LOANWORD

Known as “The Pink City”, Toulouse is famous for its red-brick architecture and cutting-edge aerospace technology.The city also boasts a vibrant sports culture, where rugby and football thrive alongside science and everyday life.

While “Senpai” has become a familiar term through anime and pop culture, its true meaning lies in Japan’s deep-rooted values of respect, kindness, and guidance.It reflects how Japanese people build harmonious relationships by caring for one another across generations and experiences.

At the heart of northern France lies Lille, a city that embodies the pride and spirit of the French nation.Known as the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle, Lille thrives in education, art, and sport, inspiring admiration among both locals and Japanese visitors.Its name comes from the Old French L’Isle—“island”—making Lille truly an island of knowledge, culture, and human connection.

At first glance, the kanji “馬耳塞 (Bajisai)” may seem strange, yet it represents an ancient Japanese rendering of the French city Marseille. This expression embodies a meeting point between languages and cultures. In this exploration, we uncover the beauty of Marseille as a Mediterranean port city and the deeper meaning behind its poetic kanji form.

Born in Osaka, Takoyaki has become a global favorite, served at festivals, markets, and Japanese restaurants worldwide. With its golden crisp shell and melt-in-your-mouth center, it delivers a taste that’s both nostalgic and new. This simple yet refined dish shows how Japanese craftsmanship turns everyday food into art.

Tsukemono (Japanese pickles) have long been a beloved part of Japanese dining and are often seen as a symbol of home-cooked comfort and seasonal beauty. By preserving vegetables in salt, rice bran, or miso, the Japanese created a way to extend freshness while enhancing natural flavors. Today, tsukemono are recognized worldwide as a healthy and cultural expression of Japan’s culinary tradition.

Venice is not only a city of art and architecture but also a symbol of spirit and emotion.The Chinese rendering “威尼斯” carries within it the fragility and strength born from the interplay of water and light.This piece examines how Japanese aesthetics resonate with Venetian culture and how this connection continues today as a shared sensitivity toward the beauty of water.

For centuries, Konbu has been a cornerstone of Japanese life and cuisine. Beyond being a key ingredient in dashi, it is now valued for its nutritional power and environmental sustainability. Today, Konbu serves as a global ambassador of Japanese culture, bringing the essence of umami to kitchens around the world.

Seppuku is the ritual act of self-sacrifice once practiced by samurai to preserve their honor. Far from a simple act of ...

Florence, known as “佛羅倫斯” in Japanese kanji, represents more than just a city’s name. It embodies the spirit of art, phi...