Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why are vegetables so unsulting in Japanese? On this episode we are honored to once again be joined by Kyle Broyles of the Tokyo Splosion podcast and Hard Officers YouTube channel.

• Some funny Japanese vegetable-based insults and their (supposed) etymologies
• What the term daikon ashi means
• Why daikon ashi is so insulting and reserved only for use on women
• The usage of the term "dumpling legs"
• What the term daikon yakusha means
• Why daikon yakusha is considered an insult
• Why it's insulting to call someone a bean sprout (moyashi) in Japanese
• What it means to "stink of potatoes" (to be imokusai)
• What a "country milkboy" is
• What an "embankment pumpkin" is (dote kabocha)
• The most commonly cited story explaining the insulting meaning of the term dote kabocha
• A tip for training yourself to like vegetables
• Interesting Japanese slang involving the the Japanese word for eggplant (nasu)
• What the term bokenasu means
• Why it is insulting to be called a bokenasu
• What the heck an otankonasu is
• Two theories for where the "otanko" part of otankonasu derived from
• The most common etymologies of the term otankonasu
• The potential connection between otankonasu and Edo period pleasure districts
• Bubble era Japanese slang
• How pīman (green pepper) was used as an insult in Japan in the 1970s
• The difficulties localizers face when translating idioms from Japanese into English
• Whether the Japanese word for "vegetable" (yasai) totally overlaps in meaning with its English counterpart
• Why there seem to be more vegetable-related insults in Japanese than fruit-related insults
• And more!

Note: All of the etymologies provided during this episode were found in Japanese language sources and are the most commonly cited. However, just because they are the most commonly cited etymologies that does not mean they are true, so please keep this in mind.

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.

• Support on Patreon

This episode features Kyle Broyles as a special guest. If you would like to follow him on Twitter, please use the link below.

• Kyle Broyles on Twitter

Kyle is one of the hosts of the Tokyo Splosion podcast. If you would like to check his podcast out, you can look it up wherever you get your podcasts or use the links below.

• Tokyo Splosion on Libsyn
• Tokyo Splosion on Apple Podcasts
• Tokyo Splosion on Twitter

The latest episode of Tokyo Splosion as of the time of this posting can be found below.

• Tokyo Splosion Quarterly: Spring 2020

Kyle also produces the YouTube series Hard Officers. Check out the channel via the link below.

• Hard Officers YouTube Channel

Here's a link to the previous episode Kyle Broyles was a guest on.

• What's life like in Japan during the coronavirus pandemic? (Uncovering the cute sneeze conspiracy | Ichimon Japan 13

Just to review, here's a list of all the insults that were covered on this episode, including how you write them in Japanese.

• Daikon ashi
  • 大根足 : 大根足; 大根脚 【だいこんあし】 (n) thick legs; fat legs; cankle; cankles (literally: daikon radish legs)
• Daikon yakusha
  • 大根役者 【だいこんやくしゃ】 (n) (yoji) ham actor; hack actor (literally: daikon radish actor)
• Moyashi
  • もやし (n) bean sprouts (in certain contexts it can also be used to mean as an insult meaning lanky, gangly or frail)
• Moyashikko
  • もやしっ子 【もやしっこ】 (n) weak child; frail child; gangly child
• Imokusai
  • イモくさい 【いもくさい】 (n) country bumpkin; unsophisticated; hick (literally to stink of potatoes)
• Dote kabocha
  • どてかぼちゃ (n) incompetent person; halfwit; blockhead; fool (literally: embankment pumpkin)
• Bokenasu
  • ぼけなす (n) (1) faded, dull-colored eggplant; (2) (derog) slow-witted, abstracted person; halfwit
• Otankonasu
  • おたんこなす (n) fool; twit; idiot; bird-brain
• Atama ga pīman (Note: This term was popular in the 1970s and is rarely, if ever, used today.)
  • 頭がピーマン 【あたまがぴーまん】 stupid; dumb (literally: your head is a green pepper)
• Hanashi ga pīman
  • 話がピーマン 【はなしがぴーまん】 what you are saying is stupid/pointless (literally: what you are saying/your story is a green pepper.)

If you'd like to check out episode 38 of Japan Station, you can do so via the link below.

• Understanding Idols and the Success of AKB48 (Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith) | Japan Station 38

If you missed the Japanese study tips episode of Ichimon Japan, check out the article below.

• What are your Japanese studying tips? | Ichimon Japan 08

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Yasai
  • 野菜 【やさい】 (n,adj-no) vegetable
• Kudamono
  • 果物 : 果物(P); 菓物 【くだもの(P); かぶつ(果物)】 (n) fruit
• Oden
  • おでん (n) (food) oden; dish of various ingredients, e.g. egg, daikon, potato, chikuwa, konnyaku, etc. stewed in soy-flavored dashi
• Shokuatari
  • 食あたり : 食あたり; 食中り 【しょくあたり】 (n) food poisoning
• Shokubutsu
  • 植物 【しょくぶつ】 (n) plant; vegetation
• Emoi
  • エモい (adj-i) (1) (sl) emo; sad; melancholic; (2) (sl) (pun on エロい and キモい) (See エロい,キモい) erotic in a disgusting way
• Inakakusai
  • 田舎臭い : 田舎臭い; 田舎くさい 【いなかくさい】 (adj-i) rustic; unsophisticated; provincial; hick; cornball
• Ume
  • 梅 : 梅(P); 楳 【うめ(P); むめ(ok); ウメ】 (n) (1) Japanese apricot (Prunus mume); Japanese plum; ume; Chinese plum
• Tnkō
  • 炭坑 : 炭鉱(P); 炭坑; 炭礦 【たんこう】 (n) coal mine; coal pit

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

• https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's life like in Japan during the coronavirus pandemic? We also investigate the cute sneeze conspiracy that is going on in Japan. This episodes features special guest Kyle Broyles of the Tokyo Splosion podcast and Hard Officers YouTube channel.

• What it's like living in central Tokyo during the coronavirus pandemic
• What it's like living in Ishikawa Prefecture during the coronavirus pandemic
• Precautions supermarkets in Japan have taken during the coronavirus pandemic
• Whether there are have been any noticeable food shortages
• Making the switch to working from home
• The state of emergency declared by the governor of Ishikawa Prefecture
• Restrictions on bars/izakaya in Tokyo and whether they are being followed
• What the past few weeks have been like in Hawaii during the coronavirus pandemic
• How a robot cabal is promoting "cute sneezing" in order to further spread the coronavirus in Japan
• How to sneeze like a cute Japanese girl
• Fuku's dinosaur museum
• Ishikawa's famous carrots
• The solution to the "cute sneezing" problem
• The dirty handholds on Japanese trains
• And more!

Note: This episode was recorded on April 19, 2020 (JST)/April 18 (HST). On April 20 (JST) Ryan found out that the movie theater he mentions in the episode had closed on April 18 (one day before this episode was recorded).

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.

• Support on Patreon

This episode features Kyle Broyles as a special guest. If you would like to follow him on Twitter, please use the link below.

• Kyle Broyles on Twitter

Kyle is one of the hosts of the Tokyo Splosion podcast. If you would like to check his podcast out, you can look it up wherever you get your podcasts or use the links below.

• Tokyo Splosion on Libsyn
• Tokyo Splosion on Apple Podcasts
• Tokyo Splosion on Twitter

The episode of Tokyo Splosion involving the "stinky buddies" that was mentioned at the beginning of this episode can be accessed via the link below.

• Tokyo Splosion - Stinky Buddies

Kyle also produces the YouTube series Hard Officers. Check out the channel via the link below.

• Hard Officers YouTube Channel

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Kushami
  • くしゃみ (n) sneeze
• Seki
  • 咳 【せき】 (n) cough; coughing; tussis
• Yarikata
  • やり方 【やりかた】 (n) manner of doing; way; method; means

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

• https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's better: rural life or city life in Japan?

• The pros and cons of living in rural Japan
• The pros and cons of living in a big city in Japan
• Life in Ishikawa Prefecture
• Life in Kobe
• Life in Osaka
• Where Ishikawa Prefecture is located
• Whether rural people are friendlier than city people in Japan
• Eating udon meshi at Sururi in Shinjuku, Tokyo
• Eating gator in Ueno, Tokyo
• Magic: The Gathering in Japan
• The not so great rainy wather of Ishikawa
• Cheap and/or free housing in rural Japan
• Ishikawa's delicious carrots
• How Japan's declining population is affecting Japan's rual areas
• The general lack of adults in their 20s and 30s in rual Japan
• And more!

Note: This episode was recorded before the declaration of the global coronavirus pandemic. While you should visit Japan as Ryan suggests, obviously, April 2020 is a pretty bad time to try to do so.

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.

• Support on Patreon

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Inaka
  • 田舎 【いなか(gikun)】 (n,adj-no) (1) (sens) rural area; countryside; the sticks; (2) hometown
• Beddotaun
  • ベッドタウン : ベッドタウン; ベットタウン(ik); ベッド・タウン; ベット・タウン(ik) (n) commuter town (wasei: bed town); bedroom community; dormitory town
• Kisha
  • 汽車 【きしゃ】 (n) (1) train (esp. long distance train); (2) (orig. meaning) steam train

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

• https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is the Curse of the Colonel?

• What the famous Curse of the Colonel is
• How tall and how heavy the statues of Colonel Sanders that are seen at Japanese KFC locations are
• How the tradition of the Dotombori Dive began
• The Hanshin Tigers
• How the Hanshin Tigers were named after the Detroit Tigers
• Why a statue of Colonel Sanders was thrown into the Dotombori River in 1985
• Randy Bass and his connection to the Curse of the Colonel
• How the missing statue of the Colonel was found in the Dotombori River in 2009
• The tradition of the Dotombori Dive and some of the deaths and accidents that have resulted from it
• What parts of the Colonel Sanders statue remain missing
• Whether the Hanshin Tigers remain cursed
• Where the statue of Colonel Sanders that was thrown into the Dotombori River in 1985 is today
• How Randy Bass' name changed when he began playing in Japan
• What Randy Bass did after going back to the US in 1988
• The suicide of Shingo Furuya
• And more!

Note: Japanese-language sources do indeed indicate that the name of the Hanshin Tigers was based on that of the Detroit Tigers.

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.

• Support on Patreon

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Hanshin
  • 阪神 【はんしん】 (n) (1) Osaka-Kobe; (2) Hanshin (company name: railway, dept. store, baseball team, etc.)

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

• https:///www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Panty Town?

• The town of Shimogigaoka (下木ヶ丘) and its plan to use panty vending machines for publicity
• The history of the town of Shimogigaoka
• What fundoshi are
• How rural towns across Japan are trying to both boost tourism and attract new residents through various headline-grabbing PR stunts
• Whether "Panty Town" is real
• And more!

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undying gratitude

• Support on Patreon

To check out the article about the guy that takes off his fundoshi in all sorts of funny and creative ways, use the link below.

• Fundoshi Man Teaches You 6 Creative (And Funny) Ways To Take Off Your Sexy Japanese Underwear (Video)

You can check out the April Fools' Day Japankyo articles below.

• Sumo Wrestlers Must Compete Nude Declares Japan Sumo Association
• AKB48 Creator Announces All Baby Reiwa-Themed Pop Idol Group

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Fundoshi
  • ふんどし (n) (1) fundoshi; loincloth; traditional Japanese men's undergarment made from a length of cotton; (2) kimono underskirt; (3) (sumo) wrestler's ornamental apron
• Shitagi
  • 下着 【したぎ】 (n) underwear

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

• https://www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Was Momotarō a thief?

• The folktale/fairy tale of Momotarō
• Whether Peach Boy is a good English title for Momotarō
• How old the story of Momotarō is
• Kunio Yanagita
• The most common motifs of the Momotarō story
• Some of the many variations that exist of the story of Momotarō
• The possible connection between Kehi Shrine in the city of Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture,and the tale of Momotarō
• The connection between Kinashi in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture and the story of Momotarō
• Okayama Prefecture's push to associate themselves with the story of Momotarō
• The origins of Momotarō Shrine (Momotarō Jinja) in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture and what you can expect to see there
• The photograph of mummified oni remains that was and may still be on display at Momotaro Shrine
• What the oldest printed copy of Momotarō is
• Momotarō Gempuku Sugata (1779), an Edo Period dark sequel to Momotarō in which the daughter of the oni of Onigashima gets sent to kill Momotarō but instead falls in love with him and then kills herself
• Whether Momotarō was justified in his actions
• How Momotarō has changed over the centuries
• Momotarō's adoption as a symbol of right wing nationalism
• The link between Onigashima and real world places like Hawaii, Taiwan, and Singapore
• A mock trial held by elementary school students in Shizuoka Prefecture in order to determine whether Momotarō was justified in his actions
• Yotsuba Kuramochi and her expansive research intended to determine whether the oni really were the villains in the story of Momotarō
• What happens when artificial intelligence tries to interpret the story of Momotarō
• And more!

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.

• Support on Patreon

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• One
  • 鬼 【おに(P); き】 (n) (1) ogre; demon; oni
• Momo
  • 桃 【もも(P); モモ】 (n) peach (Prunus persica)

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

• Was Momotaro a thief? (All About Peach Bob) | Ichimon Japan 09

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What are your Japanese studying tips?

• How and why Tony and Ryan started studying Japanese
• The structure of Japanese
• Strategies and tips for studying Japanese and any foreign language
• The difficult part about learning Japanese
• Whether Japanese is a complex language
• The usefulness of talking to yourself in Japanese and rehearsing conversations
• Using anime, movies, music, and video games as tools for studying Japanese
• Strategies for sounding more natural in Japanese
• Reading kanji
• The importance of learning things in context
• The importance of doing things you like as a way to practice Japanese
• Why video games can be a good tool for learning Japanese
• The importance of using language as a tool
• The importance of making mistakes
• Using YouTube videos as a tool for learning Japanese
• The importance of figuring out what strategies work best for you
• The importance of daily practice and study
• Practicing writing Japanese
• The benefits of talking to native speakers
• Textbook Japanese vs the casual Japanese found in the real world
• How simple Japanese grammar is
• And more!

If this episode got you motivated to buy some resources for learning Japanese, then please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below.

• japankyo.com/amazon

Here is the first book Tony purchased after taking an interest in the Japanese language. This is an Amazon affiliate link.

• Easy Hiragana: First Steps to Reading and Writing Basic Japanese (Passport Books) (English and Japanese Edition) by Fujihiko Kaneda

For anyone interested in practicing writing in Japanese, one great resource that was mentioned during this episode is the website Lang-8.

• Lang-8.com

Also mentioned during this episode is the app Hello Talk.

• Hello Talk

If you would like to purchase the Genki textbooks, you can do so via the Amazon affiliate link below.

• Genki 1 2 , Learning Japanese for Beginners 4 Book Bundle Set , An Integrated Course in Elementary Workbook and Textbook With Original Sticky Notes

In case you have not listened to the "intestines" episode of Ichimon Japan that was mentioned during this episode, you can do so by using the link below.

• Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners? | Ichimon Japan 02

If you're interested in checking out the latest episode of Japan Station, featuring Dr. Richard Samuels, an expert on the history of the Japanese intelligence community and espionage, then please go to the page linked below.

• The Japanese Intelligene Community & Espionage (Dr. Richard Samuels) | Japan Station 34

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Yōchien
  • 幼稚園 【ようちえん】 (n) kindergarten
• Yūenchi
  • 遊園地 【ゆうえんち】 (n) amusement park

• Ijō
  • 以上 【いじょう】 (n-adv,n-t) (1) (See 余・1) not less than; ... and more; ... and upwards; (2) beyond ... (e.g. one's means); further (e.g. nothing further to say); more than ... (e.g. cannot pay more than that); (3) above-mentioned; foregoing; (4) since ...; seeing that ...; (5) this is all; that is the end; the end
• Kaenbin
  • 火炎瓶 【かえんびん】 (n) Molotov cocktail; petrol bomb; gasoline bomb

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What was it like in Fukushima during the Tohoku earthquake?

Note: This is part two of a two part series. If you have not listened to part one, you should go back and listen to it first.

• What it was like being in Iwaki City, Fukushima in the days following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake
• Evacuating from Iwaki to Sapporo
• The experience of volunteering along the Tohoku coast
• The long term effects of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster on the region Tohoku region
• And more!

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

• japankyo.com/ichimonjapan

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What was it like in Fukushima during the Tohoku earthquake?

Note: This is part one of a two part series.

• A firsthand account of what the 2011 Tohoku earthquake felt like in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• The 2011 tsunami
• The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and concerns over radiation
• What some English teachers in Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture did after the earthquake
• What it was like being in Osaka and Kobe during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake
• The lack of commercials on Japanese TV in the days following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake
• And more!

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

If you would like to learn more about the effects of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, you should check out episode nine of the Japan Station podcast. This episode features an interview with Richard Lloyd Parry, author of Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone.

• Japan Station 09: Ghosts of the Tsunami (Richard Lloyd Parry)

And just in case you'd like to purchase Ghosts of the Tsunami, consider using the Amazon affiliate link below to support Ichimon Japan.

• Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone

Daniel Legare also appeared on episode four of Ichimon Japan, which you can check out via the link below

• What's it like being a "fake priest" in Japan? | Ichimon Japan 04

For full show notes of all Ichimon Japan episodes visit:

• https://japankyo.com/ichimonjapan

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's the deal with "fish girl on a cliff?" And by "fish girl on a cliff" we mean the 2008 Studio Ghibli film Ponyo.

• The general reception of Ponyo
• Whether Ponyo was better received in the West or in Japan
• The "catchiness" of the theme from Ponyo
• A review of the major events of Ponyo
• Ponyo's fondness of human blood
• The meaning of Ponyo's name and an analysis of why Sosuke chose the name Ponyo
• Some of the omissions found in the English dub
• The relationship between Sosuke and Risa
• Sosuke's mother's reckless driving and her carefree personality
• Why Sosuke does not call Risa "mom" or "mother" (i.e. the prevalence of yobisute in Ponyo)
• Some of the most memorable scenes in Ponyo
• Random Ponyo trivia
• The peculiar interaction between Ponyo, Sosuke, and the stranded young couple holding a baby
• Some of the themes and possible messages found within Ponyo
• Speculation about what the supposedly planned Ponyo sequel could have been like
• What Hayao Miyazaki has said about what might happen to Ponyo and Sosuke after the end of Ponyo
• Whether Ponyo and Sosuke's relationship could be described as "romantic"
• How we think Ponyo stacks up to other Studio Ghibli films
• Whether we enjoyed Ponyo or not
• And more!

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

Check out episode 32 of Japan Station via the link below.

• Chatting About Shinobi Mysteries w. Susan Spann | Japan Station 32

• https://www.japankyo.com/ichimonjapan