A guide to choosing sake flasks (Tokkuri) and cups (Otyoko)—covering history, selection tips, and recommended items. //Summary - Level-B2//Japanese sake ware includes decanters, cups and bottles made in styles such as Mino‑yaki and Hasami‑…

The operation that clinched victory in WWII—was the mastermind, the creator of "007"?! //Summary - Level-B2//Operation Mincemeat tells the true story of a British WWII deception plan created by Ian Fleming and carried out by Ewen Montagu, …

Operation Mincemeat: The Corpse That Deceived Hitler //Summary - Level-B2//Operation Mincemeat was a British WWII deception plan that used a corpse carrying fake documents to trick Germany into believing the Allies would invade Greece inst…

Lessons from Bonfire Night, a British Autumn Tradition //Summary - Level-B2//Bonfire Night is a British tradition that began after the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot, when Guy Fawkes and other Catholics tried to blow up Parliament. Today it’s …

I watched the Sumida River Fireworks Festival from the Skytree! Fireworks: view them from below, or from above?A view 70 times higher than usual! What is it like to have a prime seat for the fireworks? 920,000 people gathered for the Sumid…

The ‘Shocking Death’ of the First Ichikawa Danjūrō, Whose True Circumstances Remain Unclear; the Second to Succeed Him; and the Fourth, Uncharacteristic of a Danjūrō: ‘The Path of Agony and Evolution’ //Summary - Level-B2// The text explai…

Research finds that moss exhibits surprisingly complex electrical activity similar to that of neurons //Summary - Level-B2//Researchers studied the moss Brachythecium rutabulum and found that it produces complex electrical signals. By plac…

Japan is amazing! The spirit of Japanese craftsmanship is incredible! Why is Japan the most popular country in the world? //Summary - Level-B2// Japanese people have a strong spirit of honest work and careful craftsmanship. They try to cre…

‘Three Methods’ for Acquiring a Philosopher’s Way of Thinking //Summary - Level-B2//Thinking like a philosopher means staying flexible, connecting ideas to real life, and using opposing views to grow. The text explains three methods: first…

Why did Japan actually surrender in the Second World War?Now, decades later, is it possible that we have misunderstood the events leading up to the end of the Second World War? //Summary - Level-B2//Japan’s surrender was not only caused by…

The Real Reason Japan Surrendered | Best WW2 Documentary //Summary - Level-B2//Japan’s surrender had many causes, not just the atomic bombs. The podcast explains Japan’s early expansion, its later collapse under US industrial power, and th…

Love, desire, betrayal, revenge—an epic journey of return begins! The final US trailer for director Christopher Nolan’s latest film, *The Odyssey* //Summary - Level-B2//Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is an IMAX‑filmed epic that follows Od…

Why is the Emperor an inevitability? | Yukio Mishima(1925 - 1970) | On the Emperor | Japanese Culture //Summary - Level-B2//Japanese culture is shown through feelings rather than objects. Mishima says its heart is the ability to see beauty…

At this grassroots festival, nature is the headline act //Summary - Level-B2//The Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival offers a low‑cost, community‑led alternative to commercial festivals, focusing on nature, learning and local action. The nin…

Five practical ways to feel better and make a difference //Summary - Level-B2//Lasting happiness comes from caring for yourself and others. Small “happiness experiments” help you learn what lifts your mood. Realistic optimism means seeing …

The best advice that you received as a child //Summary - Level-B2//The text shares life lessons from many people, all centred on courage, kindness, patience, gratitude and personal responsibility. Across the stories, relatives and mentors …

Reacting directly to what a child says can sometimes make parent-child conversations even more complicated. ‘I hate Mummy!’ isn’t what they really mean → What you need to know to avoid being thrown off balance by your child’s ‘harsh words’…

The world in a dress: the project with 1.5 billion stitches //Summary - Level-B2//The Red Dress project is a unique artwork created over 14 years by 380 embroiderers from 51 countries. They added about 1.5 billion stitches, making it the w…

Five ways to support a child’s anxiety //Summary - Level-B2//Supporting an anxious child begins with being curious instead of making quick assumptions. Stay calm and avoid blaming them, so they feel safe talking. Help them identify and exp…

Children are overwhelmingly positive about the future, says survey //Summary - Level-B2// A recent survey shows that many children are hopeful about the future and believe they can make the world better. Although they worry about problems …

What is Super Kabuki? An easy-to-understand explanation of the differences from traditional Kabuki and its signature works. //Summary - Level-B2//Super Kabuki is a modern style of Kabuki created in 1986 by Ichikawa En’ō II. It retains trad…

What is Kabuki? A simple guide to its history, characteristics and representative plays for beginners //Summary - Level-B2// Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art with a history of over 400 years. It began in Kyoto in the early 1…

Chanel Weaves Fairytale Attire for Everyday Life [Fall/Winter 2026–27 Couture]On July 7 (local time), Chanel presented its second Haute Couture show under the direction of Matthieu Blazy. Drawing inspiration from fairy tales such as *Jack …

Super Kabuki ‘Princess Mononoke’: Highlights and Plot Summary! //Summary - Level-B2// Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke brings Studio Ghibli’s famous film to the Kabuki stage with creative performances, live music, and impressive visual effec…

Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece,* Princess Mononoke*, adapted into the Super Kabuki production! "Actions taken in the name of justice pave the way to the future"—what is Ichikawa Danko’s vision of the character Ashitaka? //Summary - Level-B2//…

Why are there no children at the Tatara forge in *Princess Mononoke*? An explanation of the inspiration behind it //Summary - Level-B2//In Princess Mononoke, there are no children at the Tatara Forge because Hayao Miyazaki wanted to keep t…

‘5’ Key Points for a Deep Dive into *Princess Mononoke*! Why Do No Children Appear? //Summary - Level-B2// Princess Mononoke shows that conflicts are rarely a simple battle between good and evil. Every character has different goals and rea…

Review and synopsis of Super Kabuki: Princess Mononoke! //Summary - Level-B2//Ashitaka leaves his village after killing a cursed boar and becoming cursed himself. During his journey, he meets San, a girl raised by wolves, and Lady Eboshi, …

Marine Le Pen to run for French presidency and appeal conviction in top court //Summary - Level-B2//Marine Le Pen announced that she will run in the 2027 French presidential election despite being found guilty of misusing €2.8 million in E…

Why was Thailand able to maintain its independence whilst all the countries around it were being colonised? //Summary - Level-B2//Thailand was the only Southeast Asian country to avoid European colonisation. King Rama V employed skilful di…