Japan Explained

Apr 15 2024 29 ep. 30 mins 246

Japan Explained Podcast artwork

Discover Japanese culture, history, food, crafts, architecture, people and more one topic at a time. Made by a tour guide tired of old myths overstaying their welcome.

More info: https://japanexplained.com/

Support the show: https://japanexplained.com/#support

YouTube: coming soon!

Instagram:@japanexplained

Cover design: @justlavi

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Hakkenden Explained. The Past and Present of Eight Dog Warriors with Glynne Walley

Apr 15 2024 50 mins

Nanso Satomi Hakkenden or Eight Dog Warriors of the Satomi Clan is a masterpiece of Edo period literature. The book was not only hugely popular in its own time but has gone on to become one of the most influential Japanese novels ever written. And today, together with scholar and translator of Hakkenden Glynne Walley we'll try to find out how that happened. Support the show: https

Saigo Takamori Explained. Part 3 - The Last Samurai

Mar 19 2024 47 mins

This time, let's take a look at what Saigo did, aspired to and dreamed of in the new era. And what he regretted or was angry about. And, most importantly, what earned him the title of the last samurai, which still inspires not only the Japanese but people all over the world. Support the show: https://japanexplained.com/#support More info on https://japanexplained.com/saigo-takamo

Saigo Takamori Explained. Part 2 - Satsuma-Choshu Alliance and the Fall of the Shogunate

Feb 27 2024 51 mins

Saigo has returned from exile, and in Kyoto his lord, Hisamistu, fights daily with Hitoshubashi Keiki. How did Japan get into this mess, and how can it be saved? Let's take a step-by-step look at the Forbiden Gate incident, the SatCho alliance, the abdication of the last Shogun, the Battle of Toba'Fushimi and finally the arrival of the Meiji era. Support the show: https://japanexp

Saigo Takamori Explained. Part 1 – Childhood, early career and exile to Amami

Nov 21 2022 43 mins

Saigo Takamori, the Great Saigo or the Last Samurai is the ideal Japanese man and one of Japan's most beloved historical characters. In popular imagination, Saigo is THE perfect samurai. His image is so heavily embellished that it is sometimes hard to see where reality meets fiction. But let's try to separate them anyway. Support the show: https://japanexplained.com/#support Cov

Tanuki Explained

Oct 31 2022 26 mins

Happy Halloween everyone! We started this October with kitsune, and I thought it would be great to finish it with tanuki. So let's see how tanuki and kitsune influenced each other, what tanuki has to do with the 150th anniversary of Japan Railways and how this powerful yokai ended up as a chubby sake-loving goody of today. Support the show: https://japanexplained.com/#support Mo

Kitsune Explained

Oct 03 2022 39 mins

Kitsune – Japanese foxes, who are they? Multi-tailed shapeshifters, companions of the god Inari, animals that bring good luck or beasts that inflict madness? Let's find out! Bonus episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/72879450 Support the show: https://japanexplained.com/#support More info on https://japanexplained.com/kitsune-en/ Instagram:@japanexplained Cover art: @justlavi

Ikebana Explained

Sep 05 2022 26 mins

This time let's have a look at the Japanese art of flower arrangement also known as Ikebana. When did the first flower compositions appear in Japan? How did it evolve into complex art with sets of rules and artistic competitions? And which styles of ikebana are there to try your hands on? Let's figure it out. More info on https://japanexplained.com/ikebana/ Support the show: http

Sake Explained. Bonus - Expert talk with Dick Stegewerns

Aug 22 2022 45 mins

To help me break down the many myths about sake, this time I am joined by Dick Stegewerns, the founder of Yoigokochi Sake Importers. We talked about how sake came to Europe and America, how to choose and drink sake, what are the similarities between sake and other alcoholic beverages, how come sake is still mostly produced in tiny breweries, and which sake can be rightfully called

Sake Explained. Part 2 - From rice grain to dining table or all you need to know about sake

May 09 2022 34 mins

Continuing to uncover the truth about sake, let's see how this beverage is made, which types of sake you can find in the shop and how to drink it properly. Or maybe there are no rules at all? More info on https://japanexplained.com/sake/ Bonus episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/66208266 Support the show: https://japanexplained.com/#support Instagram: @japanexplained Cover

Sake Explained. Part 1 - The Past and Present of Nihonshu

Apr 25 2022 27 mins

Few things in Japanese culture are covered by so many myths as sake. For example, sake is not rice vodka and not even rice wine, but in essence it is rice beer. And it is far from being the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan. Starting the 3 part series on sake, let's look into the past, present and future of this traditional Japanese beverage. More info on https://japanexplain