History of Japan

Dive into the remarkable life of Miyazaki Manabu, a young scion of a Yakuza family navigating post-war Japan. Explore his struggle between familial expectations and revolutionary ideals taught by his radical tutor. Discover how political unrest and student activism shape his journey, especially during a transformative protest against the U.S. Mutual Security Treaty. This fascinating narrative challenges traditional historical perspectives, revealing the complexities of legacy and change.

Dive into the overlooked roles of women in Edo period riots and their challenges against a male-dominated society. Explore how Neo-Confucianism shaped women's lives and the intriguing story of Sogoro, a peasant martyr whose legacy ignites discussion of vengeance and resistance. Discover the complexities of women's involvement in peasant rebellions and the emotional intricacies of their loyalties. The uniqueness of female leadership in these protests offers a striking contrast to their portrayal in Western revolutions, shedding light on women's political agency.

Explore the gritty world of youth gangs in Edo, where daily life was colored by violence and revelry. Discover the historical significance of Senso-ji Temple, a hub for culture and economy since the 7th century. Light-hearted brawls often erupted during festivals, influenced by alcohol-fueled excitement. Learn about the Sanja Matsuri, a vibrant celebration that uniquely showcases the temple's continuing cultural impact amid the chaos of young men's antics.

This week, we cover the second and third of Edo's three great riots in 1787 and 1866. How did samurai and commoners talk about these acts of mass violence? How was all this a manifestation of a sense of "street justice" among the masses? And what's with the handsome young guy everyone keeps swearing was secretly behind the whole thing? Show notes here. 

This week: the first of three episodes on urban rioting in Tokugawa period Japan. This week, we're covering the first two urban riots in the history of the shogun's capital city. What drove the people of Edo to riot, and how did the shogunate respond to those challenges to its authority? Show notes here. 

In the final episode of this series: how did "otaku culture" spread overseas when it was so stigmatized at home, and what can all this tell us about Japan in the post-bubble era? Show notes here. 

For our first episode of 2025: "otaku culture" as a phenomenon began to emerge, in part, as a reaction against the crass commercialism of postwar Japan. Yet now, it is entirely a part of the fabric of that commercialism. How did that happen? We'll explore it by looking at two fascinating phenomena: the dojin market known as Comiket and the transformation of Tokyo's neighborhood of Akihabara. Show notes here. 

Dive into the fascinating world of otaku culture, tracing its roots back to the 1980s. Discover how train fandom emerged from Japan's rich history, influenced by Western technology and post-war shifts. Explore Baudrillard's theories, revealing how modern society grapples with alienation amidst cultural evolution. Unearth the philosophical ties to postmodernism and the nostalgic elements that define otaku communities, challenging societal views on what it means to be an otaku.

This week, the story of an Edo period writer whose primary claim to fame was producing decent ripoffs of people far more famous and talented than him. What does a career like that tell us about the book market in premodern Japan--and more importantly about what we as people tend to look for in the things we read? Show notes here.

This week: Taiwan was the first overseas territory annexed by Japan with a large existing population. So how did the government's policies on religion--and especially Shinto--help shape the nature of Japanese colonial rule there? And how did those policies evolve as Taiwan's own place in the empire changed? Show notes here.