I want to like this, I really do, but having taught in Japanese schools and lived in Japan for a good while, I’d like to say there is an undercurrent here that may not be apparent if you’re not familiar with Japanese culture that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Long, long ramble ahead:

I once visited a small northern town called Aizuwakamatsu, where a group of 19 young samurai boys, aged 15-17, killed themselves when they mistakenly thought their town’s castle had been captured during the Boshin War of the late 1800s. Their group was called the Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps).

No idea about Korean, but “ke ke ke” is typically the stylized “evil chuckling” sound in Japanese. “W” comes from “warau”, which means to laugh, and is a more general laughter.

Poor kid!

Great article!

bakery = one bakery

I’ve heard so many versions of this I went looking for myself, and I never thought I’d say this but a conservative blog has a lot of actual facts with screenshots to back them up regarding the lead-up to the cop going nuts, if you can squint and ignore the obvious and distasteful angle they’re driving.

Japanese swearing is often more flexible, where a certain word can be softer or harsher depending on the person and situation.

72? She’s flexing! XD

“Mou muri” is like “I can’t go on”, which is funny because you literally can’t if you have no bones.

is part of Japanese culture going back quite a long way, gay or straight. (sorry for the double post! On my phone.) so this isn't a dig at lesbian relationships, just another iteration of the Sempai/Kouhai idea.

In Japan, this Sempai/Kouhai thing is EVERYWHERE. One dominant person taking care of a younger, more innocent person

YES.

I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, jerk kids often grow up into jerk adults who are clueless about their behavior, and a few of them go on to become teachers. Most of us are here for the kids and love them to pieces, but then you get people like your history teacher who don’t realize or don’t care how they treat…

Fellow teacher here: The best way to let your kids know your class is a safe space for all is to show them with your behavior from Day 1 on.

Geisha spend long, long hours learning traditional arts their entire career and usually only have one or two days off a month and very little contact with their natural families because of the rigid training and entertaining schedules they follow. They are expected to embody Japan's traditions and history.

Did libraries lose because most people answering don't like to read, or don't feel the libraries in their area are well-maintained? Or something else?

I just thought I was sensitive to cold when this happened! Now I have a name for it, though it's weird I've gone my whole life not knowing. Thank you!

Have I got a story for you. It's a short by Stephen King called N. Check it out if you get a chance. One of his better newer pieces.

What makes this even cuter is that Maru's "hat" looks to be a plastic version of the traditional New Year's decoration of mochi (rice cakes) stacked with a mikan (orange) on top. The little folded fan probably says "kotobuki", a traditional wish for long life/happiness.