Now Out: Essay 1310 on 傘 (Umbrella), 5 Games and Revisions, and 7 New-Monics

The 176th essay has posted! Essay 1310 on 傘 (umbrella, parasol; umbrella-shaped object) is now available for purchase. Here's a preview:

Find out how paper umbrellas are made and why they're rare. Discover why one type of Western umbrella (which is named after a blind animal!) was banned in the Osaka area. Also see why one kind of umbrella has 蛇 (snake) in its name. Learn to say "overprotected," "subsidiary," and "mushroom cap" with 傘, and read about the role of umbrellas in kabuki dances and in young love.

Using the accompanying Phrase Maze game on the Character Home Page, you can practice the vocabulary in the essay after reading it. 

Actually, that's also true of five other essays for which games have just become available:

essay 1792 on 邦 (country; Japanese, Japan)

essay 1829 on 麻 (hemp, flax; to become numb; "hemp" radical)

essay 1835 on 又 (again; and, also; on the other hand, or;“again” radical)

essay 1843 on 矛 (long-handled Chinese spear; halberd; "spear" radical)

essay 1987 on 臼 (mortar; millstone; hand mill)

While I was at it, I did small revisions on each one. You'll find details at the links.

Also, Ulrike has produced a new batch of new-monics (which are free!):

受 (303: to receive)
授 (702: to confer)
述 (707: to state)
除 (711: to remove)
織 (720: to weave)
職 (721: employment)
政 (724: political administration)