03 The Origins of Anime and the Making of Japan's First Feature Length Animated Film (Dr. Jonathan Clements)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about the fascinating history and culture of soba noodles. About Dr. Lorie Brau Dr. Lorie Brau is an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico where she teaches courses on Japanese literature and culture. Dr. Brau has conducted research on a variety of topics, including rakugo and the history and culture of soba noodles. Her research on soba noodles resulted in Soba, Edo Style: Food, Aesthetics, and Cultural Identity, an article which appeared in the book Devouring Japan: Global Perspectives on Japanese Culinary Identity. Currently, Dr. Brau is working on a book called Gourmanga, which focuses on food manga.. Topics Discussed What soba is Soba's usage as a general word meaning "noodles" What distinguishes soba noodles from udon and ramen What an Edokko is Some of the places soba is closely tied to A brief history of soba noodles Okinawa soba Izuomo soba Nishin soba   Soba's emergence as street food during the Edo period Soba's ties to the pleasure quarters of Edo The "proper" way to eat soba noodles Soba's evolution from street food to refined Japanese cuisine What a sobalier (sobarie) is What it was like dining at a members-only soba restaurant in Tokyo Soba's ties to kabuki What iki is Soba's link to the concept of iki Dr. Brau's research on manga centered around food Whether there is a difference between chūka soba and ramen Why the word soba can be used to refer to ramen but not udon 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 $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon 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. Image: Japankyo.com Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

15 Apr 20201h 5min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're exploring the history of chicken production in Japan and the fascinating world of artisan jidori chicken. About Dr. Benjamin Schrager Dr. Benjamin Schrager is an expert on Japanese food systems and heritage cuisine. He completed his PhD at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2019. His doctoral dissertation--titled Placing Trust: The Political Ecology of Chicken Meat in Japan--focused on the Japanese chicken industry and jidori chicken, with particular emphasis on the Miyazaki Jitokko brand of jidori. Currently, Dr. Schrager is a postdoctoral researcher at Kyoto University's Graduate School of Agriculture. Topics Discussed What broiler chicken is and what Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) jidori chicken is Chicken Nanban and its origins The many regulations that the Japanese government has implemented to determine what qulifies as JAS jidori chicken The Onagadaori breed of chicken and its incredibly long tail The Tennen Kinenbutsu (Natural Monument) standard How Miyazaki Jitokko compares in terms of its standards to that of other brands of JAS jidori The problems jidori breeders face A brief overlook of the history of chicken breeding in Japan The connection between samurai and chicken breeding What a Native Heirloom Breed is The industrialization of chicken breeding in Japan The introduction of Western chicken breeds into Japan in the 1960s The phenomenon of regional cuisines and specialties in Japan Meeting Emperor Akihito The Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Chicken sashimi from Miyazaki Health concerns over chicken The experience of talking to Japanese men taking part in a cooking class The difficulty explaining the difference between jidori and broiler chicken to the average person The various meanings of the word jidori Tsukada Nojo Jidori in Hawaii Sumibiyaki chicken 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 $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support on Patreon 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. Images: Courtesy of Benjamin Schrager. Image shows Benjamin Schrager holding a Natural Monument Jitokko. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

1 Apr 20201h 5min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're digging into the world of Japanese spycraft and the history of Japan's intelligence community with one of the world's leading experts on the subject: Dr Richard Samuels. About Dr. Richard Samuels Richard Samuels is Ford International Professor of Political Science and director of the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a highly distinguished scholar whose research has focused on Japanese intelligence and security, Japan's relationship with the U.S. and China, energy-related policies in Japan, and more. His latest book was published  in 2019 and is title Special Duty: A History of the Japanese Intelligence Community. Topics Discussed Whether Japan has an equivalent intelligence agency to the CIA The composition of Japan's intelligence agencies The biggest problem Japan's intelligence agencies have had to deal with What stovepipring is How people working in intelligence in Japan were sometimes looked down on in the past How spycraft training in Japan has changed from pre-World War II to today How losing to the U.S. impacted Japan's intelligence capabilities and its focus How 9/11 and Shinzo Abe becoming prime minister in 2012 affected Japan's intelligence community The States Secrets law of 2013 The creation of the National Security Council in 2013 The push and pull in Japan's government between those who want to be closer to China and those who prefer to be closer to the United States Why Japan's intelligence community became known for information leaks The Musashi Kikan The history and importance of the Nakano School Akashi Motojiro Hirō "Hiroo" Onoda and his connection to the Nakano School The early history of Japanese espionage and the so-called tairiku ronin (continental adverturers) Whether Japan has an equivalent to D.A.R.P.A. (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) And much more! Links, Videos, Etc. You can purchase a copy of Special Duty: A History of the Japanese Intelligence Community via the link below. It is an Amazon affiliate link, so using it will support the show and won't cost you anything extra. Special Duty: A History of the Japanese Intelligence Community by Richard Samuels. Follow Dr. Richard Samuels on Twitter via the link below @dicksamuelsMIT Here are a few of some of Dr. Samuel's other books in case you are interested. These are also Amazon affiliate links. "Rich Nation, Strong Army": National Security and the Technological Transformation of Japan Securing Japan: Tokyo's Grand Strategy and the Future of East Asia 3.11: Disaster and Change in Japan If you're interested in the book about the Nakano School that Dr. Samuels mentions, you can get it via the affiliate link below. The Shadow Warriors of the Nakano School: A History of the Imperial Japanese Army's Elite Intelligence School by Stephen Mercado The links below are for the two episodes of the Ichimon Japan podcast that were mentioned during this episode What was it like in Fukushima during the 2011 earthquake? (Part 1) What was it like in Fukushima during the 2011 earthquake? (Part 2) 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. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

15 Mars 202047min

On this special solo episode of the Japan Station podcast, I discuss being visually impaired and how my decision to study abroad in Japan helped me realize that I wasn't limited by the loss of my eyesight. 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 Ichimon Japan podcasts. Tony enjoys pizza, sushi, burritos, puns, and overanalyzing absurd things. Topics Discussed The process of becoming legally blind due to Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) Deciding to study Japanese in college The first time Tony went to Japan Difficulties adjusting to life with low vision Deciding to study abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Osaka Tony's decision to study Japanese every single day before leaving to study abroad How studying abroad in Japan made Tony realize that he was capable of much more than he thought he was And much more! 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. Images: Courtesy of Susan Spann Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Support Japan Station Aside from subscribing to Japan Station, the next best thing you can do to support the show, is using the Amazon affiliate link below to do your shopping. Best of all, it doesn't cost you anything extra. Use this link to shop on Amazon and support Japan Station

29 Feb 202019min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about ninjas, the judicial system of 16th century Japan, and more with Susan Spann, author of the Hiro Hattori "shinobi mystery" series of books. About Susan Spann Susan Spann is the award-winning author of the Hiro Hattori series of mystery books. The novels follow the adventures of Hiro Hattori, a ninja from the famous Iga clan, and Father Mateo Avila da Silva, a Portuguese Jesuit priest, as they travel through 16th century Japan solving murders and avoiding danger. Though originally from the U.S., Spann now lives in Japan. She practices traditional Japanese calligraphy and used to raise seahorses. Topics Discussed How Susan Spann got the idea to write books about a ninja detective What Susan Spann likes about writing the Hiro Hattori books The evolving relationship between Hiro Hattori and Father Mateo The judicial system of 16th century Japan The social caste system of 16th century Japan The different types of police seen in 16th century Japan The difference between a yoriki and dōshin Whether there were lawyers in 1500s Japan Jails in 16th century Japan Oda Nobunaga and when he will appear in the Hiro Hattori books Where actors stood in the social hierarchy of 16th century Japan How difficult it is to verify information about ninja Whether shuriken were mainly used as "throwing stars" or not The city of Iga in Mie Prfecture Susan Spann's experience climbing 100 mountains in one year and her upcoming book Climb Places in Japan Susan Spann would like to visit in Japan The challenges of raising seahorses Why male seahorses can seem to be shier than female seahorses And much more! 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. Images: Courtesy of Susan Spann Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Check out Ichimon Japan The two latest episodes of the Ichimon Japan podcast can be accessed via the links below. Why do Japanese train stations do that? | Ichimon Japan 03 What’s it like being a “fake priest” in Japan? | Ichimon Japan 04

15 Feb 202056min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're exploring the world of the bamboo flute known as the shakuhachi.. About Christopher Yohemei Blasdel Christopher Yohmei Blasdel is a master of the shakuhachi, an educator, and an award-winning author. He began instruction in the instrument in Japan in 1972 and has spent almost 50 years performing, producing music, teaching, and promoting the instrument around the world. Blasdel is the author of the instructional book The Shakuhachi: A Manual for Learning and The Single Tone: A Personal Journey into Shakuhachi Music. The latter of these is an autobiographical account of Blasdel's experiences with the shakuhachi. The Single Tone was originally published in Japanese under the title Shakuhachi Odessei, Ten no iro ni Miserarete and awarded the prestigious Rennyo Award for non-fiction in 2000.  Blasdel also possesses a fourth degree black belt in Aikido. Topics Discussed What a shakuhachi is and how it differs from other flutes Why the shakuhachi is so difficult to play The history of the shakuhachi The connection of the shakuhachi to Zen Buddhism The shakuhachi's use as a tool for suizen (blowing meditation) The rise and fall of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism Why komusō monks wore hats that covered their faces (tengai) The shakuhachi's emergence as a world instrument Why Blasdel decided to go to Japan How the shakuhachi is taught traditionally The tablature method used to transcribe shakuhachi music The World Shkauhachi Festival Blasdel's relationship with the artist Isamu Noguchi The different types of sounds that one can produce with the shakuhachi And much more! Note: At one point in this episode I say "Japanese internment camps." This is misleading since the camps in question were not established by the Japanese. The term was used in reference to the internment camps the U.S. government established during World War II to detain individuals of Japanese ancestry. The usage of the term "Japanese internment camp" was not intentional and only noticed after the final edit of the episode was made. 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. Images: Courtesy of Wasabi magazine Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Check out Ichimon Japan Ichimon Japan on Apple Ichimon Japan on Stitcher Ichimon Japan on Spotify Ichimon Japan at Japankyo.com

1 Feb 20201h 3min

This is episode 1 of the latest podcast by Japankyo: Ichimon Japan. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss future episodes. Ichimon Japan on Apple Ichimon Japan on Stitcher Ichimon Japan on Spotify Today's Question On this episode of chimon Japan we ask: What's the deal with catgirls? Topics Discussed The history and origins of the trope of the catgirl What nekomimi (猫耳) means The existence of "catboys" (male nekomimi characters) Yōkai reminiscent of catgirls such as bakeneko nd nekomata The depiction of bakeneko women in Edo era ukiyo-e woodblock prints The supposed connection between catgirls and Osamu Tezuka's amanga Ribon no Kishi (Princess Knight) The 1978 manga Wata no Kunihoshi (The Star of Cotton land) by Yumiko Oshimaand its role in popularizing the trope of the catgirl in manga and anime The character of Felicia from the Darkstalkers franchise A list of some of the most popular catgirls in Japan in recent years Whether catgirls have night vision Whether catgirls use litter boxes Whether catgirls have four ears or two ears Whether cats with human ears are as cute as girls with cat ears The Japanese title of Josie and the Pussycats And more! We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https://www.japankyo.com

23 Jan 202044min

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about "otaku," the history of the anime "holy land" of Akihabara, and a whole lot more. About Koichi Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith is an lecturer at Senshu University in Tokyo. He is one of the world's leading expert on the topic of Akihabara and the related subcultures that are often associated with this famous district of Tokyo. Galbraith is the author of man y books and articles, including Tokyo Realtime (2010), The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan (2014), The Moe Manifesto: An Insider's Look at the Worlds of Manga, Anime, and Gaming (2017), and others. His most recent book, published by Duke University Press Books in 2019, is Otaku and the Struggle for Imagination in Japan.u, Topics Discussed Dr. Galbraith's first visit to Akihabara Hayao Miyazaki's complicated relationship with fandom during the early part of his career The character Clarisse de Cagliostro from the 1979 film Lupin Third: The Castle of Calgiostro The different waves of anime fandom in Japan The lolicon/rorikon Boom of the first half of the 1980s The word lolicon/rorikon and its various meanings The connection of the character Lum Invader from Urusei Yatsura and her connection to the cocept of lolicon/rorikon How computers and adult computer games (eroge or erogē) helped transform Akihabara into what it is today The ongoing struggle between the "otaku" of Akihabara and the Japanese government What the future holds for Akihabara What the current status of maid cafes in Akihabara is The tendency of trying to link anime and manga back to ukiyo-e woodblock prints from the Edo period The problematic idea that tentacles are a uniquely "Japanese" thing And much more! Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews)

14 Jan 20201h 12min