Ken Shimura

The classic call “Saisho wa guu” (“Start with rock”) was invented and popularized by the Japanese comedian Ken Shimura. By using the phrase in his comedy sketches, it became widely established. It was proposed as a mindset to ensure fairness when starting a game of rock-paper-scissors, and today it is beloved nationwide in Japan as the standard way to begin the game.

Tokugawa Mitsukuni

Ramen is a dish that originated in China and took root in Japan, and the person said to have eaten ramen in Japan for the first time is Tokugawa Mitsukuni. Tokugawa Mitsukuni, also known as Mito Kōmon, was active from the late 17th to the early 18th century. It is said that he ate a noodle dish prepared by a monk who had come from China and took a liking to its taste. Having eaten a Chinese-style noodle dish that was still rare in Japan at the time, he can be considered to have played an important role in the history of ramen in Japan.

three apples worth

According to the official profile of Sanrio’s hugely popular character Hello Kitty, her weight is said to be the equivalent of three apples. This unique expression is one of the things that makes Kitty-chan so endearing. By using everyday objects as units to describe her weight, the character feels more real and familiar.

servant

The J in playing cards is called the Jack, and in medieval Europe it referred to a young man serving directly under knights or nobles—that is, a servant. In playing cards, the Jack represents a rank below the King and Queen, reflecting the historical social hierarchy.

fat

A camel’s hump is primarily composed of fat. This fat reserve enables camels to survive for long periods in harsh desert environments even when water and food are scarce. The fat stored in the hump is used as energy when needed and is converted into water as appropriate.

cabbage

The “choux” in “choux cream” comes from the French word “chou,” meaning “cabbage.” The name is said to originate from how the dough puffs up when baked, resembling a small cabbage. Its appearance is so charming—just like a little cabbage—that it was given this name. Thanks to this quiz, you might find yourself remembering the origin of the name every time you see a cream puff.

red

A hippopotamus’s sweat is actually red. They secrete a liquid containing red pigments from special glands. This red “sweat” includes chemicals that act as a moisturizer and a sunscreen, playing a very important role in protecting their skin. By guarding against dryness and shielding from UV damage, it helps hippos spend long periods of time out of the water. It may be a surprising sight to first-time observers, but it’s a natural part of the hippo’s defense mechanism.

Type A

In Japan, it is said that people with blood type A are the most common. Looking at the distribution of blood types in the country, type A accounts for about 40%, making it the largest proportion. There are also cultural practices and beliefs suggesting a link between blood type and personality, and in Japan, blood type personality assessments are often a common topic of conversation. However, while the association between blood type and personality is not scientifically established, the fact that many Japanese people have type A is an interesting statistic.

mandarin orange

The fruit with the highest yield in Japan is the mikan (mandarin orange). It is cultivated in various varieties, with Ehime and Wakayama prefectures serving as major production areas. Long familiar to the Japanese, mikans are notable not only for their fruit but also for the frequent use of their peels. In season from autumn to winter, mikans are loved by many for their soft, juicy sweetness.

rice cake (mochi)

In the manga Doraemon, when the blue cat-shaped robot Doraemon came from the future to Nobita’s house, the first thing he ate was mochi (rice cake). The first episode is set during New Year’s, and there’s a scene where Doraemon arrives and eats the mochi he sees. Although dorayaki is famous as Doraemon’s favorite food, the first thing he actually ate upon his debut was mochi.