Now Out: Essay 1824 on 堀 (Moat), 2 Revisions, and 5 New-Monics

The 197th essay has posted! Essay 1824 on 堀 (moat; canal) is now available for purchase. Here's a preview:

Through this photo-rich essay (which includes gorgeous pictures of castle towers alongside moats), you'll learn why the Japanese sometimes created dry moats, how moats with lattice bottoms deterred enemies, how moat layout related to socioeconomic strata, how both moats and canals have left marks on Tokyo and Osaka, what it means to "bridge a moat" figuratively, and more! 

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

Also, revisions of two essays have posted:

essay 1571 on 壇 (platform; podium; altar; circles)

essay 2081 on 頓 (sudden; to stay in place, stop)

You can find details about the changes at the links.

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

候 (478: season)
司 (497: to officiate)
詞 (879: words)
伺 (1313: to inquire)
嗣 (1321: heir)