Japan Archives

This week we look at some of the supernatural cats from Japan's History . From the Mikeneko, to the Nekomata, Neko Musume and and Maneki Neko we take you on a tour of just some of the many strange cats from Japan. And for the poem today we have one from the poet called Takashi Matsumoto. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History ove...

Today a short strange tale about Fukushi Masaichi. The man who collected tatoos from people, and we also have a brief discussion on tatoos in general in Japan and how they are seen to this day.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You...

As promised here is the little Bonus on some more Japanese proverbs for you to learn. We hope you enjoy. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Archives⁠⁠ Youtube (Minecraft):   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mycenria⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today we coming right into modern history with Japan's first attempt at reaching the South Pole, with a team led by Nobu Shirase. And for the poem, we return to a poet from one of our very early episodes; Yosa Buson. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ja...

Today we talk about something well known from Japan, the dog known as Hachiko.  And for the poet, we have a lesser known man perhaps known as Sone Baizan. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Archives⁠...

Today we take our first look into a tale from the Ainu people of Japan, a tale told by the Black Fox God. And we have another Japanese Proverb for you to learn. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Arc...

Today Heather gives us a brief culinary history into rice. And it's one we will definately have to come back to! And for the poem today, we have one by Master Kensho. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠...

Back continuing the story of the Shinto mythologies, and today we found out how they coaxed the Sun Goddess Amaterasu back out of the Heavenly Rock Cave. And for the poem today, we have one by Takarai Kikaku. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives...

Today we finally look into the origins of the Oni as well as what people often see them as. And for the literary section today, Heather talks us through the 'New' first verse of the Sakura song.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

A bonus tale today, taking us back to the life of En no Ozunu. We listen to the tale of his Peacock Power as well as his run in with the Deity Hitokotonushi.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Archi...

We're back! And today we wanted to look into some stories surrounding Japanese Mirrors as well as learning  a little about Japanese Cheery Blossoms. (After all it is the blossom season.) And today Heather also tells us about the Sakura Song. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I...

Checking in with Heather today as she is still in the hospital.  She'll enlighten us a little about hospitals in Japan and I shall talk a little about some historical facts about Japanese Healthcare.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Ninja weapons! Ninja clothes! Ninja food! Ninja... poem! Everything is Ninja today as I test Heather in a few scenarios, to see how she would fare as a Ninja.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Arch...

Today we learn about Lady Tomoe, a woman renowned for her fighting prowess as one of the onna-bugeisha , the female Samurai. And today we have another tongue twister for you to try and get your head round.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠...

Todays bonus episode links us back to En no Ozunu from Episode 22. And we learn today of his exploits involving the Oni Zenki and Goki who terrorized the people of Nara Prefecture. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Ar...

Today is the week of Setsubun, the Bean Throwing Festival. A festival of luck and for driving away the evil Oni. We'll talk about it's origins, the rituals and folklore behind it and Heather will tell us a little of her first hand experience at one of these festivals. And for the poem we head back to the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu and hear a poem by the Emperor Koko. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today were back into modern history, with the story of Rita Mastaka. The woman who helped jump start whiskey making in Japan. And for today's poem, its Thomas' turn, and he has found one about alcohol.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archiv...

Today is the strange tale of the Samebito - The Shark Man. And Heather is back with another poem, this time by Soboku Tani. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Archives⁠⁠ Youtube (Minecraft):   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Well today we look into some of the legends surrounding the castle of Himeji. And Heather gives us a Tongue Twister and a quick lesson in Japanese grammer.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Archive...

As promised Heather is here to song for you, the Yuki Song, we talked about in our Christmas Episode.  It's a super short episode today, but either way, we hope you enjoy her version of the song. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today we delve into another Japanese Ghost Story - The story of Okiku and her untimely demise.  And for the poem today, we have our first 'poem of lament,' by a man known as Nakao Kaishi. ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Yo...

Hello everyone. Our first episode of 2020 is here! We're live today, Heather and I taking a walk around Ueno Park as we talk a little about the temples histories. **As we are outside today, lots of background park noises, so earphones are probably better for todays episode** We hope you enjoy.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese Hist...

A very special Christmas episode! We are recording together with a "live studio audience." Today we are visiting more modern Japanese history - Christmas in Japan. We are also reading the first verse of a song about snow. PLEASE NOTE: Our usual intro/outro and music are not used for this special episode. You may hear some background audio from our audience, although we tried to edit as m...

Today we look a three things in one, all of them linked. A Yōkai known as the Shōkera, which links to the religion known as Kōshin, with this religion in turn having some interesting connections to some famous monkeys.  And for the poem, we have a Winter Poem from one of our favourites: Bashō. *DISCLAIMER - we address a mistake within the episode, when we first mention that the monkeys grew their...

Today we introduce our first bonus episode, and we delve into the folktale known as Shippei Taro, as well as hearing a Japanese tongue twister.  ~ Review us over on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podchaser⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Check out our growing database on Japanese History over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofjapan.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@japan_archives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube (Japan Archvies): ⁠⁠Japan Archives⁠⁠ Youtube...