{"id":26876,"date":"2020-05-27T21:57:46","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T20:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=26876"},"modified":"2026-02-27T11:05:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:05:21","slug":"how-we-can-use-wa-%e5%92%8c-now-more-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/27\/how-we-can-use-wa-%e5%92%8c-now-more-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"How we can use \u201cwa\u201d \u548c\u00a0now more than ever"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The beauty of Japanese kanji characters is that they can convey so much meaning in so few strokes. Take the kanji \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u548c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for exampl<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e. I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t has numerous connotations wrapped up in just eight simple lines<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and one\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">those meanings<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, \u201charmony\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is particularly significant during this time of worldwide crisis.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Let\u2019s first jump back\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">almost two millennia\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to the founding of the Japanese nation. The oldest recorded name for Japan is \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d, originally used by the Chinese to refer to the Yamato<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u5927\u548c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0people living in Japan around the 3<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0century.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After using a di<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fferent kanji that had the pron<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">unciation of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0but the unfortunate meaning<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of \u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">distant\u2019, and \u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dwarf\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u502d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the kanji \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u548c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0was<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0chosen as a homophone<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0by the Japanese in the 8<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">century<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">which <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">much more pleasing\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">meaning of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201charmony\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0The importance of harmony was already widespread across Japan by then, as\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">regent and politician\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prince\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotoku<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0had included it in the Seventeen-Article Constitution, apparently created in 604<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Prince\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shotoku<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and his Constitution had such a profound effect on Japan and Japanese society that anyone travelling in Japan in the 1960s-80s would have seen his image on the 10,000<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-yen banknotes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26922\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26922\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-26922 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/yen-e1590592794116.jpg\" alt=\"Old 10,000 Yen note\" width=\"600\" height=\"290\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26922\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Prince Shotoku on the old 10,000 yen note<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This usage has continued down the centuries<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Despite t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he modern name for Japan being Nihon<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or Nippon\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u65e5\u672c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">these days \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is used to mean \u201cJapanese<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-style<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d when combined with numerous other words<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">F<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">example:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">washoku<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u548c\u98df<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0&#8211; Japanese food<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">washi<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u548c\u7d19<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">traditional Japanese paper that is often so beautiful<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0you just want to frame a piece<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">washitsu<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u548c\u5ba4<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japanese style room with\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tatami<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0flooring, particularly used in Japanese accommodation and some restaurants<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26925\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26925\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-26925 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/horai-special-room_21717491048_o-e1590612705215.jpg\" alt=\"Washitsu, Nishimuraya Honkan\" width=\"600\" height=\"402\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26925\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>A &#8216;Washitsu&#8217; at the Nishimuraya Honkan, Kinosaki Onsen<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nd an incredibly useful\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">word<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for unsuspecting visitors on day one<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of their Japan\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trip<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">washiki<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u548c\u5f0f<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japanese style squat toilet<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0 T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">here\u2019s often one of these in public restrooms. The opposite is\u00a0<\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">youshiki<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u6d0b\u5f0f<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013 a useful Kanji to remember!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bonus<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0tip<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">; if you\u2019re waiting in a crowded restroom and the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">washiki<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0toilet becomes free and you just don\u2019t feel up to that adventure, say\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">youshiki<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wo<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">matteimasu<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m waiting for the Western-style toilet\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and allow the person behind to go ahead. It gets a knowing smile but helps move the queue along.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Now, back to the original meaning of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0which, as mentioned above, is harmony<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a meaning that<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0resonates\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">twelve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0centuries later.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0For many visitors to Japan, one of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese society is the emphasis on social and group harmony, rather than\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">focussing on the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0individual. Depending on where the visitor is coming from, this can be a direct contrast to how things are in their home country. There are many benefits to trying to maintain social\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0 F<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or example,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0people are quieter in public spaces and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0you don\u2019t have to listen to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">someone<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0regaling a train carriage with their life\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">story<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0during the packed morning rush hour<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0 More broadly, p<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">eople are encouraged to foster strong ties in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">school teams and the workplace.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Naturally, there are some negatives to such a huge emphasis on <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">putting the group before the individual to main social\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">harmony. However, in these times when<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0so many of us across the globe are confined to our homes to save lives and protect our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, ensuring harmony in our society and thinking of the wider group\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rather\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">than just our happiness is more important than ever.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This social harmony I believe contributes to the sense of calm with which the Japanese people face difficult\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">challenges<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and perhaps it can help the rest of us as well<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I came across a quote<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0by the politician\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shizuka<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Kamei<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0recently that I feel sums\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">up the importance of \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d in 2020.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cAt the core of the Japanese soul is the spirit of mutual aid, everyone helping each other as the way to happiness.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">happiness might feel fleeting at times during the pandemic, thinking of others, helping out neighbours, friends, and strangers alike, and generally making an effort to simply be kind, will all contribute to us getting through these dark times as best we\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For more on the history and cultural connotations of the kanji\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u548c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d, visit\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/workinjapan.today\/study\/all-about-wa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>WorkinJ<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>apan.today<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0 The site also has some very useful guides to studying the Japanese character-based writing system, and helpful tutorials and tips for learning kanji.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/workinjapan.today\/study\/all-about-kana-and-kanji-an-introduction-to-the-japanese-writing-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">All\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Kana and Kanji \u2013 An Introduction to the Japanese Writing System<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/workinjapan.today\/study\/how-to-study-kanji-part-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How to Study Kanji \u2013 Part 1<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/workinjapan.today\/study\/how-to-study-kanji-part-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How to Study Kanji \u2013 Part 2<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26876\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! The beauty of Japanese kanji characters is that they can convey so much meaning in so few strokes. Take the kanji \u201cwa\u201d\u00a0\u548c\u00a0for example. It has numerous connotations wrapped up in just eight simple lines, and one\u00a0those meanings, \u201charmony\u201d,\u00a0is particularly significant during this time of worldwide crisis.\u00a0\u00a0 Let\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2367,2525,2355],"tags":[1714,1720,1742,1777,1826,4560],"class_list":["post-26876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-culture-and-history","category-japanese-arts-and-entertainment","category-first-trip-to-japan","tag-japanese-characters","tag-japanese-culture","tag-japanese-language","tag-kanji","tag-language","tag-wa"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26876"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27012,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26876\/revisions\/27012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}