Pages for learning Japanese about religion and shrines, sorted by how much they offer a learner.
240 pages
Biography of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido, covering his early life, martial arts training, spiritual development, and the founding of Aikido. Suitable for learners interested in Japanese martial arts and culture.
Article about sumo as a sacred ritual in Japan, covering its history, spiritual significance, and ceremonial practices. Written for learners with furigana and bilingual English-Japanese text.
A collection of articles and interviews by and about Stanley Pranin covering aikido history, technique, and the lives of aikido founders and instructors.
A detailed guide to Japanese yokai folklore that explores the origins, types, and cultural significance of supernatural creatures in Japanese tradition.
Guide to major Japanese festivals throughout the year with information on history, locations, and practical participation tips for foreign residents and visitors.
Guide to twelve famous yokai from Japanese folklore with stories, characteristics, and cultural significance. Helps learners understand traditional supernatural beings that appear in modern Japanese media and culture.
A resource offering kanji study materials organized by JLPT level, including downloadable PDFs of essential kanji, vocabulary lists with readings and meanings, and lessons on kanji with okurigana.
It aims to foster an understanding of the customs and daily life of contemporal Japanese people and society.
Article introducing ten types of traditional Japanese masks used in theater, festivals, and ceremonial contexts. Suitable for learners interested in Japanese culture and art history.
An article explaining zafu meditation cushions, their history from ancient India through China to Japan, materials, uses, and cultural significance.
Guide to Japanese Zen garden design covering history, symbolism of stones and gravel, and instructions for creating full-scale and miniature gardens. Written for learners interested in Japanese culture and aesthetics.
Bilingual illustrated article about the historical and cultural significance of matsuri in Japan, with furigana annotations and audio practice.
Introduces Japanese tea varieties, their characteristics, and cultural significance, covering green tea, matcha, and specialty teas along with the history of tea in Japan from the 700s onward.
Free vocabulary list for JLPT N2 containing 4,893 Japanese words with readings, meanings, and associated kanji for learners preparing for the N2 level exam.
Explores the kanji 運 (luck, fortune) through its etymology, meanings, and brush writing technique across five classical calligraphy styles. Suited for learners studying kanji and Japanese calligraphy.
Discover the meaning of the Japanese bow in Aikido. Learn why bowing represents respect, gratitude and etiquette—not worship or religion.
A guide to Japanese tea garden design principles for international gardeners, covering the history, philosophy, and essential elements of traditional tea gardens rooted in zen Buddhism and tea ceremony practice.
Essay explaining Shinto, Japan's native spiritual tradition, covering kami, shrines, rituals, and how Shinto and Buddhism coexist in Japanese life. Suitable for learners seeking cultural context.
Daily Japanese news stories from NHK rewritten at beginner level with English translation, short sentences, and explanations of proper nouns. Updated every morning and free to access.
Guide to traditional Japanese hairstyles for kimono wear, covering historical styles like shimada mage and marumage with cultural significance and modern adaptations for travelers visiting Kyoto.
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