culture

You've probably seen someone chanting "kuwabara kuwabara" after a flash of lightning — or done it yourself.

Until Manet painted this picture, female nudes had been limited to goddesses.

'108 is the number of earthly desires.' 'Big brother, what kinds of desires do you have?' 'I could tell you, but it'd get censored.'

'The era is BL now.' 'BL?' 'Yeah. Boys' Love. Books and stuff about romance between boys.'

There are plenty of people who build an entire argument citing only the Kōjien, saying 'This is what the Kōjien says'.

'Rock paper scissors!' 'Rock!' 'Uh... paper!' 'Hey, that was after me!'

'A sunshower, huh.' 'Huh?' 'There's an 81% chance of sun today, but in some areas there'll be sun showers.'

You look dashing.

If the pheasant hadn't cried, it wouldn't have been shot.

Poking the bush, you stir up a snake.

Hardship polishes one into a gem.

If you go to Hokkaido and don't eat the seafood, there's no point in going.

In North America, business is built on the idea that 'the customer is always right.'

Mother taught me how to make osechi.

Ta-da! All right, Haruta — you can look now. Time to unveil everyone's yukata~

Even without bringing up 'Winter Sonata' as an example, we're now in an unprecedented Korean Wave boom.

'Going to the girls' room' is a euphemism for 'going to the toilet'.

'What's he saying?' 'You don't even know what a norito is?' 'A norito?' 'It's like a Shinto incantation.'

I offered a single word of condolence: 'Please accept my condolences on this occasion.'

Just attach 'otoko' (men's) and the product takes off.

'Uh, this "gōkon" thing is basically...' 'Just a regular mixer.'

'Oh! I'll have a raw egg!' 'Just one?' 'Yes. If I run out I'll just ladle myself more.'

You don't really see men in traditional Japanese clothes in Tokyo anymore.

Old and young, men and women alike, all looked forward to meeting at the local bathhouse.

For example, a Frenchman might not easily laugh at a Russian joke.

It's human nature to keep up appearances for the neighbors, you know.

No country can compete with France when it comes to quality wine.

I tried to absorb as much of the local culture as possible.

In North America, shrugging your shoulders means 'I don't know.'

The roads in Hokkaido are wide.