Journal

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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3 articles

Japan

Char yamahoko du Gion Matsuri tiré dans une rue de Kyoto pendant le défilé de juillet.

Traditions7 min

Matsuri: a guide to Japan's great festivals

Gion, Tenjin, Kanda, Awa Odori, Kanto: what a matsuri really is, what the mikoshi is for, when the big festivals happen and how to attend.

August 15, 2026Read

Japan

Char-lanterne du Nebuta Matsuri d'Aomori en défilé nocturne : deux guerriers de papier washi illuminés de l'intérieur, avec un panneau portant les kanji du festival.

Traditions13 min

Nebuta Matsuri: Aomori's Giant Lantern Floats

Every August, Aomori sets the night ablaze with towering washi-paper lantern floats. History, craft, and the haneto dance of Japan's most flamboyant matsuri.

July 10, 2026Read

Japan

Bouteille de ramune, la limonade japonaise à la bille

Food11 min

Ramune: the marble soda of Japan

The full history of ramune, Japan's iconic marble soda. Victorian origins, the Codd bottle, flavours, the opening ritual, and its enduring place in Japanese pop culture.

June 29, 2026Read