Uchikura & Co Blog
2026-10-11
渋い — The Beauty of Quiet Confidence The Japanese word 渋い (shibui) can describe an astringent taste, like strong tea or an unripe persimmon. But when used to describe a person, their style, or their c...
2026-10-11
The Lost Art of 近所付き合い In Japanese, 近所付き合い (kinjo-zukiai) means maintaining relationships with your neighbors. It can be as simple as saying good morning, sharing something you brought home from...
2026-10-11
Rest Is Part of the Job 休むことも仕事のうちYasumu koto mo shigoto no uchi“Resting is also part of the job.” This Japanese saying reminds us that taking a break is part of doing our work well. Working unti...
2026-10-11
Day Trip to Oregon | Multnomah Falls A day trip to Oregon brought me to Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. At 620 feet (189 meters), it is the tallest waterfall in Oregon—and the tallest ...
2026-10-10
てるてる坊主: A Cheerful Song with a Dark Ending In Japan, children sometimes hang a small doll made from white cloth or tissue paper by the window, hoping for sunshine the next day. It is called てるてる坊主 ...
2026-10-10
Kaibutsu: Be Extraordinary in Your Own Way The Japanese word 怪物 (kaibutsu) means “monster.” But it can be used in both a good and a bad sense. Someone with extraordinary talent—an athlete, musici...
2026-10-09
Atarimae — What Is “Normal” Depends on Where You Are There is a Japanese word, 当たり前 (atarimae). It means something that is natural, expected, obvious, or simply “the way things should be.” For ...
2026-10-09
Stand Beside Your Customer As soon as you say, “I will help you,” you may unintentionally place yourself above the person you are speaking to. You become the teacher or consultant, and the customer...
2026-10-09
明日は明日の風が吹く — Tomorrow Is a New Day Ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku No matter how hard your day is, the sun will come up tomorrow. The Japanese saying 明日は明日の風が吹く literally means, “Tomorrow, tomorrow’...
2026-10-08
The Future of Data Transfer Is Light Fiber optics changed the world by allowing enormous amounts of information to travel as pulses of light through thin strands of glass. But there is still a pr...