Origin

The One Point English lessons are a series of videos popular on the Internet. They feature a Japanese geisha or "oiran" teaching "useful" English sentences. The clips originated from a Japanese late-night variety and comedy skit TV show. Because it was part of a comedy show, the clips are a spoof of regular Japanese English lessons.

Structure

A typical One Point English lesson it built up like this:

• The geisha welcomes the viewer and introduces the lesson.
• The sentence to be learned is read.
• Optional: the sentence is broken up into pieces and read word for word.
• The Japanese translation is given.
• A demonstration of a situation in which the sentence could be used is given.
• Optional: A demonstration of a situation in which the sentence could better not be used is given.
• The sentence and the translation are read once more.
• The geisha bids the viewers farewell.

Toshi

In the demonstration of the situations the geisha frequently uses the phrase "Come on, Toshi!" This is often repeated several times before the demonstration ends. These particular words have sparked a trend and also a mystery. No one really knows who this illusive "Toshi" is.

Parodies/Remixes

A video with a re-enactment of a One Point English lesson:

An obscure remix of the One Point lessons with clips of another Japanese TV show:

YTMND – Come on, Toshi!