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Japanese Grammar: transitive vs. intransitive and relaxing with Ki-Aikido 

In Japanese, many verbs have both a transitive (where an action occurs against an object) and intransitive form (where an action occurs on its own, without an object). Even though these forms can be expressed in English to a certain extent, there can be some subtle nuances. Lately I came across a sentence in Japanese… Read More »

Category: aikido General grammar Japanese Study: Advanced translation

Bilingual Japanese fairy tale translation: “The Accordion” by Ogawa Mimei

This is a full bilingual translation of the Japanese fairy tale “The Accordion” by Ogawa Mimei, a story about a mountain hermit who comes across a main selling medicines.

Category: culture General Japanese Study: Intermediate translation Uncategorized

Honolulu 2025 trip photo gallery

A set of 40 pictures from my recent trip to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Category: Aside culture food Japan Travel (misc) Uncategorized

A weekend of Ki-Aikido training in Honolulu (and a visit to a temple)

A weekend of Ki-Aikido training in Honolulu (and a visit to a temple) I recently came back from Honolulu, Hawaii, where I attended a three-day event involving intensive training in Ki-principles, Ki-Aikido, and Kiatsu. I went as a member of the Oregon Ki Society (more info here) and stayed in the dojo there with a… Read More »

Category: aikido culture

Language Learning Book Release: “The Language Learning Myth and the War on Addictive Content”

I’m happy to announce the first release of the year from Arigatai Books’: a book about the dangers of language learning using modern “addictive” technologies such as YouTube and Twitter.

Category: Uncategorized

Ki Aikido: Teaching Children

I decided to put down some thoughts about my experiences teaching Ki Aikido to children in Portland.

Category: aikido General portland

Japanese grammar: Using を (o) vs. に (ni) with 教える (oshieru) 

For a quick review, as you may know the Japanese particle に (ni) is generally used for the direction of an action, the location of existence (with verbs like aru/iru), and also for the doer of a passive action. On the other hand, the particle を (o) is used for the direct object of a… Read More »

Category: Aside Music Uncategorized

Single release: If Pianos Could: “Along the River” (Flute + Piano)

Since as long as I can remember, music has been an important part of my life. While I consider piano my “main” instrument (and that is what I enjoy playing the most), I actually first started playing the flute at a very young age, and continued partway through college. In high school I was at… Read More »

Category: Aside Music Uncategorized

Japanese Grammar and More: Episode 16 (Osaka travelogue)

In this episode I take a break from grammar discussions and talk about a recent trip to Osaka, Japan.

Category: culture Japan Travel (misc) Japanese Study: Beginner podcast Uncategorized

Japanese vocabulary list: Ki Aikido (martial arts) training words 

I wrote up a few pages of vocabulary words and expressions that can be used during training Ki Aikido (or another martial art) in Japanese.

Category: aikido culture General Japanese Study: Beginner Japanese Study: Intermediate Vocabulary Lists
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