A quiz of fun trivia: bite-sized knowledge that leads to new insights.

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.