The semi-cursive script, named in Japan gyōsho (行書), is a slightly more cursive version of kaisho script. These two scripts were used at the same time. The style of gyosho utilizes a softer and rounded technique, while kaisho is more sharp. The Japanese version of gyosho became more popular and also the basis of many schools of calligraphy. This was a result of gyosho mixing very well with both kanji and hiragana as writing with this technique was both natural and very fluid. 

(Check the Japanese language post to better understand the terms of hiragana and kanji.)

The cursive script is named sōsho (草書). It was used as a cursive version of reisho for taking notes. This writing technique can be easily recognized by many strokes ending with a sweep to the upper right in a breaking-wave type form.
In order to practice Japanese calligraphy you have to be very well prepared, as you need to carefully use a lot of traditional tools and to have a good posture. 
You need the so-called Four Treasures of the Study: 

You would also need, a paper weight (文鎮, bunchin) to keep the paper in place, a cloth (下敷き, shitajiki) to place under the paper and a seal (印, in).

Trying Japanese calligraphy is a time consuming process, but indeed a pleasant experience to try at least once in a lifetime! _{Trust me, been there, done that! :)}

Even though there are many things left unsaid about this little part of the Japanese culture, I surely hope you enjoyed reading these few paragraphs and got a bit more curious about Japan and its cultural treasures.

To sum up, anime is such a good way to relax and catch a breath from your everyday life, no matter your age and preferences. If you can't find an anime to suit your taste, leave me a message and I'll help you find one! (because there are plenty, believe me!)

I hope you enjoyed and now you are willing to try (at least one) anime to convince yourself whether or not they are made only for kids :)

While in our everyday lives we use the alphabet and form our ideas with words made of letters, the Chinese people use characters that picture a whole meaning by themselves. So if we wanted to say: I saw a horse yesterday, in Chinese we would write the symbols for: <yesterday>  < I>  <(to) see>  < horse>. These characters are called “logograms” or  “logographs”.
It is the most complex language, but it is quite easy to identify because its symbols look square and have a lot of sharp edges. 

Did you know that, in fact, Chinese could be considered like an ancestor to Japanese and Korean, because it had great influence on both of them?
Long ago, Japanese language did not have a writing system of its own and can you guess what they did in order to change that? They began to adopt the Chinese symbols, named the Chinese Script, and to alter them in their own style, resulting the Japanese kanji.
Even though Japan used the Chinese Script, it carefully kept its own grammar rules.
Shortly after, the Japanese people created not one, but two other writing systems, called hiragana and katakana.
The Japanese language can be identify by its rounder characters and by it being rather satisfying to hear.
( if interested, see the Japanese language post to find more information about this subject) :)
Korean language was naturally influenced by Chinese due to its location next to China. Therefore, it is no surprise that the Korean language adopted Chinese characters, too. Some characters were taken on for their sound values, others for their meaning, and some for both their sound and meaning. 
The Korean language only really started being used more widely in the 20th Century, due to economic growth.
An easy way to recognise the Korean alphabet is from the main circular shapes it features, which are unique to it and are 100% not found in Japanese or Chinese languages.

I hope you enjoyed these few paragraphs about Asian languages and made you interested to look up each one of the writing systems' looks!

Till next time!:)

Today the tranquil grounds of Gōtoku-ji are dotted with thousands of beckoning cat statues of varying sizes. Visitors come to see the array of white cats—commonly shaped as a Japanese bobtail, a breed that makes frequent appearances in local folklore—and pray for luck. The statues can be purchased at the temple and are usually left behind as an offering, although many take them home as a souvenir.

Japan's relationship with cats could be easily described as a love-hate one, as cats are everywhere in Japan. While it is easy to see they are loved, Japan also fears cats. The country has a long, terrifying history of folklore involving monstrous supernatural cats. They range from the fanciful, magical shapeshifters (bakeneko) to the horrendous demonic corpse-eaters (kasha). Having this into consideration, it's quite understandable why Japanese people are still confused about their feelings towards cats.

However, the maneki-neko still remains a statue that is believed to bring good fortune and money.

What do you think about cats? Are they some kind of demonic creatures or do they actually bring amazing things into our lives?

The Ainu and Japanese cultures differ a lot, as according to Tanaka Sakurako from the University of British Columbia, 

The Ainu men had long beards and full moustaches, as they would never shave after a certain age. Another iconic thing is that women would tattoo themselves from a young age, especially their mouths and sometimes their forearms. Their traditional clothing would be a robe made in different forms and colors. Women also wore an undergarment of Japanese cloth. Men used to wear a crown made of wood for different special occasions illustrating the animal gods. They would also carry a traditional sealed sword with them.

I hope these paragraphs got you into the Ainu culture and made you a bit more curious and interested in it.

Thank you for reading!

It is a 115 acre theme park next to Tokyo. I believe its name speaks for itself, but you should know the Tokyo Disneyland features both traditional elements of Disney and anime. 

If you visit Kyoto, then you should certainly participate in the Way of tea or The tea ceremony. It is a traditional ceremony, handled with utter care, that is even considered a form of art in Japanese culture. It has its roots in Zen Buddhism and I believe it is a great opportunity to get a deeper look into the ancient Japanese way of living. (You can also taste different kinds of natural, hand-made tea which, I heard, are extremely tasty and flavoured-packed.)

Onsen is a thermal bath well-known fot its health benefits. However, if you decide to go there, you should ALWAYS respect 8 rules. These are:
1. You should go naked, as no swimsuit is allowed.
2. You should be clean.
3. You are not allowed to swim there.
4. Be sober. Obviously drinking alcohol inside the bath or before entering the water is forbidden.
5.Don't bring fragile things with you.
6.You shouldn't use shampoo in the onsen water.
7. Be mindful of others.
8.Don't put your hair or towel inside the water.
If you follow these easy rules, I'm sure your onsen experience will be a relaxing one! 

Located in Tokyo, Meguro River gives one of the best views during Spring, as it is the cherry blossoms' season. Pictures of the beautiful area are everywhere on the internet and it sure seems like an unforgettable view. Each year during the cherry blossom season, countless people gather there to celebrate this lively event. 

Ise Grand Shrine is located in Ise, Mie Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu.
The shrine is fully made out of wood and I believe its simplicity gives it its beauty.

These are my other 5 must-see locations in Japan! So... are you coming with me to explore the Japanese beauty and to take a deeper look into the Japanese culture? 
I hope you are convinced!... Or should we go for part. 3?