Uchikura & Co Blog
2026-10-19
Japanese Buddhist Wisdom: 諸行無常 — Everything Changes The Buddhist expression 諸行無常 (shogyō mujō) teaches that all things formed through causes and conditions are impermanent. Everything changes. We...
2026-10-19
Sharing Food, Building Relationships At a Japanese izakaya, people often order several dishes for everyone to share. Sashimi, grilled chicken, fried chicken, and salad arrive at the center of the t...
2026-10-18
うたかた (Utakata) — Nothing Lasts Forever A bubble forms on the surface of the water. For a moment, it catches the light. Then it disappears. In Japanese, うたかた (utakata) means the bubbles floating o...
2026-10-18
東雲 (Shinonome) — The Beauty Before Sunrise Some of the most beautiful Japanese words describe moments we can easily overlook. 東雲 (shinonome) means dawn—the time when the eastern sky begins to bri...
2026-10-17
What Is the Main Dish? Look at this typical Japanese meal: grilled fish, rice, pickles, a small side dish, and miso soup. What is the main dish? Many people outside Japan would point to the fis...
2026-10-17
$70,000 for OPT? A Costly Proposal for International Talent The Trump administration has proposed a substantial new fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT), the program that allows international ...
2026-10-17
社交辞令 — Friendly or Just Polite? “We should have dinner sometime.” “Please visit us when you are in town.” “Let’s do business together.” These expressions sound encouraging. But are they actua...
2026-10-17
営業中・準備中Open or Closed?When you walk past a restaurant in Japan, you may see a sign that says: 営業中（えいぎょうちゅう）— Open for Business But when the restaurant is not serving customers, the sign may not s...
2026-10-16
臨機応変 — Adapt to Changing Circumstances 臨機応変 (Rinki Ōhen) means adapting appropriately to the situation at hand. A plan may have been perfect when it was created. But time passes. The environment ch...
2026-10-16
Ketchup — A Sauce That Traveled the WorldWhen you think of ketchup, you probably think of America—hamburgers, hot dogs, and French fries. But ketchup may have started its journey far from America. ...