There are lots of videos being churned out from the Kai Factory lately, but not really enough time to get them all smoothed out and pretty for the masses.

You might have noticed videos here and there, hiding in the corners of this blog: like the side bar to the right, and new menu option on the video player. I didn’t really explain where everything was because (1) I didn’t have time and (2) I thought I would be fun for you guys to poke around the site on your own. Ya know, get a little adventurous and click on stuff.

Anyway, I should be throwing up some more random, but funny videos we have recorded in the recent weeks. Now I have to run off to study Japanese at the YWCA school. Yeah I know, seems kinda weird that there is a YWCA in Nagoya, Japan, but it’s true. That is the name of the school I am taking classes at now.

I wonder if they actually are affiliated with the YWCA’s of America? Anyone know how to say that in Japanese?

How do you say Life in Japanese? It is easy, sei katsu | セイカツ | 生活 =

Life

Okay so here is the deal. This is the kanji for life: 生. It’s a very pretty character and something that obviously reappears a lot in the Japanese language. I am really committed to learning this language, but it takes a lot of effort and even a couple good wake up calls. I got to thinking, what is the best way to get a hold of this Japanese Monster, in a manner that is convenient and efficient (especially for busy Dads). I came up with the not so novel idea of starting a new blog. This site will basically serve as my own personal dictionary, which I can cater just to my liking.

I’ve learned that the best way to study sometimes, is to just teach it for yourself (I am practically the smartest person I know with respect to the customs of Americans’ eating habits, shoe permitted buildings, baseball teams, and idiosyncrasies of the spoken dialect. This is probably due to the fact that I live in Japan and no one here is American, but I digress.) So in any case, it is easy to see that Japanese is going to be with me For Life.

Now on to today’s lesson.

Readings:

• ON (1): SEI　（セイ）
• ON (2): SHō 　（ショウ）
• kun (1): i(kiru) 　生きる
• kun (2): i(keru)　生ける
• kun (3): nama 　生

Radical:

• N/A
• Residual part(s): N/A

Compounds:

• 生活 (セイカツ) -　life = seikatsu
• 先生 （センセイ） – teacher = sensei
• 学生 (がくせい） – student = gakusei
• 生ビール （ナマビール） – draft beer = nama bīru
• 生まれ変わる (ウマレカワル） – to be born again = umarekawaru

Example Sentence:

• 生活は面白。 = Seikai wa omoshiroi.
• Life is interesting.

I thought this was an appropriate way to start the Kanji off. This is the Kanji for life and is seen in many compounds.