlined “え” used today. The evolution of “え” exemplifies how languages adapt for efficiency, transforming over centuries from a detailed symbol into an easy-to-write character.
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The Ultimate “U” Story: From a Feather to a Simple Shape!
The character “う” (oo) in the Japanese alphabet has an intriguing history, tracing back to the Chinese character “宇” (yǔ). Originally meaning “eaves” or “roof,” “宇” symbolized the vast concept of “the whole world” or “universe.” Japanese scholars adopted this character to represent the sound “u.” However, due to its complexity, writing “宇” became cumbersome. To make it easier and faster, scribes simplified the character into the smoother, more fluid “う” we use today. This transformation highlights how an ancient symbol of the universe was refined into a simple letter.
Let’s cook Japanese food
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Sukiyaki Secrets: A Magical Japanese Feast with Recipe Guide
Sukiyaki is a traditional Japanese hot pot dish featuring beef and vegetables in a sweet-salty broth, embodying communal dining and cultural significance.
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How to Make Onigiri: Japan’s Fun Rice Balls
Onigiri, a cherished Japanese rice ball, has a rich history, diverse fillings, and embodies comfort food, making it a fun, family-friendly meal.
Shimmy-J Designs
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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…
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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
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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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