13 Types of Shinto Shrines: Different Deities, Beliefs and Blessings
Torii Gate of Suwa Shrine in Nishi-Waseda, Tokyo, Japan There are 13 types of Shinto shrines in Japan, each with…
Hiroko Matsuyama
Significance of Selecting Japanese Family Crests aka Kamon
'Mu' Kamon Kamon, Japanese family crests, were first painted on palanquins, clothing, and camp curtains to mark the family name.…
Origins of the Japanese Family Crest: Court Nobles and Samurai
There are various theories about the origin of Japanese family crests. But since the origins of crests differ between court…
Japanese Honorific Suffix: “San”, “Sama”, “Kun”, and “Chan”
The Japanese honorific suffix is something you learn first and use every day when you learn Japanese. They can be…
Japanese Surnames: Top 10 Ranking, Origin, and its Meanings
Japanese surnames are known for their wide variety and origins. Many are derived from the names of places, geographic features,…