Horse Festival with origins from the Imjin War 1592-1598. Kumamoto, Kyushu.
A big thankyou for those of you who follow me and also to those of you who have recently joined
Tag: Japanese history nut
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
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
Keisai Eisen – Kisokaido Narai Station, Print #35.
I haven’t done a post for a while about one of my favourite Ukiyo-e print series. So lets have a
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
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
Hannya – (A Japanese She-Demon)
In Japanese folklore the female demon (oni) Hannya figures prominently. Often depicted in traditional Noh and Bunraku plays using a
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
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
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
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)
Keisai Eisen – 69 Stations of the Kisokaido – Plate 8.
Title: Konosu Station, View of Mt Fuji from Fukiage. This scene is dominated by Mt Fuji in the distance and
16th & 17th Century Japanese Christianity
University essay case study: 16th & 17th Century Japanese Christianity By Stuart Iles 14th October 2011 In this essay I
Site Update
After 2 years with the same theme, I decided to make a change. Please tell me what you think. I
鷺娘の精 (The Spirit of the Heron Maiden)
鷺娘の精 (The Spirit of the Heron Maiden) woodblock print by Taniguchi Kokyo (1864-1915), dated 1925; from my collection. Oban tate-e
Resources: Journals on Japanese and Asian Studies
Found this comprehensive list of journals for Asia and Japan. I have used some of these but I will be
Japanese History and Culture 