Culture

Cai Kagawa explores the problematic racial representation in D&D

My grandmother and her family stood on the same ground as Asian Americans do today while attending 626 Night Market—albeit under extremely different circumstances—but it bothers me to know that her history is being forgotten or ignored.

Happi coat sewing tutorial

Obon, like many Japanese American cultural practices, exists in the intersections of race and religion. Although Obon is a more widely accepted cultural-religious practice, this was not always the case.

There’s a lot more to Japanese fashion than you can imagine. Let’s take a look at some major points of fashion in Japan.

My dad has been antiquing for years, specializing in buying and selling Japan-made goods. I went behind the scenes to learn about his business.

I started my pre-loved fine gold jewelry business, Teruko Jewelry, on a whim—I knew nothing about solid gold, the value of gold jewelry or even how I would mail out orders. But when the scariest thing in the world has happened to you, things that might have seemed daunting feel manageable.

How do generational differences affect opinions of cultural arts and their importance? You want to know, and so do we.

It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that, then what you’ll see happen is that you won’t accomplish your dreams, your dreams won’t come true; something greater will.

Ikebana is a long practiced Japanese art. This is my experience practicing it.

It’s hard to explain why working with JAS is so important to me. Showing up in action and solidarity with love for our community and a revolutionary vision for the future just feels like the right—and sometimes the only—thing to do.

While most have a basic familiarity with the animals of the Lunar New Year, there are a number of nuances and stories associated with the zodiac that many don't know. Let's jump right in!

With just a few tips, you can enhance your local grocery store flowers (or flowers picked from your backyard) into a thoughtful arrangement that will reflect your true feelings.

Gia Gunn chats about her journey from dancing Nihon-buyo as a child to RuPaul's Drag Race to self discovery and activism.

A family mochitsuki can be a great way to bring the family together for the holidays and it's easier than you think.

What food do you need to have to complete your holiday season? Three millennial women share the the meals and recipes that have become new traditions in their families - two recipes included!

An entire arrangement of traditional Japanese foods, and yet most of us don't know where it came from or what the foods represent.

Traditional mochitsuki is a long-time tradition of the Yasukochi Family. Here's a family members perspective of the annual event.

For the past decade, Marie Kondo has built a base of followers, guided by her principles in decluttering and streamlined material possession. But has capitalism steered her away from her original purpose?

What are we going to do with all this old stuff?

The Japanese language includes numerous and varied wellness concepts, many of which no word in English can adequately convey.

A quiet ode to shokuhin sampuru, also known as those beautiful plastic food displays you see in Japanese restaurants.

Starting the new year with friends and family... around the world.

Counting down to midnight is a worldwide tradition of New Years Eve. We asked our friends what else they do to ring in the new year, every year.

Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas. This is a thing in Japan.

Since 678, Japan celebrates a holiday around this time of the year by giving thanks to laborers and the fall harvest.

Halloween in Japan is rather new. Like many western influences that jumped the Pacific, the Japanese are slowly making it their own.

The Japanese summer festival season has a lot more to offer than obon. Learn more about the various food and fun-filled events that are held throughout Japan every summer.

Though we have our own thoughts on the U.S. government's response to COVID-19, we were curious about what Japanese people thought about us, as well as their own government's response.

Vegetable superheroes, snake liquor, and fried doughnuts are just some of the things that make Okinawan culture amazing. To learn more about some of the things that make Okinawa's culture so rich and vibrant, read on.

It's natural for kids to outgrow their dolls when they age, but in Japan, to throw your doll away without thanking them is disrespectful. Learn more about ningyo kuyo, or doll funerals held at Shinto temples in Japan.