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The Magical Tale of “O”
The post explores the history of the Japanese character “お,” which originated from the complex Chinese character “於.” Initially depicting a bird on a nest, “於” evolved in meaning and sound. As Japanese scholars created their writing system, they adopted “於” for the “o” sound. To streamline writing, scribes simplified the character over time into the elegant “お” we recognize today. This transformation illustrates the blend of beauty and practicality in the evolution of the Japanese language and its writing systems.
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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Hiragana To : The Secret Gate to a “Door”! Ultimate guide
The Hiragana To “と” in Character originates from the Chinese character “斗,” evolving from a complex shape into a quicker, simpler form for efficient writing.
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Hiragana Te Origin: The Simple Secret of “Hand”!
In today’s lesson, we explore the hiragana Te (て), its origins from the kanji 手 meaning “hand,” and its evolution for simplicity and beauty in writing.
Let’s cook Japanese food
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Fun cooking Japanese Curry Rice: Step by Step Guide
Japanese curry rice, or “kare raisu,” is a beloved comfort food, rich in tradition and customization, celebrated for its unique flavors and adaptable recipes.
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The Art of Miso Soup: A Simple Guide to a Japanese Staple
Miso soup is a cherished Japanese dish with a rich history, known for its comforting flavor and health benefits, suitable for numerous variations and recipes.
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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