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Tag: History

Episode 271 – You’re Going on the List

January 12, 2019 Isaac Meyer 2 Comments

This week, we cover the fascinating tale of Sei Shonagon and the Makura no Soushi, or Pillow Book. Why is…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: Heian, History, Japan, Pillow, Sei, Shonagon

Episode 270 – A Brief and Fleeting Dream

January 5, 2019 Isaac Meyer 2 Comments

This week, we cover the life and work of one of Japan’s most famous authors: the 11th century courtier Murasaki…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: Genji, Heian, History, Japan, literature, Murasaki

Episode 269 – The Revolution Will Not Be Live

December 22, 2018 Isaac Meyer

This week, we cover the little-known “Chichibu Incident,” an uprising against the Meiji government in 1884 that saw several thousand…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: Chichibu, economics, History, Japan, rebellion

Episode 268 – The Right thing for the Wrong Reasons

December 15, 2018 Isaac Meyer 1 Comment

Today, we cover one of the most unusual stories of WWII: the policy of saving and protecting Jews pursued by…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: History, Holocaust, Japan, WW2

Episode 267 – Do Not Give Up Your Life

December 8, 2018 Isaac Meyer

This week, we cover poet and political activist Yosano Akiko in her drift from icon of the political left to…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: Feminism, History, Japan, poetry

Episode 266 – In the Realm of the Gods

December 1, 2018 Isaac Meyer 4 Comments

This week, we take a look at the bizarre history of a single text — Senkyou Ibun, or Strange Tidings…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: History, Japan, tengu

Episode 265 – The House Always Wins

November 17, 2018 Isaac Meyer

This week, we cover the life of real estate mogul and international gambling sensation Kashiwagi Akio. Who was he? How…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: gambling, History, Japan, kashiwagi

Episode 264- The Man of Legend

November 10, 2018 Isaac Meyer 3 Comments

This week, we cover the story and legacy of the great warrior Kusunoki Masashige. Why does he have the unique…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: History, Japan, kusunoki, Samurai

Episode 263 – Their Eyes Were Watching the Gods, Part 2

November 3, 2018 Isaac Meyer 2 Comments

This week; the zenith of Omoto, its fall, and its postwar rebirth. Plus, what have we learned? Sources Stalker, Nancy. Prophet…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: History, Japan, Omoto, religion

Episode 262 – Their Eyes Were Watching the Gods, Part 1

October 27, 2018 Isaac Meyer 2 Comments

This week, we tackled the origin of one of Japan’s new religious movements: Oomoto, or The Great Origin. Where did…

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Posted in: History of Japan Podcast, Podcasts Filed under: History, Japan, Omoto, religion

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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.

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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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