Unfolding Japan

In this episode Mat and Devin , fresh from the disappointment of Japan's tragic loss in the world cup, bury themselves in the past, and explore the unique relationship between another unlucky team this year, the Netherlands. We detail the fateful early tragedy that first brought the Dutch to Japan, and how they eventually became the last men standing. Listen on to find out how, as Japan was fa...

In this episode Mat and Devin lace up their football boots and seek the origins of the beautiful game in the land of the rising sun. From early signs of success to the doldrums of large company teams, we trace the revival under the suspiciously high salary of Gary Lineker, and recent near misses of the Samurai Blue. As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please ch...

In this episode Mat and Devin keep riding the true crime band wagon, although this one is more of a mystery, you can decide if a crime was committed or not! For part two we explore the mystifying case of the giant SOS sign from the 80's which has a whole host of unanswered questions for you to ponder. Listen on to find out about one of Japan's most famous mysteries, involving missing perso...

In this episode Mat and Devin jump on the true crime band wagon, if it ain't broke don't fix it as they say! Part 1 we delve into a mysterious unsolved robbery from the 60's which leaves people scratching their heads to this day. This story has it all, fake cops, cyanide, getaway cars and bucket loads of cash! listen on to find out about one of Japan's most famous heists. As always...

In this episode Mat and Devin continue on their whistle-stop tour of the regional specialities to be found in Japan. This time we veer off the comforting main island of Honshu and plunge into the icy waters of Hokkaido for King crab, take a peek at the prefecture with a frankly ludicrous love of Udon noodles, and head south, where you'll learn about the incongruous love of tiny shortbread cook...

In this episode Mat and Devin, dip a toe into the world of Meibutsu, the regional specialities which define the identity of all the different regions and towns of Japan, creating a must eat, or must buy, product in basically every town or city in Japan! Listen on to hear about the prefecture that's gone all in on peanuts, or the practically violent rivalry for Japan's best Okonomiyaki - Ja...

In this episode Mat and Devin dive right in to the swirling mire of Japanese post war politics. Intended as an overview, we chart the early experimentation with democracy following the war,through decades of LDP dominance and how it came about, and check in on the state of play with Japan's very own Iron Lady. While Japanese politics can feel deliberately opaque, we hope the light of unfolding Jap...

In this episode Mat and Devin lift the lid on the state of Edo to peer into the lives of the ordinary city dwellers. We explore the flourishing of the printing industry, Tea Houses, Kabuki, Firemen and much more, discovering a slew of customs and traditions that remain vibrant to this day, and some very surprising modern cultural elements that started way back in Feudal Japan, including the first...

In this episode Mat and Devin delve further into the governance of the Edo period, exploring how the families of the daimyos were kept as respected guests (ie hostages!) of the Shogun to keep them in line, the long biannual progressions to Edo draining time and resources to keep everyone compliant, and how 1,000 'policemen' managed to keep a city of 1 million under control. As always, if y...

In this episode Mat and Devin embark on another multi-part epic about everything Edo, the long period of peace and isolation that still in many ways defines Japan to this day. In part one we look at the bones of the system introduced by the shoguns to run society, from poor but proud samurai, the emperor shut up away in luxury, and power through land, and rice of course! As always, if you want to...

This week Mat and Devin have a miniature time traveling mission all the way to three weeks ago, as we delve into the traditions and history of New Year in Japan. We explain the entrenched TV traditions, the symbolic, traditional foods that suspiciously resemble dad jokes, and the most expensive fish in the world. As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check...

First of all apologies for the long delay! We had a busy run in to the Christmas/New year holidays with work and then family commitments, but we're back and we've got a special episode on castles to get right back into it! We take you through the history and design of these magnificent structures, from early simple hill forts to the majestic, later warring states beauties. Learn all about...

In this episode Mat and Devin prise themselves off the white sandy beaches of Okinawa and instead sit down to a performance of shamisen and sake, accompanied by a professional entertainer known as a Geisha. Or, we would if that was remotely feasible, so, in lieu of the real thing, we will take you through the origins and roles of the Geisha, the courtesans they are often confused with, and dispel...

In this episode Mat and Devin conclude the epic deep dive into all things Okinawa, we have giant fruit bats in downtown Naha, 'sea grapes', tips and favourite places to go, and the thorny issue of the continued American and Japanese military presence throughout the islands. As always, if you wantto get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pag...

In this episode Mat and Devin are finally back podding together, and we ended up having so much fun that we went way over time, so we split it in half, this now being part 2 of 3 episodes on Okinawa! We begin by getting a little distracted by autumn in Japan from last episode, and a few recollections of his wedding, before picking up with the transfer of power from America to Japan, thoughts on th...

In this episode, Mat is forced to go solo due to Devin's recent nuptials, but do not be alarmed, he will be back and raring to go very soon! As it is, a shorter episode where Mat looked out of his window and gained inspiration from the season around him. We have fish guts, blood red leaves, and dangerously high festival floats to bring in the new season! As always, if you want to get in touch...

Many apologies for the delay for the latest episode, however, in partial recompense, we have the first bumper episode in a two part series on Japan's southern islands, the Okinawa island chain, in this episode Mat and Devin unfold the layers of Okinawa's unique history and geography, that have shaped its past and continue to mold its future, from it's pristine coral beaches to unfortun...

In this weeks episode, Mat and Devin unfold the complexities of the Japanese language itself, learn all about the mysterious origins of the language, it's fiendishly complicated writing system, and even how the Japanese insult each other using different levels of politeness. As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages...

In this episode Mat and Devin take on the bears of Japan (not literally of course!), they explore the different types of bears, where they are found, and why attacks are on the rise. More importantly, they have some tips on how to avoid having a dangerous encounter with a bear, and what Japan is trying to do about this growing problem. As always, if you want to get intouch or find ways to support...

In this episode Mat and Devin, fresh from the chaos of 20th Century Japanese history (see last week if you're confused!) take on an altogether lighter topic, the ubiquitous Japanese drinking establishment known as the izakaya. They explore the origins, their place in society, and what and who you might find if you ever decided to go to one. And you'll find out if the izakaya really deserve...

In this episode Mat and Devin bring you all up to date on the history of Japan, in by far the longest episode yet (apologies!) We cover the end of the shogunate, the Meiji restoration, all the way through the various wars of expansion that culminates in the big one: WWII. Finally we briefly touch on Japan's remarkable economic recovery post war and the state of play as it is today. As always,...

In this episode Mat and Devin continue their discussion of the very first Unfolding Japan road trip! On this episode they move through Yamagata, visiting 'the greatest park in Japan' head to a village in the mountains frozen in time, and on to a holiday home in the mountains where the emperor himself has a pad, before finally visiting possibly the most beautiful river in all of Japan. As a...

In this episode Mat and Devin recount their adventures on the very first, albeit accidental, Unfolding Japan road trip! Travel along as they devour various kinds of insect, do dangerous jumps from cliffs along the 'Amalfi Coast' of Japan in Niigata, and experience the emptying of Japan's countryside first hand. As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, pl...

In this episode, Mat and Devin continue their foray into Japanese history, starting at the end of the Heian period and the decline of the emperor, moving on to the rise of the shogun, civil war, the closing off of Japan, and eventually the empire striking back with the Meiji Restoration. As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instag...

In this Episode, Mat and Devin take you on a whistle stop tour of Japan from the earliest prehistory all the way to the Heian Period of classical Japan. The first of two planned episodes to give listeners a little overview, before more in-depth history episodes in the future. As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show please check out our patreon or instagram pages and...