Uchikura & Co Blog
2026-08-30
There Is No Word for This in JapanHave you ever noticed what longtime couples call each other? In English-speaking countries, couples often use affectionate names such as “Honey,” “Sweetheart,” “Da...
2026-08-29
“Don’t Carry Money Into Tomorrow” — The Edo SpiritThere is an old saying associated with the people of Edo, today’s Tokyo: “An Edokko doesn’t carry money into tomorrow.” In Japanese, 宵越しの銭は持たない (...
2026-08-29
Konjo — The Japanese Idea of Grit The Japanese word 根性 (konjo) is often translated as “guts,” “grit,” or “determination,” but none of these captures its meaning completely. The characters are 根, me...
2026-08-29
A Little Early Birthday Celebration Today is not actually my birthday. Since my birthday falls on the weekend this year, everyone at the office celebrated it a little early. I am no longer at an ...
2026-08-28
Akirameru — More Than Giving UpThe Japanese word あきらめる (akirameru) is usually translated into English as “to give up.” But its origin tells a deeper story. Akirameru is related to 明らか (akiraka), ...
2026-08-28
Nothing Lasts Forever — 諸行無常 Some of you may know the Japanese manga and anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (葬送のフリーレン). One of the ideas behind the story is something deeply rooted in Japanese t...
2026-08-27
He Didn’t Start Companies. He Saved Them. When we talk about great business leaders, we often think of people who founded successful companies. Japan had a remarkable businessman who became famous ...
2026-08-27
When the Money Ends, So Does the Relationship金の切れ目が縁の切れ目 There is an old Japanese saying, “金の切れ目が縁の切れ目” (Kane no kireme ga en no kireme). It means, “When the money ends, the relationship ends.” ...
2026-08-27
失敗は成功のもとIf You Never Fail, You Are Not Working Hard Enough There is a Japanese saying, “失敗は成功のもと” (Shippai wa seikō no moto), meaning “Failure is the foundation of success.” Mistakes and failures a...
2026-08-26
Sharing the Words and Heart of Japan Living overseas, I have realized that more people are deeply curious about Japan than I ever imagined.Of course, sushi, ramen, anime, cherry blossoms, Mt. Fuji, an...