In the late 19th and early 20th century, enigmatic photographer T. Enami (1859-1929) captured a number of 3D stereoviews depicting life in Meiji-period Japan.

They are wonderful!

Take a look!

http://rorr.im/digg.com/arts_culture/cool_3d_like_animated_stereoviews_of_old_japan/

Enjoy!

~Monsieur Brock~

Japanese Translation

日本での皆既日食

７月２２日に日本で皆既日食が見られました。皆既日食となったのは、南方諸島だけだったのですが、部分日食は日本全国でも観察されました。日本では４６年ぶりの皆既日食で、次に見られるのは２６年後です。最大食となる地域では、皆既日食が６分３９秒続きました。母が言うには、日食が始まる少し前に、うるさく鳴いていたせみ（日本の夏の象徴ともいえる虫です。）が一斉に鳴き止んだそうです。急に訪れた静けさに、不思議な気分になったと言っていました。残念ながら、私は皆既日食を見たことはありません。一生のうち、いつかは見てみたいものです。きっと、とても美しく壮観なことでしょう。

Romaji Translation

7-gatsu 22-nichi ni nihon de kaiki-nisshoku ga miraremashita. Kaiki-nisshoku to natta nowa, nanpou shotou dake datta no desu ga, bubun-nisshoku wa nihon zenkoku demo kan… Continue

All About Verbs (3)
Japanese Verb The ~ te Form

By Namiko Abe, About.com

The ~ te form is a useful form of the Japanese verb. It does not indicate tense by itself, however it combines with other verb forms to create other tenses. It has many other uses as well. To make the ~ te form, replace the final ~ ta of the informal past tense of the verb with ~ te, and ~ da with ~ de. Learn the ~ te form of the basic verbs.
Here are some examples.

* nonda （飲んだ） - nonde （飲んで）
* tabeta （食べた） - tabete （食べ… Continue

All About Verbs (2)
Verb Conjugations

In this lesson, you will learn how Japanese verbs conjugate. If you are not familiar with verbs yet, read "Japanese Verb Groups" first. Then, learn "The ~te form," which is a very useful form of the Japanese verb.

Dictionary Form

The dictionary form (basic form) of all Japanese verbs end with "u". This is the form listed in the dictionary, and is the informal, present affirmative form of the verb. This form is used among close friends and family in inform… Continue

All About Verbs (1)
Japanese Verb Groups

By Namiko Abe,
About.com


One of the characteristics of the Japanese language is that the verb generally comes at the end of the sentence. Since Japanese's sentences often omit the subject, the verb is probably the most important part in understanding the sentence. However, Verbs forms are considered to be difficult to learn. The good news is the system itself is rather simple, as far as memorizing certain rules. Unlike the more complex verb conjugation… Continue

Greeting with appropriate words is important for socializing. Here are some useful expressions for special occasions. Try sound files to help with your pronunciation.

Celebration

# Congratulations.
Omedetou gozaimasu.
おめでとうございます。
Omedetou. (casual)
おめでとう。

The form "gozaimasu （ございます）" is more polite. It is added when you are talking with somebody who is not a family members or a close friend. To reply, "Arigatou gozaimasu （ありがとうございます）" or "Arigatou （ありがとう）" is used.

# Happy Birthday.
O-tanjou… Continue

Expressions of Ability

Part 1: How to Express Ability and Potential

Ability and potential can be expressed by two different ways.

(1) Attaching the phrase "~ koto ga dekiru （～ことができる）" after the basic form of the verb. Literally "koto （こと）" means "thing," and "dekiru （できる）" means "can do." The formal form of "~ koto ga dekiru （～ことができる）" is "~ koto ga dekimasu （～ことができます）," and past tense is "~ koto ga dekita (~ koto ga dekimashita)."

Nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekiru.
日本語を話すことができる｡ I can speak J… Continue

Expressions of Desire


There are two ways to express desire or wish. When what one desires takes a noun (I want a car, I want money etc.) "hoshii (to want)" is used. When what one's wants involve action (I want to go, I want to eat etc.), the stem of the verb "~ tai （～たい）" is used.


Kuruma ga hoshii desu.
車が欲しいです｡ I want a car.
Kuruma o kaitai desu.
車を買いたいです｡ I want to buy a car.
Sono hon ga hoshii desu.
その本が欲しいです｡ I want that book.
Sono hon o yomitai desu.
その本を読みたいです｡ I want to read that book… Continue

Japanese for Travelers: Getting Around
A Special Easter Bonus for You from Namiko Abe


Do you plan to go for a trip to Japan? Learn some useful expressions before you go. Speaking the language of the country you are visiting makes the trip more fun!

Train

Tokyo eki wa doko desu ka.
東京駅はどこですか｡ Where is the Tokyo Station?
Kono densha wa ~ ni
tomarimasu ka.
この電車は～に止まりますか｡ Does this train stop at ~?
Tsugi wa nani eki desu ka.
次は何駅ですか｡ What is the next station?
Nanji ni demasu ka.
何時に出ますか｡ What ti… Continue

Sentence Ending Particles

No

(1) Indicates an explanation or emotive emphasis. Used only by women or children in an informal situation.

Kore jibunde tsukutta no.
これ自分で作ったの｡ I made this myself.
Onaka ga itai no.
おなかが痛いの｡ I have stomachache.

(2) Makes a sentence into a question (with a rising intonation). Informal version of "~ no desu ka （～のですか）".

Ashita konai no?
明日来ないの？ Aren't you coming tomorrow?
Doushita no?
どうしたの？ What's the matter with you?

Sa

Emphasizes the sentence. Used mainly by… Continue