05 Rakugo Performer, Ventriloquist & Comedian Showko Showfukutei

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we talk about the probably extinct (but maybe not?) Japanese wolf with journalist Alex K.T. Martin. About Alex K.T. Martin Alex K.T. Martin is a feature writer for the Japan Times. He is also the author of a recent five-part feature about the Japanese wolf (nihon ōkami) titled In Search of Japan's Lost Wolves. Topics Discussed Whether the Japanese wolf (nihon ōkami) is considered a cryptid How Alex Martin became interested in researching the Japanese wolf Who Hiroshi Yagi is How Alex Martin got in touch with Hiroshi Yagi About Chichibu's connection to the Japanese wolf How Hiroshi Yagi became interested in looking for the Japanese wolf Hiroshi Yagi's 1996 encounter with an animal resembling the Japanese wolf and the famous 19 photographs that he took of said animal The process taken by Hiroshi Yagi in his hunt for the Japanese wolf Who might take over Hiroshi Yagi's hunt for the Japanese wolf when he retires Hiroshi Yagi's personality About Naoki Maruyama, founder of the Japan Wolf Association The effort to reintroduce wolves into Japan and the troubles it faces The allure and mystery of the Japanese wolf Alex Martin's articles about Tokyo post-Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Japan's declining population The smaller size of a Japanese wolf 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. Use the link below to access the landing page for In Seart of Japan's Lost Wolves, the five-part series of articles about the Japanese wolf by Alex K.T. Martin. In Search of Japan's Lost Wolves To read Alex Martin's articles about post Olympics Tokyo, use the links below. Tokyo tomorrow: What comes after the 2020 Games? The race is on to define the legacy of Tokyo 2020 To listen to the Deep Dive podcast episode about the Japanese wolf use the link below. Episode 18: Is the Japanese wolf really extinct? You can follow Alex Martin on Twitter. Alex K.T. Martin on Twitter Don't forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast. Is Yamaguchi cursed to have”ugly” girls? (Places in Japan Known for “Beautiful” & “Ugly” Women) | Ichimon Japan 50 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 Alex K.T. Martin Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

1 Sep 202145min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, translator Allison Markin Powell talks about translating Japanese fiction. About Allison Markin Powell Allison Markin Powell is a literary translator, editor, and publishing consultant. The most recently published book she translated is Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement (The Feminist Press at CUNY) by Shiori Ito. Topics Discussed How Allison Markin Powell became a translator of Japanese literature Getting started as a manga translator Translating the book Sensei no Kaban (The Briefcase/Strange Weather in Tokyo) by Kawakami Hiromi What is challenging about being a translator About fighting to be credited as a translator Allison Markin Powell's style of translation A tricky aspect of translating The Nakano Thrift Shop About translating Lady Joker by Takamura Kaoru 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 purchase a copy of Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement, consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It won't cost you anything extra and it will support the show. Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement Here are links to other books Allison Markin Powell has translated. These are Amazon affiliate links as well. Lady Joker, Volume 1 (Kaoru Takamura) Strange Weather in Tokyo (Kawakami Hiromi) The Nakano Thrift Shop (Kawakami Hiromi)   To listen to the first part of the conversation with Allison Markin Powell, use the link below. Black Box: Discussing the Shiori Ito Story (Allison Markin Powell Part 1) | Japan Station 72 Don't forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast. Does “Your Name” live up to the hype? (Discussing Kimi no Na wa) | Ichimon Japan 49 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 Allison Markin Powell Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews)   Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

20 Aug 202119min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, translator Allison Markin Powell discusses the story of Shiori Ito and the newly published English version of the book Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement. About Allison Markin Powell Allison Markin Powell is a literary translator, editor, and publishing consultant. The most recently published book she translated is Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement (The Feminist Press at CUNY) by Shiori Ito. Topics Discussed Allison Markin Powell's study abroad experience in Kanazawa How tell all memoirs don't seem to be as popular in Japan as in the West About the book Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement Who Shiori Ito is The frank and open way in which Siori Ito discusses her alleged sexual assault and the events after it The press conference Shiori Ito held in 2017 Meeting Shiori Ito The term "quasi-rape" (Jungōkanzai, 準強姦罪) Why Shiori Ito called her book "Black Box" Shiori Ito's strength Sexual assault statistics in Japan and other places How police made Shiori Ito reenact being sexually assaulted in front of them Some of the systematic challenges Shiori Ito faced when trying to get justice Shiori Ito's influence and impact 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 purchase a copy of Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement, consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It won't cost you anything extra and it will support the show. Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement Don't forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast. Does “Your Name” live up to the hype? (Discussing Kimi no Na wa) | Ichimon Japan 49 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 The Feminist Press at CUNY Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

15 Aug 202145min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're learning about homelessness in Japan and the life of Japanese day laborers. About Dr. Tom Gill Dr. Tom Gill is a professor of social anthropology at the Faculty of International Studies at Meiji Gakuin University in Yokohama. He is the author of the 2015 book Yokohama Street Life: The Precarious Career of a Japanese Day Laborer. Topics Discussed Dr. Tom Gill's first experience in Sanya in Tokyo Reporting on street riots in Sanya in 1986 About Sanya in Tokyo What a doyagai is About Japanese slum districts About Japanese day laborers Why Sanya is mainly populated by single men How the anime/manga Ashita no Joe is set in Sanya The aging population of Japan's slums What a doya is What a typical doya room is like Older doya versus newer doya What a deluxe doya is Why people might choose to stay in doya despite it being more expensive to ren than an apartment About Japanese welfare On talking to people in doyagai On collecting cans in Osaka On municipal homeless shelters in Japan The increasing number of doya in Kotobukicho About homeless women in Japan Why there are so few homeless women in Japan Whether Dr. Gill has had any dangerous experiences in Japanese slums 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 would like to purchase Dr. Gill's book--Yokohama Street Life: The Precarious Career of a Japanese Day Laborer--please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. Yokohama Street Life: The Precarious Career of a Japanese Day Laborer If you would like to read some of Dr. Gill's work, the best place to start is his Academia.edu page. Dr. Tom Gill on Academia.edu Don't forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast. What are Japan’s most famous dogs? (5 Famous Japanese Dogs + an Afro Dog) Ichimon Japan 48 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 N/A Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

1 Aug 202147min

For more information on B & B Bad Sisters, check out the official website. https://bbbadsisters.com/ Here's the link for the B & B Bad Sisters NFT shop. https://opensea.io/kazuomaekawa Follow B & B Bad Sisters on social media. Twitter https://twitter.com/bbbadsisters Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bbbadsisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bbbadsisters/ Here's affiliate links for cryptocurrency exchanges. If you use any of these links to purchase cryptocurrency you might get a sign up bonus. Typically, these sign up bonuses are free Bitcoin. However, each exchange does things a bit differently so you may want to check what is required in order to receive the sign up bonus. Also if you use these affiliate links and receive the bonus, then I would receive a small referral bonus as well. Gemini https://www.gemini.com/share/gkn57qfg Voyager https://voyager.onelink.me/WNly/referral?af_sub5=ANTB78 BlockFi https://blockfi.com/?ref=d7eef2f9

30 Juli 20218min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, shamisen performer and composer Mike Penny stops by to talk about Japan's famous three-stringed lute, the Mike Penny Orchestra (MPO), and more. About Mike Penny Mike Penny is a shamesen performer and composrer based in Los Angeles. He has performed throughout the U.S. and Japan. Aside from performing traditional Japanese shamisen music, Mike is also active on YouTube and enjoys experimenting with the shamisen in all sorts of creative ways via his personal project MPO. Topics Discussed Mike Penny's 2011 song "Leaving Forever" Mike Penny's work on the soundtrack of the popular PS4 game Ghosts of Tsushima How Mike Penny became interested in Japan and the shamisen The many musical instruments Mike Penny has played Making the transition from guitar to the shamisen On learning how to play the shamisen The challenges of learning how to play the shamisen On getting used to using the bachi (plectrum) The tsugaru shamisen style The fretless nature of the shamisen About MPO (Mike Penny Orchestra) About Mike Penny's 2020 song "Perfect Alley Rare" Feedback from Japanese people On Sasaki Mitsuru Sangenkai in Los Angeles About Kyle Abbot On shamisen for beginners, such as the shami buddy by Kyle Abbott 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. Check out Mike Penny on YouTube and Bandcamp. Mike Penny YouTube Mike Penny Bandcamp Here is "Leaving Forever" by MPO. "Leaving Forever" by The Mike Penny Orchestra Here is the music video for "Perfect Alley Rare." "Perfect Alley Rare" by Mike Penny Orchestra (‘80s Shamisen Pop) And here's a fun shamisen cover that Mike did of "The 7th Element" by Vitas. Vitas “The 7th Element” ★ON SHAMISEN★ Use the link below to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast. Vitas “The 7th Element” ★ON SHAMISEN★ 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 Mike Penny Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

15 Juli 202146min

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Salvador Jimenez Murguia talks about the religious group Pana-Wave Laboratory and shares some of what he experienced while in Japan researching it. About Dr. Salvador Jimenez Murguia Dr. Salvador Jimenez Murguia is a professor of sociology at Taft College and the author of numerous books. He has conducted research on a wide variety of topics, including the sociology of religion, food studies, race & ethnicity, and popular culture. Dr. Jimenez Murguia has also written extensively about the Japanese religious group Pana-Wave Laboratory. Topics Discussed How Dr. Jimenez Murguia became interested in doing research related to Japan How it was that Dr. Jimenez Murguia began communicating with and doing research on Pana-Wave Laboratory What Pana-Wave Laboratory was How Pana-Wave Laboratory got started The teachings/beliefs of Chino Yuko About scalar wave energy attacks Why Pana-Wave Laboratory members dressed all in white Pana-Wave Laboratory's infamous 2003 caravan to Fukui Prefecture How Dr. Jimenez Murguia was able to make contact with Pana-Wave Laboratory Pana-Wave Laboratory's journal: L.R. On visiting Pana-Wave Laboratory at their base in Fukui Prefecture About the kinds of people that were part of Pana-Wave Laboratory On visiting the Pana-Wave Laboratory facility in Fukui after Chino Yuko's death How Pana-Wave Laboratory was sensationalized and misunderstood The misconception that Japan is a weird place On doing research on the topic of brown face 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. The title of the article by Dr. Jimenez Murguia that was referenced on this episode is Re-enchanting a Religio-Scientific Experience: Understanding the Extraordinary Within the Pana-Wave Laboratory. As of the time of this writing the link I used to download the article does not work. However, if you would like to try it out, click here. To listen to the Ichimon Japan episode that focuses on Pana-Wave Laboratory, check out the link below. Did Tama-chan the seal save the world and cause immigration reform? (About Pana-Wave Laboratory) | Ichimon Japan 46 To listen to the episode of Ichimon Japan about ushino koku mairi, use the link below. What’s so scary about the hour of the ox? (About Ushi no Koku Mairi) | Ichimon Japan 21 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. Salvador Jimenez Murguia Featured image: Courtesy of Dr. Salvador Jimenez Murguia Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

1 Juli 202154min

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 Books). Topics Discussed What it was like interviewing a senior member of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza group in 2008 Justin McCurry's first visit to a velodrome About the velodrome in Tachikawa, Tokyo How keirin seems to be hidden away and gets little mainstream coverage in Japanese media The inescapable connection between keirin and gambling How keirin is different from other forms of competitive cycling The differences between the Olympic variety of keirin and the original Japanese keirin Group dynamics between keirin riders The brutal and violent side of keirin How you become a professional keirin cyclist About the Japan Institute of Keirin (formerly the Japan Keirin School) What it's like living at the Japan Keirin School The effort to modernize keirin The strict expectations and restrictions placed on keirin cyclists in Japan How cyclists must check in their mobile phones and disconnect from the outside world during race events What it was like riding a keirin bicycle on a real keirin track What keirin is doing to try to survive in present day Women in keirin The Nikkan Keirin Series The future of keirin in Japan 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 War on Wheels: Inside the Keirin and Japan's Cylcing Subculture, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It will not cost you anything extra and it will support the show. The War on Wheels: Inside the Keirin and Japan's Cycling Subculture by Justin McCurry (Amazon Affiliate) To follow Justin McCurry on Twitter, use the link below. Justic McCurry on Twitter Use the link below to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan. What is a yankī or furyō? (About Japanese Teenage Delinquent Culture) | Ichimon Japan 45 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 Pegasus Books Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

15 Juni 202157min