Japanese History and Culture

History of Kendo

Years ago when I first came to Japan I read Taiko and Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. These two books were

Many of you may look at this person’s name and wonder why I have chosen a foreigner in my Japanese

I have a always been curious about the Japanese population during different eras of Japanese history. Especially during the Mongol

One of the most famous lords of the Sengoku Period (1467-1600). I was fascinated by Nobunaga about 6-7 years ago

This is a document analysis I did in 2010 regarding the Tokugawa Edict of 1635. It is a little long

I love Nijo Castle. I visited the complex and explored the grounds in 2010. I am always on the lookout

Kyoto 1890s Three bronze ware craftsmen are at work in the workshop of Noboru Nogawa (能川登) in Kyoto, founded in

Reading through one of my fellow bloggers pages (thankyou Stephen) reminded me of a couple of old Japanese maps I

A change of pace now, away from temples and shrines. Sumo, one of Japan’s oldest sports but one of the

Emperor Kammu was born in 737 as the crown prince of Emperor Konin and ascended to the throne in 781

Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, “Great Eastern Temple”) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of

Born in Kagoshima in the Satsuma domain (present-day Kagoshima Prefecture) Saigō Takamori was one of the Satsuma samurai supporting the

The Kofun Period (古墳時代 Kofun jidai) refers to the protohistoric period of Japan, usually dated from 250 to ca 538

Bix, Herbert P. 2001. Hirohito and the making of modern Japan. New York, NY: Perennial. Booth, Alan. 1995. Looking for

Welcome to my blog. I have been a student of Japanese history/archaeology, religion and culture for nearly 20 years. I