Loek van Kooten, MA
@loekalization.bsky.social
Loekalizing your games from and to Japanese, Chinese, Korean, English and Dutch. Portfolio: Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, F1® 2023, Syberia: The World Before, Arma 3. Owner of www.loekalization.com Developer of www.c4ttitude.com (a CAT tool).
When a Tree Becomes a Mochi Wrapper, and a Kanji Misunderstanding
Meet 柏 (kashiwa or haku, depending on who you ask), a kanji that's having a bit of an identity crisis. Officially, it refers to the oriental arborvitae: a stately tree that sounds like it should come with a temple and a wise monk.
Meet 柏 (kashiwa or haku, depending on who you ask), a kanji that's having a bit of an identity crisis. Officially, it refers to the oriental arborvitae: a stately tree that sounds like it should come with a temple and a wise monk.
November 11, 2025 at 3:54 PM
When a Tree Becomes a Mochi Wrapper, and a Kanji Misunderstanding
Meet 柏 (kashiwa or haku, depending on who you ask), a kanji that's having a bit of an identity crisis. Officially, it refers to the oriental arborvitae: a stately tree that sounds like it should come with a temple and a wise monk.
Meet 柏 (kashiwa or haku, depending on who you ask), a kanji that's having a bit of an identity crisis. Officially, it refers to the oriental arborvitae: a stately tree that sounds like it should come with a temple and a wise monk.
披: When Leather Met Weather and TMI
Let's talk about 披 (hi): the kanji that starts with a simple act: grabbing a floppy piece of animal skin and doing something very prehistorically fabulous with it. Picture this: it's the Jōmon era. It's freezing.
Let's talk about 披 (hi): the kanji that starts with a simple act: grabbing a floppy piece of animal skin and doing something very prehistorically fabulous with it. Picture this: it's the Jōmon era. It's freezing.
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
披: When Leather Met Weather and TMI
Let's talk about 披 (hi): the kanji that starts with a simple act: grabbing a floppy piece of animal skin and doing something very prehistorically fabulous with it. Picture this: it's the Jōmon era. It's freezing.
Let's talk about 披 (hi): the kanji that starts with a simple act: grabbing a floppy piece of animal skin and doing something very prehistorically fabulous with it. Picture this: it's the Jōmon era. It's freezing.
Thus Spoke the Axe and the Sieve: 斯, the Separator of Stuff and Sentences
Behold 斯 (ka): a kanji forged from a philosophical axe fight. On one side: 斤, the axe: pure blunt force. On the other: 其, a square sieve once used to separate grain from husk.
Behold 斯 (ka): a kanji forged from a philosophical axe fight. On one side: 斤, the axe: pure blunt force. On the other: 其, a square sieve once used to separate grain from husk.
November 9, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Thus Spoke the Axe and the Sieve: 斯, the Separator of Stuff and Sentences
Behold 斯 (ka): a kanji forged from a philosophical axe fight. On one side: 斤, the axe: pure blunt force. On the other: 其, a square sieve once used to separate grain from husk.
Behold 斯 (ka): a kanji forged from a philosophical axe fight. On one side: 斤, the axe: pure blunt force. On the other: 其, a square sieve once used to separate grain from husk.
The King Who Mastered the Art of Damp Diplomacy: 沾
Say hello to 沾 (romaji: uruou, though let's be honest, only ancient poets and bonus‑chapter nerds ever say it out loud).
Say hello to 沾 (romaji: uruou, though let's be honest, only ancient poets and bonus‑chapter nerds ever say it out loud).
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The King Who Mastered the Art of Damp Diplomacy: 沾
Say hello to 沾 (romaji: uruou, though let's be honest, only ancient poets and bonus‑chapter nerds ever say it out loud).
Say hello to 沾 (romaji: uruou, though let's be honest, only ancient poets and bonus‑chapter nerds ever say it out loud).
The Kanji That'll Stretch Your Noodles and Your Patience: 伸
Ever tried stretching udon dough with your bare hands until it looks like a jump rope for giants? That's the visual energy of 伸 (nobu / shin). On the left, we have 亻: a person, hopefully still standing.
Ever tried stretching udon dough with your bare hands until it looks like a jump rope for giants? That's the visual energy of 伸 (nobu / shin). On the left, we have 亻: a person, hopefully still standing.
November 7, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The Kanji That'll Stretch Your Noodles and Your Patience: 伸
Ever tried stretching udon dough with your bare hands until it looks like a jump rope for giants? That's the visual energy of 伸 (nobu / shin). On the left, we have 亻: a person, hopefully still standing.
Ever tried stretching udon dough with your bare hands until it looks like a jump rope for giants? That's the visual energy of 伸 (nobu / shin). On the left, we have 亻: a person, hopefully still standing.
Spit, Soil, and the Art of Cultivation
培 is a kanji that, like any good gardener, knows the value of dirt and the power of well-placed phlegm. Let's get our hands muddy. At first glance, 培 looks harmless: you've got 土 (tsuchi, earth), which screams "I do gardening!"
培 is a kanji that, like any good gardener, knows the value of dirt and the power of well-placed phlegm. Let's get our hands muddy. At first glance, 培 looks harmless: you've got 土 (tsuchi, earth), which screams "I do gardening!"
November 6, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Spit, Soil, and the Art of Cultivation
培 is a kanji that, like any good gardener, knows the value of dirt and the power of well-placed phlegm. Let's get our hands muddy. At first glance, 培 looks harmless: you've got 土 (tsuchi, earth), which screams "I do gardening!"
培 is a kanji that, like any good gardener, knows the value of dirt and the power of well-placed phlegm. Let's get our hands muddy. At first glance, 培 looks harmless: you've got 土 (tsuchi, earth), which screams "I do gardening!"
趣 – The Kinkiest Kanji You've Ever Collected
Let's talk 趣 (shu, omomuki), the kanji for interest, taste, vibe, and (depending on the day) fetish. But before 趣 got cozy with stamp collecting and niche obsessions, it had blood on its hands. Literally.
Let's talk 趣 (shu, omomuki), the kanji for interest, taste, vibe, and (depending on the day) fetish. But before 趣 got cozy with stamp collecting and niche obsessions, it had blood on its hands. Literally.
November 5, 2025 at 9:36 AM
趣 – The Kinkiest Kanji You've Ever Collected
Let's talk 趣 (shu, omomuki), the kanji for interest, taste, vibe, and (depending on the day) fetish. But before 趣 got cozy with stamp collecting and niche obsessions, it had blood on its hands. Literally.
Let's talk 趣 (shu, omomuki), the kanji for interest, taste, vibe, and (depending on the day) fetish. But before 趣 got cozy with stamp collecting and niche obsessions, it had blood on its hands. Literally.
The Mask of the Rising Sun: When Foreign Nationalists Pretend to Be Japanese
Over the past few years, a curious trend has emerged across X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and YouTube comment threads...
Over the past few years, a curious trend has emerged across X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and YouTube comment threads...
November 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Mask of the Rising Sun: When Foreign Nationalists Pretend to Be Japanese
Over the past few years, a curious trend has emerged across X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and YouTube comment threads...
Over the past few years, a curious trend has emerged across X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and YouTube comment threads...
A Sheep, a Halberd, and a Polite Society Walk into a Bar...
Let's talk about 儀 (gi): the kanji that shows up overdressed to a sword fight and still gets complimented on its bow. This character combines 亻 (a person) with the kanji 義, which, stay with me, is a sheep (羊)... holding a halberd (我).
Let's talk about 儀 (gi): the kanji that shows up overdressed to a sword fight and still gets complimented on its bow. This character combines 亻 (a person) with the kanji 義, which, stay with me, is a sheep (羊)... holding a halberd (我).
November 4, 2025 at 8:49 AM
A Sheep, a Halberd, and a Polite Society Walk into a Bar...
Let's talk about 儀 (gi): the kanji that shows up overdressed to a sword fight and still gets complimented on its bow. This character combines 亻 (a person) with the kanji 義, which, stay with me, is a sheep (羊)... holding a halberd (我).
Let's talk about 儀 (gi): the kanji that shows up overdressed to a sword fight and still gets complimented on its bow. This character combines 亻 (a person) with the kanji 義, which, stay with me, is a sheep (羊)... holding a halberd (我).
The Umbrella Kanji That Secretly Spells "Eighty"
Ever looked at 傘 and thought, "Ah yes, four majestic plies and a central pole: clearly, the diagram of rainproofing excellence"? No? Well, now you will.
Ever looked at 傘 and thought, "Ah yes, four majestic plies and a central pole: clearly, the diagram of rainproofing excellence"? No? Well, now you will.
November 3, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The Umbrella Kanji That Secretly Spells "Eighty"
Ever looked at 傘 and thought, "Ah yes, four majestic plies and a central pole: clearly, the diagram of rainproofing excellence"? No? Well, now you will.
Ever looked at 傘 and thought, "Ah yes, four majestic plies and a central pole: clearly, the diagram of rainproofing excellence"? No? Well, now you will.
煩わせる: When Causing Trouble Becomes a Full-Time Job
Think Chinese 烦 is intense? In Japanese, it puts on a tie, bows at 90°, and apologizes for existing.
www.youtube.com/shorts/yJg0q...
Think Chinese 烦 is intense? In Japanese, it puts on a tie, bows at 90°, and apologizes for existing.
www.youtube.com/shorts/yJg0q...
煩わせる: When Causing Trouble Becomes a Full-Time Job
YouTube video by Japanology
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:34 AM
煩わせる: When Causing Trouble Becomes a Full-Time Job
Think Chinese 烦 is intense? In Japanese, it puts on a tie, bows at 90°, and apologizes for existing.
www.youtube.com/shorts/yJg0q...
Think Chinese 烦 is intense? In Japanese, it puts on a tie, bows at 90°, and apologizes for existing.
www.youtube.com/shorts/yJg0q...
The Collapse of RWS: Facts, Cash, and the Cost of Evasion
There's a certain poetry to how great companies fall. They start with language (grand language) and end when their words no longer match reality. RWS, once the crown jewel of the translation world, has reached that point.
There's a certain poetry to how great companies fall. They start with language (grand language) and end when their words no longer match reality. RWS, once the crown jewel of the translation world, has reached that point.
November 1, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The Collapse of RWS: Facts, Cash, and the Cost of Evasion
There's a certain poetry to how great companies fall. They start with language (grand language) and end when their words no longer match reality. RWS, once the crown jewel of the translation world, has reached that point.
There's a certain poetry to how great companies fall. They start with language (grand language) and end when their words no longer match reality. RWS, once the crown jewel of the translation world, has reached that point.
庶民: When You're Just One Spark in the Greasy Fire of Society
Let's be honest: 庶 (sho) is that kanji quietly judging you from the shadows. Not because you failed, but because you never stood out to begin with.
Let's be honest: 庶 (sho) is that kanji quietly judging you from the shadows. Not because you failed, but because you never stood out to begin with.
November 1, 2025 at 8:13 AM
庶民: When You're Just One Spark in the Greasy Fire of Society
Let's be honest: 庶 (sho) is that kanji quietly judging you from the shadows. Not because you failed, but because you never stood out to begin with.
Let's be honest: 庶 (sho) is that kanji quietly judging you from the shadows. Not because you failed, but because you never stood out to begin with.
航: The Power Pose of the High Seas (and Skies)
Some kanji look like they're about to do yoga. Others look like they're charging into a storm with Beyoncé-level confidence. 航 is very much the latter. Let's unpack this seafaring show-off.
Some kanji look like they're about to do yoga. Others look like they're charging into a storm with Beyoncé-level confidence. 航 is very much the latter. Let's unpack this seafaring show-off.
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
航: The Power Pose of the High Seas (and Skies)
Some kanji look like they're about to do yoga. Others look like they're charging into a storm with Beyoncé-level confidence. 航 is very much the latter. Let's unpack this seafaring show-off.
Some kanji look like they're about to do yoga. Others look like they're charging into a storm with Beyoncé-level confidence. 航 is very much the latter. Let's unpack this seafaring show-off.
"Open Sesame, Respectfully Yours: The Tale of 啓 (kei)"
Meet 啓 (kei): the kanji that flings open both doors and minds. It's got the manners of a butler and the ambition of a TED Talk. Structurally, it's a triple threat: 戸 (door) + 攵 (hand) + 口 (mouth). Translation?
Meet 啓 (kei): the kanji that flings open both doors and minds. It's got the manners of a butler and the ambition of a TED Talk. Structurally, it's a triple threat: 戸 (door) + 攵 (hand) + 口 (mouth). Translation?
October 30, 2025 at 5:48 AM
"Open Sesame, Respectfully Yours: The Tale of 啓 (kei)"
Meet 啓 (kei): the kanji that flings open both doors and minds. It's got the manners of a butler and the ambition of a TED Talk. Structurally, it's a triple threat: 戸 (door) + 攵 (hand) + 口 (mouth). Translation?
Meet 啓 (kei): the kanji that flings open both doors and minds. It's got the manners of a butler and the ambition of a TED Talk. Structurally, it's a triple threat: 戸 (door) + 攵 (hand) + 口 (mouth). Translation?
計: The Art of Talking Your Way Into Control
計 (kei) is the kanji equivalent of that friend who shows up with a clipboard and a plan when you just wanted brunch. It's built from 言 (to speak) and 十 (not just "ten," but a visual attempt at herding chaos into a straight line). Together?
計 (kei) is the kanji equivalent of that friend who shows up with a clipboard and a plan when you just wanted brunch. It's built from 言 (to speak) and 十 (not just "ten," but a visual attempt at herding chaos into a straight line). Together?
October 29, 2025 at 7:34 AM
計: The Art of Talking Your Way Into Control
計 (kei) is the kanji equivalent of that friend who shows up with a clipboard and a plan when you just wanted brunch. It's built from 言 (to speak) and 十 (not just "ten," but a visual attempt at herding chaos into a straight line). Together?
計 (kei) is the kanji equivalent of that friend who shows up with a clipboard and a plan when you just wanted brunch. It's built from 言 (to speak) and 十 (not just "ten," but a visual attempt at herding chaos into a straight line). Together?
The Bamboo Tube That Did It All (From Tea to War)
Say hello to 筒 (tsutsu), the original Japanese multitool disguised as a humble bamboo pipe. Whether it's housing arrows, ammo, tea, or love letters, this kanji proves that even a "tube" can live a wildly diverse life.
Say hello to 筒 (tsutsu), the original Japanese multitool disguised as a humble bamboo pipe. Whether it's housing arrows, ammo, tea, or love letters, this kanji proves that even a "tube" can live a wildly diverse life.
October 28, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The Bamboo Tube That Did It All (From Tea to War)
Say hello to 筒 (tsutsu), the original Japanese multitool disguised as a humble bamboo pipe. Whether it's housing arrows, ammo, tea, or love letters, this kanji proves that even a "tube" can live a wildly diverse life.
Say hello to 筒 (tsutsu), the original Japanese multitool disguised as a humble bamboo pipe. Whether it's housing arrows, ammo, tea, or love letters, this kanji proves that even a "tube" can live a wildly diverse life.
The Art of Stealing... a Snack: The Curious Case of 盗
If you've ever reached for someone else's fries when they weren't looking, congratulations: you've performed a kanji in real life. Meet 盗 (ぬすむ/nusumu): the kanji for stealing, robbing, and, well, being just a bit too enthusiastic at dinner.
If you've ever reached for someone else's fries when they weren't looking, congratulations: you've performed a kanji in real life. Meet 盗 (ぬすむ/nusumu): the kanji for stealing, robbing, and, well, being just a bit too enthusiastic at dinner.
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 AM
The Art of Stealing... a Snack: The Curious Case of 盗
If you've ever reached for someone else's fries when they weren't looking, congratulations: you've performed a kanji in real life. Meet 盗 (ぬすむ/nusumu): the kanji for stealing, robbing, and, well, being just a bit too enthusiastic at dinner.
If you've ever reached for someone else's fries when they weren't looking, congratulations: you've performed a kanji in real life. Meet 盗 (ぬすむ/nusumu): the kanji for stealing, robbing, and, well, being just a bit too enthusiastic at dinner.
The Word Wars: How a Single Mistranslation Can Start a Real One
RAND Corporation, the Pentagon's own think tank, just issued a rare self-reflection: America's China strategy has been shaped by mistranslation.
RAND Corporation, the Pentagon's own think tank, just issued a rare self-reflection: America's China strategy has been shaped by mistranslation.
October 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The Word Wars: How a Single Mistranslation Can Start a Real One
RAND Corporation, the Pentagon's own think tank, just issued a rare self-reflection: America's China strategy has been shaped by mistranslation.
RAND Corporation, the Pentagon's own think tank, just issued a rare self-reflection: America's China strategy has been shaped by mistranslation.
越す (KOSU): The Japanese Verb That Breaks Every Wall
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1np...
Ever felt like life keeps throwing walls at you? The Japanese verb 越す (kosu) doesn't just cross them, it obliterates them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1np...
Ever felt like life keeps throwing walls at you? The Japanese verb 越す (kosu) doesn't just cross them, it obliterates them.
越す (KOSU): The Japanese Verb That Breaks Every Wall
YouTube video by Japanology
www.youtube.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:16 AM
越す (KOSU): The Japanese Verb That Breaks Every Wall
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1np...
Ever felt like life keeps throwing walls at you? The Japanese verb 越す (kosu) doesn't just cross them, it obliterates them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1np...
Ever felt like life keeps throwing walls at you? The Japanese verb 越す (kosu) doesn't just cross them, it obliterates them.
Why Laughter Is Basically Slender Bamboozlement
Today's kanji is 笑 (warau), and yes: it literally means to laugh. But this isn't just any laugh. This is the elegant, bamboo-skinny, haute couture of kanji giggles. Let's dissect this visual punchline.
Today's kanji is 笑 (warau), and yes: it literally means to laugh. But this isn't just any laugh. This is the elegant, bamboo-skinny, haute couture of kanji giggles. Let's dissect this visual punchline.
October 25, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Why Laughter Is Basically Slender Bamboozlement
Today's kanji is 笑 (warau), and yes: it literally means to laugh. But this isn't just any laugh. This is the elegant, bamboo-skinny, haute couture of kanji giggles. Let's dissect this visual punchline.
Today's kanji is 笑 (warau), and yes: it literally means to laugh. But this isn't just any laugh. This is the elegant, bamboo-skinny, haute couture of kanji giggles. Let's dissect this visual punchline.
Meet 光 (hikari or kō), the kanji that asks: "What if a person... but on fire... and fabulous?"
October 24, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Meet 光 (hikari or kō), the kanji that asks: "What if a person... but on fire... and fabulous?"
忽: The Kanji That Disappears Mid-Sentence and Takes Your Beer (and Mongolia)
Say hello to 忽 (kotsu), the kanji that disappears so fast, you're still apologizing to it hours after it's gone. It's what happens when your heart spaces out and the world keeps moving: tachimachi.
Say hello to 忽 (kotsu), the kanji that disappears so fast, you're still apologizing to it hours after it's gone. It's what happens when your heart spaces out and the world keeps moving: tachimachi.
October 23, 2025 at 5:09 AM
忽: The Kanji That Disappears Mid-Sentence and Takes Your Beer (and Mongolia)
Say hello to 忽 (kotsu), the kanji that disappears so fast, you're still apologizing to it hours after it's gone. It's what happens when your heart spaces out and the world keeps moving: tachimachi.
Say hello to 忽 (kotsu), the kanji that disappears so fast, you're still apologizing to it hours after it's gone. It's what happens when your heart spaces out and the world keeps moving: tachimachi.
Did you know that these days, game companies ban you for cheating on your partner? Who needs human translators when AI can ruin your marriage and your gaming career in one sentence?
Indeed: cheating here was translated to *that* cheating by AI. And that's exactly why you still need me.
Indeed: cheating here was translated to *that* cheating by AI. And that's exactly why you still need me.
October 22, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Did you know that these days, game companies ban you for cheating on your partner? Who needs human translators when AI can ruin your marriage and your gaming career in one sentence?
Indeed: cheating here was translated to *that* cheating by AI. And that's exactly why you still need me.
Indeed: cheating here was translated to *that* cheating by AI. And that's exactly why you still need me.
Throwing Sake and Shade: The Divine Bureaucracy of 鄭 鄭 (tei, if you're feeling fancy) is that kanji that didn't make the cut for JLPT, doesn't get taught in Japanese schools, yet still crashes the party: usually hidden inside names of Chinese scholars, generals, and occasional war game vocabulary
October 22, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Throwing Sake and Shade: The Divine Bureaucracy of 鄭 鄭 (tei, if you're feeling fancy) is that kanji that didn't make the cut for JLPT, doesn't get taught in Japanese schools, yet still crashes the party: usually hidden inside names of Chinese scholars, generals, and occasional war game vocabulary