Languages
Why Classical Chinese Poems Often Leave the Subject Unsaid
Learn how to read an unstated subject in classical Chinese poetry by tracing grammar and context, while keeping…
The archive
Articles
Browse articles on Asian histories, philosophies, languages, arts and traditions. Each piece takes one subject in context, with room for the region’s variety and the details that make a story distinct.
Arts
Ink Stick or Liquid Ink: Two Paths into Brush Writing
Ink stick or liquid ink? Compare preparation, handling, and practice so you can choose materials that suit your…
Histories
How Buddhist Manuscripts Moved Across Asia
How Buddhist manuscripts moved across Asia depended on routes, translators, and local choices; see how texts changed…
Histories
The Samurai Were Never One Unchanging Type
Samurai across Japanese history held changing roles. Learn how period, political setting, and source type clarify…
Traditions
What to Notice at a Japanese Tea Gathering
What to notice at a Japanese tea gathering: follow gestures, setting, and objects to understand the occasion while…