Ethics and DNA Testing : A focus on the Emperors and Empresses of the Kofun and Ainu of Japan.

Many questions are raised when it comes to ethical standards associated in the anthropology and archaeology fields. DNA testing is becoming increasingly valued as a primary source of forensic and historical studies and is giving researchers more information than has ever happened in the past. However, DNA results and the laboratories that store DNA reports… Read More Ethics and DNA Testing : A focus on the Emperors and Empresses of the Kofun and Ainu of Japan.

19/09/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Reigando cave and a translation of the stone block.

When I visited Musashi Miyamoto`s Reigando cave there stands a stone block with writing on it. I could only understand a little of it so I asked my friend Eric Shahan if he had time, to translate it. He generously translated it and allowed me to write it up on my blog. Thankyou Eric. Translated… Read More Reigando cave and a translation of the stone block.

11/09/202011/09/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

The day Toyotomi Hideyoshi became a Ninja.

My friend Adam Turner did some nice research and came up with this great article. I would like to share it with you. Kinoshita Tōkichirō, the Ninja you’ve never heard of? In September of 1567, Oda Nobunaga was besieging Inubayama Castle in Mino Province. His retainer, Kinoshita Tōkichirō, led a small band of men by… Read More The day Toyotomi Hideyoshi became a Ninja.

29/08/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Japanese Pirates in the Late Medieval and Early Modern East Asia.

In the Japanese language `kaizoku` is the word for pirate but if you ask a Japanese what their image of kaizoku is, they will give an image of a European pirate, or Captain Jack Sparrow, hahaha. In Japan, Murakami pirates, who ruled the Japanese inland sea region in the 16th century are a different breed… Read More Japanese Pirates in the Late Medieval and Early Modern East Asia.

20/07/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Shimonoseki and Mojiko.

Hi, how is everyone? I have a bit of free time today at the shop so I had a look through some recent/old photos, and realised that I haven`t yet uploaded the Shimonoseki photos. It`s weird how quickly time seems to be passing by recently, which is probably not a bad thing this year as… Read More Shimonoseki and Mojiko.

03/07/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Kokura Castle, Kitakyushu, Kyushu

A few years ago my wife and I went to Kokura for the day. It`s a big industrial city now and actually it has been since the industrial revolution back in the Meiji Period. Before that, it was a beautiful castle town right at the tip of northern Kyushu overlooking the very important Kanmon Straits.… Read More Kokura Castle, Kitakyushu, Kyushu

08/06/2020 Japan - Culture and History.3 Comments

Spring in Fukuoka 2020

Well, spring has come and gone for 2020, here in Japan. Everyday passes by so quickly one often forgets how quickly life also passes us by. This year began as any other but we were soon reminded that human life is very susceptible to viral infections. This year Japan and the world suffered a terrible… Read More Spring in Fukuoka 2020

31/05/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Toyota Automobile Museum

Firstly, I would like to say hello to the people who have recently followed me. I really appreciate your support and I hope you can learn many things about Japan from my blog. Before the coronavirus took hold my family and I went to Tokyo to visit family for a few days. We had an… Read More Toyota Automobile Museum

13/05/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

The Heiji Rebellion, 1159

Originally posted on Japanese history and culture:
Heiji Monogatari Emaki (Tale of the Heiji Rebellion) Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace from the Illustrated Scrolls of the Events of the Heiji Era. Japanese, Kamakura period, second half of the 13th century A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HEIJI DISTURBANCE The Heiji disturbance, which occurred late in…

12/04/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Takasugi Shinsaku – Choshu Han revolutionary and swordsman

On a great stone monument near a flower-strewn grave in the verdant Yamaguchi countryside is a telltale description of the most radical samurai hero to hail from the most radical of samurai domains: “Once he got moving, he was like a bolt of lightening. Once he got started, he was like the wind and the… Read More Takasugi Shinsaku – Choshu Han revolutionary and swordsman

08/04/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

History of Kirin Beer.

It has been a bit of a drought on my blog page sorry to say. Even though my junior high schools were shut down at the beginning of March due to the coronavirus, we have been very busy getting the business ready. Also, those of you who have children know how hard it is to… Read More History of Kirin Beer.

29/03/202030/03/2020 Japan - Culture and History.4 Comments

Yanagawa – City of Canals, Fukuoka

I can’t believe that February has gone by so quickly. I’ve been busy preparing for the opening of my new business. My wife and I are going to open a hairdressers and cafe together here in Fukuoka. We are so excited and can’t wait to open which should be at the beginning of May. Anyway,… Read More Yanagawa – City of Canals, Fukuoka

24/02/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

History of Kendo

Originally posted on Japanese history and culture:
I love Kendo and the history of Kendo. I first learned about Kendo while reading Taiko and Musashi in Japan which spurred me to start Kendo training. I did Kendo for a few years and despite suffering a few injuries and being very scared on numerous occasions thoroughly…

27/01/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

First Christmas in Japan, 1552

I recently visited Yamaguchi Prefecture and found out that the first Christmas ever celebrated in Japan was right there. During the Christmas holidays I watched the movie ‘Silence’ so I decided to dig a little deeper. Searching for more information I came across this article. It’s well written, thus I would like to share it… Read More First Christmas in Japan, 1552

16/01/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Ainu culture and the origins of tattooing in Japan.

Originally posted on Japanese history and culture:
The indigenous people of northern Japan call themselves “Ainu,” meaning “people” or “humans” in their language. Recent DNA evidence suggests that the Ainu are the direct descendants of the ancient Jomon people who inhabited Japan as early as 12,000 years ago. Astonishingly, the Jomon culture existed in Japan…

12/01/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Hiroshima Air Defense Radio Room ruins.

Originally posted on Japanese history and culture:
Ruins of Chugoku Regional Military Headquarters Air Defense Room. The Hiroshima Castle complex in Motomachi was a concentration of Army facilities. At the Chugoku Regional Military Headquarters, which were located in the southern section of the Hiroshoma castle complex, third-year students from Hijiyama Girls High School were mobilized…

12/01/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Best Year To Date!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! Just a quick post to say thank you to my followers. Last year was the best to date with the most number of people who visited my blog and read my stories. I have many more exciting places to visit and explore on my list this year. Over the… Read More Best Year To Date!

05/01/2020 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Ancient Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The end of this semester is nearly here. I have no lessons today but I still have to be here at school for the closing ceremony. So I have a few hours to spare. One of my friends came to Fukuoka recently and we went to Dazaifu and Onojo together.. I’d like to share with… Read More Ancient Dazaifu, Fukuoka

24/12/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

The life of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (aka Koizumi Yakumo).

Originally posted on Japanese history and culture:
I had a day off today and it wasn’t raining so I decided to visit Lafcadio Hearn’s residence just down the road from where I live. The address is 2-6 Anseimachi, Kumamoto. It is right behind Tsuruya shopping center. I had come across Hearn’s name before while researching…

18/12/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Reigando Cave and the life of Miyamoto Musashi

Originally posted on Japanese history and culture:
Miyamoto Musashi Died On June 13, 1645. Considered one of the greatest samurai of all time, Miyamoto Musashi’s reputation has grown to mythic proportions over the years, despite much of his life remaining a mystery. The undefeated swordsman, master of strategy, calligrapher, painter, writer and martial arts icon,…

09/12/2019 Japan - Culture and History.2 Comments