JAPAN Art
Cover Story
THE BREATH OF SUMMER: Lotus Blossoms and the Buzz of Ueno
夏の息吹、上野に咲く蓮と賑わいの渦>>Read Content | Coming Soon
IBUKI Seasonal Breath
The Ibuki of July – A Sacred Flower Gracing the Waters.
7月のいぶき、水面に咲く聖なる花>>Read Content | Coming Soon
Japan Style
Tatami, the Breathing Floor ── A Japanese Space That Aligns Body and Mind
呼吸する床、畳 ── 心と身体が整う日本の空間
>>Read Content | Coming Soon
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧 Pandas and Japan: Is This the End of a 50-Year Story?
パ ンダとにほん、50 ねんのものがたりにひとくぎり？New Expression & Buzzwords
🎧 ほんmoney | Really
🎧秒で | In a Sec
Close Up Japan
🎧 The Future of “Silicon Island” Kyushu
「シリコンアイランド」九州の未来Pros and Cons with Insight
🎧 Questions Posed by the Reiwa “Rice Riots”
令和の“米騒動”が問いかけるものNihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
🎧The Mystery of Japanese: Why Is “は/Ha” Pronounced “わ/ Wa”?
日本語の不思議:「は」はなぜ「WA」と読むのか?
Word Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Fumizuki” – July in Japan, Marked by Starlit Wishes and Harvest Prayers
季節の言の葉:「文月」一星に託す願いと実りへの祈り。日本の7月。
Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: The “Ten Days after Tsuyu Breaks”
季節の言技:梅雨明け十日
Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 Tanabata— Wishes Written on Strips of Paper
七夕――短冊にこめる願い>> Read Content | Coming Soon
Become a Tanabata Savvy | 七夕通になる
Japan Maze | 迷宮ニホン
🎧 Asking Direction
道を尋ねる
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
A Prayer Within the Chrysanthemum – Illustrating “The Emperor and the Shape of Japan”
菊化に宿る祈り「天皇と日本のかたち」を描く
>>Read Content | Coming Soon
JAPAN Style
AN INHERITED PRAYER: THE EMPEROR AND THE SHAPE OF JAPAN
受け継がれる祈りーー天皇と日本のかたち
IBUKI Seasonal Breath
June’s Flower: Ajisai (Hydrangea)
6月の花：紫陽花
>>Read Content | Coming Soon
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧A “Mystery-Solving Journey” at the Imperial Palace!? An Event Where You Can Learn About the Imperial Family
こうきょで「なぞときのたび」!? こうしつをまなべるイベントNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧エッホエッホ | Hustle-Hustle
🎧うますぎやろがい | Way Too Delicious
Close Up Japan
🎧 The True Nature of the “Trump Tariffs”
「トランプ関税」の本質Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
🎧 Japanese – A Language Without Subjects and What It Tells Us
日本語ーー主語なき言語が語ることWord Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Minazuki” — June in Japan, Marked by Rain and Ritual Purification
季節の言の葉：「水無月」— 雨と祓いの、日本の６月Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: Strength Born from the Rain
季節の言技：雨のあとに生まれる強さ
Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 A Life With Tsuyu— Japan Nurtured by the Blessed Rain
梅雨のある暮らしーー恵みの雨が育む日本>> Read Content | Coming Soon
Become a Tsuyu Savvy |梅雨通になる
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
“With the Air of Edo — Everyday Life in Asakusa Through Hiroshige’s Eyes”
江戸の空気とともに——広重のまなざしに映る、浅草の日常
>>Read Content | Coming Soon
JAPAN Style
THE TERAKOYA THAT SHAPED THE JAPANESE PEOPLE
日本人をつくった寺子屋
Correction and Apology | 訂正とお詫び
In this issue’s Japan Style feature, “THE TERAKOYA THAT SHAPED THE JAPANESE PEOPLE,” we mistakenly attributed a quote about Japan’s literacy rate to Werner Siebold. The correct attribution should be to Philipp Franz von Siebold, a German physician and naturalist.
Werner Siebold is the author of the biography “Siebold: A Turbulent Life,” and was not the original source of the observation. We sincerely apologize for this oversight.Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796–1866) visited Japan during the late Edo period. Serving as the physician at the Dutch trading post in Nagasaki (Dejima), he played a key role in introducing Western medicine and natural science to Japan. During his second stay in 1859, he was deeply impressed by the high literacy rate among ordinary Japanese people and documented this as evidence of Japan’s exceptional educational standards.
A corrected PDF version of the article is now available for download:
[Download link]今月号「Japan Style ジャパンスタイル」特集内の「THE TERAKOYA THAT SHAPED THE JAPANESE PEOPLE 日本人をつくった寺子屋」記事において、識字率に関する記述の出典を「ヴェルナー・シーボルト」と紹介しておりましたが、正しくは フィリップ・フランツ・フォン・シーボルト による記録でした。なお、ヴェルナー・シーボルト氏は、彼の伝記『シーボルト、波瀾の生涯』の著者であり、記録の当事者ではありません。ここに訂正し、読者の皆様に深くお詫び申し上げます。
フィリップ・フランツ・フォン・シーボルト（1796–1866）は、江戸時代後期に来日したドイツ出身の医師・博物学者です。長崎・出島のオランダ商館医として、日本に西洋医学や博物学を紹介したことで知られています。1859年の再来日時には、庶民の識字率の高さに驚嘆し、日本の教育水準の高さを記録に残しました。
なお、訂正済みPDFバージョンは以下よりダウンロード可能です。
[ダウンロードリンク]
IBUKI Seasonal Breath
May’s Flower: Tsutsuji (Azalea)
5月の花：ツツジ
>>Read Content | Coming Soon
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧The “Cushion” Beneath the Statue of Prince ShōToku at HōRyū-Ji Temple Has Been Replaced for the First Time in 200 Years
ほうりゅうじ、しょうとくたいしぞうの「ざぶとん」が200 ねんぶりにしんちょうNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧平成女児 | Heisei Girl
🎧ジェネリック〇〇 | Jenerikku xx
Close Up Japan
🎧 A New Law to Regulate Social Media
SNS を規制する新しい法律Pros and Cons with Insight
🎧 The Weakening of Human Connections in the Digital Society
デジタル化社会における人間関係の希薄化Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
🎧 The Allure of Ancient Words Still Alive in the Japanese Language
日本語に息づく「古代語」の魅力Word Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Satsuki” — May in Japan, Shimmering with Fresh Greenery
季節の言の葉：「皐月」— 新緑がきらめく、日本の5月Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: The Gentle Breeze Carrying the Scent of Fresh Leaves in May
季節の言技：若葉の香を運ぶ風がそよぐ５月の季語
Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 The Japanese Spirit in a Cup of Tea
一杯のお茶に込められた、日本の心>> Read Content | Coming Soon
Become a Ocha Savvy |お茶通になる
Behind the Scenes | 舞台裏
🎧 What is the Beauty of the “Wabi-Sabi” Aesthetic?
「わびさび」の美しさとは何かJoin Our Special Live Lesson for May 2025 Issue Readers
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
“Inochi Tama” – The Sphere of Life’s Merging and Transformation
いのちの合体と変形がめぐる「いのち玉」>>Read Content | Coming Soon
Person of the hour
Life Ever – Transforming and Merging — The Adventure of Life Pavilion by Shoji Kawamori
合体・変形し続けるいのちーー河森正治が作る、「いのち」の冒険パビリオン
JAPAN Style
The World of Words Connected by Those Who Hope [Part 2]
希望するものたちがつなぐ言葉の世界 [後半]>>Read Content | Coming Soon
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧A Full Marathon in Sandals? The Taiwanese Sandals Connecting Runners Across Japan
サンダルでフルマラソン？ ぜんこくのランナーをつなぐたいわんサンダル
>>Read Content | Coming SoonNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧かわちい| Cute
🎧マコモ湯構文 | Makomo-bath Construction
Close Up Japan
🎧 Reiwa Rice Panic: The Price of Japan’s Staple Food, Rice, Is Soaring
令和の米騒動：日本人の主食「米」の価格が高騰しているPros and Cons with Insight
🎧 Japanese Focus on Security: The Background of Insurance Culture
日本人の「安心」へのこだわり：保険文化の背景Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
🎧 Myths as “Mind Stories” — The Tales Within Your Heart
神話は「心話」―― あなたの心の物語Word Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Uzuki” — April in Japan, When Spring Reaches Its Full Bloom
季節の言の葉：「卯月」— 春爛漫、日本の４月Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: Embracing the Full Bloom of Spring’s Beauty
季節の言技：春爛漫の美しさを愛でる4月の季語
Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 Japanese History and Culture Told by the Joints and Echoes of Bamboo
竹の節と響きが語る日本の歴史と文化>> Read Content | Coming Soon
Become a Take Savvy |竹通になる
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
The Messenger of the Blue Ocean
蒼き海の使者
JAPAN Style
The World of Words Connected by Those Who Hope [Part 1]
希望するものたちがつなぐ言葉の世界
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧The Future of Romanized Japanese Writing
ローマじひょうきのゆくえ
>>Read Content | Coming SoonNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧ぬい活 | Plushie Activity
🎧ネオ和食 | Neo Japanese Cuisine
Close Up Japan
🎧 The Dual Nature of Tourism Pricing Seen in “Inbound Bowls”
「インバウン丼」に見る観光価格の二面性Pros and Cons with Insight
🎧 Club Activity (Bukatsu) Culture and Otaku Culture: Opinions on Japan’s “Single-Minded” Spirit
部活文化、オタク文化:日本の「一途」な精神への賛否Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
Kagawa Teruyuki’s Nihongo Do |香川照之の日本語道
🎧 Japanese People Who Shaped Their Country with Words
言葉で国をつくってきた日本人
Word Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Yayoi” — March in Japan, When Flower Begin to Bloom
季節の言の葉：「弥生」— 花が咲き始める春の日本の3月Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: Sensing the Lingering Cold Amidst Signs of Spring
季節の言技：春の兆しの中に残る寒さを感じる3月の季語Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 Momo no Sekku: Wishes Embodied in Dolls
桃の節句：人形に込められた願い>> Read Content | Coming Soon
Become a Hinamatsuri Savvy |ひな祭り通になる
Japan Trend
Hiragana Times EXPO | Zimbabwe Pavilion
A Story Woven by Diversity and Nature – The Land’s Memories That Live in Stone
多様性と自然が織りなす物語ー石の中に生きる大地の記憶Echoing the Soul of Stone, Beyond the Limits: Zimbabwe
石に宿る魂を無限に響かせる、ジンバブエ
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
Fushimi Inari Hatsuma Grand Festival
伏見稲荷大社初午大祭Based on valuable feedback from our readers, we have revised the Cover Story corner to include a larger furigana version for improved readability.
>>You can view the updated version here.
JAPAN Style
Japan: A Nation of Addition, Multiplication, and Harmony
足して、掛けて、和する国、日本
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧The Single Kanji That Represents the Year 2024
さくねん 2 0 2 4 ねんをあらわすかんじいちじ
>>Read ContentNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧 メロい | Entranced
🎧もうええでしょう | That’s Enough
Close Up Japan
🎧 Japan’s National Foundation Day: A Story Bridging Ancient Times to the Present
日本の建国記念日——古代から現代へ、歴史をつなぐ物 語Pros and Cons with Insight
🎧 The Intersection of Rationality and Morality in the Rise of Techno-Libertarianism
テクノ・リバタリアンの台頭に見る合理性と道徳の交差点Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
Kagawa Teruyuki’s Nihongo Do |香川照之の日本語道
🎧 The Japanese Language Brain: The Mysterious World of Japanese Language People Who Turn Sounds Into Words
音を言語に変える日本語人の不思議な世界Word Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Kisaragi” — February in Japan, Sensing the Signs of Spring
季節の言の葉: 「如月」— 春の兆しを感じる日本の２月Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: Seasonal Words of February Signaling Spring’s Arrival
季節の言技:春の訪れを告げる2月の季語Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 Welcoming the New Spring with Setsubun
節分で迎える新しい春Become a Setsubun Savvy | 節分通になる
Japan Trend
Hiragana Times EXPO | Indonesia Pavilion
A Country of Beauty and Strength Created by the Energy of Diversity
多様性のエネルギーが生み出す美と力の国Living the Vision of Diversity and Harmony: Indonesia
多様性と調和のビジョンを生きる:インドネシア
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
Japan’s Power of Storytelling
日本の物語力
JAPAN Style
The Interwoven Story of Things and People: The Expo
モノと者が織りなす物語、万博
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧The Charm of Osaka Conveyed Through Kabuki
かぶきでつたえるおおさかのみりょく
>>Read ContentNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧 手帳会議 | Daily Planner Meeting
🎧ヌーハラ| Noodle Harassment
Close Up Japan
🎧 Handwritten Daily Planners in the Smartphone Era: The Appeal of “Life Logs”
スマホ時代に売れる手書きの手帳:「ライフログ」の魅力Pros and Cons with Insight
🎧 De-digitalization in the Education Systems of IT-Advanced Countries like Sweden and Finland
IT先進国スウェーデン、フィンランド教育現場の「脱デジタル化」Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
Kagawa Teruyuki’s Nihongo Do |香川照之の日本語道
🎧 The Meaning and Resonance of the Name “Japan”
「 日本 」の国名に込められた意味と響きWord Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Mutsuki” — A Time of Bonding and Beginnings in the New Year
季節の言の葉: 「睦月」— 親しみを深め、新たな物事が生まれる一年の始まりVoice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: Seasonal Words Signaling the Coldest Time of Year
季節の言技: 1年で最も寒さが厳しい時期を告げる季語Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 The Power of Mochi: Japanese Tradition Coloring the New Year
餅の力:新年を彩る日本の伝統Become a Mochi Savvy | 餅通になる
Japan Trend
Hiragana Times EXPO
We have had the honor of visiting embassies and creating paintings inspired by each country.
大使館を訪問し、各国の絵画を描いてきました。
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
The Spirit of “Musuhi,” The Force that Generates Life and Unity
「産霊」＝「結び」。命とつながりを生み出す力。
JAPAN Style
The Japanese, Given Life by Rice
お米に生かされてきた日本人
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧A cactus competition showcasing rare shapes
珍しい形のサボテンが集まる品評会
>>Read ContentNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧 きゃぱい | Over capacity
🎧 ヌン活 | Afternoon tea activity
Close Up Japan
🎧Deteriorating Public Safety and Political Responsibility: Japan at a Turning Point
治安悪化と政治の責任：時代の分岐点に立つ日本Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言葉
Kagawa Teruyuki’s Nihongo Do |香川照之の日本語道
🎧 The Divine and Self in the Mirror: The Hidden Code in the Japanese Language
鏡に映る神と我―—日本語に潜む暗号Word Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: “Shiwasu” – Japan’s Hectic December, Even the Monks are Running
季節の言の葉：「師走」— お坊さんも走る、慌ただしい日本の12月Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: Seasonal Words Signaling the Coldest Time of Year
季節の言技：1年で最も寒さが厳しい時期を告げる季語Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 A Day to Appreciate Labor and the Harvest
勤労と収穫に感謝する日Become a Shukaku Savvy | 収穫通になる
Japan Trend
Place
Minamiuonuma City – A Region of Japan Renowned for Its Rice, Cuisine, and Culture
南魚沼市——日本屈指の米どころが誇る食と文化
>> Read Content
Topics & Events
– Unraveling the Diverse Evolution of Birds
鳥たちの多種多様な進化を解き明かす– Katsuhito Nishikawa’s First Retrospective in Japan, Shaping “Tranquility”
「静けさ」を形にする西川勝人の国内初の回顧展Japan Products
Drift Ice Gummies | 流氷グミ
Book cover designed to resemble a congratulatory envelope | 本一封 ブックカバー
3-Letter Code Tote Bag | 3レターコードトートバッグ
- HOSHIKO Tomato | HOSHIKOトマト
Spotlight
From Ancestry to 6,000 Descendant Varieties: The Lineage of Rice in India
祖先から6,000種の子孫へ：インドに生きる稲の系譜
>> Read Content
November 2024 Issue Is Now On Sale!
ひらがなタイムズ2024年11月号が発売中です。
📖 November issue Preview / 11月号の見本を見る
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
A painting of a bull celebrating the peace and stability of heaven and earth, under the protection of the Lord of the Big Dipper.
北斗星君天地安泰喜牛図
JAPAN Style
“WAGYU”Co-Being with “WAJIN”
「和人」とともに在る「和牛」
JAPANese News
News Review
🎧 A Writer Aiming to Become an Author Moves to a Village: “The Hidden Village Writer.”むらにいじゅうしてさっかをめざす「ひきょうのぶんぴつか」
>>Read ContentNew Expression & Buzzwords
🎧 Dystopian Food |ディストピア
>>Read Content🎧 Balletcore | バレリーナ
>>Read ContentClose Up Japan
🎧Japan’s Challenge in the Energy Revolution
日本が挑戦するエネルギー革命Nihongo Do
Voice Wave | 言波
Kagawa Teruyuki’s Nihongo Do |香川照之の日本語道
🎧 Japanese Abbreviations: Shards of Words Filled with Deeper Meaning
日本語の省略語は、深い意味がこもった言葉の欠片Word Leaves | 言の葉
🎧 Seasonal Word Leaves: Autumn in Japan is the Autumn of Appetite.
季節の言の葉：日本の秋は、食欲の秋Voice-Word Art | 言技
🎧 Seasonal Voice-Word Art: Echoes of Autumn in Japan
季節の言技：日本の秋の響きJapan Savvy | 日本通
🎧 Autumn Leaf-Peeping in Search of Autumn
秋を求めて紅葉狩りBecome a Momiji Savvy | 紅葉通になる
Japan Trend
Place
Shiiba Village, Miyazaki Prefecture: A Hidden Mountain Sanctuary Where History and Culture Live On
宮崎県椎葉村 – 歴史と文化の息づく山岳地帯の秘境
>> Read Content
Topics & Events
– When did Haniwa and Dogu become part of “art”?
ハニワと土偶はいつから「美術」になったのか？
– Exploring the Allure of “Blue” by Ukiyo-e Artist Hiroshige Utagawa
浮世絵師・歌川広重の「青」の魅力に迫るJapan Products
minamo Socks | minamo靴下
Clothing Pencil | 服の鉛筆
mahora note | まほらノート
- Wan de Cream | ワンドクリーム
Spotlight
A New Café Blending into Jimbochi – Mafami Coffee and Books
神保町になじむ新しい喫茶店 – 真踏珈琲店
>> Read Content
JAPAN Art
Cover Story
Flowers in Inori: Bringing Calm and Peace
平和を叶える花の祈り。
JAPAN Artist
Echoes of Spirit on Stage – Japanese Languages and Kabuki [Part2] / ICHIKAWA Chusha [Omodakaya]
舞台に響く言霊日本語と歌舞伎 [パート2] / 市川中車 [澤瀉屋]
Japan Style
Tanka for Being in the Now
今を生きるための短歌
JAPANese News
News Review ・ ニュースから学ぶ
🎧 Hide-and-Seek on a Deserted Island with 100 Adults
無人島で大人100人がかくれんぼ
>>Read ContentNew Expression & Buzzwords – 新語・流行語
🎧 限界オタク | Genkai otaku（Extreme Otaku）
🎧 ほんまゴメンやでそれガーチャー | Sore ga-cha-! Honma gomen yade（Is that for real? I’m really sorry.）Close Up Japan – クロースアップ・ジャパン
🎧 New Banknotes Incorporating the Pinnacle of Cutting-Edge Technology
最先端技術の粋を集めた新紙幣
>>Read ContentPros and Cons with Insight – 賛否と洞察
🎧 The Debate on “Freedom of Expression” as Seen in the Tokyo Gubernatorial Election
東京都知事選に見る「表現の自由」論争
>>Read ContentNihongo Spirit
Kagawa Teruyuki’s Nihongo Do |香川照之の日本語道
🎧 Japanese, the ‘mother sounds’ language, creates a world filled with compassion and sentiment.
「母音言語・日本語」が創る思いやりと情感あふれる世界。Read Contents | 内容を読む
Japan Savvy | 日本通
🎧The Echo of Tradition: The Soul of Matsuri
伝統の響き：祭りの魂
>>Read ContentBecome a Matsuri Savvy | 祭通になる
Japan Trend
Topics & Events
– Four days to enjoy art and culture all day.
アートとカルチャーを終日楽しめる4日間
– International Art Festival Based in Northern Okayama Prefecture
岡山県北部を舞台にした国際芸術祭Japan Products
- 530 sea design soap | 日本海微細藻油分フェイスソープ
- binacel serum |ビナセル セラム
- Date Glasses | 伊達眼鏡
- Gras Foie | グラフォア
Spotlight
Expanding the Joy of Painting: A Reuse Shop for Secondhand Art Supplies
絵を描く楽しみを広げたいー中古画材のリユースショップ
Information From Hiragana Times
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