Kawaii is a Japanese word translating to something like "cute" or "adorable" but it is much more than that. While kawaii figures tug at the heartstrings with their big eyes and baby-like proportions making them seem helpless and vulnerable, kawaii can also represent a rebellious spirit.
Check out my other podcast Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab
Who AR ... Show More
Jul 17
TLDR Illuminated Manuscripts (encore)
Illuminated manuscripts are the stunning, handcrafted books of the medieval world, created through a meticulous process in monastery workshops known as scriptoria. Scribes would copy text onto processed animal skin, or vellum, while artists known as illuminators added intricate i ... Show More
12m 9s
Jul 13
Joan Miró | The Farm (encore)
Joan Miró, a renowned Spanish painter, sculptor, and ceramicist, was born in Barcelona on April 20, 1893. Initially steered towards business, Miró's true passion was art. He studied at Barcelona's La Llotja School of Fine Arts and later the Escola d'Art. A period of illness led h ... Show More
10m 22s
Jul 2024
Yuru-chara: Japanese Mascots, Part 1
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1h 3m
Dec 2016
What makes cute things cute?
Think of the cutest puppy, kitten or baby you’ve ever seen. Now what sound did you just make? Was it an “Awwwww?” Or did you want to pinch, bite or squeeze it? In this episode, we’ll find out why this is a natural reaction to cute and why we’re so easily distracted by cute things ... Show More
15m 44s
Oct 2017
The Monstrosity/Cuteness Spectrum
<p>It seems the unavoidable fate of all terrifying monsters, doesn’t it? We reduce the most horrifying creatures of myth, legend and folklore to an adorable kids costume or a mega-cute illustration. Why can’t we help ourselves? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert a ... Show More
1h 22m
Jun 2020
Return of the Yokai
<p>In the US, mascots are used to pump up crowds at sporting events, or for traumatizing generations of children at Chuck E. Cheese, but in Japan it’s different. There are mascots for towns, aquariums, dentists' offices, even prisons. There are mascots in cities that tell people ... Show More
34m 6s
Oct 2019
From the Vault: Monstrosity/Cuteness Spectrum
It seems the unavoidable fate of all terrifying monsters, doesn’t it? We reduce the most horrifying creatures of myth, legend and folklore to an adorable kids costume or a mega-cute illustration. Why can’t we help ourselves? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and ... Show More
1h 23m
Mar 2019
Japanese culture: Breaking down barriers
Ariana Grande's furious with Japanese Kanji and a woman called Marie gets equally furious with the common chopstick. Wanna say hi? abroadinjapanpodcast@gmail.com More Abroad In Japan shows available below, subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, and *please* tell your friends! A ... Show More
30m 40s