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Learn Japanese, Japanese Culture Fran Wrigley Learn Japanese, Japanese Culture Fran Wrigley

Amazing Japanese Calligraphers on Instagram (part 1.5 bonus!) - Emi Yogai 恵美・曄涯

I can't believe I wrote an entire blog post about calligrapher Emi Yogai and forgot to include this amazing pun…

I can't believe I wrote an entire blog post about calligrapher @yogai888emi and forgot to include this amazing pun.

タイ料理が食べタイ

tai ryouri ga tabe-tai

"I want to eat Thai food."

What's the Japanese word for "Thai?" it's タイ (tai). And how do you say "want to eat" in Japanese? You stick -tai on the end of the verb.

It's funny, right?

Cute, too ♡

Read more in this series:

Amazing Japanese Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 1) - Emi Yogai 恵美・曄涯

Amazing Japanese Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 2) - Mitsuru Nagata

Amazing Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 3) - Isawo Murayama

Amazing Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 4) - Uchiyama Kenichi

First published 25th Jan 2018; updated 30th Nov 2021

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Learn Japanese, Japanese language, Japanese Culture Fran Wrigley Learn Japanese, Japanese language, Japanese Culture Fran Wrigley

Amazing Japanese Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 1) - Emi Yogai 恵美・曄涯

I absolutely love kanji - Chinese characters that are also used in Japanese writing.

But calligraphy is not my strong point. My writing is good, but not particularly beautiful.

I have, however, recently become slightly obsessed with instagrammers who post Japanese calligraphy photos.

So I thought it might be fun to share some with you!

I first discovered @yogai888emi via this adorable story about falling asleep on the train…

I absolutely love kanji - Chinese characters that are also used in Japanese writing.

But calligraphy is not my strong point. My writing is good, but not particularly beautiful.

I have, however, recently become slightly obsessed with instagrammers who post Japanese calligraphy photos.

So I thought it might be fun to share some with you!

I first discovered @yogai888emi via this adorable story about falling asleep on the train.

↓　Look at those lovely clean lines. I immediately had serious handwriting envy.

If kanji's not your thing, you can find beautiful hiragana and katakana on her page too.

↓　ハナゲ　(hanage) "nose hair"

There are videos, too, if you like watching calligraphy. I do - I find it super relaxing.

↓　煮える　(nieru) to boil, to be cooked. This one's from the height of summer!

You can find heaps more of her work at @yogai888emi's instagram page. I hope you enjoy exploring it as much as I do.

Just looking at calligraphy won't make your handwriting more beautiful though - unfortunately!

Read more in this series:

Amazing Japanese Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 1.5 bonus!) - Emi Yogai 恵美・曄涯

Amazing Japanese Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 2) - Mitsuru Nagata

Amazing Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 3) - Isawo Murayama

Amazing Calligraphers on Instagram (Part 4) - Uchiyama Kenichi

First published 25th Jan 2018; updated 30th Nov 2021

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Japanese language Fran Wrigley Japanese language Fran Wrigley

Six Ways To Say "Happy Birthday" In Japanese

So you want to wish your Japanese-speaking friends "happy birthday" in Japanese.

Whether you're sending a birthday card, or just writing a message, here are six different ways to share the love.

First of all, let's say “Happy Birthday”:

Help launch something new! Join our pilot round and be among the first to master Hiragana with our course.

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Fran Wrigley Step Up Japanese Blog Happy Birthday in Japanese Otanjoubi Omedetou 1.jpeg

So you want to wish your Japanese-speaking friends "happy birthday" in Japanese.

Whether you're sending a birthday card, or just writing a message, here are six different ways to share the love.

First of all, let's say “Happy Birthday”:

1) お誕生日おめでとう！　o-tanjoubi omedetou

Simple and classic, this one means "happy birthday", or literally "congratulations on your birthday".


2) お誕生日おめでとうございます。　o-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu

Stick a "gozaimasu" on the end to make it more polite.

Good for people older than you, people you know less well, and definitely good for your boss.


3) ハッピーバースデー！happii baasudee!

This one is actually one of my favourites - a Japan-ified version of the English phrase “happy birthday”.

If you're writing a message, it's good to follow up after the birthday greeting by also wishing the person well:


1)  楽しんでください　tanoshinde kudasai

"Have fun!"

e.g. お誕生日おめでとう！楽しんでください ^ ^

"Happy birthday! Have fun :)"


2) 素敵な一日を　sutekina ichinichi o

"Have a great day."

e.g. お誕生日おめでとう！素敵な一日を〜

"Happy birthday! Have a great day."


3) 素晴らしい１年になりますように　subarashii ichinen ni narimasu you ni

"I hope it's a wonderful year for you."

e.g. お誕生日おめでとうございます。素晴らしい１年になりますように。

"Happy birthday. I hope you have a wonderful year."


As you may have noticed, birthday messages wishing someone well for the year are kind of similar to a New Years' Greeting in Japanese.

それじゃ、素敵な一日を！ sutekina ichinichi o!

And with that, I hope you have a wonderful day!


Learn beginner Japanese:

Sakura - Beginner Japanese - Tuesdays at 12pm (UK time) | Online Group Course Starting 14th April 2026 Sakura - Beginner Japanese - Tuesdays at 12pm (UK time) | Online Group Course Starting 14th April 2026
Sakura - Beginner Japanese - Tuesdays at 12pm (UK time) | Online Group Course Starting 14th April 2026
£195.00

A 12-week course for absolute beginners.

Ideal for anyone starting from scratch or looking to refresh their basic Japanese skills in a friendly, supportive environment.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Introduce yourself and exchange simple greetings

  • Ask and answer basic questions when meeting someone for the first time

  • Talk in simple terms about where you live, and who your family and friends are

  • Pronounce all the sounds in Japanese

  • Read some hiragana (one of the basic Japanese scripts)

  • Start to recognise some simple kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese)

We focus on practical, everyday language to help you communicate clearly and confidently.

Course details:

  • Duration: 12 weeks (14th April-30th June 2026)

  • Day/Time: Tuesdays, 12pm (UK time), 55 minute sessions

  • Textbook: Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan - Starter (starting from Lesson 1)
    Free to download online

After completing this course, continue your learning journey with the next Sakura term in Autumn 2026.

Is this course right for you?
✓ You’re a complete beginner (or a rusty one!)
✓ You want to learn basic Japanese in a relaxed and engaging setting

Still unsure?
Feel free to book a free 30-minute zoom consultation or email me for help choosing the right level.

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Updated 10th August 2021

 
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I didn't get the job.

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Sometimes I give a quick answer which is that I used to live there.

But you can live in Japan for years and not learn Japanese.

I've met lots of people like this (and there's nothing wrong with that, unless learning Japanese is the reason you moved to Japan).

The long and more honest answer to "how come you speak Japanese?":

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