History of Japan

Discover the fascinating intertwining of Shinto and Japan's colonization of Hokkaido. Delve into the complex history of the Ainu people and the Japanese settlers during the Tokugawa and Meiji periods. Explore Shima Yoshitake’s pivotal role in shaping Sapporo and the strategic importance of Hokkaido amid Russian threats. Uncover how the Hokkaido Shrine evolved into a cultural symbol, weaving rituals and festivals into the fabric of Japanese identity in this newly integrated territory.

Delve into the complexities of defining religion, using Reiki as a fascinating case study. Explore how Japan navigated modernization during the Meiji era, balancing Shinto and Buddhism with state interests. Discover the pivotal role of Kashihara Shrine in shaping national identity and cultural heritage, emphasizing the connection between imperial authority and loyalty. Uncover how the sacred and public intertwine, influencing Japan's contemporary identity through its rich imperial past.

Discover the fascinating journey of Takata Hawayo, who transformed from a skeptical healer to a leading figure in Reiki. Uncover how her experiences in Hawaii shaped the practice's popularity in the West, especially after World War II. Explore the emotional and psychological benefits of Reiki, highlighting the importance of human connection in healthcare. This episode grapples with the blurred lines of pseudoscience and holistic healing, offering a critical look at the legacy of this New Age phenomenon.

Discover the intriguing origins of reiki, a hands-on healing practice with roots in Japan's late Edo period. Explore the contributions of founder Usui Mikao and the skepticism surrounding its scientific validity. Learn how historical figures influenced reiki's evolution during the Meiji era and its western adaptation through Takata Hawayo. Delve into her life, struggles as an immigrant in Hawaii, and the challenges that shaped her journey as a healer. This exploration reveals the rich tapestry of spiritual practices adapting over time.

Dive into the fascinating world of popular literature from Japan's Edo period, exploring how it reflects societal trends. Discover the life of Jipensha Ikku, a samurai-turned-author whose humor and satire offered a critique of his time. Unpack the comedic journey of Yajirobe and Kitahachi in 'Tokaido-chu Hizakurige', showcasing the art of storytelling that intertwined laughter and social commentary. The discussion also highlights the ephemeral nature of life through evocative poetry, connecting past and present human experiences.

This week, we conclude our look at canine history in Japan with the nation's most famous dog: Hachiko. You might know the story, but you probably don't know how tied up it is in the establishment of Japan's first dog breeding programs, or in the militarist rhetoric of the war years. Show notes here. 

Discover the dramatic evolution of dog ownership in Japan over the last 150 years, transitioning from elite exclusivity to a central role in everyday life. Explore the Meiji period's cultural shift, where Western influences transformed perceptions of pets and led to a preference for purebred dogs. Delve into the complex societal views on Japanese versus foreign breeds and how animal welfare movements reflected national identity. This fascinating discussion reveals the intertwining of canine companionship and Japan's evolving cultural landscape.

In the final footnote for our Revised Introduction, we turn our attention to a little discussed subject that is a part of daily life for many: the history of our life with dogs! How did humans live with dogs in premodern Japan, and how did that start to change when the country was opened during the Meiji years? Show notes here. 

This week's footnote is a continuation of last week's discussion of the gozan, or five mountain system for the ranking of Zen temples. What did the system look like at its height under Ashikaga rule, and how did its relationship to the Ashikaga begin to transform the practice of Zen within the temples themselves? Show notes here. 

This week on the Footnotes to the Revised Introduction to Japanese History: many describe Zen as the religion of the samurai. In reality, it was not--but samurai influence was crucial to making Zen a part of Japan's cultural framework. That history is bound up in a system called the "Five Mountains"; so how did that system come to be? Show notes here.