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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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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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Japanese words! The Story Behind し: A Hiragana Adventure
The character し (shi) in hiragana evolved from the kanji 之, reflecting Japan’s writing history and serving as an essential building block for learning Japanese.
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Origin of さ: The Story of Japanese Smiling Letter
The character “さ” in Japanese, derived from the Chinese “左,” evolved from sharp lines to playful curves, embodying history and joy in learning for children.
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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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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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…
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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