The Japanese language is rich in words and expressions influenced by nature, history and culture. This episode looks at words related to rain. Japan's annual rainfall is about twice the global average. Japanese people are sensitive to minute variations in rain, and it's said that there are some 400 Japanese expressions about rain. Join poet, literary translator and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan and explore unique words and the culture behind them.

Rain

This episode looks at words related to cherry blossoms. Cherry trees have thrived in Japan for thousands of years, and they hold a special place in the hearts of many Japanese people. Various expressions relating to cherry blossoms have developed over time. Join poet, literary translator and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan and explore unique words and the culture behind them.

Cherry Blossoms

This episode looks at words related to trees. Japan is a land of trees - two-thirds of the country is covered by forests. Trees support people's lives, and in turn, they have a deep respect for trees. Various expressions relating to trees have developed over time. Join poet, literary translator and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan and explore unique words and the culture behind them.

Trees

This episode looks at words related to the morning. Japanese people cherish the subtle changes in nature, and they have been particularly fond of the quiet hours in the early morning. The moment of sunrise alone has produced many beautiful expressions. Poet, literary translator, and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan guides us through unique words and the culture behind them.

Morning

This episode introduces words associated with water. Water has long been regarded as plentiful and accessible in Japan. It is deeply embedded in Japanese culture and is even used to describe human relationships and life itself. Poet, literary translator and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan guides us through these unique words and the culture behind them.

Water

This episode looks at words related to the night. In ancient Japan, people appreciated the quiet and darkness of nighttime, and had different names for different times of the evening. The night was also associated with mysterious beings. From his home in Kyoto, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Night

This episode looks at words related to houses. Traditional Japanese homes give us a glimpse of the Japanese love for the changing seasons and how the Japanese developed a temperament that values cooperation. From his home in Kyoto, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

House

This episode introduces words related to Mount Fuji. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this iconic symbol of the beauty and culture of Japan has inspired a number of memorable words and expressions. Join poet, literary translator and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan and explore unique words and the culture behind them.

Mount Fuji

This episode introduces words related to snow. Designated heavy snowfall areas cover fifty-one percent of Japan. In such an environment, many words related to snow were born. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Snow

This episode looks at words related to the moon. The Japanese have always been captivated by the moon, interpreting closely its many expressions and generating new words to describe its many faces. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Moon

This episode introduces words related to the kimono. Once used as everyday wear, the traditional and iconic garment is now generally reserved for special occasions. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Kimono

This episode looks at words and phrases related to washi, or traditional Japanese paper. Refined and durable, washi continues to be used as a daily item in Japan and has many applications. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Washi

This episode looks at words related to tea. An integral part of Japan's food culture, it's celebrated in the tea ceremony and has inspired a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

This episode looks at words and phrases related to cats. Cats have been treasured in Japan for a long time as a way to deal with mice. This long history is reflected in the many expressions related to cats in Japanese. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

This episode explores words and phrases inspired by Oni: demons, ogres and evil spirits that are a fixture of Japanese folklore. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

This episode focuses on ships and boats. Japan is an island nation, and ships have been an integral part of Japanese life. This is reflected in the many expressions related to ships and boats. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Ship

This episode looks at words related to fish. Surrounded by the sea, Japan is home to rich fishing grounds. Fish has long had a central role in Japan's culinary culture, and there are many unique expressions that feature fish. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Fish

This episode looks at words related to the color red. Red is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. Not only are there said to be over 100 different names for red in the Japanese language, but the color is also used to describe nonvisual concepts. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

This episode looks at words related to fire. Fire has both practical and spiritual significance in cultures around the world, and Japan is no exception. This gave birth to many unique expressions. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Fire

This episode looks at words related to horses. Since arriving from the Asian mainland around the 5th century, horses have played a major role in transportation and farming in Japan. The Japanese considered their horses as a part of their family. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through words involving horses and the culture behind them.

Horse

This episode looks at words related to wind. Due to its geographical location, Japan experiences different types of wind depending on the season. If you include regional words for wind, there are said to be over 1,000 different names for the wind in Japanese, and people have had a rich relationship with wind. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through words that were born from this culture.

Wind

This episode looks at words related to swords. Since ancient times, the evolution of Japanese swords has followed a unique path. During the rule of the samurai, or bushi, swords were a part of daily life, and this resulted in many Japanese expressions related to swords. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words.

Sword

This episode looks at words related to shogi, also known as Japanese chess. Shogi is believed to have originated in ancient India, and shares roots with Western chess. The game has been enjoyed in Japan for more than 1,000 years. Many of the expressions born from shogi are used widely today in business and daily conversation. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Shogi

In this episode, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan travels to Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, where the writer and journalist Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) lived. Hearn is known for his compilation of Japanese ghost stories, Kwaidan, and had a deep interest in Japanese spirituality and folk religion. We visit the places that inspired Hearn in Matsue and look at some expressions related to ghosts along the way.

Ghost

In this episode, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan travels to Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, where the writer and journalist Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) lived. Hearn is known for Kwaidan, a collection of ghost stories, and other works that explore the essence of Japan. He also loved insects and resonated deeply with Japanese insect culture. From the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum in Matsue, we introduce some expressions related to insects, or mushi.

Insect

This episode introduces words related to wagashi, or Japanese sweets. Traditionally made to accompany the tea ceremony, they reflect the seasons and have led to many unique Japanese expressions. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Wagashi

This episode introduces words related to the color blue. Its many shades were used skillfully by Japanese ukiyo-e artists who significantly influenced famous painters worldwide. The Japanese word for blue covers a wide range of colors and has produced an equal variety of expressions. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Blue

This episode introduces words related to tori, or birds. For ages, the sight of birds soaring in the sky has thrilled people the world over. Guided by poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan, we explore unique Japanese words and expressions inspired by the appearances, habits and sounds of birds.

Bird

This episode introduces words related to ashi, which means both foot and leg. They have many important pressure points and play a significant role in blood flow. They've even been called the "second heart." We follow poet, literary translator and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan as he takes a walk around his home in Kyoto Prefecture. He guides us through unique words and expressions along the way.

Foot and Leg

This episode introduces words related to sumo. Throughout its long history, sumo has been performed as a ritual to pray for a good harvest and safety, and was practiced by samurai warriors as part of their training. Children also enjoyed it as a game. Sumo is close to the hearts of Japanese people, and it has inspired many expressions that are used in daily life. Poet, literary translator, and long-time Japan resident Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Sumo

This episode introduces words related to yumiya, meaning bow and arrow. Together, they've been used for hunting, fighting and rituals throughout their long history. They're also considered to have deep connections to the Japanese spirit. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through unique words inspired by this important tool.

Bow and Arrow

This episode focuses on words related to doro, or mud. Since ancient times, Japanese people have gotten muddy in the rice paddies, cultivating their main staple. Perhaps because of this, there are a surprising number of expressions related to mud in Japanese. And reflecting such a place of hard work, many of them are used in business situations. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through unique words born from "mud."

This episode focuses on words related to kage, meaning both shadow and shade. From rooting for someone working toward their dreams, to expressing appreciation for those around you, words involving kage are surprisingly common in daily conversation. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through such unique words and the culture behind them.

Shadow / Shade

This episode focuses on words related to yu, meaning both hot water and a bath. From a nice cup of tea to a soothing bath, hot water is indispensable in daily life. What's more, Japan is famous for its steaming hot springs, with more than 17,000 of them around the country. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through words that reveal the warmth Japanese people feel for hot baths and hot water.

Hot Water

This episode features words related to neru, meaning "to sleep." Some data show that Japanese people average around only 7 hours of sleep a day, suggesting that many need more slumber. In fact, the Japanese language has a number of unique words related to sleep that describe various aspects of daily life. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these expressions and the culture behind them.

Sleep

This episode focuses on words related to hachi, or the number eight. Numbers have special meanings in many places around the world. In Japan, eight is a particularly important number with a variety of meanings and associations. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through unique everyday expressions related to the number eight.

Eight

This episode focuses on words related to ne, or "root." Japan's agricultural history has inspired many unique expressions associated with roots. Today, many of them have also taken root in the business world. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

Root

This episode focuses on unique words related to kami, or "hair."

Hair

This episode focuses on the many words born from the ancient board game, Go, that are now a part of everyday speech.

Written Japanese was developed and refined after Japan began using Chinese kanji characters in the early 5th century. This history is reflected in the many words related to kaku, or "to write."

Write

This episode focuses on words related to yama (mountains). Mountains make up about 75% of Japan's territory, and they have made their way into many common expressions in the Japanese language.

Mountain

This episode focuses on me (eye). Just like other languages, Japanese has a lot of words and phrases related to eyes, and they are often used in daily life.

This episode focuses on words related to fukuro (bag). Reflecting its unique wrapping culture, Japan has a wide variety of bags, leading to an equal variety of Japanese words and expressions.

This episode focuses on words related to shio, or salt. Salt played an important role in the development of Japan's food culture and religion, and it continues to add flavor to many Japanese expressions.

Salt

In this episode, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan explores Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture and examines words and expressions related to Japanese castles.

Castle

This episode focuses on kuruma, which means both wheel and wheeled vehicle. A ubiquitous word, it has rolled its way into many Japanese expressions.

Wheel

This episode focuses on kawa, which means both river and stream. These flowing bodies of water have played a central role in Japanese life and philosophy, as reflected in the Japanese language.

River/Stream

This episode focuses on nana, or the number seven. Seen as a lucky number in Japan, it has given rise to many unique everyday words and expressions.

Seven

This episode focuses on kuchi (mouth). Japanese has many words and phrases related to its shape and functions.

Mouth

This episode focuses on shibai, which means both "a play" and "acting." It describes all types of acting and has produced many unique expressions.

Acting

This episode focuses on gekijo, or "theater." Japanese theaters have characteristic features that have produced many idiomatic expressions.

Theater

This episode focuses on fumu, meaning both "to step" and "to stomp." The action is an important part of Japanese Shinto rituals and is used in many Japanese expressions.

Step

This episode focuses on oto, or "sound." Japanese is rich in sound-related expressions and idioms, many describing aspects of reputation and communication.

Sound

The Manyoshu is the oldest extant anthology of Japanese poetry. Through poems presented in both manga and a modern setting, we glimpse sentiments from centuries ago.

The Manyoshu Edition / Episode I: Love

The Manyoshu is the oldest extant anthology of Japanese poetry. Through poems presented in manga and a modern setting, we glimpse sentiments from centuries ago. The topic this time is business.

The Manyoshu Edition / Episode II: Business

Explore the richness and depth of the Japanese language and discover how words and expressions reflect history, culture and the natural world.

All Episodes of Magical Japanese

Browse all episodes of Magical Japanese

Season 1

Rain

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/28/2021

Cherry Blossoms

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/28/2021

Trees

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/27/2021

Morning

Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/24/2021

Water

Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 12/22/2021

Night

Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/29/2021