A text-based facial expression using Japanese characters, such as (^_^) or (T_T). Often used in digital communication.
Adding emoticons to emails makes it easier to convey feelings.
Many Japanese emoticons face forward rather than sideways.
Compound of 顔 (かお, 'face') and 文字 (もじ, 'character'). The term emerged with early Japanese internet culture to describe sideways or upright text-based facial expressions.