Now Out: Essay 1254 on 郊 (outskirts), 2 Radical Notes, and 5 New-Monics

The 466th essay has posted. Essay 1254 on 郊 (outskirts; suburb) is now available for purchase. Here's a preview:

The difference between cities and suburbs is hard to discern in Japan. A Japanese city includes the surrounding area, even if it is mountainous or rural. Read about that and learn to talk about city outskirts and suburbs. Also discover a term for any city located 1 to 1.5 hours by train from a metropolis, see where the Japanese do urban farming, and find out about so-called new towns.  

Two Radical Notes have posted:

• Radical Note 129 on 聿, the “writing brush" radical

See why it seems as if this radical is on duty in the wrong Joyo kanji! 

• Radical Note 131 on 臣, the “minister (of state)" radical: 

Find out how, although 臣 (512: servant) resembles a segment of a brick wall, that kanji and the identical radical represent something round!

These resources are free!

Finally, Ulrike has created these new-monics, which are also free:

拝 (956: worship)
班 (960: group)
否 (962: no)
陛 (967: imperial palace steps)
訪 (972: visit)