Nice sound, learning about Japan is learning about Japanese.
I wanted to advise you at >>523 know the Japanese language.
Tanka is maybe supreme quintessence of Japanese.
The words is very important like a Bible word "At the begining, the word is God."
To similar this there is originally something of Kotodama in my country, and people have been valuing the word.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotodama
Kotodama is worshipping and having fear to spirit of the Words.
Manyousyu said, "Japan is a country that brings happiness by a strange spirit of the words working". (言霊のさきはふ国)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27y%C5%8Dsh%C5%AB
To begin with, you learn the Japanese or you will be able to know a part of the Japanese culture.
It is the first step of being a good person understanding about Japan.
Deare Jim is managing the BBS.
That BBS's main user is Japanese I think.
Therefore I expect you to know Japan more.