This week, we take on the legend of Miyamoto Musashi. How is it that a person we know very little…
This week, we delve into the life, legacy, and style of Matsuo Basho, Japan’s most famous poet. Who was he?…
This week we take on the history of the von Siebold family — father Philip Franz, son Alexander, and daughter…
This week, we’re very lucky to have a chance to speak with Mr. Isaac Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro grew up in…
This week, we cover the story of Engelbert Kaempfer, who wrote one of the most thorough and best known accounts…
This week, we cover the Miike coal mine strike of 1960. As labor and management do battle over the future…
This week, we look at the contentious summer of 1960, in which the disputes of postwar Japan boiled over into…
This week, the origins and history of Sumo. Sources Hall, Mina. The Big Book of Sumo. An article from The Guardian on match…
This week, the story of Nakahama Manjiro, the castaway turned American whaler turned gold miner turned samurai turned English professor.…
This week, we conclude our up close look at the Shimazu family and Satsuma domain with a consideration of how…