The Kotoba Interactive journal.

Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.

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10 articles Reset

ChineseTraditions18 min

Chinese Zodiac: The Twelve Animals and Their Legend

From twelve animals to five elements, the Chinese zodiac hides a fascinating cosmology. The great race legend, the betrayed cat, and Fruits Basket.

15 avril 2026Read

JapaneseSociété9 min

Valentine's, White Day, Black Day: Love Across East Asia

From Valentine's to White Day and Black Day, how Japan, Korea, and China reinvented love holidays. Plus: the horror game White Day.

15 avril 2026Read

JapaneseLangue10 min

Oppa, Senpai, Gege: Titles That Shape East Asian Society

Oppa, Noona, Hyeong, Senpai, Kohai, Gege, Jiejie: understanding the honorific titles governing social relationships in Japan, Korea, and China.

15 avril 2026Read

JapaneseGastronomie17 min

Matcha: History and Secrets of Japanese Green Tea

From the emerald powder of Zen monks to the global matcha latte, a deep dive into the history, production, and secrets of Japan's most iconic tea.

15 avril 2026Read

JapaneseSociété10 min

Karaoke: From Japan to the World, the Art of Singing Together

History of karaoke, from its invention in Japan to noraebang culture in Korea and KTV in China. How a machine changed our evenings.

15 avril 2026Read

ChineseGastronomie17 min

Chinese Hotpot: The Bubbling Feast That Unites China

From fiery Sichuan broth to delicate Cantonese stock, Chinese hotpot is far more than a meal. Explore the history and traditions of China's ultimate communal feast.

15 avril 2026Read

ChineseLangue10 min

Chengyu: Four-Character Idioms That Tell the Story of China

Discover chengyu, Chinese four-character idioms born from ancient tales, fables, and literary classics. History, meaning, and daily use.

15 avril 2026Read

JapaneseGastronomie12 min

Ramen: How a Chinese Import Became Japan's Soul Food

From Chinese broth to Tokyo counters, the full story of Japanese ramen. Origins, regional styles, Momofuku Ando and the instant noodle revolution.

11 avril 2026Read

JapaneseArts11 min

The Ultimate Guide to Japanese, Korean and Chinese Culture

An illustrated dictionary of works, genres and traditions from Japan, South Korea and China. From Cardcaptor Sakura to Boys Over Flowers, everything explained in one article.

11 avril 2026Read

ChineseSociété10 min

Pop Mart and Labubu: The Chinese Empire of Global Collectibles

From Wang Ning in Beijing to the worldwide Labubu craze, Pop Mart is reinventing adult collectibles with its blind boxes and becoming China's pop empire.

9 février 2026Read