HISTORY
How Sakura Blossoms Gained Cultural Significance in Japan
The sakura (cherry blossom) is practically synonymous with Japan. Here's a deeper look at the history of this fascinating flower's popularity
history
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HISTORY
TRAVEL
Cherry Blossoms, Miyagi Style: The Shiogama-sakura
On the grounds of Shiogama City's Shiogama Shrine are very special double-cherry blossoms. Here, we introduce you to their story. đź’®
HISTORY
The Last Samurai Vendetta: The Revenge of Usui Rokuro
In 1873, the newly-minted Meiji government banned the age-old practice of kataki-uchi: blood revenge. Seven years later, the son of a murdered…
NEWS
Renewed Tension in the Southern Kuriles Amidst Ukraine War
Rhetoric on the southern Kuriles, long disputed between Japan and Russia, is again on the rise. We help you get up to…
POLITICS
Ambassadors and Armor: Gusoku and the Ukraine War
A viral tweet claims that the Japanese ambassador to Ukraine stayed in Kyiv in his ancestral armor. Much as we love gusoku,…
ENTERTAINMENT
Bankara: Meiji Japan’s Anti-Fashion Movement
As the era of the samurai ended and Japan rushed towards modernization, a rough-scrabble fashion movement called the Bankara rose in opposition.
BOOK REVIEWS
“Night in the American Village” Gives the Women of Okinawa a Voice
Akemi Johnson has created a great work of social and oral history granting primacy to the experiences of Okinawan women.
HISTORY
The Last Daimyo: The Life of Hayashi Tadataka
Amidst the backdrop of World War II's start, one last survivor of the old Edo period order died. Who was Hayashi Tadataka,…