History

The Otsu Incident: Tsar Nicholas II’s Near-Assassination in Japan

May 6, 2020
History, History, Video

In 1891 Japan, history was nearly changed when a Japanese policeman took aim at Russian Crown Prince Nicholas II - the future czar of Russia.

Taisho Era: Five Facts About Japan’s Shortest Modern Period

The Taisho Era may have been short, but it was anything but uneventful. Learn more about this short but tumultuous era in Japanese history.

The Historical Periods of Japan

How well do you know your Japanese history? Join us for a sweeping overview of the historical periods of Japan - from the Jomon all the way up to Reiwa.

Video: The Explosion of Mt. Bandai

The video version of our essay on the explosion of Mt. Bandai in Fukushima during the Meiji Era - and how Japan responded.

Stranded: Edo Era Castaways in the Russian Empire

In the Edo era, when setting foot on foreign soil was punishable by death, 16 castaways risked it all in an epic tale that brought two empires together.

The Spanish Flu in Japan and Its Parallels to COVID-19

How the 1918 Flu Pandemic (a.k.a. the Spanish Flu) affected Japan, how the country reacted, and what we can learn from history.

Satsuma Rebellion: The Last Gasp of the Samurai

How Saigo Takamori led 30,000 samurai in the Satsuma Rebellion - a final, doomed mission against the modern government he helped create.

The Tragedy of the Ehime Maru

How an avoidable tragedy strained relations between Japan and the US - and how the families of those lost struggled to cope with the aftermath.

Kyoto: A Brief History of a Timeless City

Learn about the history and tradition behind the temples and shrines that make up Japan's largest cultural tourist attraction.

History

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