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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.
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 Ha Origin: The Secret Splash of the Great Wave!
The H-family begins with the Hiragana Ha (は), transforming from the complex wave symbol 波 into a simpler form, reflecting speed, style, and artistic expression.
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Hiragana No Origin: The Secret of the Magic Swirl!
In the final “N-family” adventure, Junior Detectives learn about Hiragana No, its origins, transformation, and significance in Japanese writing and culture.
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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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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