Konnichiwa! In today's Ocha and Chat, we talked about the beauty of Kabuki theatre and the excitement of Japanese Pro-Wrestling, we discussed gender roles in Japan and the dangers of overworking (過労死)! We practised an introduction dialogue, looked at the hiragana speed test and attempted the Hiragana black belt grading. Congratulations to @Fenny Kirmil and @Ev Ginguene who become Hiragana black belts!!! (non-violent versions!!) Arigatou gozaimashita!! Joe Sensei.

メリークリスマス、みなさん！ (Merī Kurisumasu! — Merry Christmas!) I started this group with one simple goal: to help people learn Japanese. You are helping me to achieve that goal!!! Thanks to everyone who has joined, posted, spoken up and practised — you’ve turned this from just a study space into a real community. In Japanese, “Merry Christmas” is written in katakana like this: 🎄 メリークリスマス Merī Kurisumasu Feel free to reply with: メリークリスマス！ Or a message about how you’re spending Christmas 🎁 (even if you're working or you don't celebrate)! Thank you for being part of this journey. ありがとう！！ Let’s keep learning Japanese together into the new year 🇯🇵✨

Konnichiwa, On the twelfth day of the hiragana challenge we learn re ro o! 🎄✨ This is the last day. Congratulations! Omedetou gozaimasu!! Yoku dekimashita!!!! Let me know if there are any errors or issues. And let me know how you went with the 12 days!!! Ganbatte kudasai (try your best)!!! Joe Sensei. @Ev Ginguene @Meyada M.m @Irdzra Khairuddin @Phil C @Blaize Agena @Brittney Cox @Steve Goldun @Karin Ware @Wilson Sanchez @Sheila Pinto @Fenny Kirmil @Nathan Feick @Tiffany Joyner @Flo Ginguene

Konbanwa (good evening), On the seventh day of the hiragana challenge we learn ra n u e! 🎄✨ We are over half way! You should be proud of yourself because step by step you are learning to read and use hiragana!! Part Seven is longer and I think they will need to be about this length to not become too difficult. The key is that each day we review the characters we've already learnt and add on the new ones. I hope it is working for you. I'm impressed with everyone's daily effort!! Let me know how this course is and post your homework!! Ganbatte kudasai (try your best)!!! Joe Sensei. @Ev Ginguene @Meyada M.m @Irdzra Khairuddin @Phil C @Blaize Agena @Brittney Cox @Steve Goldun @Karin Ware @Wilson Sanchez @Sheila Pinto @Fenny Kirmil @Nathan Feick @Tiffany Joyner @Flo Ginguene

Introduce yourself and share a pic of something Japanese you own or something Japanese that you're interested in! Feel free to explain why you want to learn Japanese or what you like about Japan. Also, feel free to post any Japanese language questions you have. I'd be glad to answer them! As for me, I love learning Judo. Have you ever tried it? And I love Japanese literature, such as Kokoro by Natsume Soseki. Have you read any Japanese novels? I also really enjoyed Cowboy Bebop when it came out! Not the live action Netflix version!