history

What are the differences between cochineal, lac, and shellac, insects we actually eat every day? Is it true that they are found in large quantities in red foods and lipstick? Are they dangerous? Why are they used?

In Japan, except in some regions, eating insects is extremely rare, and it's safe to say that it's almost unheard of among younger generations, especially in urban areas. While some advocate for insect consumption as a way to prepare for food shortages, cries of "Absolutely not!" are heard, mainly on social media. Even though I work with insects, I still...

2026.02.19

animalhistory

Is it a myth that spices were used during the Age of Discovery to mask the smell of rotten meat? What was the real reason? Is it also a myth that they were used to improve preservation?

I originally have a science background, but I enjoy reading world history content. I came across something interesting in that context. It was the idea that spices (spices excluding stems, leaves, and flowers) don't have much antibacterial properties, and that "spices were used to mask the smell of rotten meat"...

2026.02.13

planthistory

Is Adlerian psychology suspicious? Is it dubious? Is it pseudoscience? How much of it is actually proven? We'll explain the scientific basis and common misconceptions!

If we were to summarize Adlerian psychology in one sentence, it would be: "A psychology that fosters the ability to live in cooperation with others (community feeling) by choosing one's own life (self-determination), acting in accordance with one's purpose (teleology), and letting go of unnecessary control over others (separation of tasks)." However, his psychology...

2026.01.20

animalhistory

What are the origins of rhythm and time signatures (2/4, 4/4, 3/4)? An explanation of their evolutionary and historical origins!

When you take up listening to music, singing, or dancing as hobbies, you naturally develop an interest in rhythm and time signatures. However, if you try to pinpoint the origins of these things, you might find it difficult to answer. Because we often find ourselves naturally moving to rhythms, we might not even question it...

2025.11.12

animalhistory

[Manga Review/Impressions] "Tenmaku no Jadugal Vol. 1" (by Tomato Soup) is a manga that reveals the harsh life of Fatima Hatun and the lifestyle of medieval Islam and Mongolia. [Warning: Contains historical spoilers]

"Jadugal of the Tent" is a comic book by Tomato Soup depicting the life of Fatima Hatun. I read it as a fan of Tomato Soup's work, and I found it to be quite historically accurate, educational, and also an interesting story. This book would be suitable for those interested in medieval Islam...

2023.06.03

history

How can you best use Kaldi's sambal? Why do they use chili peppers native to Central and South America? I investigated this along with its history and food culture in Indonesia.

KALDI sells a spicy condiment called "Sambal" (JAN: 4515996938207) (as of November 13, 2022). Even after searching Japanese websites, I couldn't find a very good, traditional way to eat it, but it seems to be used in local cuisine...

2022.11.13

cookinghistory

The "Yamakawa World History Q&A" app is incredibly convenient because you can memorize anytime, anywhere! It's a new era of studying.

Hello everyone, did you know that there's an app called "Yamakawa One-Question-One-Answer World History" that contains all the questions from the book "Yamakawa One-Question-One-Answer World History"? Yamakawa One-Question-One-Answer World History Developer: Imagineer Co.,Ltd. ¥610 posted with AppReach Recently I've been using this...

2022.05.23

history