On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Did Tama-chan the seal save the world and cause immigration reform? Topics Discussed The story of the famous seal that appeared in Tokyo’s Tama River in the summer of 2002 About Tama-chan the seal How Tama-chan being granted a jūminhyō (residency certificate) by Yokohama’s Nishi Ward led to foreigners protesting this action …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, journalist Justic McCurry talks about his new book The War on Wheels: Inside the Keirin and Japan’s Cycling Subculture. About Justin McCurry Justin McCurry is the Japan anc Korea correspondent for The Guardian. He is also the author of the new book The War on Wheels: Inside the Keirin and Japan’s Cycling Subculture (Pegasus …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about Kyoto, kimono and more with Dr. Rebecca Copeland. About Dr. Rebecca Copeland Dr. Rebecca Copeland is a professor of Japanese language and literature at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research specialties include modern and contemporary women’s writing in Japan, modern literature, and translation studies. Dr. Copeland also writes …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is the story of Kaguya Hime proof that aliens have visited Japan? Topics Discussed An overview of the story of Kaguya Hime (Taketori Monogatari, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter) The history of Taketori Monogatari How the tale of Kaguya Hime is sometimes called Japan’s first science fiction story Peculiarities and confusing things …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Jan Bardsley talks about the fascinating world of Japan’s maiko and geisha. About  Dr. Jan Bardsley Dr. Jan Bardsley is Professor Emerita of Asian Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is the author of Women and Democracy in Cold War Japan and the award-winning The Bluestockings of Japan: New Woman …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Are rabbits counted as birds because eating meat was taboo in Japan? Topics Discussed The practice of counting rabbits as if they were birds in Japanese Whether Japanese people eat meat What exactly qualifies as meat The history of meats “bans” in Japan The hypocritical and dubious nature of meat “bans” in …

 On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we learn about one of Japan’s most famous and popular group of samurai: the Shinsengumi. About Romulus Hillsborough Romulus Hillsborough is a researcher, writer and author of multiple books focusing on late Edo-early Meiji Period history. His books include Samurai Revolution: The Dawn of Modern Japan Seen Through the Eyes of …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why did samurai have such weird haircuts? Topics Discussed What a chonmage is The Japanese people’s pursuit of  excellence of the hairstyle The historical origins of the topknots in Japan Hats and their connection to the topknot The supposed reason why samurai started using topknots and shaving the front of their heads …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony Vega talks to one of the world’s leading scholars on Edo Period Japanese literature: Dr. Robert Campbell. About Dr. Robert Campbell Dr. Robert Campbell is a literary scholar specializing in the literature of Edo era Japan. Since 2017 Dr. Campbell has served as the Director-General of the National Institute of Japanese …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is yakitori? Topics Discussed What yakitori is The difference between yakitori when it is written using kanji and when it is written using only hiragana What qualifies as yakitori An overview of the history of yakitori The supposed origin story of the skewered sparrows that the area around Fushimi Inari Shrine …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is a kirakira name? Topics Discussed What a so-called kirakira nēmu is What kirakira means Five of the most difficult to read “kirakira names” The fact that many Japanese people seem to be unaware that Winnie the Pooh’s name is Winnie and not Pooh The famous 1993 case of a …

 On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about the history and layout of Edo with one of the world’s foremost experts on the subject: Dr. Timon Screech. About Dr. Timon Screech Dr. Timon Screech is a professor of the history of art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. He is …