Season 3 is here! Starting fresh, this zen word, Beginner’s Mind, inspired me.  Thank you for your support!! Looking forward to the new season!!Key Words:Shoshin 初心Beginner’s Mind————-I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

As we pass the autumn equinox, manjyushage starts to bloom in Japan. In this episode, I talk about the exciting topic of the equinox, the season of o-higan, and blooming red spider lilies. Check out Instagram and Facebook for my painting of red spider lilies! Key Words:Shūbun no hi 秋分の日Autumn EquinoxO-higan お彼岸Buddhist holidayHigan baba 彼岸花Manjyushage 曼珠沙華Red spider lilies —————————————-I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

In autumn, we hear the sound of insects. Here is a children song with pleasant insect onomatopoeia, first published in 1910.秋になると虫の声が聞こえてきますよね。明治43年初出され、虫のオノマトペが心地よい童謡「虫のこえ」をご紹介します。Song practice: 15:32Whole song singing: 34:36Sound video of insects in this song:https://youtu.be/VLclzP03xjM?si=gmv-PsnXffCIdo7yKey Words:Mushi no koe 虫のこえVoices of Insects1Aa matsu mushi ga naite iru Chin chiro Chin chiro Chin chiro rinAa suzu mushi mo nakidashita Rin rin Rin rin Rīn rin Aki no yonaga o naki toosu Aa omoshiroi mushi no koe2Kiri kiri Kiri kiri Koorogi yaGacha Gacha Gacha Gacha kutsuwa mushiAto kara umaoi oitsui techon chon chon chon suicchonAki no yonaga o naki toosu Aa omoshiroi mushi no koeLyrics in Japanese:1ああ 松虫が鳴いている ちんちろ ちんちろ ちんちろりんああ鈴虫も鳴き出したりんりん りんりん りいんりん秋の夜長を鳴き通すああ おもしろい虫の声2きりきり きりきり きいりきり こおろぎやがちゃ がちゃ がちゃ がちゃ くつわ虫後から 馬追い 追いついてちょん ちょん ちょん ちょん すいっちょん\秋の夜長を鳴き通すああ おもしろい虫の声————————-I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

Japanese is a vowel driven language. A research published in 1978 revels that the Japanese hear the sound of nature in an unusual way because of the characteristics of the Japanese language.日本語は母音が強い言語です。昭和53年に発表された研究によると日本人は自然界の音を少し変わった方法で処理しているそうです。 Key Words:Unō 右脳Right hemisphereSanō 左脳Left hemisphereGojyū on  五十音a table of the Japanese kana syllabaryOnomatope オノマトペOnomatopoeia —————————-I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

Japan is the only country which has a national holiday to honor the blessings of the oceans. In this episode, I talk about the history of the Marine Day in Japan (7/20). Key Words:Umi 海OceanUmi no hi 海の日Ocean DayMeiji maru 明治丸Ryōkai 領海Territorial SeaSetsuzoku Suiiiki 接続水域Contiguous ZoneHaitateki KeizaiSuiiiki 排他的経済水域 Exclusive Economic ZoneーーーーーーーーーーーI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

Celebrate Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. This means the shortest night of the year. I talk about a festival to celebrate the summer solstice and related words.1. What is Summer Solstice2. Festival and related word3. Mont Saint Michel Key Words:Geshi 夏至 summer solsticeMeoto iwa 夫婦岩wedded rocksMijikayo 短夜summer short night—————————————I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

One of the influential travel poets and priests is Saigyō,  who lived when the world was changing drastically in his lifetime in the early 12th century in Japan. I look at the most well-known poem by him, who loved cherry blossoms and the moon.Saigyō  西行 願わくば (negawakuba)花の下にて (hana no shita nite) 春死なん (haru shinan)その如月の (sono kisaragi no)望月の頃 (mochizuki no koro)Hokumen no bushi 北面の武士The imperial palace guards for the north side Taira no Kiyomori 平清盛Minamoto no Yoritomo 源頼朝Shin kokin waka shū  新古今和歌集New Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern Hyakunin Isshu  百人一首One hundred people, one poemOku no Hosomichi 奥の細道The Narrow Road to the InterriorSanka shū 山家集Collection of a Mountain HomeHirokawa-dera temple 弘川寺—————————————-I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

Celebrate Vernal Equinox (Northern /Southern Hemisphere), happening 3/20 (in U.S.) & 3/21 (in Japan). I talk about:1. What is Equinox?2. Higan3. FoodKey Words:Vernal Equinox・shunbun no hi・ 春分の日Higan ・that shore・彼岸Shigan ・this shore・ 此岸Atsusa samusa mo higan made・hot and cold until higan・暑さ寒さも彼岸までBotamochi ・ ぼたもち Tsukushi ・horsetail・ 土筆————————-I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

Join me to take a look at classical literature about “timing” along with Hemingway.タイミングについて、ヘミングウェイや古典から検証してみます。The Sun Also Rises・ 日はまた昇る・ hi wa mata noboruEcclesiastes・ 伝道者の書・ dendōsha no shoTao Te Ching ・老子・ rōshi I Ching ・易経・eki kyō————————————————I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

During the season of Chinese New Year, I share a story from the Great Learning, one of the Four Books in Chinese Literature. Every day is a new opportunity to renew ourselves.Key Words:大学・Daigaku・the Great LearningTang ・First king of Yin Dynasty 湯之盤銘曰荀日新日日新又日新yono ban no mei ni iwaku makoto ni hi ni arata nihibi ni arata nimata hi ni arata nari toI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

Happy New Year!! On the first day of the New Year, I share this Waka-style poem written by Ōtomo no Yakamochi in 759 from Manyōshu (Ten Thousand Leaves — collection of waka poems).Key words:万葉集：Manyōshu大伴家持：Ōtomo no Yakamochi大伴旅人：Ōtomo no Tabito令和：Reiwa新たしき aratashiki 年の初めの toshi no hajime no初春の hatsuharu no今日降る雪の kyō furu yuki noいや重け吉事 iyashike yogoto Here is Matsuda sensei’s YouTube link on this poem (in Japanese with English pronunciation practices):https://youtu.be/CgAvuEqvKXU——————————————————-I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

To begin the season 2 of this podcast and to reflect on the New Year, I talk about a Japanese idiom,  Ichigo Ichie - Once in a lifetime. シーズン2と新年を迎えるにあたり、今回は一期一会についてお話ししています。一期一会：Ichigo IchieCheck out Sam Harris’ 5 min anecdote on “The Last Time” in The Tim Ferris Show #599.https://tim.blog/2022/06/08/sam-harris-peter-attia-ramit-sethi-elizabeth-gilbert/ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

In celebration of one year anniversary of this podcast, join me as I share the meaning and origin of the word Arigatō.おかげさまでこのポッドキャストは一周年を迎えることができました。その記念に「ありがとう」の意味、語源についてお話ししています。・Meaning of Arigatō ・有難う arigatō ・盲亀浮木 mōki fuboku ・Meaning of Thank You・Arigatō in Samurai way (かたじけない）・Arigatō in Osaka way （おおきに）Thank you for your continuous support! So grateful for the every one of you listeners!! いつも応援ありがとうございます。リスナーの皆様お一人お一人に感謝いたします。これからもどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

On this Christmas Day, I look at two expressions used around the winter solstice. May your winter be filled with hope and positive energy.・一陽来復  ichiyō raifuku・日脚伸ぶ  hiashi nobuクリスマスの日に、冬至に関する二つの表現についてお話しています。みなさんの冬が希望とエネルギーに満ちたものとなりますように。ーーーーーーI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

The largest, most prestigious racing track in Japan is Suzuka Circuit! Join me as I talk about the brief history and the Honda’s Suzuka plant company events.日本の名門レーストラックといえば鈴鹿サーキット。今回はその歴史と本田鈴鹿製作所の社内イベントについてお話しています。==================I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

EP36: The Founder of HondaThe founder of Honda, Honda Sōichirō, is one of the key Japanese persons in the modern era. In this episode, I share a brief history of his life, the company, and explore his philosophy of work.  Thank you for reaching out, Fujii san, my long time big brother in Tokyo.  本田宗一郎さんといえば、近代の日本を引っ張った代表的な方だと思うのです。今回はそんな本田宗一郎さんの生い立ち、心構え、会社についてお話ししています。ご感想をいただいた藤井さん、ありがとうございました。——————————I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

9/23 in Japan is a national holiday celebrating the Autumn Equinox (9/22 in the U.S.). And the three days before and three days after totaling the 7 days is called Ohigan, where we celebrate our ancestors. In this episode, I talk about the traditions and food associated with this holiday.9月23日は秋分の日（アメリカでは22日になります）。日本では祝日です。そしてこの三日前と三日後と合わせて七日間はお彼岸です。今回はお彼岸についてお話しています。ーーーーーーーーーーーーI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

9/9 is the Chrysanthemum Festival. I talk about the origin and tradition of this festival. 9月9日は重陽の節句です。今回は重陽の節句の歴史や伝統についてお話ししています。ーーーーーーーーーーーI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form.  I would like to hear from you.https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/

What do you see on the moon?  We see a rabbit on the moon!  In this episode, I talk about the origins of the story of the rabbit pounding mochi on the moon as I sing a long-loved Japanese nursery rhyme called “Usagi.”お月様の中に何が見えますか？私たちにはうさぎが見えます！この回では、うさぎの餅つきのお話しや長く愛されている童謡「うさぎ」についてお話ししています。ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーI would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/https://instagram.com/asagaojapanese.  https://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures

Amazing beautiful moon is coming up on September 9th/10th for the Moon Viewing Festival called Otsukimi.  I talk about the meaning of the name and the two decorations for this festival in this episode.  Look up and enjoy the moon!令和四年の中秋の名月は9月9日・10日です。お月見の行事についてお話ししています。みなさんもぜひ名月を楽しんでみてくださいね。——————————————I would love to hear what treasures you find. Please let me know. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please reach out using this form: https://forms.gle/Y34vT9MT8gQ6WvGBAOr DM me through: Website: https://www.asagaojapanese.com/Blog: https://asagaoblog.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/asagaojapanesehttps://instagram.com/megumi.findingtreasures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Asagao-Japanese-100854531445764/