Snow

The Japanese language is rich in words and expressions influenced by nature, history and culture. This episode introduces words related to snow. Designated heavy snowfall areas cover fifty-one percent of Japan. In such an environment, many words related to snow were born. From his home in Kyoto Prefecture, poet and literary translator Peter MacMillan guides us through these words and the culture behind them.

"Botanyuki": large snowflakes made up of clustered crystals
"Shinshin": an onomatopoeia expressing the sight of steadily, silently falling snow
"Yukidaruma": a two-tiered Japanese snowman modeled after the daruma doll
"Kamakura": unique Japanese snow huts

Transcript