Podcasts about Hokkaido

Plan Marina pasa a Fase de Auxilio en Oaxaca y Guerrero Terremoto de 6.1 sacude la isla de Hokkaido en Japón

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Romance and Rain: An Ainu Adventure in Hokkaido Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-06-12-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 初夏の北海道、知床半島。En: Early summer in Hokkaido, on the Shiretoko Peninsula.Ja: この場所は豊かな自然と静寂に包まれています。En: This place is enveloped in rich nature and tranquility.Ja: アイヌの伝統的な祭りがここで行われています。En: A traditional Ainu festival is held here.Ja: 祭りは大きな木々に囲まれた広場で、色鮮やかな伝統工芸品を展示するブースと、空気に響くパフォーマンスで賑わっていました。En: The festival takes place in a square surrounded by large trees, bustling with booths showcasing colorful traditional crafts and performances resonating in the air.Ja: アイコは自然が好きです。En: Aiko loves nature.Ja: そして、アイヌ文化に興味があり、この祭りに参加しました。En: She is interested in Ainu culture, so she decided to attend this festival.Ja: 彼女は友達のナオミと一緒に来ました。En: She came with her friend, Naomi.Ja: 「文化を学ぶのが楽しみだね」とナオミがアイコに言います。En: "I'm looking forward to learning about the culture," Naomi says to Aiko.Ja: 祭りは活気に満ちています。En: The festival is full of energy.Ja: アイコは様々な工芸品を見て興奮しています。En: Aiko is excited as she looks at various crafts.Ja: そして、彼女の目に留まったのは、カズキの作る美しい工芸品でした。En: What caught her eye were the beautiful crafts made by Kazuki.Ja: カズキは地元のアイヌのアーティストです。En: Kazuki is a local Ainu artist.Ja: 彼は自分のアートを通じてアイヌの遺産を守ることに情熱を持っています。En: He is passionate about preserving the Ainu heritage through his art.Ja: ちょっと無口ですが、真面目な人です。En: Though he is a bit reserved, he is a serious person.Ja: アイコはカズキのワークショップに参加することに決めました。En: Aiko decided to participate in Kazuki's workshop.Ja: 彼女は彼のアートについて質問し、彼と話す機会を得ました。En: She had a chance to ask questions about his art and talk with him.Ja: しかし、彼女は自分の思いをどのように伝えたらいいか悩んでいました。En: However, she was unsure how to express her thoughts.Ja: でも、勇気を出してこう言いました。「あなたの作品は本当に素晴らしいです。もっと教えてください。」En: But she gathered her courage and said, "Your work is truly amazing. Please teach me more."Ja: その瞬間、突然の夏の雨が祭りを邪魔しました。En: At that moment, a sudden summer rain interrupted the festival.Ja: 参加者たちは急いで雨宿りを探します。En: Participants hurried to find shelter from the rain.Ja: アイコとカズキは同じ屋根の下に避難しました。En: Aiko and Kazuki took refuge under the same roof.Ja: 雨の音を聴きながら、アイコとカズキは会話を始めました。En: Listening to the sound of the rain, Aiko and Kazuki started to talk.Ja: 彼らはお互いの興味を知りました。En: They learned about each other's interests.Ja: アイコは自然が好きで、文化を学びたいと思っています。En: Aiko loves nature and wants to learn about culture.Ja: カズキはアイヌ文化について話し始め、自分の作品への情熱を伝えました。En: Kazuki began to talk about Ainu culture and conveyed his passion for his work.Ja: 雨がやがて止み、空は晴れました。En: The rain eventually stopped, and the sky cleared.Ja: 空気は新鮮で、木々が輝いています。En: The air was fresh, and the trees glistened.Ja: アイコとカズキは、共に半島を探索する計画を立てました。En: Aiko and Kazuki made plans to explore the peninsula together.Ja: 新しい友情とロマンスの可能性を胸に、彼らは新たな旅を始めることにしました。En: Embracing the possibility of new friendship and romance, they decided to embark on a new journey.Ja: この経験を通じて、アイコはアイヌの伝統をより深く理解しました。En: Through this experience, Aiko gained a deeper understanding of Ainu traditions.Ja: 人と文化のつながりを大切に思うようになりました。En: She came to cherish the connection between people and culture.Ja: そして、彼女は自分の気持ちをより素直に表現することができるようになりました。En: And she became more able to express her feelings openly.Ja: どこか心が温かくなるような、心に残る物語です。En: It's a heartwarming, memorable story that touches the heart. Vocabulary Words:enveloped: 包まれていますtranquility: 静寂bustling: 賑わっていましたshowcasing: 展示するresonating: 響くcrafts: 工芸品heritage: 遺産reserved: 無口serious: 真面目workshop: ワークショップunsure: 悩んでいましたexpress: 伝えsudden: 突然interrupted: 邪魔しましたshelter: 雨宿りrefuge: 避難sound: 音conveyed: 伝えましたglisten: 輝いていますembracing: 胸にromance: ロマンスembark: 始めるdeeper: より深くcherish: 大切に思うconnection: つながりtraditions: 伝統opportunity: 機会possibility: 可能性memorable: 心に残るheartwarming: 心が温かくなる

Cette semaine, je retrouve Diane Barbier, notre exploratrice passionnée qui revient avec la suite de ses incroyables aventures nipponnes. Dans ce nouvel épisode de Beau Voyage, découvrez les trésors cachés que même les guides ne mentionnent pas !Après avoir nous avoir dévoilé les secrets de Tokyo, Diane nous emmène désormais hors des sentiers battus pour explorer les coins les plus magiques de l'archipel. De l'île brumeuse et mystique de Yakushima (qui a inspiré Princesse Mononoké) aux aventures en van à travers Hokkaido, préparez-vous à rêver de votre prochain voyage !Les trésors à découvrir dans cet épisode :Comment organiser votre itinéraire idéal au-delà de Tokyo et KyotoL'expérience INOUBLIABLE des ryokans traditionnels japonaisUne nuit dans un temple bouddhiste pour une immersion spirituelle uniqueLes îles secrètes du sud où la nature règne en maîtreLes délices culinaires les plus surprenants à goûter absolumentL'aventure en van à travers les grands espaces japonaisQue vous soyez fasciné par la spiritualité des temples anciens, attiré par les onsen cachés dans la nature, ou tenté par un road-trip à travers des paysages à couper le souffle, Diane partage tous ses conseils pour vivre un Japon authentique loin des foules ! Un épisode qui vous donnera envie de faire vos valises sur-le-champ pour explorer ce pays aux mille facettes.Bonne écoute !Retrouvez-nous sur @beauvoyage !Vous souhaitez de l'aide pour préparer votre voyage au Japon ? N'hésitez pas à contacter Diane Barbier, https://www.kinsenvoyages.com/**************************************Production : Sakti ProductionsMusique : Chase The Mississipi, Michael ShynesVous êtes une marque et vous souhaitez collaborer avec Beau Voyage ? Ecrivez-nous : mariegarreau@saktiproductions.com Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

The Krewe is kicking off a 2-part series on Japanese soccer! In Part 1, journalist Dan Orlowitz joins the Krewe to break down Japan's domestic soccer scene — the J.League. From league structure and top teams to standout players making waves right now, this episode is your perfect deep dive into the beautiful game, Japan-style. Whether you're new to Japanese soccer or a longtime fan, you'll come away with fresh insights and maybe even a new favorite club! Don't miss Part 2, where we go global with Japan's national teams and international impact!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past KOJ Sports-Related Episodes ------Kendo: The Way of the Sword ft. Alexander Bennett, 7th Dan in Kendo (S4E16)The Life of a Sumotori ft. 3-Time Grand Champion Konishiki Yasokichi (S4E10)Talking Sumo ft. Andrew Freud (S1E8)------ About Langston Hill ------Dan's Socials & Writings------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!

  Last time we spoke about China's preparations for War. In December 1936, the tension in China reached a boiling point as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek was captured by his own commanders, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. Disillusioned by Chiang's focus on fighting communists instead of the encroaching Japanese forces, the generals sought a unified response to Japanese aggression. After being held in Xi'an, Chiang reluctantly agreed to collaborate with the Chinese Communist Party, marking a significant shift in strategy against Japan. Amidst the rising chaos, Chiang's government reviewed historical military strategies and prepared for a prolonged conflict. However, they faced challenges, including inadequate supplies and a lack of modern equipment compared to the Japanese. By 1937, China was ill-prepared for war, with Chiang later expressing regret about their military readiness. Despite these setbacks, the alliance formed with the communists laid a foundation for a united Chinese front against the brutalities of the Sino-Japanese War that would follow.   #153 Japan Prepares for War Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. So in the last episode we talked about how China was preparing itself for war, now its time for Japan. Since Japan's invasion of North China, Japanese field armies had promoted a series of autonomous zones in northern China. Officers from the Kwantung Army, skeptical of China's capacity to modernize, believed that the vast region would inevitably fragment into regional factions. This policy effectively maintained a weak and divided China, which served Japan's to defend Manchukuo. However many Japanese military leaders frequently pointed to the threat posed by the KMT's five-year plan, initiated in 1933 with assistance from German military advisors, aimed at modernizing and expanding the national army. To counter what they perceived as a Chinese threat, the field armies advocated for a preemptive war to dismantle Chiang Kai-shek's regime. Any attempt by Tokyo to alter the military's China policy faced vigorous opposition from the Kwantung Army, which, in February 1937, pushed for intensified covert actions to expel the KMT from northern China and supported a preemptive war to secure strategic areas for future operations against the Soviet Union. At a March meeting in Tokyo, staff officers from the China Garrison and Kwantung armies insisted that any concessions to China would be a grave mistake and would likely yield only temporary outcomes. In early spring 1937, Prince Konoe Fumimaro inherited a China policy fraught with competing views, however, there was consensus that China must not distract the empire from its preparations against the USSR. The end goal was clear, but the means to achieve it remained uncertain. The cabinet's approval of the "Fundamentals of National Policy" in August 1936 indicated a need for stability as the army and navy reconfigured Japan's war machine. The challenge lay in aligning long-term strategic goals with practical short-term interests in northern China without upsetting the existing balance of power. Expanding demands propelled the army's contingency planning, which had traditionally focused on safeguarding Japanese interests and the approximately 13,000 Japanese citizens residing in the region. Tokyo typically responded to serious incidents by deploying troops from homeland garrisons to address localized emergencies and then withdrawing them. However, by the mid-1930s, the growing Soviet threat to Manchukuo rendered this doctrine obsolete. Incidents in northern China gained strategic importance as they diverted resources from the Kwantung Army's preparations against the Soviet Union. Disruptions in northern China hindered access to essential raw materials necessary for army modernization and rearmament, while hostile Chinese forces threatened the Kwantung Army's strategic left flank in the event of war with the Soviets. With these considerations in mind, the army revised its operational war plans, assuming that northern China would serve as Japan's strategic rear area for operations against the USSR. In 1911 Japan's plan for general war mandated thirteen divisions to occupy southern Manchuria, capture Beijing, and subsequently occupy Zhejiang and Fujian. Limited contingency operations in northern China required two divisions to secure rail communications from Beijing to the coast. In the weeks following the 1931 Manchurian Incident, the General Staff in Tokyo drafted plans to counter a Sino-Soviet alliance, anticipating a 2 month campaign involving 15-16 divisions, with the majority engaged against the Soviet Red Army. 2 divisions were designated to secure northern China, while smaller units would monitor the Inner Mongolian front to protect Japan's western flank in Manchuria. After further refinement, the General Staff identified three contingencies for China in early 1932: maintaining the traditional mission of safeguarding Japanese interests and citizens with a standard two-division force; ensuring a secure line of communication between the Chinese capital and the sea with the China Garrison Army, which consisted of approximately 1,700 officers and men, reinforced by one division; and, in a worst-case scenario of all-out war, deploying three divisions to reinforce the Kwantung Army, along with 7 additional divisions and 3 cavalry brigades to suppress resistance in northern China and the Shandong Peninsula, while two additional divisions secured key areas in central China. Between 1932-1936, China received less attention as the General Staff focused on the Soviet military buildup in the Far East. Anxiety, stemming from the Soviet buildup in the Far East, was a pervasive concern reflected in the draft rearmament plan submitted to the throne on May 21, 1936, as part of the national budget formulation process. The army proposed countering the Soviet threat by enhancing Japanese strategic mobility in Manchukuo through the renovation and expansion of airfields, ports, roads, and rail infrastructure, and by constructing army air force arsenals, storage depots, and medical facilities. The positioning of Japanese divisions in eastern Manchuria suggested their wartime objectives, with the Kwantung Army relying on a mobile independent mixed brigade composed of armored car and mounted cavalry units stationed in Gongzhuling, central Manchuria, as its immediate response force for contingencies in northern China. Major units were not concentrated in western Manchuria, where they would be expected to deploy before any planned invasion of northern China. Nevertheless, General Staff planners remained vigilant regarding developments in China, where the resurgence of nationalism, Communist movements advancing north of the Yellow River in February 1936, and the spread of anti-Japanese sentiments across northern China raised the specter of limited military operations escalating into full-scale warfare. China's improving military capabilities would likely hinder Japanese forces from accomplishing their objectives. For example, around Shanghai, Chinese defenses were bolstered by extensive, in-depth, and permanent fortifications. In mid-September 1936, the General Staff in Tokyo issued orders to preempt significant outbreaks in northern China by repositioning a division in Manchukuo closer to the boundary. If hostilities broke out, the China Garrison Army, supported by Kwantung Army units, would launch punitive operations against Chinese forces as necessary. Higher headquarters expected local commanders to act swiftly and decisively, employing rapid maneuvers and shock tactics to address outbreaks with minimal force. Given that no alternative responses were considered, Japanese operational planning for northern China relied on an all-or-nothing approach to force deployment, even for minor incidents. Yet, the senior leadership of the army remained deeply divided over its China policy. Influenced by Ishiwara, the General Staff wanted to avoid military actions that could lead to a full-scale war with China, focusing instead on advancing the army's extensive rearmament and modernization program. In contrast, a majority of high-ranking officers in the Army Ministry and General Staff, particularly within the 2nd Operations Section and the Kwantung Army, favored forceful action against China, believing it necessary to quell rising anti-Japanese sentiments. Drawing from past experiences, these officers anticipated that the Chinese would quickly capitulate once hostilities commenced. This lack of a unified military strategy reflected broader disagreements among the army's leadership regarding operations in China. While operational planning called for the permanent occupation of large regions in northern and central China, the General Staff aimed to contain outbreaks to maintain focus on Soviet threats. There was a clear absence of long-term operational planning; instead, the army concentrated on initial battles while relegating planning for prolonged combat operations to contingent circumstances. In summary, the Japanese army preferred to avoid military force to address Chinese issues whenever feasible but was equally unwilling to concede to Chinese demands. Since 1914, Tosui Koryo or “Principles of Command” had served as the foundational doctrine for senior Japanese army commanders and staff officers engaged in combined arms warfare at the corps and army levels. The advent of new weapons, tactics, and organizational changes during World War I compelled all major military forces to reassess their existing military doctrines across strategic, operational, and tactical dimensions. In response, Japan modified the Principles of Command to blend its traditional post-Russo-Japanese War focus on the intangible factors in battle with the newest concepts of modern total war. A revision in 1918 recognized the significance of “recent great advances in materiel” for total warfare, yet it maintained that ultimate victory in battle relied on dedication, patriotism, and selfless service. In the 1920s, the General Staff's Operations Section, led by Major General Araki Sadao, who would become the leader of the Kodoha faction, had produced the most significant and impactful revision of the Principles. A staunch anti-communist and ideologue who valued the intangible elements of combat, Araki appointed Lieutenant Colonel Obata Toshishiro and Captain Suzuki Yorimichi as the principal authors of the manual's rewrite. Obata, a Soviet expert, was strongly influenced by German General Count Alfred von Schlieffen's classic theories of a “war of annihilation,” while Suzuki, the top graduate of the thirtieth Staff College class, shared Araki's focus on “spiritual” or intangible advantages in warfare. Both men were brilliant yet arrogant, working in secrecy to create a doctrine based on what Leonard Humphreys describes as “intense spiritual training” and bayonet-led assaults to counter the opponent's material superiority.  The latest version of the Principles of Command preserved the operational concept of rapid Japanese mobile offensive operations, aiming to induce a decisive battle or “kaisen” early in the campaign. It reaffirmed the sokusen sokketsu or “rapid victory' principle of rapid warfare. Attaining these goals relied exclusively on offensive action, with the army expecting commanders at all levels to press forward, defeat enemy units, and capture key territories. The troops were indoctrinated with a spirit of aggression and trained to anticipate certain victory. The emphasis on offensive action was so pronounced that Araki eliminated terms like surrender, retreat, and defense from the manual, believing they negatively affected troop morale. This aggressive mindset also infused the Sento Koryo or “Principles of Operations”, first published in 1929 as a handbook for combined arms warfare tailored for division and regimental commanders. The manual emphasized hand-to-hand combat as the culminating stage of battle, a principle regarded as unchanging in Japanese military doctrine since 1910. Senior commanders were expected to demonstrate initiative in skillfully maneuvering their units to encircle the enemy, setting the stage for climactic assaults with cold steel. Infantry was deemed the primary maneuver force, supported by artillery. To complement rapid infantry advances, the army developed light and mobile artillery. Operationally, encirclement and night attacks were vital components of victory, and even outnumbered units were expected to aggressively envelop enemy flanks. In assaults against fortified positions, units would advance under the cover of darkness, avoiding enemy artillery fire and positioning themselves for dawn attacks that combined firepower with shock action to overwhelm enemy defenses. In encounters with opposing forces, commanders would maneuver to flank the enemy, surround their units, and destroy them. If forced onto the defensive, commanders were expected to seize opportunities for decisive counterattacks to regain the initiative. These high-level operational doctrines were distilled into tactical guidelines in the January 1928 edition of the Infantry Manual or “Hohei Soten”, which saw a provisional revision in May 1937 . Both editions opened with identical introductions emphasizing the necessity for a rapid victory through the overpowering and destruction of enemy forces. Infantry was identified as the primary arm in combined arms warfare, and soldiers were taught to rely on cold steel as fundamental to their attacking spirit. The 1928 Infantry Manual underscored the commander's role in instilling a faith in certain victory or “hissho shinnen”, drawing from the glorious traditions of Japanese military history. The 1928 infantry tactics employed an extended skirmish line with four paces between soldiers. Individual initiative in combat was generally discouraged, except under exceptional circumstances, as success relied on concentrating firepower and manpower on narrow frontages to overwhelm defenders. An infantry company would create a skirmish line featuring two light machine gun squads and four rifle squads, preparing for a bayonet-driven breakthrough of enemy defenses. For the final assault, the infantry company would line up along a 150-yard front, likely facing casualties of up to 50% while breaching the enemy's main defensive line. Historical analysis reveals the shortcomings of these tactics. During World War I, armies constructed extensive, multi-layered defenses, trenches, pillboxes, and strong points, each independent yet all covered by artillery. If assaulting infantry suffered heavy losses breaching the first line, how could they successfully prosecute their assault against multiple defense lines? The 1937 revision elaborated on new tactics to overcome entrenched Soviet defenses, drafted in anticipation of arms and equipment that were either in development or production but not yet available for deployment. This became official doctrine in 1940, but as early as summer 1937, units from the China Garrison Army were field-testing these new tactics. The provisional manual adopted combat team tactics, forming an umbrella-like skirmish formation. This involved a light machine gun team at the forefront with two ammunition bearers flanking it to the rear. Behind the machine gun team were riflemen arranged in a column formation, maintaining six paces between each. The light machine gun provided cover fire as the formation closed in on the enemy for hand-to-hand combat. Increased firepower expanded the assault front to 200 yards. The combination of wider dispersion and night movement aimed to reduce losses from enemy artillery fire while the infantry advanced through successive lines of resistance. Commanders at the platoon level were responsible for leading the final assault into enemy lines, with increased tactical responsibility shifting from platoon to squad leaders, allowing for greater initiative from junior officers and non-commissioned officers. This emphasis on broader dispersal and fluidity on the battlefield required frontline infantry to exhibit aggressiveness and initiative. Contrary to popular belief, the Japanese military did not solely rely on the bayonet or an offensive spirit during engagements with Chinese forces. They effectively employed superior firepower and modern equipment within their combined arms framework, using heavy weapons and artillery to soften enemy positions before launching infantry attacks. Without such firepower, unsupported infantry attacks would have struggled to achieve their objectives. In January 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army consisted of approximately 247,000 officers and men, organized in a structure comprising seventeen standing infantry divisions, four tank regiments, and fifty-four air squadrons equipped with a total of 549 aircraft. The China Garrison Army and the Taiwan Garrison Army each included two infantry regiments, while a separate independent mixed brigade was stationed in Manchuria. Two divisions were permanently based in Korea, with four more assigned on a rotating basis to the Kwantung Army in Manchukuo. The remainder of the forces were stationed in the Japanese home islands. A substantial pool of reservists and partially trained replacements was available to mobilize, enabling the expansion of peacetime units to their wartime strength as needed. Conscription provided the primary source of enlisted manpower for the army, though a handful of young men volunteered for active duty. For conscription purposes, Japan was divided into divisional areas, which were further subdivided into regimental districts responsible for conscription, mobilization, individual activations, and veteran affairs within their jurisdictions. Typically, conscripts served with the regiment associated with their region or prefecture. However, the Imperial Guards regiments in Tokyo selected conscripts from across the nation, as did the Seventh Infantry Division, which recruited from the sparsely populated Hokkaido area and from regular army units stationed in Korea, China, and Taiwan. Draftees from Okinawa Prefecture usually served with Kyushu-based regiments. All males reaching the age of 20 underwent an army-administered pre-induction physical examination conducted between December 1 and January 30 of the following year. This evaluation classified potential conscripts into three categories: A “suitable for active duty”, B1, and B2, while others were deemed unfit for the demands of military life. In 1935, 29.7% of those examined received A classifications, while 41.2% were graded as B1 or B2. Among the 742,422 individuals eligible for conscription in 1937, approximately 170,000 were drafted, amounting to 22.9% of the cohort; this figure had remained relatively consistent since the post-Russo-Japanese War years. Within the conscripted group, 153,000 men were classified as A and an additional 17,000 as B. Conscripts served for two years of active duty, with variations based on their military specialty and any prior civilian military training. After their discharge, they were subject to a lengthy reserve obligation. In total, 470,635 individuals fell into the B category, being otherwise fit for service but excess to the army's active personnel needs. These men were assigned to the First Replacement Pool, where they underwent around 120 days of basic military training, primarily focused on small arms usage and fundamental tactics. Regular officers and NCOs led the training in their respective regimental districts. Following their initial training, the army called these replacements and reservists to active duty annually for several days of refresher training. Army leaders regarded discipline as the cornerstone of military effectiveness. Basic training emphasized the necessity of unquestioning obedience to orders at all levels. Subsequent training focused on fieldcraft, such as utilizing terrain strategically to surprise or encircle the enemy. However, training exercises often lacked diversity due to the limited maneuver areas available in Japan, leading to predictable solutions to field problems. The training regimen was rigorous, merging strict formal discipline and regulated corporal punishment with harsh informal sanctions and unregulated violence from leaders to instill unwavering compliance to orders. As an undergrad taking a course specifically on the Pacific War, it was this variable my professor argued contributed the most to the atrocities performed by the Japanese during WW2. He often described it as a giant pecking order of abuse. The most senior commanders abused, often physically their subordinates, who abused theirs, going through the ranks to the common grunts who had no one else but civilians and the enemy to peck at so to speak. Of course there were a large number of other variables at play, but to understand that you outta join my Patreon Account over at the www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel , where I made a fan favorite episode on “why the Japanese army performed so many atrocities”. In there I basically hit a big 10 reason list, well in depth, I highly recommend it! As the concept of the “Imperial Army” and the cult of the emperor gained prominence, appeals to imperial symbols and authority bolstered this unquestioning obedience to superiors, who were seen as the conduits of the emperor's will. It was during this period that the term kogun or “imperial army” gained favor over kokugun or “national army”, reflecting a deliberate effort by military authorities to forge a direct connection between the military and the imperial throne. The 1937 Japanese infantry division was structured as a square formation, with a peacetime strength established at approximately 12,000 officers and men organized into two brigades, each comprising about 4,000 personnel, formed from two infantry regiments, about 2,000 men each. The division included a field artillery regiment, an engineer regiment, and a transport battalion as organic units. Each infantry regiment was composed of three battalions, approximately 600 men each, which contained three rifle companies, 160 men each and a weapons platoon. A rifle company consisted of three rifle platoons and one light machine gun platoon. Regiments also included infantry assault gun platoons, and battalions contained a heavy machine gun company. Upon mobilization, a fourth infantry company augmented each battalion, along with reserve fillers, nearly 5,000 personnel assigned as transport and service troops, raising the authorized wartime strength of an infantry division to over 25,000 officers and men.  Reforms implemented in 1922 reduced personnel numbers in favor of new and improved weapons and equipment. Among these advancements, the 75 mm Type 90 field artillery piece, which boasted increased range and accuracy, was integrated into the forces in 1930, along with the 105 mm Type 10 howitzer and 75 mm pack mountain artillery which could be disassembled for transport using pack animals. These became standard artillery components for divisions. The emphasis on light, mobile, and smaller-caliber field artillery enabled swift deployment during fast-moving engagements. By minimizing the size of the baggage train, infantry and artillery units could quickly set up off the march formation and maneuver around enemy flanks. Army leaders further streamlined road march formations by eliminating the fourth artillery battery from each regiment, thus sacrificing some firepower for enhanced speed and mobility. Heavier artillery pieces were still used in set-piece battles where mobility was less critical. In a typical 1936 division, the field artillery regiment, equipped with Type 90 field artillery or lighter Type 94 mountain artillery, had thirty-six guns. Training focused on quality rather than quantity, reflecting the conservative doctrine of “one-round-one-hit”. Live-fire training was infrequent due to the scarcity of artillery firing ranges in Japan. Ammunition stockpiles were inadequate for anticipated operational needs; government arsenals produced over 111,000 artillery shells in 1936, which was fewer than one-tenth of the quantities specified in wartime consumption tables. Similar industrial shortcomings also hampered advancements in motorization and armor. Motorization proved costly and relied on foreign supply, presenting challenges given the inferior road networks in Manchuria, northern China, and the Soviet Far East. Military estimates suggested a need for 250,000 trucks to fully motorize the army, a goal beyond the capabilities of the nascent Japanese automotive industry, which produced fewer than 1,000 cars annually until 1933. Japanese tanks, described as “handcrafted, beautifully polished, and hoarded” by Alvin Coox, suffered from shortages similar to heavy artillery and ammunition. The army prioritized light weighing ten tons or less and medium tanks sixteen tons or less due to the necessity of deploying armor overseas, size and weight were crucial for loading and unloading from transport ships. Smaller tanks were also more suitable for the terrains of northern China and Manchuria, as they could traverse unbridged rivers using pontoons or ferries. The Japanese industrial base, however, struggled to mass-produce tanks; by 1939, factories were producing an average of only twenty-eight tanks of all models per month. Consequently, in 1937, foot soldiers remained as reliant on animal transport for mobility as their ancestors had been during the Russo-Japanese War. Despite enjoying technological and material superiority over disorganized Chinese forces, these deficiencies in heavy artillery, armor, and vehicles would prove catastrophic against more formidable opponents. Another significant factor constraining Japanese industry's capacity to produce tanks, trucks, and artillery was the 1936 decision to expand the army's air wing and homeland air defense network. This policy diverted resources, capital, and technology away from the army's ground forces. The nascent Japanese Army Air Force or “JAAF” aimed to support ground operations through reconnaissance, bombing enemy bases, and achieving air superiority. However, direct support for ground operations was limited, and Japanese military planners did not anticipate that aerial bombardment could supplement or replace artillery bombardments. The expanded air arm's strategic mission centered on executing preemptive air strikes against Soviet air bases in the Far East to thwart potential air attacks on Japan. By the mid-1930s, the army had approximately 650 aircraft, roughly 450 of which were operational. The JAAF emphasized rigorous training that prioritized quality over quantity, producing only about 750 pilots annually up until December 1941. Basic flight skills were developed through this training, while specialized tactical instruction was deferred to newly established pilot units. According to logistics doctrine, Japanese maneuver units typically operated within a 120 to 180-mile radius of a railhead to facilitate resupply and reinforcement. A field train transport unit was responsible for moving supplies daily from the railhead to a division control point for distribution. The division established a field depot to manage the transfer of supplies from field transport to company and lower-echelon units. At the depot, transport troops would hand over supplies to a combat train that ferried ammunition, rations, and equipment directly to frontline units. Horse-drawn wagons and pack animals were the primary means of transportation. Each wartime division included a transport battalion, which varied in size from approximately 2,200 to 3,700 personnel, depending on the type of division supported. The division typically carried enough supplies for one day. Upon mobilization, the logistical framework was reinforced with the addition of an ordnance unit, a field hospital, a sanitation unit, and additional field and combat trains. The size of the transport regiment grew from around 1,500 officers and men with over 300 horses to nearly 3,500 troops and more than 2,600 animals. In the battalion, one company generally transported small-arms ammunition while two companies handled artillery shells and two others carried rations; this arrangement was flexible based on operational needs. Pack horses and dray horses were assigned to each company to carry or tow infantry assault artillery, mortars, artillery ammunition, and rations. Infantry soldiers carried minimal rations, approximately two and a half pounds, primarily rice, along with tinned condiments and salt. Consequently, the field train included a field kitchen stocked with fresh vegetables, rice or bread, soy sauce, and pickles. Each evening, a forward echelon train distributed supplies received from the field transport unit to the combat unit's bivouac area. When combat seemed imminent, a section of the transport battalion would move forward to deliver essential combat supplies, ordnance, equipment, medical supplies, directly to frontline units. These units would also handle resupply, medical evacuation, and repair of ordnance and equipment once fighting commenced.  On the evening of September 18, 1936, the fifth anniversary of the Manchurian Incident, Chinese troops from the Twenty-Ninth Army clashed with Japanese soldiers from the Seventh Company's rear-guard medical unit at Fengtai. When a Japanese officer arrived on horseback, a Chinese soldier struck his horse, prompting the Chinese troops to retreat to their barracks. Major Ichiki Kiyonao, the battalion commander, ordered an emergency assembly, surrounded the Chinese encampment, and demanded that Chinese authorities surrender the aggressors immediately. To defuse the situation, Major General Kawabe Masakazu, the brigade commander and Ichiki's superior, instructed Regimental Commander Mutaguchi to resolve the incident swiftly. Mutaguchi negotiated an agreement that required the Chinese to apologize, punish those responsible, withdraw from the vicinity of the Japanese barracks, and maintain a distance of two miles. Although Mutaguchi and Ichiki wanted to disarm the Chinese forces, they ultimately complied with Kawabe's wishes and allowed the Chinese to retain their weapons “in the spirit of Bushido.” Later, the Chinese claimed the Japanese had refrained from disarming them due to their fear of the strength and influence of the 29th Army. This insult infuriated Mutaguchi, who vowed not to make any further concessions and promised to eliminate the anti-Japanese provocateurs decisively if another incident occurred. He warned his officers against allowing an “overly tolerant attitude toward the Chinese” to undermine the prestige of the imperial army and emphasized the need for swift, decisive action to prevent such incidents in the future. Tensions were further exacerbated by large-scale Japanese field exercises conducted from late October to early November. These maneuvers, the largest ever executed by Japanese forces in China, mobilized about 6,700 active-duty and reserve troops for a series of complex battle drills, night maneuvers, and tactical field problems. During these exercises, Japanese troops were quartered in Chinese homes. Although local residents were compensated for any damage caused, the exercises nonetheless heightened tensions between the two sides. The fallout from the Suiyuan Fiasco in December 1936, coupled with a tumultuous summer and fall, led to rising anti-Japanese sentiment and prompted Tokyo to caution the Kawabe brigade against actions that might escalate the already precarious situation. In March 1937, during the annual personnel assignments, Ishiwara was promoted to major general and appointed chief of the 1st Department Operations of the General Staff. However, Army Vice Minister Umezu, a hardliner regarding China and a rival of Ishiwara, successfully maneuvered the Hayashi cabinet into approving the command choices for army and navy ministers, overriding Ishiwara's proposals. General Sugiyama Hajime, another hawk on China, replaced the terminally ill General Nakamura Kotaro as army minister shortly after Nakamura's appointment and remained in that position until June 1938. Lieutenant General Imai Kiyoshi, army vice chief of staff and an Ishiwara supporter, was also battling a terminal illness that rendered him largely ineffective during his short five-month tenure from March to August 1937. Imai was expected to play a crucial role in high command because the army chief of staff, Prince Kan'in, had been appointed in 1931 as a figurehead due to internal factions preventing agreement on a candidate. Ishiwara further complicated his conciliatory approach by selecting Colonel Muto Akira, a known hardliner who believed force was the only means to resolve the Japan-China conflict, for the vital position of chief of Operations Section within the General Staff. From Kwantung Army headquarters, Commanding General Ueda Kenkichi and his chief of staff, Lieutenant General Tojo Hideki, advocated for a preemptive war against China to serve the Kwantung Army's interests. In contrast, the China Garrison Army, under Lieutenant General Tashiro and his chief of staff, adopted a more moderate stance, aligning with central headquarters' policy of restraint. The China Garrison Army estimated the 29th Army to consist of 15,000–16,000 troops, with its main strength centered around Peking and an additional 10,000 troops in the surrounding area. Starting in spring 1937, Japanese units began observing tactical indicators suggesting that the Chinese were preparing for war. These indicators included increased guard presence at Peking's gates in June, bolstering units near the Marco Polo Bridge to over two battalions, preparing new fighting positions, digging trenches and constructing concrete pillboxes near the Marco Polo Bridge, infiltrating agents into Japanese maneuver areas for intelligence on night tactical exercises, and heightened strictness among Chinese railroad guards evident since late June. Nevertheless, the Japanese commanders did not view China as a formidable opponent. They believed that Chinese armies would quickly disintegrate due to what they perceived as a lack of fighting spirit and ineffective leadership. By 1937, Japan's national policy was shifting away from the persistent and aggressive efforts of field armies to undermine Chinese political authority in northern China toward a more conciliatory stance. This shift resulted in increased tensions between field armies and the General Staff in Tokyo, leading to substantial fractures among senior officers regarding the “solution” to their so-called China problem. Those tensions broke the camels back that year.  I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The Japanese grossly underestimated their enemy and their own logistical capabilities. There was to say “too many cooks in the kitchen” of the Japanese military and competing visions ultimately were leading Japan and China into an official full blown war. Japan assumed they could bully China until it was so fragmented it would be a simple matter of grabbing the pieces it liked, that was not to be the case at all.   

Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! Get exclusive Japanese horror merchandise and join the Discord! This week, we're heading to Hokkaido for six terrifying tales from Japan's northernmost island. What lurks in the freezing cold expanses of the north? Come find out… BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Kowabana: 'True' Japanese scary stories from around the internet by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/kowabana

Ever wondered what it's like to study Japanese in Japan? This week, the Krewe sits down with Langston Hill — administrator at a Tokyo-based language school and Japanese language content creator — to dive into opportunities to learn in Japan via dedicated Japanese language schools. We explore the benefits of language schools, how they compare to traditional academic settings, and Langston's journey as a creator (plus his own textbook series!). Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned learner, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past KOJ Language Learning Episodes ------Japanese Self-Study Strategies ft. Walden Perry (S5E4)Learn the Kansai Dialect ft. Tyson of Nihongo Hongo (S4E14)Heisig Method ft. Dr. James Heisig (S4E5)Prepping for the JLPT ft. Loretta of KemushiCan (S3E16)Language Through Video Games ft. Matt of Game Gengo (S3E4)Pitch Accent (Part 2) ft. Dogen (S2E15)Pitch Accent (Part 1) ft. Dogen (S2E14)Language through Literature ft. Daniel Morales (S2E8)Immersion Learning ft. MattvsJapan (S1E10)Japanese Language Journeys ft. Saeko-Sensei (S1E4)------ About Langston Hill ------Langston aka @TheJapaneseGuy101 on IGThe Japanese Language Manual (2 Book Series - Kindle)The Japanese Language Manual Vol 1 (Paperback)------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!

Clemens Hoffmann ist begeisterter Hobby-Koch und Gastgeber. Seine Kochbuch-Sammlung füllt mehrere Regalmeter und ständig kommen neue dazu.

Welcome back to Open The Voice Gate! Case (https://twitter.com/_inyourcase) and Mike (https://twitter.com/fujiiheya) are back with an update on the comings and goings of Dragongate.Voice Gate is back to discuss Dragongate's big trip to Sapporo, 30 under 30 and a whole lot more. Case and Mike take stock of three shows in Hokkaido including how Dragongate is building towards their giant Korakuen Hall double header, who is in the conversation at Kobe World and their favorite moments from an excellent weekend. After that, they discuss the Dragon System side of VOW's 30 Under 30 poll and Mike gives his elevator pitch for every Dragongate wrestler he has on his ballot!Our podcast provider, Red Circle, offers the listeners the option to sponsor the show. Click on “Sponsor This Podcaster” at https://redcircle.com/shows/open-the-voice-gate and you can donate a single time, or set up a monthly donation to Open The Voice Gate!Please Rate and Review Open The Voice Gate on the podcast platform of your choice and follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/openvoicegate.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Random Nature we explore the captivating worlds of destination birding and backyard birding.  I shout out several other cool podcasts:LifelistHannah and Erik go BirdingBird BanterScience of BirdsBirdJoy PodcastWe highlight incredible locations such as the Pantanal in Brazil, home to over 650 bird species, and Hokkaido in Japan, known for its diverse ecosystems that attract various birds throughout the year. Transitioning to backyard birding, we discuss how to create a bird-friendly environment with feeders, native plants, and water sources, allowing birdwatchers to connect with local wildlife from the comfort of home. Whether venturing into the wild or observing familiar species in your yard, each birding experience enriches our appreciation for nature. I close out to remind everyone of Black Birders Week, then announce that my trade book is available for preorder: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/cultural-heritage-resilience-of-the-great-dismal-swamp-9780761892021/

The Krewe gets an exclusive inside look at Expo 2025 Osaka with Sachiko Yoshimura, the Director General of Public Relations & Promotion! We dive into the massive planning behind the event, Japan's rich history with World Expos, what to expect at the event, best times to travel, & of course... the story behind the viral mascot, Myaku-Myaku! A must-listen for potential Expo-goers!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past KOJ Travel Episodes ------Checking Out Miyagi ft. Ryotaro Sakurai (Guest Host, William Woods) (S5E5)Explore Matsue ft. Nicholas McCullough (S4E19)Travel Hiroshima ft. Joy Jarman-Walsh (S4E4)Travel Aomori ft. Kay Allen & Megan DeVille (S3E17)Hungry For Travel ft. Shinichi of TabiEats (S3E15)Henro SZN: Shikoku & the 88 Temple Pilgrimage ft. Todd Wassel (S3E12)Border Closures Couldn't Stop These Visas! ft. Rob Dyer & Allan Richarz (S3E11)Natsu Matsuri Mania: Summer Festivals in Japan (S3E3)Off the Beaten Path: Kansai ft. Rob Dyer [Part 2] (S2E12)Off the Beaten Path: Kansai ft. Rob Dyer [Part 1] (S2E11)Japan Travel Destination: Hokkaido ft. Kay Allen (S2E7)Japanese Theme Parks ft. Chris Nilghe of TDR Explorer (S2E4)Navigating Nippon: Where to Go in Japan? ft. Kay Allen of JNTO (S1E11)Matsue & New Orleans: Sister Cities ft. Dr. Samantha Perez (S1E2)------ About Expo 2025 ------Expo 2025 WebsiteExpo 2025 on IG------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!

Ben war erneut in Japan unterwegs – zum bereits dritten Mal! In dieser Folge nimmt er euch mit auf eine faszinierende Tour quer durch das Land der aufgehenden Sonne. Mit dabei: Eindrücke von der Weltausstellung 2025 in Osaka, exklusive Highlights aus dem neuen Fantasy Springs-Bereich im japanischen Disneyland inklusive einer Fahrt im einzigartigen Schöne und das Biest-Ride. Weitere Stationen: Das beeindruckende Hokkaido mit dem majestätischen Mt. Yotei – der bald die Bühne für Ghost of Yotei bieten wird? Und Okinawa, wo nicht nur das Karate seinen Ursprung hat, sondern auch der Geist von Mr. Miyagi lebendig wird. Außerdem spricht Ben über die allgegenwärtige Präsenz der Switch 2. Sendungs-Links: Jetzt „fast Live!“ Japan Podcast Special 2024 – Mit dem Bullet Train durch den Studio Ghibli Park https://mag.shock2.info/jetzt-fast-live-japan-podcast-special-2024-mit-dem-bullet-train-durch-den-studio-ghibli-park/ Jetzt „fast Live!“ Japan Podcast Special – Super Nintendo World und mehr https://mag.shock2.info/japan-podcast-special-super-nintendo-word-und-mehr/

Ben war erneut in Japan unterwegs – zum bereits dritten Mal! In dieser Folge nimmt er euch mit auf eine faszinierende Tour quer durch das Land der aufgehenden Sonne. Mit dabei: Eindrücke von der Weltausstellung 2025 in Osaka, exklusive Highlights aus dem neuen Fantasy Springs-Bereich im japanischen Disneyland inklusive einer Fahrt im einzigartigen Schöne und das Biest-Ride. Weitere Stationen: Das beeindruckende Hokkaido mit dem majestätischen Mt. Yotei – der bald die Bühne für Ghost of Yotei bieten wird? Und Okinawa, wo nicht nur das Karate seinen Ursprung hat, sondern auch der Geist von Mr. Miyagi lebendig wird. Außerdem spricht Ben über die allgegenwärtige Präsenz der Switch 2. Sendungs-Links: Jetzt „fast Live!“ Japan Podcast Special 2024 – Mit dem Bullet Train durch den Studio Ghibli Park https://mag.shock2.info/jetzt-fast-live-japan-podcast-special-2024-mit-dem-bullet-train-durch-den-studio-ghibli-park/ Jetzt „fast Live!“ Japan Podcast Special – Super Nintendo World und mehr https://mag.shock2.info/japan-podcast-special-super-nintendo-word-und-mehr/

Season 6 kicks off with laughter, tradition, and international flair! The Krewe sits down with Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian-born rakugo performer bringing Japan's 400-year-old comedic storytelling art to audiences around the world. In this episode, we explore what makes rakugo so unique, how Sunshine became one of the few non-Japanese rakugo-ka, and how this traditional form of entertainment is finding new life on the global stage. Plus, hear about the possibility of a rakugo event in New Orleans this fall!Whether you're a longtime fan of Japanese culture or just curious about this captivating performance style, this episode is the perfect way to kick off Season 6 of the Krewe of Japan Podcast!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past KOJ Traditional / Historical Japan Episodes ------The Castles of Japan ft. William de Lange (S5E19)Foreign-Born Samurai: William Adams ft. Nathan Ledbetter (Guest Host, Dr. Samantha Perez) (S5E17)Foreign-Born Samurai: Yasuke ft. Nathan Ledbetter (Guest Host, Dr. Samantha Perez) (S5E16)The Thunderous Sounds of Taiko ft. Takumi Kato (加藤 拓三), World Champion Taiko Drummer (S5E13)Yakuza: Past, Present, Future ft. Jake Adelstein, Author of Tokyo Vice (S5E12)The Real World of Geisha ft. Peter Macintosh (S5E7)Inside Japanese Homes & Architecture ft. Azby Brown (S5E6)Kendo: The Way of the Sword ft. Alexander Bennett, 7th Dan in Kendo (S4E16)The Life of a Sumotori ft. 3-Time Grand Champion Konishiki Yasokichi (S4E10)The Intricate Culture of Kimono ft. Rin of Mainichi Kimono (S4E7)Shamisen: Musical Sounds of Traditional Japan ft. Norm Nakamura of Tokyo Lens (S4E1)Henro SZN: Shikoku & the 88 Temple Pilgrimage ft. Todd Wassel (S3E12)Natsu Matsuri Mania: Summer Festivals in Japan (S3E3)Exploring Enka ft. Jerome White Jr aka ジェロ / Jero (S3E1)The Chrysanthemum Throne ft. Dr. Hiromu Nagahara [Part 2] (S2E18)The Chrysanthemum Throne ft. Dr. Hiromu Nagahara [Part 1] (S2E17)Yokai: The Hauntings of Japan ft. Hiroko Yoda & Matt Alt (S2E5)The Age of Lady Samurai ft. Tomoko Kitagawa (S1E12)Talking Sumo ft. Andrew Freud (S1E8)------ About Katsura Sunshine ------Katsura Sunshine on IGRakugo.lol------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!

Geeta Mehta, author of Japanese Gardens, talks about the beauty, philosophy, and deep cultural roots of Japan's garden traditions. We delve into how these serene landscapes reflect harmony, mindfulness, and a unique dialogue between nature and design. Links Japanese Gardens: Tranquility, Simplicity, Harmony by Geeta Mehta & Kimie Tada  Geeta Mehta on Wikipedia Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Geeta Mehta you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  Episode 271: Japanese Maples with Miles Hayward Summary: In this episode, Sarah Wilson speaks with Miles Hayward, an expert in Japanese Maples and founder of Miles Japanese Maples nursery. They delve into the different types of maples, how to grow and care for them, and what makes these trees so iconic in Japanese garden design. Miles also shares insights into how he built his nursery around quality, sustainability, and deep botanical knowledge. Web Link Episode 118: Tokachi Millennium Forest with Dan Pearson & Midori Shintani Summary: Sarah interviews renowned garden designer Dan Pearson and head gardener Midori Shintani about the Tokachi Millennium Forest project in Hokkaido, Japan. The episode explores the forest's design philosophy, the fusion of traditional Japanese landscape principles with ecological awareness, and the challenges of working on a project with a 1,000-year vision. It's a profound conversation about stewardship, beauty, and long-term thinking in garden design. Web Link Please support the podcast on Patreon

Episodio # 417 del podcast La Hora del Béisbol Japonés, publicado semanalmente por Claudio Rodríguez, director del portal Béisbol Japonés.com (beisboljapones.com). El programa de esta semana habla de nuestro debut como comentarista con One Baseball Network, de los latinos más destacados de los últimos 7 días y de la actuación de los japoneses en las Grandes Ligas. Adicionalmente, habla de las distintas amenidades que ofrece el Es Con Field de Hokkaido y responde a las preguntas de nuestros seguidores. Síganos en: Whatsapp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHSDDG3GJP7IA98NJ2S Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571630962993 Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/beisboljapones Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beisboljapones.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@beisboljapones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/beisboljapones Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beisboljapones/ iVoox: https://www.ivoox.com/en/podcast-hora-del-beisbol-japones_sq_f1383812_1.html Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/cl/podcast/la-hora-del-b%C3%A9isbol-japon%C3%A9s/id1552643757

Hokuhoku Financial Group Inc. will deploy staff with advanced green transformation knowledge mainly in Hokkaido, northern Japan, President Hiroshi Nakazawa said in a recent interview with Jiji Press.

Today, I update you on what I've been up to for the last few months, and walk you through 45 images from my January 2025 Hokkaido Landscape Photography Tour. This is a low-resolution version of my 4K video, so please jump to YouTube to watch it full size here: https://youtu.be/yBJdXXak7i4 I'm experimenting with going to a YouTube-centric show, and will, for the time being at least, be releasing videos rather than Podcasts. To ensure that you receive notifications, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://mbp.ac/youtube. For further details visit https://mbp.ac/846

Today, I update you on what I've been up to for the last few months, and walk you through 45 images from my January 2025 Hokkaido Landscape Photography Tour. This is a low-resolution version of my 4K video, so please jump to YouTube to watch it full size here: https://youtu.be/yBJdXXak7i4 I'm experimenting with going to a YouTube-centric show, and will, for the time being at least, be releasing videos rather than Podcasts. To ensure that you receive notifications, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://mbp.ac/youtube. For further details visit https://mbp.ac/846

インタビューに答えるほくほくＦＧの中沢宏社長、２日、富山市北陸銀行と北海道銀行を傘下に持つ、ほくほくフィナンシャルグループの中沢宏社長は１０日までに、時事通信のインタビューに応じた。 Hokuhoku Financial Group Inc. will deploy staff with advanced green transformation knowledge mainly in Hokkaido, northern Japan, President Hiroshi Nakazawa said in a recent interview with Jiji Press.

LET THEM COOK! Over the last 5 months, the Krewe has been hard at work cooking up a massive Season 6 line-up. While the main course will begin being served on May 16, how about an appetizer? Just like the carb-loaded instant yakisoba, this preview is CHOU CHOU CHOU Gigamax packed with sneak peeks at what's to come in Season 6. Some snippets include:- Laughing & learning about the world of Rakugo with master storyteller Katsura Sunshine- Prepping for Expo 2025 with Sachiko Yoshimura, Director General of Public Relations & Promotion for Expo 2025- Studying Japanese via language schools with Nihongo enthusiast Langston Hill- Bridging New Orleans & Japan through music with Jazz Trombonist Haruka Kikuchi- Kicking off 2 episodes on Japan's soccer footprint domestically & worldwide with journalist Dan Orlowitz- Exploring vegan cuisine in Japan with Leonore Steffan of ItadakiHealthy- Diving into social media's role in establishing perceptions of Japan - Revisiting Matsue with Sister City Exchange participants Katherine Heller & Wade Trosclair- Brewing up some craft beer with Chris Madere of Baird Brewing & Chris Poel of Shiokaze BrewLab- Restoring some abandoned homes with Akiya enthusiast & YouTuber Anton Wormann of Anton in JapanThis is only HALF of what's to come this season... the 2nd half is top secret! So stay tuned for our season 6 premiere on May 16, 2025 and stick around for the rest of the season to find out what else we have in store on Season 6 of Krewe of Japan Podcast!!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!

Ty & Eric tap into a detailed analysis of the Sapporo factory, the fishy culinary scene in Hokkaido, Subway's excessive presence in South Korea, the origins of Nikka whiskey, reasons to strip down with the boys, ordering the ‘Cucumber 15', freeing enslaved cattle, live streaming the Subway vegetables, and plating beauty standards in Asia vs. North America.If you're struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/thinkfresh for a discount on your first month of therapy.-10% Off Think Fresh Merchandise:shop.thinkfreshpodcast.com30% Off Zencastr Pro:zen.ai/thinkfreshFollow Us on Instagram:instagram.com/thinkfreshpodcast

On February 4th 2009, 53 year old Takao Terada was found dead in his home in western Tokyo. Police has initially concluded that this was a suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning; however, when 2 more men are found in May and August of the same year, Police conducted a thorough investigation; reviewing financial records and their internet history. This would eventually lead them to 34 year old Kanae Kijima. But how was a young middle-class girl from Hokkaido, linked to all 3 men? Time Stamps00:00:00 - 00:01:07 - Network ad, theme & intro00:01:07 - 00:06:44 - Background00:06:44 - 00:22:26 - Victims and MO00:22:26 - 00:35:34 - Arrest/charges, trial, appeals and aftermath00:35:34 - 01:09:29 - Next episode announcement, general chat/recommendations *SPOILER WARNING* - Butter by Asako Yuzuki (book based on the case of Kanae Kijima), The Smiley Face Killers, Dexter (TV series), Adolescence, Black Mirror S7, Sinners (no spoilers), Toxic Town, From (S1), Tokyo Ghoul (S1), Closing theme (pop punk AI version)Twitter: @crimeslikeInstagram: @crimesliketheseMusic by: Glitterwolf, Twitter Spotify Check our other podcast on the Black Fur Network!Aah!fter Horror with hosts Paul, Mike, Dan and CheerInstagram: @aahfterhorrorpodcast

Two back to back conversations with two buyers - one looking to start a new life in Japan - the other to run a short term stay hospitality property in Otaru, in Hokkaido's snowy north. What should they be thinking about as they prepare to purchase their dream home?

洋上慰霊実現のため、ユーチューブ上で寄付を呼び掛ける桜井憲二さん知床観光船事故の発生当初から、ボランティアで行方不明者の捜索に当たってきた北海道羅臼町の漁師、桜井憲二さんらが、沈没現場付近で献花などを行う洋上慰霊を計画している。 A local fishing operator in Hokkaido is preparing to hold a shipboard ceremony to remember people involved in the fatal tourist boat sinking off the coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula in the northernmost Japan prefecture three years ago.

My guest this week I spoke with the Wellness Sheriff-  Hokkaido Hank- who is Joshua Hsu - a licensed massage therapist - who when the mustache comes on he's Hank the Wellness Sheriff.We discussed how Josh is wanting to make massage accessible for others and being able to provide a proper adjustment in 10 min targeting vital triggers points along the neck, shoulder and spine. We spoke what led to the character creation of Hokkaido Hank and his decision to pops up at markets, bars and pop-ups offering chair massages.  The importance of treating yourself and trying to build his business.  We also discussed about his family story that was filmed- Starring Jerry as Himself, Where his father stars in the film and is based on true events, where he gets into a crazy situation which involved the whole family. Events transpired in Orlando, shot in Orlando, with all of them playing as themselves. The film swept the Slamdance 2023 awards. It has played around the whole world except for Orlando until now. Its an Orlando movie with several recognizable locations in the Mills area, will be aired on April 17 at Redlight RedlightLunch with Biggie is a podcast about small business and creatives sharing their stories and inspiring you to pursue your passion, with some sandwich talk on the side. Created, edited, and produced in Orlando, FL by Biggie- the owner of the sandwich-themed clothing brand- ⁠⁠Deli Fresh Threads⁠⁠. Hokkaido Hank Social:Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hokkaidohank/Webpage: https://hokkaidohank.squarespace.com/Biggie's Social: ⁠⁠Deli Fresh Thread's Instagram⁠⁠- ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/delifreshthreads/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast's Instagram⁠⁠- ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunchwithbiggie/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast's Facebook Group⁠⁠- ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/lunchwithbiggie⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast's Twitter-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/LunchwithBiggie⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Deli Fresh Threads⁠⁠- ⁠⁠ https://DeliFreshThreads.com

Hosts Mitsuaki Sawano, MD, and Nobuhiro Ikemura, MD, welcome Yuichiro Mori, MD, MPH, a physician-scientist at Kyoto University, to discuss his ACC.25 poster presentation on biomarker-based pre-heart failure screening using NT-proBNP, conducted in a rural Japanese city in Hokkaido. Drawing from a screening cohort of 1,585 individuals aged 40–74 in Furano, the study integrated NT-proBNP testing into Japan's routine general health checkups. Dr. Mori shares key takeaways from the study and emphasizes how even single-site efforts, when well-structured and strategically communicated, can gain recognition at major global meetings like ACC.

Hokkaido is one of my favorite places to visit.The food is delicious and the nature is beautiful.In this episode, I talk about the recent trip to Hokkaido with some snow-related vocabulary.Enjoy!

【図解】ラピダスを巡る動き先端半導体の国産化を目指すラピダスは４月１日から、北海道千歳市の工場で試作ラインを稼働させる。 Japan's Rapidus Corp. is set to start the operations of a pilot line at its plant for advanced semiconductors in Chitose, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Tuesday.

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: From Tulips to Cherry Blossoms: A Dance Across Cultures Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-03-27-22-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: In een klein dorp in Hokkaido, Japan, bloeiden de kersenbloesems in de lentezon.En: In a small village in Hokkaido, Japan, the cherry blossoms bloomed in the spring sun.Nl: Het Ainu-dorp was gevuld met traditionele houten huizen, en de mensen bereidden zich voor op een speciale dansvoorstelling.En: The Ainu village was filled with traditional wooden houses, and the people were preparing for a special dance performance.Nl: Casper, een gepassioneerde Nederlandse cultuurenthousiast, was speciaal naar Japan gereisd om meer te leren over de inheemse Ainu-tradities.En: Casper, a passionate Dutch culture enthusiast, had traveled to Japan specifically to learn more about the indigenous Ainu traditions.Nl: Casper liep over het pad dat bedekt was met roze blaadjes.En: Casper walked along the path that was covered with pink petals.Nl: Hij was vol verwachting en een beetje nerveus.En: He was full of anticipation and a bit nervous.Nl: Hij wilde graag deelnemen aan de traditionele Ainu-dans, maar hij kende de stappen en taal nog niet zo goed.En: He wanted to participate in the traditional Ainu dance, but he did not yet know the steps and language very well.Nl: Zijn hart klopte sneller bij het idee dat hij misschien niet kon bijhouden.En: His heart beat faster at the thought that he might not be able to keep up.Nl: Anouk, een ervaren danser, stond elegant in haar kleurrijke kleding bij de oefenplaats.En: Anouk, an experienced dancer, stood elegantly in her colorful clothing at the practice area.Nl: Zij had deze dans al vaak uitgevoerd en haar bewegingen waren sierlijk en precies.En: She had performed this dance many times, and her movements were graceful and precise.Nl: Casper besloot om haar zorgvuldig te observeren.En: Casper decided to observe her carefully.Nl: Hij bleef dichtbij, probeerde haar bewegingen te volgen met zijn ogen.En: He stayed close, trying to follow her movements with his eyes.Nl: Daarnaast zocht Casper hulp bij Sven, een lokale inwoner die een beetje Nederlands sprak.En: Additionally, Casper sought help from Sven, a local resident who spoke a bit of Dutch.Nl: Sven hielp Casper door de danspassen uit te leggen en vertaalde geduldig de instructies van de dansleider.En: Sven helped Casper by explaining the dance steps and patiently translated the dance leader's instructions.Nl: De grote dag van de voorstelling was aangebroken.En: The big day of the performance had arrived.Nl: Het dorpsplein was gevuld met mensen.En: The village square was filled with people.Nl: Iedereen had een plek gevonden om de dansers te zien.En: Everyone had found a place to watch the dancers.Nl: Casper stond in de rij naast Anouk.En: Casper stood in line next to Anouk.Nl: De muziek begon en hij bewoog mee, zich concentrerend op elke stap.En: The music began, and he moved along, concentrating on every step.Nl: Alles ging goed totdat hij plotseling een stap vergat.En: Everything was going well until he suddenly forgot a step.Nl: In een oogwenk improviseerde Casper een vloeiende beweging.En: In an instant, Casper improvised a fluid movement.Nl: Het leek wel alsof het een nieuw onderdeel was van de dans.En: It seemed as if it was a new part of the dance.Nl: De muziek vulde de lucht samen met het geluid van aanmoedigende kreten van het publiek.En: The music filled the air along with the sound of encouraging cheers from the audience.Nl: Casper voelde zijn zenuwen wegvallen en een glimlach verscheen op zijn gezicht.En: Casper felt his nerves fade away, and a smile appeared on his face.Nl: Na de voorstelling bedankten de dorpelingen Casper voor zijn oprechte poging en betrokkenheid.En: After the performance, the villagers thanked Casper for his sincere effort and involvement.Nl: Ze gaven hem een klein, ambachtelijk geschenk, als teken van hun waardering en erkenning.En: They gave him a small, handcrafted gift as a token of their appreciation and recognition.Nl: Het was een houtsnijwerk van een beer, het symbool van kracht en moed in hun cultuur.En: It was a wood carving of a bear, the symbol of strength and courage in their culture.Nl: Casper voelde zich trots en gelukkig.En: Casper felt proud and happy.Nl: Hij had niet alleen een nieuwe cultuur ervaren, maar had ook geleerd hoe belangrijk het is om flexibel te zijn.En: He had not only experienced a new culture but also learned how important it is to be flexible.Nl: Zijn verlangen om zich met andere culturen te verbinden was sterker dan ooit.En: His desire to connect with other cultures was stronger than ever.Nl: De warme ervaring in het Ainu-dorp zou hij nooit vergeten.En: The warm experience in the Ainu village was something he would never forget.Nl: Het landschap van Hokkaido, de geur van kersenbloesems en de klanken van de Ainu-muziek bleven in zijn hart.En: The landscape of Hokkaido, the scent of cherry blossoms, and the sounds of Ainu music remained in his heart. Vocabulary Words:village: dorpcherry blossoms: kersenbloesemsindigenous: inheemseanticipation: verwachtingnervous: nerveusparticipate: deelnemenelegantly: elegantgraceful: sierlijkprecise: preciesobserve: observerenfluid: vloeiendencouraging cheers: aanmoedigende kretensincere: oprechteinvolvement: betrokkenheidhandcrafted: ambachtelijktoken: tekenappreciation: waarderingrecognition: erkenningwood carving: houtsnijwerksymbol: symboolstrength: krachtcourage: moedflexible: flexibeldesire: verlangenconnect: verbindenexperience: ervaringlandscape: landschapscent: geursounds: klankenremained: bleven

Our guest today is Tim Anderson who is a chef and food writer based in London.  Tim's early interest in Japanese food led him to global adventures in L.A., Japan and the U.K.  A bowl of ramen he encountered in L.A. fueled his passion for studying it and he moved to Fukuoka, Japan.  Then he opened his ramen restaurants in the U.K. after winning the popular MasterChef competition on BBC One.  Now he writes and communicates his insight into various aspects of Japanese food culture. It is remarkable and inspiring to see how Tim's life unfolded into consecutive, unexpected lucky events through his interest in Japanese food. In this episode, we will discuss how Tim got into Japanese food, his life in Japan studying ramen and Japanese food culture, how he won the MasterChef competition with his Japanese food knowledge and skills, his excellent books that cover a variety of topics,  including Nanban dishes and Hokkaido food culture and much, much more!!!

大雪に見舞われた北海道帯広市の市街地、２月４日気象庁気象研究所と東京大、京都大の研究チームは１９日までに、２月上旬の北海道十勝地方や東北日本海側・北陸付近の大雪には地球温暖化が影響していたと発表した。 Researchers found global warming helped bring extraordinarily heavy snowfall to the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, northernmost Japan, and wide areas along the Sea of Japan coast in early February.

Justin Downes returns to The Negotiation podcast to reflect on the recently concluded ski season in China and to discuss his new role in Hokkaido, Japan. With a career dedicated to advancing winter sports in Asia, Justin has been instrumental in the infrastructural development of ski resorts in China, contributing significantly to the country's readiness for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In this episode, Justin provides an overview of the performance of the skiing season in China, talks about the world's largest indoor skiing resort in Shanghai, and compares the ski markets of China and Japan.Discussion Points:Overview of Axis Leisure Management and its impact on skiing in China.Performance insights from the recent ski season in China.Details on the world's largest indoor skiing resort in Shanghai and its significance in the growth of the industry.The influence of the Asian Winter Games on the popularization of winter sports in China and other Asian countries.Assessment of China as a mature or emerging skiing market.Comparisons between the skiing industries in China and Japan, highlighting unique aspects and challenges in both markets.

札幌地裁、札幌市中央区札幌市の繁華街ススキノのホテルで２０２３年７月、男性会社員、当時、が殺害され、頭部を切断された事件で、道具を調達するなどしたとして殺人ほう助などの罪に問われた医師田村修被告の裁判員裁判の判決が１２日、札幌地裁であった。 Sapporo District Court on Wednesday sentenced a 61-year-old man to 16 months in prison, suspended for four years, over alleged murder by his daughter in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido.

We discuss ski touring on Mt Etna in Sicily, the mountains of Catalonia and Borovets in Bulgaria.  Host Iain Martin was joined by guests Becs Miles and Mike Richards. Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Don't forget that if you want to help The Ski Podcast and save yourself some money this winter all you need to do is to use the code ‘SKIPODCAST' when you book your ski hire at intersportrent.com or simply take this link and your discount will automatically be applied.  SHOW NOTES Becs was last on the show in Episode 209, when she was telling us about Trysil in Norway (0:45) Mike Richards was last on the show as a guest in Episode 226 discussing Hokkaido in Japan (1:15) He has also been on the show discussing Bosnia, Madesimo, Turkey, North Macedonia, Georgia, Montenegro and Wales (1:30) Mike called in from Erciyes in Turkey (2:00) Katja Gaskell reported from Japan (3:30) Alex Armand (Tip Top Ski Coaching) is in Les 2 Alpes (5:40) Jen Tsang (That's LaPlagne) is in La Plagne (6:00) Freddy Carrick-Smith took gold in the GS & Zak Carrick-Smith took bronze in the Slalom at the European Youth Olympic Festival (8:30) In freestyle Sandra Caune won gold in ski Big air and bronze in slopestyle and Emily Rothney won gold in the Snowboard Big Air The Ski Podcast sponsors Team Carrick Smith (9:20) Find out more about Iain's train travel journey to Sicily, using an Interrail from Rail Europe (12:30) The trip involved taking the unique rail ferry from the southern tip of Italy to Messina (13:00) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1ysMVLaA6Jc Iain saw an Italian football match at Empoli on his return journey (16:00) Mirto Monaco is one of three UAIGM guides on Sicily (17:30) Ski touring was on Etna Nord out of Piano Provenzala - Etna's ‘ski resort' (17:45) https://youtu.be/7bkj_m-5d6Y Etna was erupting on the south side of the volcano (19:00) In 2002, both ski resorts were destroyed by eruptions (25:00) Iain hiked up to the source of the current eruption to view the lava flow (25:30) Iain went ski touring in Morrocco in 2019 (27:30) Becs as ‘glamping' in Catalonia at Forest Days (28:30) She did ski touring at the resort of Port del Comte (32:00) You can try cross country sking in Tuixant (32:30) Other activities included truffle hunting (33:00) Becs learned how to search for fire kindling (34:00) Iain recently drove to Courmayeur and Chamonix in an electric car (35:45) Mike travelled to Borovets in Bulgaria (38:30) He stayed at the Hotel Lion (42:15) Take a look at the piste map for Borovets (44:00) Feedback Please send your feedback on the show on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com Matt Sylvestre: "Just wanted to say hello from Pleasant Mountain in Maine, USA. I am obsessed with skiing, kit and technique and enjoyed Episode 235 with Stuart Winchester from the Storm Skiing Podcast.”  Chris Howie: "Loved Episode 235 of the Ski Podcast today as always. It was super to hear more about the Ikon/Epic passes and how the USA model for skiing is completely different from Europe.” Jane Gotts: “Really enjoy listening to the podcast” Anon: “Loving the ski podcast in the car from wet and windy Dublin” Anon: "Great podcast, Iain. I've enjoyed it for ages and attended your talks at The Snow Show. Skiing has generally poor coverage on TV, so podcasts like yours help keep ski enthusiasts like me stoked in between ski trips and seasons. Keep it up!" The winner of our Vallon goggles competition is Dominic Hales: “Loved listening to Episode 237 about the Dolomites. We just got our photos from a trip in Val Gardena and surely can't be a more photogenic place.” There are now 251 episodes of The Ski Podcast to catch up with and 185 of those were listened to in the last week.  You can find old episodes in our back catalog at theskipodcast.com where you can find your next podcast to listen to.  If you like the podcast, there are three things you can do to help:    1) Follow us. Just take a look for that button and press it now  2) Give us a review or just leave a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify  3) Book your ski hire with Intersport Rent using the code ‘SKIPODCAST' or take this link You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast. You can also follow us on WhatsApp for exclusive material released ahead of the podcast. 

みなさんこんにちは、かなこです！今日のシャドーイングは「～というNoun」です。今回のPodcastは、マイケルさんの提供でお送りします。Hi everyone, it's Kanako. Today's shadowing is “～というNoun” It is used to describe the content of the noun. “～という” follows the short form and the Noun can be such as “ニュース・話・ルール”.For instance, if you see the news that the Prime Minister is quitting, you can say…「首相が辞めるというニュースを見ました。」 Before we get started, I want to thank Michael for supporting my show. ありがとうございます! それでは はじめていきましょう！ Let's get started！*****************************************************▼Subscribe to my YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/KANAKOYOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠⁠▼Buy me a coffee ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/KANAKO-Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠*****************************************************In Japan, there is a culture of eating rice cakes during the New Year. 日本ではお正月にお餅を食べるという文化があります。In Japan, there is a custom to do major cleaning in December. 日本では12月に大掃除をするという習慣があります。I heard that Hokkaido has the best seafood in Japan. 北海道の海鮮は日本一という話を聞きました。Is it true that Professor Yamashita is going to retire? 山下先生が退職するという話は本当ですか。I saw the news that a typhoon will hit Okinawa tomorrow. 明日沖縄に台風がくるというニュースを見ました。I saw on the news that there was a big earthquake in Japan. 日本で大きな地震があったというニュースを見ました。In Japanese language schools, there is a rule that students are not allowed to speak English. 日本語学校では、英語を話してはいけないというルールがあります。My company has a rule that everyone does cleaning in themorning. 私の会社では朝みんなで掃除するというルールがあります。The manager informed me that he'd be late for a meeting. 部長から会議に遅れるという連絡がありました。Getting cold often means that the immune system is weak. よく風邪をひくのは免疫が弱いということです。Quitting a job means losing income. 仕事を辞めるということは、収入がなくなるということです。 *****************************************************では もう 一度、最初から 全部 いってみましょう。Let's try shadowing the whole thing again from the beginning. 

Our guest is Emily Yuen who is the executive chef at Lingo https://www.lingobk.com/, a unique Japanese American restaurant in Brooklyn, New York.Emily has an impressive culinary background.  She worked at top French restaurants in the world, including Le Gavroche in London, DB Bistro in Singapore and Boulud Sud in New York. She also studied Japanese cuisine at the legendary Shojin restaurant Kajitsu and served as the executive chef at Bessou in New York.At Lingo, with her global knowledge and experience, Emily offers original dishes, such as Hokkaido-style braised beef curry pie and Donabe hotpot with wild mushroom and koji butter.In this episode, we will discuss how Emily's culinary focus shifted from French to Japanese, the essence of Japanese cuisine that she wants to share with her guests, how she naturally merges French techniques and Japanese flavors, the importance of Japanese home cooking in her menu development and much, much more!!!

So, I went to Japan. And if you've ever traveled across the world, you know things don't always go as planned. This episode was actually recorded twice (thanks to a little tech disaster), but maybe that was meant to be—because now, you're getting the unfiltered, full-circle version of my trip.From snowy onsens in Hokkaido to late-night bites in Tokyo, I'm sharing it all:Flying business class vs. the reality of jet lag (because, let's be honest, it hits hard)Hokkaido's magic—skiing, soaking in onsens, and the kind of quiet that makes you exhaleMeals I'll never forget—hidden gems like Somoza and Rakuichi Soba, plus why food is the best way to connect with a placeKyoto's timeless beauty—what it's really like to experience traditional Japanese hospitality. My favorite restaurants Koke and Raiz.Tokyo's electric energy—shopping, eating, and just soaking in the chaos of it allMore than anything, this trip reminded me why I love traveling: the unexpected moments, the little lessons, and the pure joy of saying yes to new experiences. If you're planning a trip to Japan (or just need a little inspiration), I hope this episode gives you something to take with you.Join the World's Your Oysta community!Instagram: @wyo.podTikTok: @wyo.podYoutube: World's Your Oysta PodcastWebsite & Newsletter: WYO PodcastProduced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#139 ホストの2人が暮らしている北海道は、雄大な大自然と良質な雪の降る地域として知られています。実際に、アネちゃんは様々なウィンターアウトドアアクティビティを体験してきたので、今回はそれらのいくつかをご紹介したいと思います！ Hokkaido, where the two hosts are living at, is known for its magnificent wilderness and good snowfall. In fact, Ernest has played with various winter outdoor activities, and we will introduce some of them in this episode! ↓↓番組についての感想や話してほしいトピックがあれば、こちらまで↓↓ Email: ernestnaoya1994@gmail.com ↑↑ Share your thoughts and request to us↑↑ 個人SNS / Personal Social Media AC Ernest's Instagram: @ernest_mkc Naoya's Instagram: @japanese_teacher_n

This episode we are taking a trip down the Silk Road--or perhaps even the Spice Road--as we investigate references in this reign to individuals from "Tukara" who seem to have arrived in Yamato and stayed for a while. For photos and more, see our podcast webpage:  https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-119 Rough Transcript   Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  This is episode 119: The Question of “Tukara”   Traveling upon the ocean was never exactly safe.  Squalls and storms could arise at any time, and there was always a chance that high winds and high waves could capsize a vessel.  Most people who found themselves at the mercy of the ocean could do little but hold on and hope that they could ride out whatever adverse conditions they met with.  Many ships were lost without any explanation or understanding of what happened to them.  They simply left the port and never came back home. And so when the people saw the boat pulling up on the shores of Himuka, on the island of Tsukushi, they no doubt empathized with the voyagers' plight.  The crew looked bedraggled, and their clothing was unfamiliar.  There were both men and women, and this didn't look like your average fishing party.  If anything was clear it was this:  These folk weren't from around here. The locals brought out water and food.  Meanwhile, runners were sent with a message:  foreigners had arrived from a distant place.  They then waited to see what the government was going to do.     We are still in the second reign of Takara Hime, aka Saimei Tenno.  Last episode we talked about the palaces constructed in Asuka, as well as some of the stone works that have been found from the period, and which appear to be referenced in the Nihon Shoki—at least tangentially.   The episodes before that, we looked at the expeditions the court sent to the far north of Honshu and even past Honshu to Hokkaido. This episode we'll again be looking past the main islands of the archipelago to lands beyond.  Specifically, we are going to focus on particularly intriguing references to people from a place called “Tukara”.  We'll talk about some of the ideas about where that might be, even if they're a bit  far-fetched. That's because Tukara touches on the state of the larger world that Yamato was a part of, given its situation on the far eastern edge of what we know today as the Silk Road.  And is this just an excuse for me to take a detour into some of the more interesting things going on outside the archipelago?  No comment. The first mention of a man from Tukara actually comes at the end of the reign of Karu, aka Koutoku Tennou.  We are told that in the fourth month of 654 two men and two women of “Tukara” and one woman of “Sha'e” were driven by a storm to Hiuga.  Then, three years later, the story apparently picks up again, though possibly referring to a different group of people.  On the 3rd day of the 7th month of 657, so during the second reign of Takara Hime, we now hear about two men and four women of the Land of Tukara—no mention of Sha'e—who drifted to Tsukushi, aka Kyushu.  The Chronicles mention that these wayfarers first drifted to the island of Amami, and we'll talk about that in a bit, but let's get these puzzle pieces on the table, first.  After those six people show up, the court sent for them by post-horse.  They must have arrived by the 15th of that same month, because we are told that a model of Mt. Sumi was erected and they—the people from Tukara—were entertained, although there is another account that says they were from “Tora”. The next mention is the 10th day of the 3rd month of 659, when a Man of Tukara and his wife, again woman of Sha'e, arrived.  Then, on the 16th day of the 7th month of 660, we are told that the man of Tukara, Kenzuhashi Tatsuna, desired to return home and asked for an escort.  He planned to pay his respects at the Great Country, i.e. the Tang court, and so he left his wife behind, taking tens of men with him. All of these entries might refer to people regularly reaching Yamato from the south, from a place called “Tukara”.  Alternately, this is a single event whose story has gotten distributed over several years, as we've seen happen before with the Chronicles.  .  One of the oddities of these entries is that the terms used are not consistent.  “Tukara” is spelled at least two different ways, suggesting that it wasn't a common placename like Silla or Baekje, or even the Mishihase.  That does seem to suggest that the Chronicles were phonetically trying to find kanji, or the Sinitic characters, to match with the name they were hearing.   I would also note that “Tukara” is given the status of a “kuni”—a land, country, or state—while “sha'e”, where some of the women are said to come from, is just that, “Sha'e”. As for the name of at least one person from Tokara, Kenzuhashi Tatsuna, that certainly sounds like someone trying to fit a non-Japanese name into the orthography of the time.  “Tatsuna” seems plausibly Japanese, but “Kenzuhashi” doesn't fit quite as well into the naming structures we've seen to this point. The location of “Tukara” and “Sha'e” are not clear in any way, and as such there has been a lot of speculation about them.  While today there are placenames that fit those characters, whether or not these were the places being referenced at the time is hard to say. I'll actually start with “Sha'e”, which Aston translates as Shravasti, the capital of the ancient Indian kingdom of Kosala, in modern Uttar Pradesh.  It is also where the Buddha, Siddartha Gautama, is said to have lived most of his life after his enlightenment.  In Japanese this is “Sha'e-jou”, and like many Buddhist terms it likely comes through Sanskrit to Middle Chinese to Japanese.  One—or possibly two—women from Shravasti making the journey to Yamato in the company of a man (or men) from Tukara seems quite the feat.  But then, where is “Tukara”? Well, we have at least three possible locations that I've seen bandied about.  I'll address them from the most distant to the closest option.  These three options were Tokharistan, Dvaravati, and the Tokara islands. We'll start with Tokharistan on the far end of the Silk Road.  And to start, let's define what that “Silk Road” means.  We've talked in past episodes about the “Western Regions”, past the Han-controlled territories of the Yellow River.   The ancient Tang capital of Chang'an was built near to the home of the Qin dynasty, and even today you can go and see both the Tang tombs and the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi and his terracotta warriors, all within a short distance of Xi'an, the modern city built on the site of Chang'an.  That city sits on a tributary of the Yellow River, but the main branch turns north around the border of modern Henan and the similarly sounding provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi.  Following it upstream, the river heads north into modern Mongolia, turns west, and then heads south again, creating what is known as the Ordos loop.  Inside is the Ordos plateau, also known as the Ordos Basin.  Continuing to follow the Yellow river south, on the western edge of the Ordos, you travel through Ningxia and Gansu—home of the Hexi, or Gansu, Corridor.  That route eventually takes to Yumenguan, the Jade Gate, and Dunhuang.  From there roads head north or south along the edge of the Taklamakan desert in the Tarim basin.  The southern route travels along the edge of the Tibetan plateau, while the northern route traversed various oasis cities through Turpan, Kucha, to the city of Kashgar.  Both routes made their way across the Pamirs and the Hindu Kush into South Asia. We've brought up the Tarim Basin and the Silk Road a few times.  This is the path that Buddhism appears to have taken to get to the Yellow River Basin and eventually to the Korean Peninsula and eastward to the Japanese archipelago.  But I want to go a bit more into detail on things here, as there is an interesting side note about “Tukara” that I personally find rather fascinating, and thought this would be a fun time to share. Back in Episode 79 we talked about how the Tarim basin used to be the home to a vast inland sea, which was fed by the meltwater from the Tianshan and Kunlun mountains.  This sea eventually dwindled, though it was still large enough to be known to the Tang as the Puchang Sea.  Today it has largely dried up, and it is mostly just the salt marshes of Lop Nur that remain.  Evidence for this larger sea, however, can be observed in some of the burials found around the Tarim basin.  These burials include the use of boat-shaped structures—a rather curious feature to be found out in the middle of the desert. And it is the desert that was left behind as the waters receded that is key to much of what we know about life in the Tarim basin, as it has proven to be quite excellent at preserving organic material.  This includes bodies, which dried out and naturally turned into mummies, including not only the wool clothing they were wearing, but also features such as hair and even decoration. These “Tarim mummies”, as they have been collectively called, date from as early as 2100 BCE all the way up through the period of time we're currently talking about, and have been found in several desert sites: Xiaohe, the earliest yet discovered; Loulan, near Lop Nur on the east of the Tarim Basin, dating from around 1800 BCE; Cherchen, on the southern edge of the Tarim Basin, dating from roughly 1000 BCE; and too many others to go into in huge detail. The intriguing thing about these burials is that  many of them don't have features typically associated with people of ethnic Han—which is to say traditional Chinese—ancestry, nor do they necessarily have the features associated with the Xiongnu and other steppe nomads.  In addition they have colorful clothing  made from wool and leather, with vivid designs.  Some bodies near Hami, just east of the basin, were reported to have blonde to light brown hair, and their cloth showed radically different patterns from that found at Cherchen and Loulan, with patterns that could reasonably be compared with the plaids now common in places like Scotland and Ireland, and previously found in the Hallstadt salt mine in Central Europe from around 3500 BCE, from which it is thought the Celtic people may have originated. At the same time that people—largely Westerners— were studying these mummies, another discovery in the Tarim basin was also making waves.  This was the discovery of a brand new language.  Actually, it was two languages—or possibly two dialects of a language—in many manuscripts, preserved in Kucha and Turpan.  Once again, the dry desert conditions proved invaluable to maintain these manuscripts, which date from between the late 4th or early 5th century to the 8th century.  They are written with a Brahmic script, similar to that used for Sanskrit, which appears in the Tarim Basin l by about the 2nd century, and we were able to translate them because many of the texts were copies of Buddhist scripture, which greatly helped scholars in deciphering the languages.  These two languages were fascinating because they represented an as-yet undiscovered branch of the Indo-European language family.  Furthermore, when compared to other Indo-European languages, they did not show nearly as much similarity with their neighbors as with languages on the far western end of the Indo-European language family.  That is to say they were thought to be closer to Celtic and Italic languages than something like Indo-Iranian.  And now for a quick diversion within the diversion:  “Centum” and “Satem” are general divisions of the Indo-European language families that was once thought to indicate a geographic divide in the languages.  At its most basic, as Indo-European words changed over time, a labiovelar sound, something like “kw”,  tended to evolve in one of two ways.  In the Celtic and Italic languages, the “kw” went to a hard “k” sound, as represented in the classical pronunciation of the Latin word for 100:  Centum.  That same word, in the Avestan language—of the Indo-Iranian tree—is pronounced as “Satem”, with an “S” sound.  So, you can look at Indo-European languages and divide them generally into “centum” languages, which preserve the hard “k”, or “Satem” languages that preserve the S. With me so far? Getting back to these two newly-found languages in the Tarim Basin, the weird thing is that they were “Centum” languages. Most Centum languages are from pretty far away, though: they are generally found in western Europe or around the Mediterranean, as opposed to the Satem languages, such as Indo-Aryan, Iranian, Armernian, or even Baltic Slavic languages, which are much closer to the Tarim Basin.  So if the theory were true that the “Centum” family of Indo-European languages developed in the West and “Satem” languages developed in the East, then that would seem to indicate that a group of a “Centum” speaking people must have migrated eastward, through the various Satem speaking people, and settled in the Tarim Basin many thousands of years ago. And what evidence do we have of people who look very different from the modern population, living in the Tarim Basin area long before, and wearing clothing similar to what we associated with the progenitors of the Celts?  For many, it seemed to be somewhat obvious, if still incredible, that the speakers of this language were likely the descendants of the mummies who, in the terminology of the time, had been identified as being of Caucasoid ancestry.  A theory developed that these people were an offshoot of a group called the Yamnaya culture, which may have arisen around modern Ukraine as an admixture between the European Hunter Gatherers and the Caucasian Hunter Gatherers, around 3300-2600 BCE.  This was challenged in 2021 when a genetic study was performed on some of the mummies in the Tarim basin, as well as several from the Dzungarian basin, to the northeast.  That study suggested that the people of the Dzungarian basin had genetic ties to the people of the Afanasievo people, from Southern Siberia.  The Afanasievo people are connected to the Yamnayan culture. It should be noted that there has long been a fascination in Western anthropology and related sciences with racial identification—and often not in a healthy way.  As you may recall, the Ainu were identified as “Caucasoid” by some people largely because of things like the men's beards and lighter colored hair, which differ greatly from a large part of the Japanese population.  However, that claim has been repeatedly refuted and debunked. And similarly, the truth is, none of these Tarim mummy burials were in a period of written anything, so we can't conclusively associated them with these fascinating Indo-European languages.  There are thousands of years between the various burials and the manuscripts. These people  left no notes stashed in pockets that give us their life story.   And Language is not Genetics is not Culture.  Any group may adopt a given language for a variety of reasons.  .  Still, given what we know, it is possible that the ancient people of the Tarim basin spoke some form of “Proto-Kuchean”, but it is just as likely that this language was brought in by people from Dzungaria at some point. So why does all this matter to us?  Well, remember how we were talking about someone from Tukara?  The Kuchean language, at least, is referred to in an ancient Turkic source as belonging to “Twgry”, which led several scholars to draw a link between this and the kingdom and people called Tukara and the Tokharoi.  This leads us on another bit of a chase through history. Now if you recall, back in Episode 79, we talked about Zhang Qian.  In 128 BCE, he attempted to cross the Silk Road through the territory of the Xiongnu on a mission for the Han court.  Some fifty years earlier, the Xiongnu had defeated the Yuezhi.  They held territory in the oasis towns along the north of the Taklamakan dessert, from about the Turpan basin west to the Pamirs. The Xiongnu were causing problems for the Han, who thought that if they could contact the remaining Yuezhi they could make common cause with them and harass the Xiongnu from both sides.  Zhang Qian's story is quite remarkable: he started out with an escort of some 99 men and a translator.  Unfortunately, he was captured and enslaved by the Xiongnu during his journey, and he is even said to have had a wife and fathered a child.  He remained a captive for thirteen years, but nonetheless, he was able to escape with his family and he made it to the Great Yuezhi on the far side of the Pamirs, but apparently the Yuezhi weren't interested in a treaty against the Xiongnu.  The Pamirs were apparently enough of a barrier and they were thriving in their new land.  And so Zhang Qian crossed back again through Xiongnu territory, this time taking the southern route around the Tarim basin.  He was still captured by the Xiongnu, who spared his life.  He escaped, again, two years later, returning to the Han court.  Of the original 100 explorers, only two returned: Zhang Qian and his translator.  While he hadn't obtained an alliance, he was able to detail the cultures of the area of the Yuezhi. Many feel that the Kushan Empire, which is generally said to have existed from about 30 to 375 CE,was formed from the Kushana people who were part of the Yuezhi who fled the Xiongnu. In other words, they were originally from further north, around the Tarim Basin, and had been chased out and settled down in regions that included Bactria (as in the Bactrian camel).  Zhang Qian describes reaching the Dayuan Kingdom in the Ferghana valley, then traveling south to an area that was the home of the Great Yuezhi or Da Yuezhi.  And after the Kushan empire fell, we know there was a state in the upper regions of the Oxus river, centered on the city of Balkh, in the former territory of the Kushan empire. known as “Tokara”.  Geographically, this matches up how Zhang Qian described the home of the Da Yuezhi.  Furthermore, some scholars reconstruct the reading of the Sinic characters used for “Yuezhi” as originally having an optional reading of something like “Togwar”, but that is certainly not the most common reconstructed reading of those characters.  Greek sources describe this area as the home of the Tokharoi, or the Tokaran People.  The term “Tukhara” is also found in Sanskrit, and this kingdom  was also said to have sent ambassadors to the Southern Liang and Tang dynasties. We aren't exactly certain of where these Tokharan people came from, but as we've just described, there's a prevailing theory that they were the remnants of the Yuezhi and Kushana people originally from the Tarim Basin.  We know that in the 6th century they came under the rule of the Gokturk Khaganate, which once spanned from the Liao river basin to the Black Sea.  In the 7th and 8th centuries they came under the rule of the Tang Empire, where they were known by very similar characters as those used to write “Tukara” in the Nihon Shoki.  On top of this, we see Tokharans traveling the Silk Road, all the way to the Tang court.  Furthermore, Tokharans that settled in Chang'an took the surname “Zhi” from the ethnonym “Yuezhi”, seemingly laying claim to and giving validation to the identity used back in the Han dynasty.   So, we have a Turkic record describing the Kuchean people (as in, from Kucha in the Tarim Basin) as “Twgry”, and we have a kingdom in Bactria called Tokara and populated (according to the Greeks) by people called Tokharoi.  You can see how this one term has been a fascinating rabbit hole in the study of the Silk Roads and their history.  And some scholars understandably suggested that perhaps the Indo-European languags found in Kucha and Turpan  were actually related to this “Tokhara” – and therefore  should be called “Tocharian”, specifically Tocharian A (Kuchean) or Tocharian B (Turfanian). The problem is that if the Tokharans were speaking “Tocharian” then you wouldn't expect to just see it at Kucha and Turpan, which are about the middle of the road between Tokhara and the Tang dynasty, and which had long been under Gokturk rule.  You would also expect to see it in the areas of Bactria associated with Tokhara.  However, that isn't what we see.  Instead, we see that Bactria was the home of local Bactrian language—an Eastern Iranian language, which, though it is part of the Indo European language family, it is not closely related to Tocharian as far as we can tell. It is possible that the people of Kucha referred to themselves as something similar to “Twgry”, or “Tochari”, but we should also remember that comes from a Turkic source, and it could have been an exonym not related to what they called themselves.  I should also note that language is not people.  It is also possible that a particular ethnonym was maintained separately by two groups that may have been connected politically but which came to speak different languages for whatever reason.   There could be a connection between the names, or it could even be that the same or similar exonym was used for different groups. So, that was a lot and a bit of a ramble, but a lot of things that I find interesting—even if they aren't as connected as they may appear.  We have the Tarim mummies, which are, today, held at a museum in modern Urumqi.  Whether they had any connection with Europe or not, they remain a fascinating study for the wealth of material items found in and around the Tarim basin and similar locations.  And then there is the saga of the Tocharian languages—or perhaps more appropriately the Kuchean-Turfanian languages: Indo-European languages that seem to be well outside of where we would expect to find them. Finally, just past the Pamirs, we get to the land of Tokhara or Tokharistan.  Even without anything else, we know that they had contact with the court.  Perhaps our castaways were from this land?  The name is certainly similar to what we see in the Nihon Shoki, using some of the same characters. All in all, art and other information suggest that the area of the Tarim basin and the Silk Road in general were quite cosmopolitan, with many different people from different regions of the world.  Bactria retained Hellenic influences ever since the conquests of Alexander of Macedonia, aka Alexander the Great, and Sogdian and Persian traders regularly brought their caravans through the region to trade.  And once the Tang dynasty controlled all of the routes, that just made travel that much easier, and many people traveled back and forth. So from that perspective, it is possible that one or more people from Tukhara may have made the crossing from their home all the way to the Tang court, but if they did so, the question still remains: why would they be in a boat? Utilizing overland routes, they would have hit Chang'an or Louyang, the dual capitals of the Tang empire, well before they hit the ocean.  However, the Nihon Shoki says that these voyagers first came ashore at Amami and then later says that they were trying to get to the Tang court. Now there was another “Silk Road” that isn't as often mentioned: the sea route, following the coast of south Asia, around through the Malacca strait and north along the Asian coast.  This route is sometimes viewed more in terms of the “spice” road If these voyagers set out to get to the Tang court by boat, they would have to have traveled south to the Indian Ocean—possibly traveling through Shravasti or Sha'e, depending on the route they chose to take—and then around the Malacca strait—unless they made it on foot all the way to Southeast Asia.  And then they would have taken a boat up the coast. Why do that instead of taking the overland route?  They could likely have traveled directly to the Tang court over the overland silk road.  Even the from Southeast Asia could have traveled up through Yunnan and made their way to the Tang court that way.  In fact, Zhang Qian had wondered something similar when he made it to the site of the new home of the Yuezhi, in Bactria.  Even then, in the 2nd century, he saw products in the marketplace that he identified as coming from around Szechuan.  That would mean south of the Han dynasty, and he couldn't figure out how those trade routes might exist and they weren't already known to the court.  Merchants would have had to traverse the dangerous mountains if they wanted to avoid being caught by the Xiongnu, who controlled the entire region. After returning to the Han court, Zhang Qian actually went out on another expedition to the south, trying to find the southern trade routes, but apparently was not able to do so.  That said, we do see, in later centuries, the trade routes open up between the area of the Sichuan basin and South Asia.  We also see the migrations of people further south, and there may have even been some Roman merchants who traveled up this route to find their way to the Han court, though those accounts are not without their own controversy. In either case, whether by land or sea, these trade routes were not always open.  In some cases, seasonal weather, such as monsoons, might dictate movement back and forth, while political realities were also a factor.  Still, it is worth remembering that even though most people were largely concerned with affairs in their own backyard, the world was still more connected than people give it credit for.  Tang dynasty pottery made its way to the east coast of Africa, and ostriches were brought all the way to Chang'an. As for the travelers from Tukhara and why they would take this long and very round-about method of travel, it is possible that they were just explorers, seeking new routes, or even on some kind of pilgrimage.  Either way, they would have been way off course. But if they did pass through Southeast Asia, that would match up with another theory about what “Tukara” meant: that it actually refers to the Dvaravati kingdom in what is now modern Thailand.  The Dvaravati Kingdom was a Mon political entity that rose up around the 6th century.  It even sent embassies to the Sui and Tang courts.  This is even before the temple complexes in Siem Reap, such as Preah Ko and the more famous Angkor Wat.  And it was during this time that the ethnic Tai people are thought to have started migrating south from Yunnan, possibly due to pressures from the expanding Sui and Tang empires.  Today, most of what remains of the Dvaravati kingdom are the ruins of ancient stone temples, showing a heavy Indic influence, and even early Buddhist practices as well.  “Dvaravati” may not actually be the name of the kingdom but it comes from an inscription on a coin found from about that time.  The Chinese refer to it as  “To-lo-po-ti” in contemporary records.  It may not even have been a kingdom, but  more of a confederation of city-states—it is hard to piece everything together.  That it was well connected, though, is clear from the archaeological record.  In Dvaravati sites, we see coins from as far as Rome, and we even have a lamp found in modern Pong Tuk that appears to match similar examples from the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century.  Note that this doesn't mean it arrived in the 6th century—similarly with the coins—but the Dvaravati state lasted until the 12th century. If that was the case, perhaps there were some women from a place called “Shravasti” or similar, especially given the Indic influence in the region. Now, given the location of the Dvaravati, it wouldn't be so farfetched to think that someone might sail up from the Gulf of Thailand and end up off-course, though it does mean sailing up the entire Ryukyuan chain or really running off course and finding yourself adrift on the East China sea.  And if they were headed to the Tang court, perhaps they did have translators or knew Chinese, since Yamato was unlikely to know the Mon language of Dvaravati and people from Dvaravati probably wouldn't know the Japonic language.  Unless, perhaps, they were communicating through Buddhist priests via Sanskrit. We've now heard two possibilities for Tukara, both pretty far afield: the region of Tokara in Bactria, and the Dvaravati kingdom in Southeast Asia.  That said, the third and simplest explanation—and the one favored by Aston in his translation of the Nihon Shoki—is that Tukara is actually referring to a place in the Ryukyu island chain.  Specifically, there is a “Tokara” archipelago, which spans between Yakushima and Amami-Oshima.  This is part of the Nansei islands, and the closest part of the Ryukyuan island chain to the main Japanese archipelago.  This is the most likely theory, and could account for the entry talking about Amami.  It is easy to see how sailors could end up adrift, too far north, and come to shore in Hyuga, aka Himuka, on the east side of Kyushu.  It certainly would make more sense for them to be from this area of the Ryukyuan archipelago than from anywhere else.  From Yakushima to Amami-Oshima is the closest part of the island chain to Kyushu, and as we see in the entry from the Shoku Nihongi, those three places seem to have been connected as being near to Japan.  So what was going on down there, anyway? Well, first off, let's remember that the Ryukyuan archipelago is not just the island of Okinawa, but a series of islands that go from Kyushu all the way to the island of Taiwan.  Geographically speaking, they are all part of the same volcanic ridge extending southward.  The size of the islands and their distance from each other does vary, however, creating some natural barriers in the form of large stretches of open water, which have shaped how various groups developed on the islands. Humans came to the islands around the same time they were reaching the Japanese mainland.  In fact, some of our only early skeletal remains for early humans in Japan actually come from either the Ryukyuan peninsula in the south or around Hokkaido to the north, and that has to do with the acidity of the soil in much of mainland Japan. Based on genetic studies, we know that at least two groups appear to have inhabited the islands from early times.  One group appears to be related to the Jomon people of Japan, while the other appears to be more related to the indigenous people of Taiwan, who, themselves, appear to have been the ancestors of many Austronesian people.  Just as some groups followed islands to the south of Taiwan, some appear to have headed north.  However, they only made it so far.  As far as I know there is no evidence they made it past Miyakoshima, the northernmost island in the Sakishima islands.  Miyako island is separated from the next large island, Okinawa, by a large strait, known as the Miyako Strait, though sometimes called the Kerama gap in English.  It is a 250km wide stretch of open ocean, which is quite the distance for anyone to travel, even for Austronesian people of Taiwan, who had likely not developed the extraordinary navigational technologies that the people who would become the Pacific Islanders would discover. People on the Ryukyu island chain appear to have been in contact with the people of the Japanese archipelago since at least the Jomon period, and some of the material artifacts demonstrate a cultural connection.  That was likely impacted by the Akahoya eruption, about 3500 years ago, and then re-established at a later date.  We certainly see sea shells and corals trade to the people of the Japanese islands from fairly early on. Unlike the people on the Japanese archipelago, the people of the Ryukyuan archipelago did not really adopt the Yayoi and later Kofun culture.  They weren't building large, mounded tombs, and they retained the character of a hunter-gatherer society, rather than transitioning to a largely agricultural way of life.  The pottery does change in parts of Okinawa, which makes sense given the connections between the regions.  Unfortunately, there is a lot we don't know about life in the islands around this time.  We don't exactly have written records, other than things like the entries in the Nihon Shoki, and those are hardly the most detailed of accounts.  In the reign of Kashikiya Hime, aka Suiko Tennou, we see people from Yakushima, which is, along with Tanegashima, one of the largest islands at the northern end of the Ryukyu chain, just before you hit Kagoshima and the Osumi peninsula on the southern tip of Kyushu.  The islands past that would be the Tokara islands, until you hit the large island of Amami. So you can see how it would make sense that the people from “Tokara” would make sense to be from the area between Yakushima and Amami, and in many ways this explanation seems too good to be true.  There are a only a few things that make this a bit peculiar. First, this doesn't really explain the woman from “Sha'e” in any compelling way that I can see.  Second, the name, Kenzuhashi Tatsuna doesn't seem to fit with what we generally know about early Japonic names, and the modern Ryukyuan language certainly is a Japonic language, but there are still plenty of possible explanations.  There is also the connection of Tokara with “Tokan”, which is mentioned in an entry in 699 in the Shoku Nihongi, the Chronicle that follows on, quite literally to the Nihon Shoki.  Why would they call it “Tokan” instead of “Tokara” so soon after?  Also, why would these voyagers go back to their country by way of the Tang court?  Unless, of course, that is where they were headed in the first place.  In which case, did the Man from Tukara intentionally leave his wife in Yamato, or was she something of a hostage while they continued on their mission?   And so those are the theories.  The man from “Tukara” could be from Tokhara, or Tokharistan, at the far end of the Silk Road.  Or it could have been referring to the Dvaravati Kingdom, in modern Thailand.  Still, in the end, Occam's razor suggests that the simplest answer is that these were actually individuals from the Tokara islands in the Ryukyuan archipelago.  It is possible that they were from Amami, not that they drifted there.  More likely, a group from Amami drifted ashore in Kyushu as they were trying to find a route to the Tang court, as they claimed.  Instead they found themselves taking a detour to the court of Yamato, instead. And we could have stuck with that story, but I thought that maybe, just maybe, this would be a good time to reflect once again on how connected everything was.  Because even if they weren't from Dvaravati, that Kingdom was still trading with Rome and with the Tang.  And the Tang controlled the majority of the overland silk road through the Tarim basin.  We even know that someone from Tukhara made it to Chang'an, because they were mentioned on a stele that talked about an Asian sect of Christianity, the “Shining Religion”, that was praised and allowed to set up shop in the Tang capital, along with Persian Manicheans and Zoroastrians.  Regardless of where these specific people may have been from, the world was clearly growing only more connected, and prospering, as well. Next episode we'll continue to look at how things were faring between the archipelago and the continent. Until then thank you for listening and for all of your support. If you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  

Author and Japanese food and cooking expert Tim Anderson @cheftimanderson joins host Janine @missj9 to share recipes and stories from this unique Northern Japanese island.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Highlights of what's new in streaming for the week of February 1, 2025. Hulu The Kardashians, season 6 (Feb. 6) Netflix Celebrity Bear Hunt, season 1 (Feb. 5) Envious, season 2 (Feb. 5) Kinda Pregnant (Feb. 5) Prison Cell 211 (Feb. 5) Sintonia, season 5 (Feb. 5) Apple Cider Vinegar, limited series (Feb. 6) The Åre Murders, season 1 (Feb 6) Cassandra (Feb. 6) Golden Kamuy 2: The Hunt of Prisoners in Hokkaido, season 1 (Feb 6) Sweet Magnolias, season 4 (Feb. 6) Disney+ The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl (Feb. 7) Max The Takedown: American Aryans (Feb. 6) Paramount+ Burden of Guilt (Feb. 4) Death Without Mercy (Feb. 6) Peacock WWE Royal Rumble (Feb. 1) Prime Video Invincible, season 3 (Feb. 6) Clean Slate, season 1 (Feb. 6) Newtopia, season 1 (Feb. 7) Apple TV+ Love You to Death, season 1 (Feb. 5) Tubi The Z-Suite, season 1 (Feb. 6)

#136 ホストの2人は雪がとても多い地域の北海道に住んでいます。雪のある生活は、習慣や注意すべきことももちろんありますが、雪ならではの遊びや景色も楽しめます。今回は、もともと雪が降らない場所から雪がたくさん降る場所に引っ越した2人の経験談から、雪のある生活がおすすめかどうか、聞いてみましょう！ Our two hosts are living in Hokkaido, a place with deep snow. Living with snow offers not only different life style and things to be aware of, but also fun and beautiful scenery that only snow can offer. In this episode, let's hear from us who have moved from a place where usually does not snow to a place where it snows a lot. Based on our experiences, whether they would recommend living with snow or not! ↓↓番組についての感想や話してほしいトピックがあれば、こちらまで↓↓ Email: ernestnaoya1994@gmail.com ↑↑ Share your thoughts and request to us↑↑ 個人SNS / Personal Social Media AC Ernest's Instagram: @ernest_mkc Naoya's Instagram: @japanese_teacher_n

2024 was a special year for Carnival and the Japan-New Orleans connection! Lafcadio Hearn's life & works inspired the theme for Rex Parade 2024: "The Two Worlds of Lafcadio Hearn - New Orleans & Japan". But why Hearn? What went into the float design? What other ways has Hearn left a lasting impact on both New Orleans & Japan? Find out today with a super-sized special Mardi Gras bonus episode, featuring insights from Rex historian/archivist Will French & historian/archivist emeritus Dr. Stephen Hales, Royal Artists float designer/artistic director Caroline Thomas, Lafcadio Hearn's great grandson Bon Koizumi,  legendary chef John Folse, Captain of the Krewe of Lafcadio John Kelly, JSNO's resident Lafcadio Hearn expert Matthew Smith, and even the Mayor of Matsue Akihito Uesada! Get ready for Mardi Gras 2025 by reflecting on this unique connection between New Orleans & Japan!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Music Credits ------Background music provided by: Royalty Free Music by Giorgio Di Campo for Free Sound Music http://freesoundmusic.eu FreeSoundMusic on Youtube  Link to Original Sound Clip------ Audio Clip Credits ------Thanks to Dominic Massa & everyone at WYES for allowing us to use some of the audio from the below Rex Clips:Segment about Royal Artist & Float DesignFull 2024 Rex Ball Coverage (Krewe of Lafcadio/Nicholls State segment)Thanks to Matsue City Hall & Mayor Akihito Uesada for their video message below:Message from Matsue Mayor Akihito Uesada------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past KOJ Hearn/Matsue/History Episodes ------Foreign-Born Samurai: William Adams ft. Nathan Ledbetter (Guest Host, Dr. Samantha Perez) (S5E17)Foreign-Born Samurai: Yasuke ft. Nathan Ledbetter (Guest Host, Dr. Samantha Perez) (S5E16)Explore Matsue ft. Nicholas McCullough (S4E19)Jokichi Takamine: The Earliest Bridge Between New Orleans & Japan ft. Stephen Lyman (S4E13)The Life & Legacy of Lafcadio Hearn ft. Bon & Shoko Koizumi (S1E9)Matsue & New Orleans: Sister Cities ft. Dr. Samantha Perez (S1E2)------ Links about Rex ------2024 Rex Parade/Float PDF with Full DesignsCaroline Thomas's Website------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!