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  • 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 Inochi (生命 – Life). While “A” is the sound of beginning, “I” is the sound of the internal flame—the steady resolve that guides our actions. The Concept: Quiet Strength Guided by Intention Our latest design is titled “Quiet Strength Guided by Intention.” Unlike the explosive…

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History of Japanese alphabet: Hiragana

  • The Wacky Tale of “I”: From a Person to a Simple Stroke!

    The Wacky Tale of “I”: From a Person to a Simple Stroke!

    The character “い” in the Japanese alphabet evolved from the Chinese character “以,” which depicted a person walking. Chosen for its similar sound, “以” was simplified over time as scribes sought efficiency in writing, leading to the fluid, easy-to-write “い” we recognize today. This highlights language’s evolution for practicality.

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  • The Fascinating History of Japanese Character ‘あ’

    The Fascinating History of Japanese Character ‘あ’

    The Japanese character “あ” originates from the complex Chinese character “安,” which means “peace.” As Japanese scribes simplified the character for ease of writing, “安” transformed into the curvy “あ” we recognize today. This evolution reflects the adaptation of language through practical needs in writing.

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  • The Power of Connection: Discover "Resonance" with the Hiragana 'E' Tee

    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…

  • The Ultimate Flow: Discover a Powerful Hiragana 'U' T-shirt

    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…

  • 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…

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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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