Konnichi Wa Mina! Hello Everyone!
Before I get started with the actual Japanese lessons, I think you should know the importance of indulging yourself into the Japanese culture, especially through anime. I will also take the time to tell you on how I plan on running this world, so you can make full benefit of this site.
First things first! Explore!
Expand your horizons. Limiting yourself to just anime is ok, but it is way better to become totally Japanese obsessed! I started watching anime in english, and when I couldn't stand waiting for adult swim to release the next episode of Inuyasha, I discovered I could download the episodes on kazaa (Yeah, thats bad..now I know). When I first watched these, I realized they were all subtitled, so I had to learn how to deal with watching and reading at the same time. Well, this started an entire new venture into the Japanese language. Like all of you subtitlers know...there are certain words that are repetitous, and pretty soon you start to pick up these words. We all know what Ja ne! Kawaii! Konnichi wa! and so on mean. I think my all time favorite is Itadakimasu!
From then on, I almost always watch anime in Japanese..even when english is available. I also bought a book at barnes and nobles and started teaching myself japanese. Let me say, it is a most intricate and fascinating language, and from what I remember, the second hardest language in the world (chinese is the first). Anyways, from anime I also started to get interested in the music of this wonderful country, and I have over 100 cd's of music. My all time favorite is Utadaq Hikaru, which we all know sings the Kingdom Hearts theme songs. I spend a lot of time listening to this music, and even though sometimes I have no idea what they are saying..I sing along as well, downloading lyrics to help. Little by little, I start to learn more and more of the language.
In anime, we see the characters eating certain foods. How many of us have indulged ourselves in pocky? Ramune? Sushi, Soba Noodles? There are so many different types of food introduced, and its a good way to get outside of your box and try new things!
Since I am such a geek, I watched Rurouni Kenshin and fell in love with swords. I now own my very own sakabatou (reverse blade) sword..numerous sword sets, and had taken kendo and iai-do classes. It was pretty awesome since you wear the equivalent of a samurai uniform (Hakama & Ginta). I have a bokuto (wooden sword like in the Last Samurai) and a shinai (Like what Yahiko and Kaoru use).
Another big impact has been anime itself. I am ana nime artist, and I learned all on my own and in a matter of 4 years. No books, no teachers, no classes, nothing of the sort. I picked up a pencil and paper and just started drawing from there. I guess you caqn say my teachers have been the masters, like Rumiko Takahashi and Nobuhiro Watsuki. I imitated and tryed to figure out what they were doing and doon enough I can draw all on my own.
I also learned how to sew. Yup, I had to in order to wear costumes to the annual Nan Desu Kan anime convention here in denver. I started out by hand, and eventually worked my way up to a sewing machine. Now I get to be whatever character I want for three days..and I can apply this hobby to other things, like making my own clothes or clothes for my daughters dolls.
The point is, because I have indulged myself, I have learned many new things, have taken on many new hobbies, and have changedmy workld entirely..and all because I indulged myself. So sit back, relax and experience things on a totally new % different level!
How this world will work:
Since all of this is pretty new, I am going to be working things out as I go along. I plan on posting a new lesson every week on Saturdays. These are all beginner lessons, and I will make them as fun and interesting as I can.I am alway s open to comments and suggestions, so feel free to contact me whenever you want to.
Before we begin, let me say that I am not Japanese, have nevr been to Japan (at least not yet..but someday) and am still learning Japanese myself. I WILL MAKE MISTAKES! I am only human, after all. If you do find a mistake,let me know! I think it's fun this way because we will learn together. I will also post little essays about certain topic I find of interest every now and then, like holidays, current events, singer profiles, and so forth.
Well, I believe I have said enough for now. Enjoy!
Love,
Lewna Tsuki
