42 A History of Modern Japan (Dr. Christopher Harding)

42 A History of Modern Japan (Dr. Christopher Harding)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we explore the history of modern Japan with Dr. Christopher Harding.

About Dr. Christopher Harding

Dr. Christopher Harding is a cultural historian of Japan and India, journalist, and a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. His latest book, published by Tuttle Publishing, was released in June of 2020 and is titled A History of Modern Japan: In Search of a Nation: 1850 to the Present. Dr. Harding is currently working on his next book, The Japanese: A History in Twenty Lives, which is slated to be published in November of 2020 by Penguin Random House.

Topics Discussed
  • What "picture brides" are
  • The experiences of picture brides in Hawaii
  • The rabbit craze of 1973 that Japan experienced
  • The popularity of things from the West during the Meiji period
  • The introduction of beef to Japan
  • Meiji era ideas about marrying Westerners
  • Censorship in Japanese movies following World War II
  • The pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi
  • The challenges of writing a book that covers such an extensive period of Japanese history
  • The shifting significance of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
  • Books that Christopher Harding is currently working on
  • And much more!
Support on Patreon

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.

Links, Videos, Etc.

A History of Modern Japan: In Search of a Nation: 1850 to the Present can be purchased using the Amazon affiliate link below.

You can find more information on Christopher Harding and his work on his website.

You can also follow Christopher Harding on Twitter.

If you're interested in checking out some of the work that Christopher Harding has done for BBC Radio, then go to the pages linked below. The first link is for the story that was mentioned in the outro of this episode of Japan Station. It focuses on the prevalence of ghost stories after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The second link is for a story focusing on the misconceptions that many in the West have about Japan. Both are excellent and totally worth a listen.

To learn more about the Hawaii Okinawa Center and the bronze statue of Kyuzo Toyama mentioned during this episode, visit the page linked below.

Episode 41 of Japan Station featuring the rakugo performer Shinoharu Tatekawa can be accessed via the link below.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Photo by Mark Allan.

Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes

Episoder(213)

WHICH is CORRECT? Funiki vs Fuinki (雰囲気) | Japan Station 165

WHICH is CORRECT? Funiki vs Fuinki (雰囲気) | Japan Station 165

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Japanese word funiki (雰囲気) and other words that aren't read the way they are written. 👉Topics Discussed About the Japanese word funiki (雰囲気) What...

1 Jul 202529min

Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners? | Japan Station 164/Ichimon Japan 02

Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners? | Japan Station 164/Ichimon Japan 02

This episode of Japan Station is a rebroadcast of episode two of Ichimon Japan. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners? Topics Discussed Wh...

24 Jun 202555min

The REAL Reason Japan doesn't have public TRASH CANS! They're LYING TO YOU! | Japan Station 163

The REAL Reason Japan doesn't have public TRASH CANS! They're LYING TO YOU! | Japan Station 163

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about why there's so few trash cans in public places in Japan. Despite what many sources say the 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo is not the reason there are so...

21 Jun 202546min

Why are vegetables so insulting in Japanese? | Japan Station 162/Ichimon Japan 14

Why are vegetables so insulting in Japanese? | Japan Station 162/Ichimon Japan 14

This episode of Japan Station is a rebroadcast of Ichimon Japan episode 12. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why are vegetables so unsulting in Japanese? On this episode we are honored to once...

16 Jun 202554min

What is "PLUS ALPHA?" The Meaning & Origin of the Japanese term purasu arufa/プラスアルファ | Japan Station 161

What is "PLUS ALPHA?" The Meaning & Origin of the Japanese term purasu arufa/プラスアルファ | Japan Station 161

On this episode of Japan Station, I break down what the Japanese term "plus alpha" (purasu arufa/プラスアルファ) means and its possible origins. 👉Topics Discussed What does "plus alpha" (purasu arufa/プラスア...

5 Jun 202524min

The HISTORY of SUSHI (Dr. Eric C. Rath) | Japan Station 160

The HISTORY of SUSHI (Dr. Eric C. Rath) | Japan Station 160

On this episode of Japan Station, Dr. Eric C. Rath joins us to talk all about the history of what may be Japan's most famous cuisine: SUSHI! We discuss its origins, evolution and more! 👉Topics Discus...

1 Jun 202544min

I'm Walking Across KYŪSHŪ! About the Kyūshū Challenge | Japan Station 159

I'm Walking Across KYŪSHŪ! About the Kyūshū Challenge | Japan Station 159

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about my upcoming walk across the island of Kyushu. This fall I will be walking roughly 500 km from Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture all the way down to Kagoshi...

23 Mai 202511min

Japanese Street Merchant Slang: 10 Words from Japan's Edo Merchants | Japan Station 158

Japanese Street Merchant Slang: 10 Words from Japan's Edo Merchants | Japan Station 158

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about Japanese slang that traces its roots back to Edo and Meiji era street vendors. We're digging into the origins of words like deka, mappo, and even ...

20 Mai 202542min

Populært innen Fakta

mikkels-paskenotter
fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
foreldreradet
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
treningspodden
jakt-og-fiskepodden
sinnsyn
rss-kunsten-a-leve
hverdagspsyken
gravid-uke-for-uke
rss-kull
fryktlos
hagespiren-podcast
rss-var-forste-kaffe
rss-bisarr-historie
level-up-med-anniken-binz
hva-er-greia-med
rss-impressions-2