Uchikura & Co Blog
2026-11-15
身を引く (Mi o Hiku)Stepping Away Is Not Running Away In Japanese, there are two expressions that may appear similar but carry very different meanings. 逃げる (Nigeru) — To run away.身を引く (Mi o Hiku) — T...
2026-11-15
一見様お断り (Ichigen-sama Okotowari)“First-time customers are not accepted.” In Japan, particularly in Kyoto, some traditional restaurants and bars refuse customers without an introduction from an exist...
2026-11-15
Is This Your Image of Tokyo? Does Tokyo look like this in your imagination? Sometimes I wish it did. The beautiful lanterns, traditional buildings, and magical atmosphere of old Japan. But I ha...
2026-11-15
阿吽の呼吸 (Aun no Kokyū)Understanding Without Words In Japan, we have an expression, Aun no Kokyū, describing a relationship in which two people understand each other without exchanging words. The ex...
2026-11-15
88 Japanese Wisdom II — Coming Soon!I have finally finished proofreading 88 Japanese Wisdom II — Words, Work, and Life and submitted the final version to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for pub...
2026-11-14
嘘も方便 (Uso mo Hōben)Even a lie can sometimes serve a good purpose. We are taught that lying is wrong, but life is not always that simple. In Japan, there is a saying, 嘘も方便 (Uso mo Hōben). The word...
2026-11-14
Which Lifetime Are You On?輪廻転生・人生何回目？Rinne Tensei — Reincarnation Have you ever heard this unusual Japanese compliment? 「人生何回目？」Jinsei Nankaime?"Which lifetime are you on?" When someone, especi...
2026-11-14
Four Names for a Mysterious Light鬼火・人魂・狐火・不知火Onibi, Hitodama, Kitsunebi, Shiranui Japan has many names for mysterious lights that appear in the darkness. 鬼火 (Onibi) — A ghostly fire appearing in ...
2026-11-13
永遠 (Towa)When Forever Becomes Something More In Japanese, the word 永遠, meaning “eternity” or “forever,” is usually pronounced Eien (えいえん). But sometimes, the very same characters are read as Towa (...
2026-11-13
A Message to Microsoft: You've Got This!Hurry, but don't panic. Work carefully. In Japanese, we say: 急いで・慌てず・丁寧に Isoide awatezu teineini)Work quickly, stay calm, and do it right. As the founder...