HISTORY
How Sakura Blossoms Gained Cultural Significance in Japan
The sakura (cherry blossom) is practically synonymous with Japan. Here's a deeper look at the history of this fascinating flower's popularity
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HISTORY
HISTORY
The Last Samurai Vendetta: The Revenge of Usui Rokuro
In 1873, the newly-minted Meiji government banned the age-old practice of kataki-uchi: blood revenge. Seven years later, the son of a murdered…
POLITICS
Ambassadors and Armor: Gusoku and the Ukraine War
A viral tweet claims that the Japanese ambassador to Ukraine stayed in Kyiv in his ancestral armor. Much as we love gusoku,…
HISTORY
The Last Daimyo: The Life of Hayashi Tadataka
Amidst the backdrop of World War II's start, one last survivor of the old Edo period order died. Who was Hayashi Tadataka,…
HISTORY
Kyushu’s Samurai Vaccinators: The Fight Against Smallpox in Late Edo Japan
Faced with an epidemic, a forward-thinking group of doctors and samurai leaders launched a successful vaccination campaign in late Edo Japan.
BOOK REVIEWS
Is James Clavell’s Shogun Accurate History – Or Pure Fiction?
UJ staff writer Dr. Nyri Bakkalian reads and critiques James Clavell's epically long-winded 1975 novel "Shogun" so you don't have to.
ENTERTAINMENT
Kwaidan: A Filmic Venture into Uncanny Japan
Eerie and beautiful, Kwaidan is the perfect introduction to the classic ghost stories of Japan. Further revelations await those who look deeper…
HISTORY
The Indomitable Lady Onami of Sukagawa
Too often, history leaves out the Japanese women who left their mark on the world around them. Meet Lady Onami, who led…