monk
Have you ever stopped to think about the soul of a Goomba when you crush or burn its body?
In this Japanese season of ghosts, hopefully this advice will help you see cemeteries in a new light.
When you think of mummies your mind probably goes straight to Egypt and Halloween. But not all mummies are pyramid-dwelling, bandaged pharaohs. Asia has had its fair share of mummies over the millennia as well, but instead of pharaohs they were Taoist and Buddhist monks, and instead of being mummified post-mortem, they mummified themselves before dying.
Recently, researchers in the Netherlands have discovered the mummified remains of a Buddhist monk who is thought to be Liuquan, a master of the Chinese Meditation School, within a bronze Buddha statue! Keep in mind, this guy lived around 1100 AD!
From creating lavish artwork on exquisitely crafted lattes to mastering the art of gender-bending cosplay, perfecting any skill takes a lot of hard work and time. But a Japanese monk who lived about 700 years ago recently reminded the Internet that another key part of success are the failures and embarrassments along the way.
A Twitter user recently found the ancient writings of this monk and his words seemed to resonate with Japanese netizens who found that words very applicable to their modern lives.






Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Tokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese theme park adding Immersive Death Game with a “bomb collar” you have to wear
TKG Debate: What’s the best way to eat Japan’s beloved raw egg comfort dish?
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
“Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
TKG Debate: What’s the best way to eat Japan’s beloved raw egg comfort dish?
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over to Baskin-Robbins Japan with special ice cream and merch
Over a billion yen in smuggled gold found inside sex dolls by Japanese investigators
Will we eat the gyoza or our words at this all-you-can-eat dumpling challenge?
Married Japanese man must pay 4.6 million yen after faking being single and impregnating partner
Japanese merry-go-round has heartwarming backstory, is one of the best rides in Japan
Ginza Happo: One of Tokyo’s best all-you-can-eat seafood restaurants is an extreme buffet affair
Totoro Soot Sprites are here to help keep your organized as adorable paper clips[Photos]
Nearly half of Pokémon hot spring’s statues have been damaged less than two months after opening
7-Eleven Japan now has Seven Cafe tea machines…but can they convert a coffee drinker?