Episode 0 Welcome to Japan Station

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 fiction and just published her first novel called The Kimono Tattoo (Brother Mockingbird). Topics Discussed About Dr. Copeland's new novel The Kimono Tattoo Some of the aspects of Dr. Copeland's life that influenced and appear in The Kimono Tattoo On spending time in Kyoto Some of Dr. Copeland's favorite places in Kyoto About Tanukidani-san Fudō-in Temple Exploring Kyoto and going off the beaten path The canals that run along the Philosopher's Path What inspired the "cursed kimono" that is one of the focuses of The Kimono Tattoo The recycling of kimono fabric How valued items such as kimono are sometimes thought to be imbued with the spirit of its creators About studying traditional Japanese dance (Nihon Buyō) About the classic strict student-teacher dynamic often see in traditional Japanese arts On Dr. Copeland's transition to writing fiction The long process of writing The Kimono Tattoo On future plans for a sequel to The Kimono Tattoo that furthers the story of Ruth Bennett About Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch and Dr. Copeland's story Blue Ridge Yamamba What the yamamba is About the experience of teaching inmates at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center about Japan On how getting to learn about Japan and the Japanese language is a privilege 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 early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. To pick up a copy of The Kimono Tattoo, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It will not cost you anything extra and it will support the show. The Kimono Tattoo on Amazon To pick up a copy of Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch, consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch on Amazon To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. Is the story of Kaguya Hime proof that aliens have visited Japan? (About Taketori Monogatari) | Ichimon Japan 44 If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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 Dr. Rebecca Copeland Featured image: Courtesy of Rebecca Copeland Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

1 Juni 202147min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're joined by Hannah Kentridge of the popular YouTube channel MissHanake. About Hannah Kentridge Hannah Kentridge is a content creator with over 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. Known as MissHanake on YouTube, Hannah has spent over 10 years producing videos in Japanese about her life and the Japanese language. Topics Discussed Hannah's perennially popular "Hiragana Song" video The origins of the MissHanake YouTube channel How creating YouTube content in Japanese motivated Hannah to keep learning Japanese and improving Receiving constructive criticism via YouTube comments How listening to herself speak in Japanese helped Hannah keep improving her Japanese Hannah's time at Kobe University Hannah's decision to go to graduate school On learning the kind of advanced Japanese that is usually not taught in the classroom About the MPhil in Japanese Studies at Oxford University What onee kotoba is On doing research on the way some gay men speak in anonymous online situations Using language to construct one's identity Hannah's plans for her master's research Japanese internet slang Gendered language in Japanese Hannah's tentative plans for after completing her master's program 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 early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. To check out Hannah on YouTube use the link below. MissHanake YouTube Channel You can watch Hannah's "Hiragana Song" video below. The Hiragana Song ★ ひらがなのうた To follow Hannah on Twitter use the link below. @misshanake on Twitter To listen to Hannah on the KoreKara Podcast see below. Talking with MissHanake - YouTuber Studying Japanese at Oxford University | KoreKara Podcast Use the link below to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan. How do you count that in Japanese? (How to Count Chopsticks, UFOs, Centaurs & More in Japanese) | Ichimon Japan 43 If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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 Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka Featured image: Courtesy of Hannah Kentridge Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

15 Maj 202148min

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 Essays and Fiction from Seito, 1911–1916. Her latest book is Maiko Masquerade: Creating Geisha Girlhood in Japan. Topics Discussed What a maiko is The difference between a maiko and a geiko/geisha The life of a maiko What maiko and geiko/geisha do The striking appearance of a maiko Transitioning from a maiko to a geiko The responsibilities of a geiko The elaborate hairstyle of the maiko The motivations of some girls who chose to become maiko The famed dance productions performed by Kyoto's geiko and maiko The Miyako Odori Marriage as it pertains to geiko How the maiko and geisha's connection to sexual labor has changed with the passing of time The maiko as a mascot of Japan and Kyoto The danna (patron) The financial burden of supporting geiko The Kyoto Traditional Music Foundation Eirakuya's tenugui (hand towel) that depict maiko playing sports The Kyoto International Manga Museum's maiko illustration exhibit Whether foreigners can become maiko Learning to become "Japanese" 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 early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. To pick up a copy of Maiko Masquerade: Creating Geisha Girlhood in Japan, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. Maiko Masquerade: Creating Geisha Girlhood in Japan To check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. What is Kansai-ben? (All About the Kansai Dialect) | Ichimon Japan 42 If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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 Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka Featured image: Courtesy of Jan Bardsley Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

1 Maj 202159min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Yuji Haraguchi--owner of multiple Japanese restaurants and the Osakana fish market in Brooklyn, New York--talks about his interest in food, his career, fish, ramen, and more. About Yuji Haraguchi Yuji Haraguchi has started and owned multiple Japanese restaurants in the United States and Japan. He is based in Brooklyn, New York where he owns and operates Okonomi/Yuji Ram and the popular Japanese-style fish market Osakana. Topics Discussed About Yuji Haraguchi's early life in Japan How Yuji became interested in cooking Leaving Japan for Boston How Yuji got into selling fish Learning about fish and the fish industry On selling and marketing Japanese fish and seafood to restaurants in Boston The rising popularity of Japanese food in the US through the 2000s Getting into the ramen business On trying to make ramen more appealing to Americans unfamiliar with ramen Creating Tuna-kotsu (tuna bone) ramen Opening Yuji Ramen in 2012 Creating a carbonara inspired bacon & egg mazemen (brothless ramen) Starting the Osakana fish market in  Brooklyn The concept and motivation behind Osakama The success of Osakana The educational videos Yuji makes for the Osakana YouTube channel The misconception that wild fish is always better than farm raised fish Yuji's approach to teaching people about fish and how to handle fish The factors that distinguish "sushi grade fish" from non-sushi grade fish On opening restaurants in Japan The dangers of expanding a restaurant franchise too quickly The current potential of Japanese food in the United States The booming popularity of ramen in Southeast Asia On getting Japanese ingredients About Sun Noodle How Yuji adapted to doing business during the coronavirus pandemic 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 early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. Below is a list of links for the websites and social media accounts of Yuji Haraguchi's businesses. Okonomi/Yuji Ramen Website Okonomi Instagram Yuji Ramen Online Shop Yuji Ramen Instagram Osakana Website Osakana on Instagram Below is the link to the Osakana YouTube channel. There you will find educational videos about how to handle and prepare fish, as well as other useful information about Japanese cuisine. Osakana YouTube Channel To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. Are rabbits counted as birds because eating meat was taboo in japan? (About the History of Meat “Bans” & the Counter -wa)) | Ichimon Japan 41 If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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 Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka Featured image: Courtesy of Yuji Haraguchi Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

15 Apr 202149min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka stops by to discuss what exactly washoku (Japanese cuisine) is and how the term was redefined in an effort to get it registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage under UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). About Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka is Chair of Modern Japan Studies at Leiden University. She is an expert on food history of modern Japan and Korea. Dr. Cwiertka's latest book is titled Branding Japanese Food: From Meibutsu to Washoku (University of Hawaii Press, 2021). Topics Discussed Washoku's (Japanese cuisine) classification as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2013 What exactly Intangible Cultural Heritage is according to UNESCO The application process washoku went through in order to be designated Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO How washoku was defined in the UNESCO application The original UNESCO application for washoku that Dr. Cwiertka found online How the committee behind the UNESCO application for washiku was originally trying to get kaiseki designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage Washoku vs nihon ryōri The meaning and usage of washoku throughout history The both vague and all-encompassing paradoxical nature of washoku's UNESCO characterization Edo era tourism and marketing And much more! Links, Videos, Etc. To pick up a copy of Branding Japanese Food: From Meibutsu to Washoku, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It will support the show and it won't cost you anything extra. Branding Japanese Food: From Meibutsu to Washoku You can learn more about Dr. Cwiertka and her work via her website. To pick up a copy of Branding Japanese Food: From Meibutsu to Washoku, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It will support the show and it won't cost you anything extra. Branding Japanese Food: From Meibutsu to Washoku To learn more about Dr. Cwiertka and her work,visit her website. Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka Website To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. What should I know about Japan’s Bubble Era? (A Fun Look at Japan’s Infamous Era of Opulence) | Ichimon Japan 39 If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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 Dr. Katarzyna Cwiertka Featured image: Courtesy of Katarzyna Cwiertka Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

1 Apr 202151min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, journalist Dreux Richard stops by to discuss his new book Every Human Intention: Japan in the New Century. About Dreux Richard Dreux Richard is a writer and journalist. He has written extensively about Japan for publications such as The Japan Times, Metropolis Japan, and The New York Times. Dreux is also the author of a new book based on much of his work in the years following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster. Called Every Human Intention: Japan in the New Century, the book focuses on the experiences of Nigerian immigrants in Japan, the shrinking city of Wakkanai in Hokkaido, and Japan's ongoing struggle with nuclear safety in the decade after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown. Topics Discussed Who Ian Hideo Levy is Dreux Richard's time studying under Ian Hideo Levy What led to Dreux Richard working for The Japan Times Africans working in Tokyo's red light districts Dreux Richard's time covering the Nigerian community in Japan Some of the factors that led to individuals from Nigeria going to Japan in the '80s Louis Okoye About writing for The Japan Times while on a tourist visa About the city of Wakkanai in Hokkaido and why Dreux Richrd decided to go there Covering the Karafuto breed of dog in Wakkanai Covering the census in Wakkanai Covering population decline in Japan The mayor of Wakkanai's decision to use part of a new building at a JR train station to create a nursing care facility for the elderly How it was that Dreux Richard came to cover nuclear safety issues in Japan Japan's itinerant nuclear industry workers 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 early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. To pick up a copy of Every Human Intention: Japan in the New Century, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It will support the show and it won't cost you anything extra. Every Human Intention: Japan in the New Century You can find more information on Dreux Richard on his website. Dreux Richard Website Here is a link to the Metropolis Japan article about the Karafuto dog breed that Dreux mentioned during this episode. No Tomorrow A beloved Japanese mascot faces unnoticed extinction To watch Ian Hideo Levy's 2010 lecture, click on the link below. The World in Japanese (Ian Hideo Levy, Standford University) To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. What first person pronoun should I use when speaking Japanese? | Ichimon Japan 38 Here is a link to episode 33 of Japan Station. Learning Japanese While Legally Blind (Tony Vega) | Japan Station 33 If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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 Donna Burke Featured image: Courtesy of Dreux Richard Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

15 Mars 20211h 2min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony answers the question: How did you become so familiar with Japan? About Tony Vega Tony Vega is a writer, editor, and podcaster. He has lived in Japan as both a student and participant of the JET Programme. He possesses an M.A. in Japanese language and linguistics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Tony is the creator of Japankyo.com and he produces both the Japan Station and Ichimon Japan podcasts. Aside from his work on JapanKyo.com, he is the editor in chief of Wasabi magazine and the producer of the Transmissions from Hawaii podcast. Tony enjoys pizza, sushi, burritos, puns, and overanalyzing absurd things. Topics Discussed Learning about Japan and the Japanese language Tips for becoming knowledgeable about Japan and the Japanese language The importance of persistence and patience The importance of staying humble The importance of learning the Japanese language in order to better understand all aspects of Japan Graduate school 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 early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. If you enjoyed this solo episode, then you'll probably enjoy episode 33 of Japan Stationi. Learning Japanese While Legally Blind (Tony Vega) | Japan Station 33 Here are the Japan Station episodes that were mentioned in this episode. The Japanese Intelligence Community & Espionage (Dr. Richard Samuels) | Japan Station 34 Pregnancy & Marriage in Low-Fertility Japan (Dr. Amanda C. Seaman) | Japan Station 48 If you're interested in checking out Lang-8, you can use the link below. Lang-8.com If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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: JapanKyo.com Featured image: Courtesy of Romulus Hillsborough/Tuttle Publishing Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

8 Mars 202116min

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 Shogun's Last Samurai, Ryoma: Life of a Renaissance Samurai, and The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps: The Bloody Battles and Intrigues of the Shinsengumi. Topics Discussed What the Shinsengumi was What the Shinsengumi did and why they were created The turmoil of the waning days of the Edo Period When the Shinsengumi was active The brutality of the Shinsengumi The strict code of conduct of the Shinsengumi About Kondo Isami How many of the members of the Shinsengumi were not of the samurai/bushi class About Serizawa Kamo and the mystery of his life before his time in the Shinsengumi Stories of Serizawa Kamo's violent nature Historical sources about the Shinsengumi Kan Shimozawa's writings on the Shinsengumi Some of the problems with sources documenting the history of the Shinsengumi The famous Ikedaya Inn incident The somewhat paradoxical nature of the way that the Shinsengumi is remembered today How the Shinsengumi is remembered Romulus Hillsborough's first trip to Japan in 1978 How Romulus Hillsborough became interested in writing historical nonfiction about Sakamoto Ryoma and the Shinsengumi 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 early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. To pick up a copy of  The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps: The Bloody Battles and Intrigues of the Shinsengumi, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It will support JapanKyo.com and it won't cost you anything extra. The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps: The Bloody Battles and Intrigues of the Shinsengumi (Amazon Affiliate link) Here are two other books written by Romulus Hillsborough, including his book on the life of Sakamoto Ryoma, which was mentioned in the episode. These are also Amazon affiliate links. Ryoma: Life of a Renaissance Samurai Samurai Revolution: The Dawn of Modern Japan Seen Through the Eyes of the Shogun's Last Samurai For more information on Romulus Hillsborough and his work, visit his website. Romulus Hillsborough Website To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese mistake stories? (Part 2) | Ichimon Japan 37 If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com. KimitoDesigns.com 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 Donna Burke Featured image: Courtesy of Romulus Hillsborough/Tuttle Publishing Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

1 Mars 202151min