Hakkenden Explained. The Past and Present of Eight Dog Warriors with Glynne Walley
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...
Saigo Takamori Explained. Part 3 - The Last Samurai
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 importan...
Saigo Takamori Explained. Part 2 - Satsuma-Choshu Alliance and the Fall of the Shogunate
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 i...
Saigo Takamori Explained. Part 1 – Childhood, early career and exile to Amami
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 imagin...
Tanuki Explained
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 Explained
Kitsune – Japanese foxes, who are they? Multi-tailed shapeshifters, companions of the god Inari, animals that bring good luck or beasts that inflict m...
Ikebana Explained
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? H...
Sake Explained. Bonus - Expert talk with Dick Stegewerns
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 h...
Sake Explained. Part 2 - From rice grain to dining table or all you need to know about sake
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 prop...
Sake Explained. Part 1 - The Past and Present of Nihonshu
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 ...