Samurai Archives Japanese History Podcast

In ths episode of the Samurai Archives podcast, we talk to Marky Star, the prolific author of the Japan This! blog.  We talk to Marky about how he ended up in Japan, his blog, his fascination with the etymology of Japanese place names, and his recommendations for anyone looking for interesting historical sites in the Tokyo area.  This episode is part one of two. Mentioned in this podcast: Japan This! http://markystar.wordpress.com/ Marky Star on twitter: https://twitter.com/JapanThis Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

In part two of our podcast on the myth of Okinawan pacifism, we talk about the invasion of the Okinawan island chain by the Shimazu clan, and about the impressions that foreign sailors that landed on the shores of Okinawa thought about the islanders. Mentioned in this podcast: Kerr, George. Okinawa - The History of an Island People Tuttle Publishing; Original edition (October 1, 2000) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804820872 Smits, Gregory. Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism http://www.japanfocus.org/-Gregory-Smits/3409 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryfo

Over the next two episodes, your hosts look at the "myth" of Okinawan pacifism.  Okinawa has been held up as an example of a completely pacifistic country victimized over the centuries by invading forces, when the reality is that Okinawa has also seen and perpetuated its own share of violence as it fought bloody wars of unification among the Okinawan island chain, and fought Japanese mainland invaders. Mentioned in this podcast: Kerr, George. Okinawa - The History of an Island People Tuttle Publishing; Original edition (October 1, 2000) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804820872 Smits, Gregory. Examining the Myth of Ryukyuan Pacifism http://www.japanfocus.org/-Gregory-Smits/3409 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.face

In February, 2013 the University of Hawaii Art Gallery held an exhibit entitled "Picturing the Ryukyus: Images of Okinawa in Japanese Artworks from the UH Sakamaki/Hawley Collection", which included a symposium titled "Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan".  Previously, we heard the audio of Travis's presentation. In part two, travis continues his talk about both his presentation and the overall symposium. Follow Travis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/toranosukev Travis' Blog: http://chaari.wordpress.com/ The presentations and papers from February are now available online: http://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/edoparades/symposium_papers Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533

In February, 2013 the University of Hawaii Art Gallery held an exhibit entitled "Picturing the Ryukyus: Images of Okinawa in Japanese Artworks from the UH Sakamaki/Hawley Collection", which included a symposium titled "Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan". Last week we heard the audio of Travis's presentation. This episode and next episode, travis talks about both his presentation and the overall symposium. This is part one of two. The presentations and papers from February are now available online: http://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/edoparades/symposium_papers Mentioned in this podcast: Smits, Gregory.  Visions of Ryukyu: Identity and Ideology in Early-Modern Thought and Politics University of Hawaii Press (January 31, 1999) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824820371 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraia

In February, 2013, Travis presented a lecture entitled “Ryukyuan Embassy Processions: A 1710 Edo Nobori Scroll from the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection” at the international symposium, ” Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan: History, Culture, and Foreign Relations,” which was held at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is the audio of his talk, where he discusses the nobori scroll held in the University's Sakamaki-Hawley collection. A digitized version of the scroll can be found here (2nd scroll) http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/okinawa/digital_archives/sakamaki_hawley.html Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.s

Japan's self imposed "isolation", known as "sakoku", was ostensibly in effect from the 1630's to the 1850's. Despite the view that Japan was completely isolated and walled off from the rest of the world, there was considerable international trade and activity happening throughout the period.  This is part two of two. Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

Japan’s self imposed “isolation”, known as “sakoku”, was ostensibly in effect from the 1630’s to the 1850’s. Despite the view that Japan was completely isolated and walled off from the rest of the world, there was considerable international trade and activity happening throughout the period.  This is part one of two. Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

With this episode, we continue on to part two of our introduction to the politics and governmental systems of the Edo period of Japanese history. Mentioned in this Podcast: Roberts, Luke. Performing the Great Peace: Political Space and Open Secrets in Tokugawa Japan Univ of Hawaii Pr; First Edition edition (January 31, 2012) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824835131 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

In this episode, resident Edo period expert Travis takes us through an introduction to the politics and governmental systems of the Edo period of Japanese history. This is part 1 of 2. Mentioned in this Podcast:  Seals of Red and Letters of Gold - An Interview With Travis Seifman http://samuraiarchives.podbean.com/2011/04/25/seals-of-red-and-letters-of-gold-an-interview-with-travis-seifman/ EP49 The Sengoku Daimyo Domain as Political State P1 http://samuraiarchives.podbean.com/2012/08/18/ep49-the-sengoku-daimyo-domain-as-political-state-p1/ EP50 The Sengoku Daimyo Domain as Political State P2 http://samuraiarchives.podbean.com/2012/09/03/ep50-the-sengoku-daimyo-domain-as-political-state-p2/ Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.fac

Sankin Kotai, or “alternate attendance” was the Tokugawa Bakufu’s policy of having regional Daimyo split their time between their home Han and the capital, Edo. In this podcast, your hosts give you a general overview of this process, why it was done, and what the purpose was behind it. Mentioned in this Podcast:  Statler, Oliver. Japanese Inn: A Reconstruction Of The Past Kessinger Publishing, LLC (September 10, 2010) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1166136787 Vaporis, Constantine. Tour of Duty: Samurai, Military Service in Edo, and the Culture of Early Modern Japan Univ of Hawaii Pr (July 31, 2008) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824832051 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Arch

In this episode, Nate talks about his five-part blog series Principled Warfare, where he looks at examining premodern Japanese warfare through the lens of the modern US military's 12 Principles of Joint Operations. You can find Nate at his blog, The Sengoku Field Manual: http://sengokufieldmanual.blogspot.com/ Mentioned in this podcast: Principled Warfare: Samurai Combat Done Right (and Wrong)http://shogun-yashiki.blogspot.com/2012/08/greetings-once-again-samurai-archives.html Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

In part two of our talk with Stevie Suan we continue our discussion of his book “The Anime Paradox“, and the internationalization of Anime around the world. Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

In this episode of the Samurai Archives Podcast (Part one of two), we talk to Stevie Suan, the author of the forthcoming book “The Anime Paradox“, about examining Anime through the lens of traditional Japanese theater. Stevie Suan was born in Sri Lanka but grew up in New York City. He received his M.A. in Asian Studies at the University of Hawai‛i at Mānoa, and is in the PhD program in the East Asian Languages and Literatures Department. He specializes in aesthetics, Japanese traditional theater, and Anime. Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

In this episode, your hosts talk about the facts and misconceptions of horse warfare and cavalry in Japan, focusing on the Takeda clan. The Takeda clan is known and renowned for its cavalry, but the images of organized and disciplined cavalry charges were not the reality of mounted warfare during this period. Mentioned in this podcast: Conlan, Thomas. Weapons & Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior 1200-1877 AD By Thomas, D Conlan, Amber Books Ltd, 2008 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1906626073 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

In this episode, we look at the Takeda clan during the 1560s. After Uesugi Kenshin effectively stopped Takeda Shingen in his tracks at the 4th battle of Kawanakajima in 1561, Shingen was forced to re-evaluate his goals in the region, which led to the 1560’s being a time of great change in the Takeda clan. Mentioned in this podcast: Kagemusha: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/B00005JLEJ Shogun-ki: Why Kawanakajima? http://shogun-yashiki.blogspot.com/2008/09/why-kawanakajima-shingen-and-kenshins.html Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

Here is part two of our talk with Japanese armor expert and antique dealer Trevor Absolon. In this episode we talk to Trevor about his experiences in the antique armor world - including the shady ethics, questionable practices, and outright fraudulent behavior that casts a shadow over the antique armor trade in Japan and the West. Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

Joining us again is Japanese armor expert and antique dealer Trevor Absolon. In this episode we talk to Trevor about his experiences in the antique armor world - including the shady ethics, questionable practices, and outright fraudulent behavior that casts a shadow over the antique armor trade in Japan and the West. This is part one of two. Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984 Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

Contrary to popular belief, every Sengoku Daimyo didn't see Japan as a giant game-board, or have the intention of "taking control of the realm". Most Daimyo were simply trying to survive and maintain their own holdings. By looking at Sengoku Daimyo and Daimyo domains through the lense of International Relations Theory, your hosts contend that the concept of "taking over Japan" may have been one that evolved gradually over the decades, rather than being an actual "goal" of the Sengoku period Daimyo from the start. This episode is part two of two. Mentioned in this podcast: Berry, Mary E. Hideyoshi (Harvard East Asian Monographs) Council on East Asian Studies, Harvard University (January 1, 1989) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0674390261 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20 Samurai Archives Shop (T-Shirts, etc) http://www.cafepress.com/samuraiarchives Contact Us: Twitter @SamuraiArchives https

Contrary to popular belief, every Sengoku Daimyo didn't see Japan as a giant game-board, or have the intention of "taking control of the realm". Most Daimyo were simply trying to survive and maintain their own holdings. By looking at Sengoku Daimyo and Daimyo domains through the lense of International Relations Theory, your hosts contend that the concept of "taking over Japan" may have been one that evolved gradually over the decades, rather than being an actual "goal" of the Sengoku period Daimyo from the start. This episode is part one of two. Mentioned in this podcast: Arnesen, Peter. The Medieval Japanese Daimyo: The Ouchi Family's Rule of Suo and Nagato Yale University Press (1979) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/B000PSGVY6 Berry, Mary E. Hideyoshi (Harvard East Asian Monographs) Council on East Asian Studies, Harvard University (January 1, 1989) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0674390261 Support this podcast: Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j Samurai Archiv