Otaku Subculture

Tanuki Swinging His Coin Pouch – How Did Japanese Woodblock Artists See This Rascal?

Just when we thought nothing in Japanese folklore could surprise us anymore… Tanuki is a creature that holds a place in Japanese culture as honorable as it is… incomprehensible to

Iemoto – The Japanese Master-Disciple System That Has Endured Since the Shogunate Era

Mastery is not achieved in a single lifetime—it takes generations. In Japan, some words are like scrolls—they unfurl slowly, not revealing their full meaning at once. One such word is

Shōjō – the yōkai who drank with style but knew nothing of tomorrow

A yōkai who brewed perfect sake On one of those intoxicated nights, when the moon reflects on the surface of sake in a small ochoko cup, and the sound of

“If you don’t learn something new, you age faster than your body” – The Unbelievable Japanese Approach to Old Age

I don’t want to “sink with a world that is fading away.” Old age is too often a time of waiting – for someone, for a pension, for a visit,

Yaji and Kita on the Tōkaidō Road – Samurai-Era Japan Through the Eyes of Two City Rogues in Trouble on the Countryside

Though their legs are as weak as old sandals, the bill keeps chasing them relentlessly... One day, they tried to hold a spirit-summoning séance with two alluring witches. It ended,

The Forgotten Torii Gate in the Concrete Underground – Amagamine Ochobo Inari

忘れ鳥居祈りの紙を水が舐める Forgotten torii – a prayer slip licked by water. - contemporary haiku, unknown author First comes the chill. The concrete walls are damp, and the air is thick with

Popculture & otaku

Japanese pop culture is a kaleidoscope of sensations, transporting us to the borderlands of reality and fantasy. In a world where otaku subculture constantly redefines the boundaries of passion and commitment, every manga page, every note of Japanese music, every Tekken battle becomes a manifesto of modernity.

In this section, we explore not only pop-cultural phenomena but also their deeper meanings — from in-depth ludological analyses of video games that conquered the world to the societal transformations brought by Harajuku fashion. Every element, from technological innovations to iconic kei, offers a key to understanding how Japan balances tradition and modernity, creating a unique rhythm of life on the global stage.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the works, trends, and quirks of this lush, unrestrained world of energy and imagination.

Accelerated Pulse of Pop Culture: What Our Demons Love the Most

オタクと娯楽

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"Strong Japanese Women"

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未開ソビエライ

An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)

Personal motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)

Mike Soray

(aka Michał Sobieraj)

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Ciechanów, Polska

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