"How Did You Learn Japanese?"

Today one of my Twitter followers asked me, "How did you learn Japanese?" That's quite a big topic, of course, but I thought I'd offer some suggestions. I learned Japanese at San Diego State University, and I certainly think a formal study program is a good way for anyone to approach nihongo. That said, there are many alternative ways to study a language these days, including some innovative books and other items we sell as well as online study methods -- heck, you could even start a Twitter account and tweet in Japanese and see what feedback you get. Another bit of advice is to approach the language from many different directions. In my own case, I watched anime (this was back in the days when it was never subtitled or dubbed), read manga in Japanese, listened to and translated JPOP songs, memorizing the songs for singing at karaoke, and kept a diary in Japanese. Another good suggestion is to find a rival. Back when I had a Chinese friend who was taking level 1 of the Japanese Language Ability Test (JLPT) at the same time as I was, and I made up my mind that I was going to beat her score. For a white guy like me, this was quite a goal, since Chinese people have a natural affinity for kanji (they can read nearly anything written in Japanese using the characters, although they can't always tell how it's supposed to be pronounced). Having someone to "beat" helped my Japanese studies and pushed me to get a higher score on the test.

Want to learn Japanese? We have some suggestions.

Natsukashii in Japan: Child's Lunch Plate

We all have fond memories of childhood which make us natsukashii, a word that roughly means "that makes me so nostalgic that I must look like one of those wide-eyed manga characters with a tear rolling out of my eye." Opening my Death Star action playset on Christmas morning back in 1978, eating Sugar Corn Pops while watching Land of the Lost and spending the summer barefoot are some memories that are important to me. For Japanese kids, there's a special kid's meal served at restaurants in department stores called okosama lunch for children to eat when they go shopping with their parents or grandparents. It's basically a plate filled with everything kids love: a "hamburg" steak, spaghetti, rice, an ebi-fry or fried breaded shrimp, a cup of corn soup and some Japanese "pudding" (caramel cream) for dessert. Adding to its awesomeness usually served on a plate that looks like a car or a Shinkansen bullet train. and has a flag toothpick from a random country sticking out of the top. Incidentally, we've gotten in two Okosama Lunch Plate bento plates for your kids, or you!

A "child's lunch plate" makes Japanese nostalgic.

Time for Big Cleaning

We hope everyone had a nice Christmas, with many wonderful presents and warm memories with friends and family. Now that Dec. 25th has passed, everyone in Japan is turning their eyes to the most important day on the Japanese calendar, New Years Day. Called oshogatsu, January 1st is a day to relax at home in the morning while reading through the nengajo or traditional New Year's cards your friends sent you. Afterwards, you go out to the local Shinto shrine for hatsu-mode (ha-tsu-moh-day), the traditional first prayer of the New Year, then go visiting with family or return home and eat traditional osechi bento meals that have been made ahead of time. The Japanese like to enter a new year with a clean slate, and everyone does oh-souji or "big cleaning." To companies that sell cleaning supplies, replacement shoji door paper and so on, the week before New Year's Day is, well, Christmas, as everyone stocks up on what they need to make their house spic and span. J-List will be doing "big cleaning," too, taking a few hours off from our normal work tomorrow to vacuum, dust, wipe and wash every square inch of J-List, so we can have a great 2011.

We'll be cleaning J-List from top to bottom for the New Year.

2010 Year End Stuff

We've got plenty of awesome year-end products at J-List right now, including traditional decorations which will bring closure to 2010 and help ring in a whole new year in 2011. If you're making New Year's Resolutions and would like to make learning Japanese a goal for the new year, we can definitely help, with hundreds of study products for all levels, from kanji flashcards to that awesome kanji poster to Hiragana Times. I especially like the new Ultimate Japanese Phrasebook, a great situation-based methof of study that gives you immediate feedback. Wish I'd had this book 20 years ago!

Cool Products Monday, December 27, 2010

Here are today's "really cool products" that I've picked out for you, out of the 30+ new items we've added to the J-List and JBOX.com sites today. Note that some products may be "not safe for work" but that all links will allow you to redirect yourself either to the J-List or JBOX.com websites. To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link.

	Dengeki Moeoh Feb 2011 Whether you love 54-page bishoujo calendar extras or the sexiest artbook-style galleries in magazine form, the newest Moeoh is here to help!
	Vivid ~ Aoi Nishimata illustrations The genius behind SHUFFLE! and countless other games and illustration work is here with her first official artbook, and it is beautiful.
	New Year's Decorations Bring the spirit of the Japanese new year to life with this traditional braided rice shimenawa, a wreath designed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits in the coming year. A beautiful and dignified way to add color and authentic Japanese tradition to your New Year. View products »
	Year of the Rabbit Traditional Display ~ 2011 Also, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, and we've restocked several of our popular traditional display items for the new year.
	Mini EMA ~ Lucky Wishing Board ~ Rabbit  One of the most important New Year's items is "wishing board" which you write your wish on then hang it at a Shinto shrine. May your wish come true in 2011!
	Sasara Kusugawa Figutto Action Figure A fabulous cat girl figure, this is a unique sculpt of Sasara from the popular eroge ToHeart2. Comes with various optional parts.
	New Anime Figures In Stock Also, enjoy the awesome villain of the Black Rock Shooter universe is in stock in Nendoroid form, plus the Metis from Persona 3 Figma!
	Hello Kitty iPhone 4G Cover ~ Hello Kitty & Elmo  If you love cute things from Japan, check out the Hello Kitty iPhone 4 cases we got in stock today. Really cute items from Japan!
	Evangelion NERV iPad Case, iPhone 4 Cases Also, the Evangelion iPad case is in stock, so get yours before they disappear. We also got the awesome Eva iPhone cases in.
	Big Restocking of Artbooks Many amazing artbooks restocked, including Shunya Yamashita, Railway Girls, Queen's Blade Rebellion (Shigi) plus the amazing Moe Moe Encyclopedia.
	Gorgeous Shirow Artbooks Restocked Also enjoy some of the most amazing illustrations by Shirow Masamune restocked for you. So detailed, so dreamy to stare at for hours!
	The Ultimate Japanese Phrasebook: 1800 Sentences for Everyday Use Incl. CD If you're planning a trip to Japan, working on your conversation skills for school or business, or just want to catch more of what's said in anime, this book will be an indispensable companion. A handy reference with virtually all the phrases you'll hear or use in common Japanese, the companion CD will make sure your pronunciation is spot on as well. Situation based Japanese learning, a great idea! View products »
	Hiragana Times Jan 2011 No. 291 Keep up with current events in Japan and topics of general interest with the beginner-accessible magazine that includes handy kana phonetics.
	Fruits Jan 2011 NO. 162 The magazine that speaks truth to urban fashion is back with another hip, street-level look at current trends in Tokyo, 2011 style.
	Haikyo Discovery ~ Discovery Ruins Explore locations time forgot with this amazing book on Haikyo (abandoned building) hunting by photographer Tetsuro Kobayashi. Restocked today.
	Mousse-chan Kira-Kira Paper Clay Sweets Shop  Craft your fun with this new edition of the Mousse-chan clay sweets shop, the most artful and inventive crafts project you'll see, in pretty pastels!
	New Snacks From Japan Delicious and spicy Habanero chips in two new flavors, awesome Kinoko no Yama cookie + chocolate mushrooms, plus Lotte's My Cube gum! View products »
	Restocked Traditional & Other Snacks Enjoy traditional dagashi snacks plus Lotte Pie no Mi, Japanese Bublicious gum, Takoyaki Puff Snacks, plus Japanese Kit Kat in European Cheese flavor.
	Restocked Ukiyoe Food Drops Candies I love the ukiyoe traditional Food Drops candies, with classic flavors and beautiful Edo Period art printed on the tin. See the restocked flavors today.
	Traditional Bento Restocked That awesome 3-tier "picnic style" bento is back in stock, plus the Red x Black Diet Slim Bento for losing weight and the large Men's Gold & Silver Bento!
	Totoro Thermal Bento Box Set Flower in Garden Studio Ghibli provides what may be the most heartwarming bento set we've ever seen, which keeps your food warm and stored in a compact package.
	Okosama Lunch Plate ~ Shinkansen, Car Meal time has never been this fun! Durable plastic dishes for your little ones that will delight while they eat, featuring a stylized convertible car and shinkansen bullet train. A little slice of Japanese culture just made for kids to enjoy. View products »
	Fun Hello Kitty Products Restocked The adorable Kitty-chan comes out pipin' hot and fresh with these muffin molds. Also, we've got that Hello Kitty sandwich maker restocked.
	Amazing Chopsticks from Japan Training chopsticks for kids (or anyone who needs a hand), awesome portable chopsticks for bento, and bamboo cooking chopsticks!
	Restocked Bilingual Cookbooks, More Also, enrich your culinary lifestyle with our full line of English-Japanese cookbooks, putting hundreds of healthy and delicious recipes at your fingertips.
	More Awesome Japanese Pens Several amazing fude brush pens, plus the official Kanji Entry Pen for Elementary School, Karen Pink pen for stylish women, and a mechanical pencil.
	3D Mt. Fuji Crystal for Souvenirs Whether you're looking to immortalize a classic vision of Japan or a great gift for a Japan-loving friend, this display is sure to captivate.
	Restocked Miku Hatsune, Clannad PSP Titles Whether you want to get your rhythm on with Project Diva or experience the drama of Clannad all over again, we've got your PSP bases covered!
	Haruka Morishima 1/8 Figure ~ Amagami SS *Preorder* When you hear the maker is Max Factory, you know we're talking about quality figures. When you hear Haruka from Amagami (aka Morishima-senpai), you know we're talking about her quality figure. In a sexy black swimsuit and peeping coyly back over her shoulder, to be exact. Note that J-List cannot be responsible for any nosebleeds you may experiencing when viewing this figure. View products »
	Ryomou Gothic, Angel Beats Figures One of the most distinctive and sexy Ryomou figures from Ikkitousen, plus new Angel Beats figures up for preorder today!
	Cool Bakuman Nendoroid Figures Yes! From the makers of Death Note comes Bakuman, the inspiring story of up and coming manga artists now adorably recreated in Nendoroid form.
	A-TRIP ~ Anri Okita A gorgeous display of one of the most adorable nude models around, Anri will delight with her lush curves and endearing physical personality.
	Sweet Devil of Extracurricular Activities Today's hot new "H" manga is a look at the steamy world of after school activities where girls get down and dirty in their gym uniforms. You'll love the variety of stories in this excellent manga, from sukumizu to sports uniforms and much more. View products »
	Love Body Ren Pillow & Hole A new exciting product from Japan's stress relief engineers, this addition to the industry is sure to help at the end of a long day when you need to unwind with a quality novelty goods item. View products »
	TENGA EGG 2010 Winter Limited ~ Twinkle  The specially branded new designs of the stylish TENGA egg stress relief toys is limited edition for this winter only! Check out the unique look inside.
	Restocked TENGA Stress Toys, Famous Lotion Next, we have some of our most popular stress toys for you. Because sometimes we all have a little too much stress in our lives.

Christmas in Japan, 2010 Edition

Christmas is upon us, and soon the children will be nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums dance in their heads. The first recorded Christmas in Japan took place in 1552, when missionaries who had accompanied Francis Xavier held mass in a newly constructed church in what is now Yamaguchi Prefecture. After Japan banned Christianity after a particularly bad uprising in 1612, the only Christmas spirit you could find here were the Dutch traders celebrating the fictional holiday of "Dutch Winter Solstice" (wink-wink), plus the famous kakure Kirishitan ("hidden Christians") of Kyushu who practiced their faith in secret, often keeping statues of the Virgin Mary that had been disguised to look like Buddhist kannon instead. Christmas as a cultural event started to enter Japan at the beginning of the 20th century, with the first commercial Christmas display in a department store in 1904, and the famous confectionery company Fujiya selling Japan's first Christmas cake in 1910. Just as our modern image of Santa Claus has been influenced by mass market advertising of products like Coca-Cola, marketing played a role with in Christmas here, too. The opening of the wildly popular Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 and its annual Christmas celebrations is said to be a watershed for the cultural awareness of the holiday in Japan.

One of the major differences between Japan and the West is the way Christmas here is seen as a fun event, a time for gathering in a Christmas party with hats, fire crackers and maybe a karaoke machine, while the most solemn and holy day of the year is New Year's Day. This is contrast to the U.S., at least, where Christmas is more likely to be a quiet time spent with family and friends and New Year's is reserved for loud merry-making. For a gaijin expat living in Japan, nothing says "Christmas" like being asked to play Santa Claus and hand out presents to children (since everyone knows Santa is from America and speaks English), and I've donned the red suit and fake beard many times. At one visit to a preschool operated by a friend of ours, the kids got to ask me questions like, "Where do you live?""What is your favorite color?" and so on. One kid asked me, "Santa-san, what's your favorite food?" and I kind of freaked them out by answering "reindeer hamburger steak." Tonight, though, I'll forgo reindeer meat and eat the special Christmas Eve dinner Mrs. J-List is making, then enjoy the Christmas Cake my daughter baked. All of us at J-List sincerely wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and warm Christmas holiday this year!

A Merry Moe Christmas 2010 to everyone from J-List!

Unappetizing Japanese Food Names in English

It's funny the way the names of food influences our perception of them. I am big fan of tofu, and enjoy many Japanese dishes that are tofu-based, but if you ask me if I'd like some "chilled bean curd" (which is what it is), I might be less enthused about it. It's winter now, a great time to eat the Japanese stew called oden (pronounced oh-DEN, not like the Norse god), and one of the ingredients in this dish is chikuwa, accurately but unappetizingly described as "bamboo-shaped fish paste cake." The curly thing in your bowl of ramen -- called a naruto by the way, in case you didn't know -- is made of kamaboko, known in English as "pressed steamed fish cake," which doesn't sound nearly as good. Being an island nation, the Japanese eat several kinds of sea-harvested plants described with the unfortunate name of "seaweed," although nori and wakame and konbu are all delicious, and undeserving of the derogatory name "weed." (It's even worse for French people, since seaweed is called algue, e.g. algae.) Bottom line, if you want to enjoy Japanese food, try to learn the food names in Japanese. (By the way, one of the most awesome flavors of potato chips in Japan is nori-shio or roasted seaweed and salt, which we're stocking on J-List now!)

Some ingredients of oden stew sound better in Japanese than English.

Last Minute Christmas Ideas?

If you find yourself still in need of a few items for Christmas, J-List is here for you. From our always-popular J-List Gift Certificates (sent via email in PDF format) to our iTunes Japan prepaid cards, we've got products available that can reach you in plenty of time. (Gift certificate orders made up til the 25th will still be processed in time, since Japan is half a day ahead of most other countries.) If you're looking for Japan-style music to make the holiday special, I recommend this Vocaloid Christmas Album, or enjoy some Christmas-themed Amagami tracks. (These are iTunes Japan links. You may need to log out of your current iTunes account to view.)

Random Nihongo: How Names Work in Japanese

Names in Japanese are quite different from what we're used to in the West. Right off the bat, the family and given names are reversed, so if you're going to talk about "kawaii" virtual idol Miku Hatsune in Japanese, you'd need to get used to calling her Hatsune Miku. There are no middle names in Japan, and over the years I've been asked quite a lot by my students about my own middle name (Rowland), which they find interesting. Japanese also never name sons after fathers, as my own father did with me, and part of the mystique of the famous thief Lupin III is that he's the third generation to hold that name despite being of mixed Japanese ancestry. It's funny the way certain names push cultural buttons. When I was a teacher, my students would quote lines from the classic Heidi anime to me, since there's a boy named Peter in the show, and anyone named Freddie or Jason would will probably have Japanese people associating them with horror movie villains for a few seconds. I have a friend named Brad who makes Japanese people nervous, since phonetically his name is the same as "blood."

Part of Lupin III's appeal is that his name is Western style.

Don't Say "The Loss of Virginity of Haruhi Suzumiya"

Although most Japanese study English for six years, or up to ten if they take it in university, they're not widely known for their linguistic skills. There are many reasons for this, including Japan's approach to English as a tool for university entrance exams and not for actual communication, and the reality that Japan is an island nation where 98% of the people speak the same language. Japanese people can also be overly concerned about making mistakes, which is the kiss of death to open and free communication. Happily, I'm the type of language learner who never cared much about making errors when speaking, which is a good thing overall, although I have had my share of embarrassing slip-ups. Like the time I confused the word hinan (to evacuate) with hinin (to use a contraceptive) in mixed company, the time I tried to say "the Battle of Sekigahara" and accidentally substituted sekuhara (sexual harassment), or multiple instances of flubbing when ordering mango juice from a pretty waitress. (Mango is close to manko, a word which refers to female reproductive parts.) The new film The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a fabulous achievement of animation, but its name in Japanese -- 涼宮ハルヒの消失 Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu  -- is a potential land mine for non-native speakers. That's because the word shoushitsu (SHO-shi-tsu), meaning "disappearance," is dangerously close to 喪失 soushitsu (SOH-shi-tsu) which means "loss," generally referring to the loss of something a girl can only lose once, i.e. "climbing the stairs of adult-hood." So every time I go to say the title of the film in Japanese, I'm terrified I'll make a Freudian slip.

I tread lightly when saying "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya.".

Finding "Tsunderella": a Look at Tsundere Anime Girls

Part of the fun of watching anime is enjoying all the wacky memes that are created, from the venerable girl-with-toast-in-mouth-rushing-off-to-school joke to the bizarre anime face called "gununu." Another popular category in anime is tsundere (TSOON-deh-reh), which describes girls who are tsun tsun (angry, hostile) one moment then dere dere (sweet, lovey-dovey) the next. While the official start of the genre as a named meme is the angry waitress Ayu Daikuuji from the game and anime "Kimi ga Nozomu Eien," the beginning of the genre is harder to pin down. Is the first tsundere Lum from Urusei Yatsura, or perhaps Rei from Sailor Moon, or (at the risk of taking this too far), Lucy from Peanuts? My own vote for Tsundere Prime would be Asuka from Evangelion, who wowed fans with her fiery spirit and delicate complexity of character, especially in the new Evangelion 2.0 movie, with its subtle imagery of the girl with bandages on her hands from trying to learn how to cook for Shinji. Why some anime fans find their "Tsunderella" in this particular character archetype is hard to pin down, but for me it has to do with the internal conflict in the character and the crescendo-like dere dere payoff at the end. The newest development in the world of tsundere is stand alone and PSP-based car navigation systems that feature anime voice actresses saying things like, "Even a fool like you can obey the traffic rules, right? I'm not going for a drive with you because I like you or anything. Turn right in 700 meters!" (Incidentally, if you're a fan of tsundere girls we've got an awesome Rei Kugimya T-shirt in stock in San Diego featuring a tribute to the best tsundere voice actress of all time).

I love the internal conflict in my wife, er, I mean in tsundere characters.