Japan Archives

Today we look into the tale of Minister Kibi and the ordeal he went through to escape the tower he was placed in so he could return safely to Japan.

~

In our first look into the Meiji era we look into one of the pioneers of women's education in Japan. Tsuda Umeko.

And in Sumikko no Heather we have a new senryū for you.

~

The story of a man unfortunately turned into a yokai when he went to visit China.

~

A short bonus today from the tales of Lafcadio Hearn, that of A Dead Secret.

~

This week we finally dive into our first war and rebellion; the of the Hirotsugu no Ran.

And in Sumikko no Heather we have an interesting culture note concerning St. Jordi Day in Japan.

~

Today we look at a short tale concerning Bonsai.

And in Summiko no Heather we have a new Senryu for you all.

~

A tale of an eccentric monk today by the name of Zōga.

And in Summiko no Heather today, a Japanese Phrase. Are you a flower or a dango?

~

A job which can have a lot of risk. But it is worth it to save those in need.

~

We look into the history of Eugenics today on our show. And how there are still people today who are living with the consequences of the Japanese Eugenics Laws from the 1940's.

~

Today we look into a tale from the Konjaku Monogatari. Containing over 1000 tales in numerous volumes, we stumbled across a rather humorous one for todays episode.

And in Heather's Corner today, we have an interesting historical senryu.

~

Today we look into the tale of Hoichi the Earless, a renowned Biwa player known to recite the tale of Dan-no-Ura.

And in Heather's Corner today, we have an interesting senryu.

~

We return to the chronicles of the Emperors today, looking into the reign of Emperor Sujin; the 10th Emperor of Japan.

And in Heather's Corner this week we have a Japanese cultural note, is something blue or green?

~

Today we look into our next Ainu tale. One told by the sea god Repun Kamui.

And in Heather's Corner this week we have a Japanese saying, and a rather important one at that.

~

The folktale about a man who wished to live forever. 

And for the poem this week, we have a senryu by Ju Goya.

~

A cautionary tale today about what happens if you don't follow a good Buddhist lifestyle. 

And for the poem this week, we have one from Fujiwara no Toshiyuki. The same man affected by his undevout ways in the tale told today.

~

We're back and we have missed you!

To dive back into our show we are going to be discussing whether to accept the 1,000,000円 the government is currently offering families to move out of Tokyo.

~

Let's finish off Womens History Month (late....)

We hope you enjoy this episode, delving into the lives of three women who defended their homes and their families. 

~

All things must come to an end and so today we look into the final part of Mineko's tale as told in her autobiography. We see how she made her way into the ranks of being a Geisha, and also what they meant for her life and later retirement. We hope you've enjoyed her tale, we sure have. 

~

Today we look into the art of pearl diving in Japan and the women behind it. 

~

We continue to explore the life of Mineko as she grows closer to becoming a Geisha. But sadly, these next few years are going to be filled with bad memories and loss. 

From Heather today, a Senryu about a Geisha. 

~

The story of the life of Mineko, a girl adopted at a very young age into the world of Geisha in the Gion District of Kyoto during the 1950's. 

From a family of sisters who also lived that life, Mineko is only just starting hers as the sucessor to one of the many Geisha houses of Gion.

~~

Today we look into the life of Higuchi Ichiyo. Her fascinating life, its hardships, and how she turned herself towards a career of writing; creating exceptional pieces which are now considered great examples of writing from the Meiji Era.

~~

This month is Womens History Month and so this week we are exploring the lives of three women whose names never made it down to the modern day. They were poets, writers and influential women of their time and so today we shed a light onto their lives.

And for the poem section today, the votes are in! Lets see which poem you voted for me to try and memorise for this episode.

~~

Today the fairy tale of the Man Who Made Withered Trees to Bloom once more.

And from Heather some form of Karuta poetry challenge for myself. Be sure to vote for the poem I need to memorise!

And also a small tangent on the ideas behind sumiko gurashi. 

~~

We are back after a much needed break.

And to get us back in the swing of thing a bonus for you all. An episode about Gigaku, a long forgotten pantomime art form.

~~

Today a look into the Zanbatō. Did this sword even exist?

~~

In the Temple of Kozan-ji, in the outskirts of Kyoto there once was a collection of 4 scrolls, found nowhere else in Japan. Scrolls of Frolicking Animals.

~~

We reached our milestone of 100 episodes! This week we continue to answer your listener questions about life in Japan!

~~

We reached our milestone of 100 episodes! So this week we answers your listener question about life in Japan!

~~

The short tale of the man known as Sōgorō. His death, and the reasons behind it.

~~

A short tale, of a hidden mine, and the lives that were lost to keep it a secret. 

~~

Today something new, a topic recommended by the Professor himself. 

We look into the life of the Buddhist Monk known as Kūkai, and his devotion to the Shingon Sect.

And from Heather today, we have an amusing senryu. 

~~

Delving back into the stories of the Ainu people today with the song of the Marsh God.

And for the poem today, we have an autumnal theme from Matsuo Bashō.

~~

We finish up our exploration into tattooing at least for now with a look into some of the characters from The Suikoden. What were they like? And what were their tattoos should you wish to have them yourself?

And for the poem today we head back to our favourite book, One Hudred Poets, with a poem from Priest Nōin.

~~

We continue today with our exploration of tattooing in Japan. Looking this time at the kinds of animal one might see as well as the meaning behing them. And from Heather today, we have a Japanese phrase. 

~~

We're back with a look into the history behind tattooing in Japan. It didn't always have the same connotations it does now, so let's delve into its origins this episode

And from Heather she has a new annonymous Senryu for us to enjoy today. 

~~

Today to round off the turtle talk we had recently we delved into the sotry of Urashima Taro the Fisher. A man who saved a turtle from a bunch of youths and was rewarded for his kindness.

~~

We take a little look today at the work we did to create the 2nd Year of our show, and get a little distracted a long the way talking about life in Japan.

Perhaps we should look into a Bonus Episode where to talk more about life here in Japan?

Anyway, we hope you enjoy todays episode.

~~

Whilst we await Heather's return to us. Here are some new Japanese Proverbs for you. One of which I am sure Heather will love under her new circumstances.

~~

Today we tell the horror story of the Fuji Cave, the story we came across when we told the tale of Yasuke. Its a dark tale of punishment and death, and not for the faint of heart. And to end out the show today we have a Senryu from Heather.

*DISCLAIMER* Todays episode is not for children. 

~~

Heather takes the reigns today giving us an intro into some of the history behind the turtle in Japan. And from myself today we have two poems from Issa and Baisei about turtles.

~~

Today we continue on from Episode 44 with our story of Shinto Mythology. We pick up where we left off, with one of the desendants of Susano-o, Okuninushi. And from Heather we have a new Senryu.

~~

With Golden Week just recently over we decided to have a look into its history and when it originated. 

And for a poem I stumbled across one by Basho about relaxation. 

~~

Our story sadly draws to its close as we end the tale of Yasuke, the once slave who became Samurai under Nobunaga. We hope you enjoyed coming along for this journey into the mans life.

And from Heather a poem from a new poet, a man known as Ōshikōchi no Mitsune

~~

Yasuke returns now our schedules have settled down. Today we continue on from his fateful meeting with Nobunaga and we will see just how much his ife is about to change now that he working for the man who wished to unite Japan.

And to end out our episode, from Heather we have another Kotozawa for you to enjoy. 

~~

Today we fill in the timeline from the First Emperor to the 10th. And surprisingly there isn't much known about these rulers. So here is the little that we know.

~~

Continuing where we left off in the story of Yasuke with the fateful meeting of him and Oda Nobunaga.

And from heather today we have a soong from her. As it is the Cherry Blossom season, she has for you a verse from the Sakura Song. 

~~

We continue the tale of Yasuke. Through the end of the year until Chsitmas Day and then all the way to Easter Sunday when he finally reaches Kyoto for the first time. And comes one step closer to meeting the future unifier of Japan, Oda Nobunaga. 

And from Heather today a poem from Matsuo Basho.

~~

Today we start the tale of Yasuke. A man from Africa who made it to the rank of Samurai. We hope you enjoy it.

And from Heather we have another Tongue Twister. 

~~

After many crashes with my laptop. This episode finally got editted and done!

Today we tell the tale of The Bamboo Cutter and his Daughter. We hope you enjoy the tale.

And from Heather today we have a children's game from Japan.

~~