History

Hachiko: Japan’s Most Famous Dog (and His Statues)

Who's a good boy? For many in Japan, the answer is Hachiko. Learn about the dog who touched a nation's heart.

Boss Coffee: The History Behind the Popular Can

Boss Coffee is turning 30 years old. Learn about the history of canned coffee, its recognizable logo, and those Tommy Lee Jones ads.

Crowdfunding Raises Anchor from Mongol Invasion of Japan

An online campaign raises enough money to recover a piece of history: an anchor from the attempted 13th century Mongol invasions of Japan.

How Japan’s Oldest Toilet Went Down the Crapper

How an unfortunate gear shift led to one worker at a Japanese temple accidentally taking out a historically significant toilet.

When Tokyo was Socialist: The Story of Governor Minobe

October 4, 2022
Essay, History, History, Patreon, Video

Japan is often described as a one-party, conservative state - and yet, for over a decade, a highly popular socialist led the government of Tokyo. Meet Governor Minobe.

Was Divorce in Japan’s Edo Era Easy?

Divorce in Japan's Edo era was a simple affair...if you were a man. For women, "divorce temples" provided a way out.

Japan’s “Oldest Known Writing” is Just Permanent Marker: Experts

A stone thought to contain Japan's oldest known writing now appears like it might just be the result of sample contamination.

Meiji Mura: A Journey to Japan’s Modern Past

August 21, 2022
History, History, Video

In Japan, the recent past is often obscured beneath endless concrete. Meiji Mura is one of the few places to discover the atmosphere of modernizing, turn-of-the-century Japan.

Tanabata in Sendai: An Old-School Star Festival

Tanabata is one of Japan's most famous holidays. In northern Sendai, however, it's a little extra special. Discover the story of one of Japan's greatest festivals.

History

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