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Author: Isaac Meyer

Episode 442 – The Transistor Salesman

June 17, 2022 Isaac Meyer 2 Comments

This week, we’re kicking off a short series on the transformations of 1960s Japan with a look at the unassuming…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: 1960s, History, Japan, LDP, Postwar

The 11th Panchen Lama

June 14, 2022 Isaac Meyer

Can you break the law by reincarnating in the wrong body?

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Posted in: Criminal Records Podcast

Episode 441 – The Dreamer

June 10, 2022 Isaac Meyer 1 Comment

This week, we’re taking a look at the life of one of Japan’s most famous artists: Miyazaki Hayao. How did…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: anime, History, Japan, Postwar

Episode 440 – Tipping the Balance

June 3, 2022 Isaac Meyer 1 Comment

The Jokyu Rebellion is one of the more minor conflicts in Japanese history; yet it also represents a tipping of…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: History, Hojo, Japan, Kamakura, medieval, Samurai

Episode 439 – From the Deep, Part 2

May 27, 2022 Isaac Meyer 2 Comments

This week: whaling during the modern era in Japan, and the circumstances that have led to Japan being one of…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: History, Japan, Meiji, Postwar, whaling

Episode 438 – From the Deep, Part 1

May 20, 2022 Isaac Meyer 1 Comment

This week, we’re taking on whaling in Tokugawa Japan. What is ‘traditional’ whaling in Japan? How and why did people…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Uncategorized

The Luddites

May 18, 2022 Isaac Meyer

This secret society of criminals had a fake leader, but their grievances were very real.

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Posted in: Criminal Records Podcast, Podcasts

Episode 437 – The Fist of the Buddhas, Part 2

May 13, 2022 Isaac Meyer

This week: where does our stock image of the sohei come from, and why does it tell us more about…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: Buddhism, Edo, History, Japan

Episode 436 – Fist of the Buddhas, Part 1

May 6, 2022 Isaac Meyer

This week: what does the historical record have to say about the veracity of the image of the warrior-monk, or…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: Buddhism, Heian, History, Japan, Kyoto, medieval

Jaywalking

May 4, 2022 Isaac Meyer

When did we lose the right to cross the street wherever and whenever we wanted?

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Posted in: Criminal Records Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: criminal justice

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About Me

My name is Isaac Meyer, and I’m a  former PhD student at the University of Washington, specializing in modern Japan (with sub-specializations in modern China, modern Europe, and international relations). Today, I work as a teacher at an independent school in the Seattle area.

I also have a tendency to go off on random historical tangents. One day, I decided to combine these two traits in podcast form, and thus was born the History of Japan Podcast!

In 2018, I decided start the Criminal Records Podcast with my wife, Demetria Spinrad. This podcast gives me the chance to talk about world history–and the weird, wonderful world of historical crime and punishment.

Support the Show

Support the Facing Backward network on Patreon to get access to our bonus features, including our bonus episodes about historical fiction.

The History of Japan Patreon is still live, and subscribers will be able to get the weekly newsletter there as well.

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Recent Posts

  • Episode 644 – The Forgotten Radicals, Part 2
  • Episode 643 – The Forgotten Radicals, Part 1
  • Episode 642 – The Hunters, Part 2
  • Episode 641 – The Hunters, Part 1
  • Episode 640 – The Great Escape, Part 2
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