The life of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (aka Koizumi Yakumo).
I had a day off today and it wasn’t raining so I decided to visit Lafcadio Hearn’s residence just down
Category: History
The History of Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Island.
This article was originally going to be included in the ‘History of Aki (Hiroshima) Prefecture’ but as this article has
Escaped convicts first ever Australian ship to Japanese waters.
An amateur historian has unearthed compelling evidence that the first Australian maritime foray into Japanese waters was by convict pirates
Looking for Hiroshige’s Japan
The rain misted down and I had two choices: the road up the hill, or the one alongside the river.
Battle of Shiroyama – Saigo’s last stand.
The Battle of Shiroyama, the battle that inspired the final scenes in the movie The Last Samurai, took place on
Achi Shrine, Kurashiki, Okayama.
On the hill overlooking the historical Bikan area is the ancient Achi Shrine. According to the Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan)
Okayama Castle
(Tenshu-kaku from the south) (Tenshu-kaku from the north. You can see the irregular shape of the base floor from this
Hiroshima Air Defense Radio Room ruins.
First radio message after the bomb
Shukkeien, historical gardens in Hiroshima.
Shukkeien gardens date back to 1620, a year after feudal lord Asano Nagaakira was made lord of Hiroshima. Asano’s principal
Fukuyama Castle
My first visit to Fukuyama and it turned out to be a beautiful day. After doing my immigration paperwork I
Onomichi – Tennei-ji and Senko-ji
I went to Onomichi today hoping for clear skies and cherry blossoms. One came true, the cherry blossoms are in
Mihara Castle Ruins – Hiroshima.
I finally got an afternoon off, so I did a bit of exploring around Mihara. I visited the castle ruins
Kamakura Period 1185-1333
The Kamakura period 1185 to 1333 is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance of the Kamakura Shogunate;
The end of the Takeda clan – Nagashino Campaign 1575.
I visited the two Nagashino battlegrounds and museum in January 2016. It was a great experience to visit this place
69 Stations of the Kisokaido. Plate 15-Itahana snow.
This is a very pretty scene. It shows travellers walking along the track by a fast flowing stream on a
KAMI, Japan’s Native Gods
God (Kami) When the English word God is translated into Japanese, it is generally represented by the kanji (Chinese character)
Konjikido in Snow, Hiraizumi, 1957
Hall of the golden hue (konjikido) This print was the last print ever to be designed by Kawase Hasui. Sadly,
Haniwa Warrior – Kofun Period.
Funerary objects meant to be seen Haniwa (“clay cylinder” or “circle of clay” in Japanese) are large hollow, earthenware funerary
Empress Jingu and the Onna Bugeisha
Everybody knows about Japan and their samurai. But did you know men were not the only ones being trained to
History of Kumamoto Castle, 1467 to 1877, Kyushu.
Updated 15th April 2021. Good news that the Kumamoto castle main tower has been repaired and will be open to
