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

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

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

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

Nissan DR30 Skyline RS-Turbo

The DR30 Skyline is one of the most iconic cars in the 1980s. This restored DR30 looks like it just came out of the factory, but even better as it has modern technology keeping it alive. Brake calipers have been thoroughly overhauled at the restore. The DR30 has been out of production for 30… Read More Nissan DR30 Skyline RS-Turbo

05/12/201905/12/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Iwaya castle ruins-Shimazu and Toyotomi samurai battles. Fukuoka, Kyushu.

Iwaya castle ruins sits within Onojo fortress ruins. Onojo fortress dates back to the 7th century making it probably the oldest fortification in Japan. Iwaya castle dates back to the 16th century. Finding information about Iwaya castle has been virtually impossible. I searched both Japanese and English. However, I must say on thing that really… Read More Iwaya castle ruins-Shimazu and Toyotomi samurai battles. Fukuoka, Kyushu.

22/11/201926/06/2020 Japan - Culture and History.2 Comments

Ono castle (Onojo) ruins, Fukuoka.

I live only 15 minutes by car away from Onojo. The mountain , Mt Shioji is easily seen from where I live as it dominates the eastern side of Fukuoka city. I have visited Onojo ruins twice now. The first time was an unscheduled visit for just a short time and the second time a… Read More Ono castle (Onojo) ruins, Fukuoka.

19/11/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Kunisaki Peninsula, Oita, Kyushu

Mysterious Kunisaki Peninsula, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu The Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita is one of those rare regions in Japan that is untouched. It is a place of misty mountains and valleys, old forests, rivers and, excuse my French, a crap load of temples. For a visitor to the region, its remoteness is a blessing but… Read More Kunisaki Peninsula, Oita, Kyushu

27/09/201927/09/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Nakatsu Castle, Oita, Kyushu

I finally got around to editing the photos from my trip to Oita earlier this year. Here is Nakatsu castle. It’s not a bad castle to visit. Lots of history here too. It’s small enough to walk around in about an hour and the museum inside is alright. Not enough English unfortunately. For me, the… Read More Nakatsu Castle, Oita, Kyushu

26/09/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Autobacs 2019 Super GT, Autopolis, Oita, Kyushu – On track pictorial

Now for the final photos of the cars on track. Took a little while to process them but I’m excited to finally show them to you. Rain about lap number 40 really made its mark in the race. I was up at the hairpin at that time and got some nice photos of the car… Read More Autobacs 2019 Super GT, Autopolis, Oita, Kyushu – On track pictorial

19/09/201919/09/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

2019 Super GT Pit Walk, Autopolis, Kyushu

Pictorial of my pit walk from the Super GT race in Autopolis 2019. Captions added. Photos by Stuart

16/09/201916/09/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

SuperGT, Autopolis, Oita, Kyushu. Grid Girls

I went to Autopolis last weekend to watch the Autobacs SuperGT race. It was a great day despite being really hot and humid. I took a lot of photos and I’m going to start off with the grid girls. Enjoy

12/09/201913/09/2019 Japan - Culture and History.Leave a comment

Shotengai in Japan: Nostalgic, Atmospheric Streets Crammed with Cheap, Delicious Eats

Last May a friend of mine (Audrey) from Australia came to Fukuoka and we had a chance to meet up for dinner. It was great to speak to another Aussie again. She has her own blog which I’d like to introduce here. During her time in Fukuoka she did some research into ‘shotengai’ and ‘yatai’. … Read More Shotengai in Japan: Nostalgic, Atmospheric Streets Crammed with Cheap, Delicious Eats

27/08/2019 Japan - Culture and History.2 Comments

History of Fukuoka Castle

Despite Fukuoka castle being one of the all time great castles of Japan (I’m a bit biased as I live in Fukuoka) there is not a whole lot of research material in English about it. Wikipedia has quite a nice write-up, but as we don’t know who the author is, it is not usually used… Read More History of Fukuoka Castle

16/06/201903/07/2019 Japan - Culture and History.4 Comments

Arita/Imari Pottery, Saga, Kyushu

Thankyou to the new people who have followed me. I hope you can enjoy Japan as much as I do. Every spring the little town of Arita is host to one of the biggest ceramics festivals in Japan. But Arita is not about pottery, the surrounding town and environment is stunning, so let’s dive in.… Read More Arita/Imari Pottery, Saga, Kyushu

05/05/2019 Japan - Culture and History.2 Comments

Japanese history and culture

Japanese history/culture and car culture

Tag: Kyushu