Podcasts about imperial family

In the early 20th century, the Russian Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra, welcomed a homeless monk into their home.  As this scruff, unkempt-looking man became closer to the royal family, he seemingly performed miracles, predicted the future, and cured illnesses.  He starts to gain influence over the Imperial Family, too much influence for comfort.  So, a group of nobles decided that he needed to be eliminated. However, that proved to be much easier said than done. Learn about Rasputin, the magical man who wouldn't die, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Newspapers.com Get 20% off your subscription to Newspapers.com Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Mint Mobile Get your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed Jerry Compare quotes and coverages side-by-side from up to 50 top insurers at jerry.ai/daily. Subscribe to the podcast!  https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ -------------------------------- Executive Producer: Charles Daniel Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & Cameron Kieffer   Become a supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingeverywhere Discord Server: https://discord.gg/UkRUJFh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingeverywhere/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeverywheredaily Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywheretrip Website: https://everything-everywhere.com/  Disce aliquid novi cotidie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last time we spoke about the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. In the summer of 1945, Japan faced its most devastating siege, characterized by an aerial campaign called "Starvation" that crippled its industrial capabilities. As resources dwindled and chaos reigned, the Allies intensified their firebombing efforts, targeting major cities. By July, Japan was on the brink of collapse, culminating in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, where over 140,000 lives were altered or lost in a blinding flash. As the nation reeled from the destruction, the Japanese leadership was torn between surrender and continuing the fight. They faced not just the threat of American bombs, but also a Soviet invasion looming on the horizon. Days after Hiroshima, the atomic bomb "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, resulting in catastrophic casualties and extensive industrial losses. This attack further devastated an already weakened Japan, leaving the Emperor and his government grappling with the dire consequences. This episode is the Invasion of Manchuria Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, 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 world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two 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 you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.    August 9 stands as a catastrophic day in Japanese history. On this day, the nation faced the devastating impact of a second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, along with the relentless Soviet invasion of Manchuria. Admiral Ivan Yumashev's Pacific Fleet moved to disrupt Japan's maritime communications in the Sea of Japan and provide support for offensive operations. At the same time, Soviet air forces targeted cities across Northeast Asia, striking both Manchuria and North Korea, as well as Japanese convoys in the Sea of Japan. General Twinning led a diversionary B-29 raid on Amagasaki, followed by a significant attack involving 108 aircraft on the rail yards at Marifu. In addition, Admiral Halsey's 3rd Fleet launched more strikes against airfields in northern Honshu and Hokkaido, where U.S. intelligence suspected a large Japanese air fleet and commando force was preparing for a desperate mission to Okinawa. Japanese paratroopers were gearing up for a new mission, codenamed Ken-go, but this time their target wasn't Okinawa. Similar to the earlier May 24 Raid on Yontan Airfield, Lieutenant General Sugawara Michio's Giretsu Kuteitai, also known as the “Heroic Paratroopers,” set their sights on the B-29 complex in the Mariana Islands for nighttime suicide raids. This operation marked the second planned assault on bases within the Mariana Islands, specifically aimed at destroying B-29 bombers. The plan involved deploying 60 transport aircraft to deliver 900 commandos during the nights of August 19 to 23. Around 300 personnel from Lieutenant Commander Daiji Yamaoka's 1st Kure Special Naval Landing Force initiated preparations at the end of June. Originally established for submarine-delivered raids on U.S.-held islands, these forces were now adapted to be flown in 30 Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty' twin-engine bombers, which had the necessary range for an unrefueled, one-way trip to the Marianas. The raid was initially scheduled for July 24. However, ten days earlier, U.S. carrier-based warplanes had attacked Misawa naval air base on Honshu Island, damaging or destroying many of the operation's bombers. Consequently, the raid was postponed to August 19, with the addition of 30 transport planes and 300 paratroopers from the army's 1st Raiding Regiment. Ultimately, however, on August 15, Japan surrendered, and Operation Ken-go was cancelled. Meanwhile, Admiral Shafroth's Bombardment Group unleashed heavy damage on the Kamaishi steel mill. The day after, to assist the Soviets, Halsey ordered additional airstrikes on northern Japanese airfields, causing extensive destruction. However, these were not isolated incidents; they were part of a sustained air-sea siege that had been intensifying for several months. The Allied blockade of Japan had severely impacted food imports, and industrial activity had nearly ground to a halt due to the ongoing blockade and bombings. By this point, six of Japan's ten largest cities had been completely destroyed, and over sixty smaller cities had been reduced to ashes from relentless incendiary raids. This scenario was a powerful manifestation of War Plan Orange in action. More critically, with the reality of Hiroshima's destruction echoing loudly, the Japanese government now grappled with the impending threat of complete annihilation, a grim reality they had never faced before in this war. Though they had recognized their defeat with the loss of Saipan and the initial Yawata raid, the stubborn resolve of the Japanese leadership had pushed them to prolong the conflict for an agonizing 14 months, clinging to the hope of a different outcome. Many now believed that peace was the only path to survival for the Japanese nation. As the crisis intensified, Prime Minister Suzuki and his cabinet engaged in heated discussions. He sought to persuade War Minister General Anami Korechika and Chief of the Army General Staff General Umezu Yoshijiro to accept the Potsdam Declaration on August 9. However, Suzuki and the militants could only agree that if there were any surrender, then it should ensure that the "national polity" or imperial family would continue in any postwar settlement. Anami and Umezu pushed for further, more favourable conditions. First, Japan would demobilize and disarm any IJA or IJN forces overseas. Second, Japanese courts would prosecute any war criminals. Third, after surrender the Allies would not occupy Japan. Chief of the Navy General Staff, Admiral Toyoda Soemu, agreed with Anami and Umezu. To break this deadlock, it became necessary to involve the Emperor directly. Around 2:00 AM on August 10, the cabinet convened with Emperor Hirohito, who ultimately agreed to accept the Potsdam Declaration and ordered an end to all military efforts, initiating the surrender process. Faced with no viable alternatives, all present reached a unanimous agreement. That morning, the Japanese government, through Swedish and Swiss intermediaries, sent an offer to accept the Potsdam Declaration, stipulating one condition: there would be no change to Japan's government structure, with Hirohito retaining his title as Emperor and sovereign ruler. Months afte the war Hirohito said this about his decision to surrender “The main motive behind my decision at that time was that if we . . . did not act, the Japanese race would perish and I would be unable to protect my loyal subjects [sekishi—literally, “children”]. Second, Kido agreed with me on the matter of defending the kokutai. If the enemy landed near Ise Bay, both Ise and Atsuta Shrines would immediately come under their control. There would be no time to transfer the sacred treasures [regalia] of the imperial family and no hope of protecting them. Under these circumstances, protection of the kokutai would be difficult. For these reasons, I thought at the time that I must make peace even at the sacrifice of myself.” Simultaneously, a new military campaign was underway, and several units of General Yamada's Kwantung Army were unexpectedly caught off-guard in Manchuria. In response, he implemented emergency measures and ordered commands to proceed with their plans for delaying operations. Upon learning of the Soviet declaration of war and the subsequent invasion led by Marshal Vasilevsky's Far East Command, Tokyo decided to place General Kozuki's 17th Area Army under the Kwantung Army. Furthermore, they instructed General Okamura Yasuji's China Expeditionary Army to transfer one army headquarters, along with six divisions and six brigades, to support this effort. As directed by Tokyo, the primary objective of the Kwantung Army was to defend Japanese territory in Korea. However, by the end of the first day of conflict, several border observation units had been completely destroyed while attempting to defend their positions. In the east, Lieutenant General Shimizu Noritsune's 5th Army, supported by the reinforced 128th Division, was confronting the main assault by Marshal Meretskov's 1st Far Eastern Front. To the south, Lieutenant General Murakami Keisaku's 3rd Army was engaged in defending against multiple penetrations along the border. In the northern sector, the 134th Division at Chiamussu was withdrawing towards Fangcheng, as planned, while flames engulfed Japanese houses in the city. General Uemura's 4th Army was preparing to face what they expected to be the main assault from General Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front. Meanwhile, the 119th Division had already departed Hailar for Wunoerh, leaving only the 80th Independent Mixed Brigade behind. To the west, Lieutenant General Hongo Yoshio's 44th Army was confronting the formidable armored spearhead of Marshal Malinovsky's Transbaikal Front. Southwest of their position, the 108th Division was redeploying to the Chinhsien area. On August 10, the offensive led by Vasilevsky continued, as Colonel General Ivan Managarov's 53rd Army began crossing the border behind the now distant 6th Guards Tank Army. Recognizing that the 44th Army was not prepared to engage the overwhelming enemy armor in guerrilla warfare across the expansive terrain of western Manchuria, General Ushiroku made the independent decision to order Hongo to retreat to the Dairen-Hsinking line. This was where Lieutenant General Iida Shojiro's 30th Army was already establishing defensive positions. This decision contradicted Yamada's main strategy, which called for delaying the enemy advance at the borders.  Faced with what they deemed an illegal order, the Kwantung Army Headquarters convened an urgent staff conference. During this meeting, several opinions emerged: a sudden shift from established plans would likely create confusion; any attempt to counterattack after a withdrawal would likely fail if the enemy advanced quickly; and abandoning forward airfields prematurely would enable the enemy to advance unimpeded. To most participants, General Ushiroku's decision seemed to deliver a potentially fatal blow to the overall operational direction of the Kwantung Army Headquarters. However, since the 44th Army had already begun its withdrawal as ordered by General Ushiroku, Kwantung Army Headquarters was left with a fait accompli. Thus, they felt compelled to uphold the decision of the Third Area Army Commander, which was subsequently approved by General Yamada. Meanwhile, General Pliyev's cavalry-mechanized units advanced rapidly toward Kalgan and Dolonnor, reaching the foothills of the Grand Khingan Mountains. General Danilov's 17th Army also continued to encounter weak resistance, covering an additional 40 kilometers. General Lyudnikov's 39th Army bypassed the encircled 107th Division in the Halung-Arshaan and Wuchakou Fortified Regions. Here, the 5th Guards Rifle Corps moved toward Solun and Tepossi, while the 113th Rifle Corps advanced southeast toward Wangyemiao. The 94th Rifle Corps had to divert southward to support the 124th Rifle Division. In the east, General Luchinsky's 36th Army launched ongoing attacks against Hailar, with the 2nd Rifle Corps bypassing it to the east. Meanwhile, General Kravchenko's 6th Guards Tank Army reorganized its right-wing column and began crossing the Grand Khingan Mountains during the night, with both columns entering the central Manchurian plain by August 11. To the east, Meretskov continued his offensive. The 17th, 65th, and 72nd Rifle Corps of General Krylov's 5th Army advanced swiftly west and south, ultimately securing Machiacho, Laotsaiying, Suiyang, and Suifenho. This maneuver widened the zone of penetration to 75 kilometers and forced the 126th and 135th Divisions to withdraw their main forces to Yehho. In support, General Beloborodov's 1st Red Banner Army to the north broke through into open terrain, pushing rapidly westward to occupy parts of the cities of Pamientung and Lishuchen, along with their vital bridges across the Muleng River. Further south, General Chistyakov's 25th Army captured Tungning and successfully reduced its fortified region. Units in that area also secured Tumentzu, Hunchun, and Wuchiatzu. Lastly, General Zakhvatayev's 35th Army continued its operations far to the north. The 264th Rifle Division and the 109th Fortified Region seized Hutou and initiated a movement west along the railroad toward Hulin, while the 363rd and 66th Rifle Divisions pressed on with their advance northwestward. In northern Manchuria, General Purkayev continued his main assault, with General Mamonov's 15th Army reconnoitering key enemy strongholds south of the Amur River. After successfully crossing the river, the 34th Rifle Division and the 203rd Tank Brigade occupied Lopei and advanced through Fenghsiang to bypass the Hsingshanchen Fortified Region, leaving a force behind to reduce it. Meanwhile, the 361st Rifle Division captured Tungchiang, and the 388th Rifle Division secured Chienchingkou, preparing for an advance toward Fuchin. In support of these operations, General Pashkov's 5th Rifle Corps cleared Japanese forces from the Jaoho Fortified Region, while General Teryokhin's 2nd Red Banner Army was preparing to launch its offensive the following morning. On August 11, forward units landed at Heiho, Aihun, and Holomoching under the cover of artillery fire, quickly establishing a beachhead as additional forces crossed the Amur. However, due to a lack of crossing equipment, it took five days to transport all units across the river. Consequently, Teryokhin had to commit his forces piecemeal against the 123rd Division and the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade. This was not the only new offensive operation initiated by Purkayev on this day. A new target had emerged: South Sakhalin, known as Karafuto to the Japanese. As per Vasilevsky's plans, Major-General Leonty Cheremisov's 16th Army was deployed on North Sakhalin and along the mainland coast of the Tatar Strait, stretching from Sovetskaya Gavan to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. If the invasion of Manchuria continued to progress favorably, this force was set to attack the Japanese-controlled portion of the island alongside the Northern Pacific Flotilla, commanded by Vice-Admiral Vladimir Andreyev, which was prepared to conduct amphibious operations against Esutoru and Maoka on the island's west coast. Opposing the Soviet forces, General Higuchi of the 5th Area Army positioned Lieutenant General Mineki Toichiro's 88th Division in the southern part of South Sakhalin, with only the 125th Regiment stationed to the north. Sakhalin shared many characteristics with several of the Manchukuoan border areas, presenting challenging terrain for mechanized warfare. The only viable invasion route south from the border at the 50th Parallel followed the Poronay River, located more or less in the center of the island. This river flows southward, flanked to the east and west by forested mountain ranges, as well as countless swamps and bogs. Both sides recognized the strategic importance of this potential invasion route and constructed extensive fortification networks. The Japanese fortifications were collectively known as the Koton, or Haramitog, fortified region. These defenses were built in three interlinked layers, with their western flanks anchored in the mountain range and eastern flanks in the wooded, swampy river valley. The permanent defenses spanned approximately 12 kilometers in frontage and extended up to 30 kilometers in depth, containing over 350 bunkers, pillboxes, artillery positions, and similar fortifications. These were protected by an elaborate network of infantry trenches, anti-tank ditches, minefields, and barbed wire. The heavy forest and brush made it challenging to locate these defenses. While enough vegetation had been cleared to allow for effective defensive fire, sufficient cover remained to obscure them from an attacking force. Consequently, the 16th Army would confront these formidable defenses without the advantage of surprise. At daybreak on August 9, reports emerged that the Soviet Army had unexpectedly invaded Manchuria from multiple directions. By 8:00 AM, telegraph lines were cut near Handa, a village located at the center of the Russo-Japanese border in Sakhalin. An excellent military road connected Handa to Kamishikuks, a region known as the Central Military Road area. At the same time, reports indicated that enemy forces were attacking the observation posts in this area. On August 10,  observation posts were forced to withdraw as the Soviet Army gradually advanced toward our main position in the Happo Mountains, situated about 10 kilometers south of the border. That evening, it was reported that the 125th Infantry had engaged in a skirmish, during which the Isunisawa Platoon, fighting near the Handa River bridge for over five hours, was wiped out. On that same day, the commander of the Fifth Area Army declared that not only had the Army engaged Soviet forces, but civilians in the area, including office workers and laborers, had also joined the battle in a desperate attempt to halt the advancing Soviet Army. By August 13, the National Volunteer Combat Teams were summoned. The recruitment of these volunteer combat teams from the general populace was unique to the Sakhalin campaign, aimed at creating the appearance of military readiness to deter the Soviet advance. Additionally, the 125th Regiment executed demolitions while retreating to establish stronger defensive positions on the western flank of Happo Mountain, northwest of Furuton. Given the unexpectedly favorable developments in Manchuria, the invasion of South Sakhalin was authorized on August 10. General Yumashev further directed Vice-Admiral Andreyev's naval forces to commence attacks on both South Sakhalin and the Kuriles. Major General Georgii Dziuba's air forces joined the effort, conducting reconnaissance flights over key Japanese ports that revealed Toro and Esutoru were almost entirely unprotected. In the early hours of August 11, the 56th Rifle Corps crossed the border and began its main advance along the central military road but encountered resistance at Handa, where around 100 defenders held them up for an entire day. Back in northern Manchuria, the 5th Rifle Corps embarked on a challenging march southwest toward Paoching, while Mamonov launched a bombing raid followed by an attack on Fuchin, which ultimately fell after a coordinated tank-infantry assault. Concurrently, the 4th Army headquarters and the bulk of the 149th Division received orders to retreat from Tsitsihar to Harbin. To the south, the 112th Fortified Region and the 6th Field Fortified Region crossed the Muleng River south of Mishan during the night. In the following days, they collaborated with units from the 35th Army to secure the Mishan Fortified Region. More importantly, the 26th and 59th Rifle Corps successfully secured Pamientung and Lishuchen, initiating a pursuit of withdrawing Japanese forces to the west and southwest. On August 11, the 5th Army advance continued, with reinforced forward detachments of the 65th and 72nd Rifle Corps reaching the Muleng River and preparing for an advance on Mutanchiang. At this juncture, Meretskov reassessed the situation and determined that his best opportunity for successful exploitation in the front zone lay within the 25th Army area. Consequently, he attached the 17th and 88th Rifle Corps to this command and placed the 10th Mechanized Corps in army reserve. This allowed the 17th and 39th Rifle Corps to commence a coordinated advance toward Wangching, Tumen, Tunhua, and Kirin. Looking west, Pliyev's units continued to encounter minimal resistance. The 17th Army was finally nearing the western foothills of the Grand Khingan Mountains. The lead brigade of the 5th Guards Tank Corps reached Lupei, while the 7th Guards Mechanized Corps completed its crossing of the Grand Khingan Mountains. The 39th Army maintained its holding operations against the Halung-Arshaan and Wuchakou Fortified Regions, coupled with main advances toward Solun and Wangyemiao. The 2nd Rifle Corps and the 205th Tank Brigade advanced along the railroad to Yakoshih. The 94th Rifle Division, supported by air and artillery, launched an assault and captured the southwestern portion of Hailar city before being reinforced by the entire 86th Rifle Corps. Meanwhile, the Soviet operational group on the right flank of the 36th Army broke through Japanese resistance at Manchouli, moving eastward along the rail line to join the Soviet forces besieging Hailar. As the Soviet armored units in the west made an unexpectedly swift advance, they were anticipated to reach Hsinking by August 15. On this same day, Yamada decided to relocate his headquarters to Tunghua. Additionally, during the night, a small naval force successfully conducted an assault landing at Yuki in North Korea, securing the port unopposed on August 12. Simultaneously, the 393rd Rifle Division pushed south into North Korea, quickly reaching Yuki before continuing toward Rashin. There, another small naval force landed on August 12, facing minimal resistance except for artillery fire. Meanwhile, the 25th Army advanced up to 40 kilometers in its main march southwest, prompting the commitment of the 10th Mechanized Corps to exploit further toward Wangching and beyond. The 5th Army had to eliminate a strong enemy position east of Taimakou before it could resume its advance to Mutanchiang. The 1st Red Banner Army pressed forward relentlessly, with the 26th Rifle Corps successfully bypassing Tzuhsingtun to advance on Hsientung, cutting the Linkou-Mutanchiang railroad line. The 363rd Rifle Division occupied Mishan while the 264th Rifle Division secured Hulin. The 171st Tank Brigade began a challenging advance southwest toward Chiamussu as the 15th Army reduced the Fuchin fortified region. Forward detachments of the 2nd Red Banner Army engaged Japanese advanced positions south of Holomoching and north of Aihun. After reducing Handa, the 56th Rifle Corps commenced an advance toward Furuton, although it faced delays from small enemy forces. Furthermore, in western Manchuria, Pliyev's Soviet-Mongolian formations and the 17th Army continued their advance through Inner Mongolia largely unopposed for the next two days. Throughout 12 and 13 August on the Trans-Baikal Front's right flank, the Soviet-Mongolian formations of General Pliyev swept across the Inner Mongolian deserts towards Dolonnor and Kalgan at a rate of ninety to one hundred kilometers a day, rudely shunting aside local cavalry forces. Pliyev's principal concern was providing his forces in the vast desert wastes sufficient food, fuel, fodder, and water. The 6th Guards Tank Army had to temporarily halt its advance as the 7th Guards Mechanized Corps reached Tuchuan. This pause was necessary due to severe fuel shortages, requiring an increase in fuel supplies before the offensive could resume. This situation allowed Ushiroku to withdraw the 63rd and 117th Divisions before they could be engaged. However, the 107th Division was less fortunate, as it was attacked by the 5th Guards Rifle Corps on the road to Solun. On the northern flank, the 36th Army continued its siege of the Hailar fortifications while the 2nd Rifle Corps seized Yakoshih and advanced up to Wunoerh. That day, Japan also received the initial Allied response to its surrender offer, penned by Secretary of State James Byrnes and approved by the British, Chinese, and Soviet governments. A critic of the Japanese imperial system, Byrnes insisted on an unconditional surrender but remained ambiguous regarding the future of the imperial family's position. The response included a statement that Japan's future form of government should be “established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.” Thus, even though the Soviet and Chinese governments aimed for the abolition of the imperial system, the Japanese could choose to retain their emperor, and likely would. Meanwhile, Secretary Stimson urged President Truman to accept the peace offer immediately, believing that, without an organized surrender supported by the emperor, U.S. forces would face “a score of bloody Iwo Jimas and Okinawas” across China and Southeast Asia. He cautioned that without the immediate capitulation of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, rogue military commanders might continue to resist. Retaining Hirohito would also aid Allied efforts to achieve a swift and orderly reconstruction while maintaining a compliant populace. The Japanese cabinet deliberated over the Allied response, with Anami and Suzuki, among other key military figures, arguing for its rejection unless an explicit guarantee for the imperial system was provided. Ultimately, however, Foreign Minister Togo and Marquess Kido Koichi succeeded in persuading Suzuki to support the acceptance of Byrnes' reply. Meanwhile, President Truman issued instructions prohibiting any further atomic weapons from being dropped on Japan without his approval, and he later ordered a complete halt to all bombings. Despite this, Halsey's 3rd Fleet remained in the area, preparing to launch additional strikes. Admiral Rawlings' Task Force 37 unfortunately had to retire at this point, though a token force was integrated into Admiral McCain's Task Force 38 to ensure British support until the end.  The Olympic timetable had called for Third Fleet to retire to Eniwetok and Manus in mid-August, but late on the night of August 10 Missouri intercepted a cryptic radio transmission: “Through the Swiss government, Japan has stated that she is willing to accept Allied surrender ultimatum at Potsdam, provided they can keep their Emperor.” Halsey had long predicted an early Japanese collapse, and had accordingly kept his logistic pipeline full. The following morning, August 11, flagships Missouri and King George V refueled simultaneously alongside oiler USS Sabine. Halsey recalled, “I went across to the ‘Cagey Five' as we called her, on an aerial trolley, just to drink a toast with Vice Admiral Rawlings.” Although Japan teetered near collapse, TF-37 lacked its own fast oilers and would have to retire immediately. With Nimitz's permission Halsey offered to sustain a token British force with Third Fleet so that the Royal Navy would be in “at the death.” Rawlings enthusiastically accepted. After replenishment, King George V, Indefatigable, Gambia, Newfoundland, and ten destroyers were re-designated TG-38.5 and absorbed into McCain's TF-38. The rest of TF-37, under Vian, reluctantly retired for Manus. In a truly desultory attack the following day, August 12, a single Japanese plane penetrated Buckner Bay, Okinawa undetected and torpedoed TF-95's just-arrived battleship Pennsylvania. Twenty Americans were killed, while Oldendorf and nine others were wounded. Back off Honshu, Halsey canceled August 12 strikes due to a typhoon. Late that night Third Fleet intercepted a confusing and ambiguous radio bulletin announcing that Japan had, with qualifications, accepted Allied terms. After a heated staff conference Halsey decided that, without firmer information, the following day's strikes were still on. Nevertheless, the prolonged negotiations were causing the Third Fleet considerable logistical problems; Halsey recalled, “Our galleys were reduced to serving dehydrated carrot salad. If the war was over, we could provision on the spot; if it was not, we would have to retire, reprovision, and return.” That night, a group of officers led by Major Hatanaka Kenji and Colonel Arao Okikatsu approached Anami, seeking his backing for a coup d'état to prevent Japan's surrender. Anami refused, leaving Hatanaka's conspirators to attempt the coup on their own. At the recommendation of American psychological operations experts, B-29 bombers spent August 13 dropping leaflets over Japan detailing the Japanese offer of surrender and the Allied response. In stark contrast, that same day, McCain's newly Anglo-American TF-38 launched 1,167 sorties against Tokyo, expending 372 tons of bombs and 2,175 rockets. Only seven planes and one pilot were lost, none to combat. Airborne opposition was virtually nil, as Lieutenant-General Kanetoshi Kondo, commander of Tokyo's defending 10th Hiko Shidan, “failed to urge his men to press the attack to the utmost, because it seemed absurd to incur additional losses with the war obviously lost and its termination due in a matter of days.”  Simultaneously, Suzuki's cabinet debated their reply to the Allied response late into the night but remained deadlocked. Back in Manchuria, on August 13, the 6th Guards Tank Army resumed its offensive by pushing reconnaissance units toward Tungliao and Taonan. The 39th Army continued its assault on Japanese units at Halung-Arshaan, while the 5th Guards Rifle Corps attacked and captured Solun. To the north, as the battle for Hailar raged on, the 2nd Rifle Corps engaged the determined 119th Division for control of the Grand Khingan passes west of Pokotu, achieving little progress over the next two days. Looking east, the 2nd Red Banner Army gathered sufficient forces to resume its offensive, successfully penetrating the defenses of the 123rd Division at Shenwutan and Chiko. They destroyed small Japanese outposts at Huma and Santaoka, further pushing the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade toward the main fortified region at Aihun. Additionally, the 15th Army reduced the fortified positions at Fuchin, while the 171st Tank Brigade continued its advance toward Chiamussu. To the south, the 66th Rifle Division finally occupied Tungan, cutting the highway and railroad to Hutou. Meanwhile, the 59th Rifle Corps reached and secured Linkou before turning south toward Mutanchiang. Advance elements of the 26th Rifle Corps attacked and occupied the railroad station at Hualin, though they could not secure crossing sites over the Mutan River due to the fierce resistance of a single battalion. During the night, heavy Japanese counterattacks forced Soviet forces back to a hill northeast of Hualin. More importantly, while the 45th Rifle Corps continued to reduce remaining Japanese strongpoints in the Volynsk, Suifenho, and Lumintai centers of resistance, the bulk of the 5th Army advanced 30 kilometers along the road and rail line, successfully approaching the outer fortifications of Mutanchiang by nightfall. Even farther south, the 25th Army pushed southwestward, with its three formations sharing a single road along the military rail line through the mountainous, heavily wooded area from Laoheishan to Heitosai. In South Sakhalin, the 56th Rifle Corps launched a siege attack against Furuton. However, the fierce resistance of the 125th Regiment successfully repelled Soviet assaults for the next three days. On the same day, in preparation for an amphibious invasion of Toro, two naval patrol craft reconnoitered Esutoru. Additionally, Meretskov approved the Seishin Operation in North Korea, leading to another small naval force landing successfully at Chongjin that afternoon. Soon after, they faced a strong Japanese counterattack, which drove the landing force out of the port and inflicted heavy losses on the Russians. The following morning, a naval infantry battalion was landed to retake Chongjin, but Japanese reinforcements from the Nanam Divisional District Unit arrived to contest the port. As the Russians were pushed back again, Yumashev decided to embark the 13th Naval Infantry Brigade for a third assault scheduled for August 15. To the north, the 393rd Rifle Division advanced south along the coast, reaching Kwangjuryong by August 14. Concurrently, after breaking through the 128th Division's main defenses at Lotzukou, the 25th Army reached Heitosai and prepared to launch its main attack against Murakami's 3rd Army. The 5th Army struck the right flank of Shimizu's 5th Army at Ssutaoling and in the hills southeast of Mutanchiang, while the 1st Red Banner Army attacked the northern and eastern flanks of the city and the railroad station at Yehho on the eastern bank of the Mutan River. The 35th Army began a rapid advance toward Poli and Linkou, encountering negligible opposition. Meanwhile, the 5th Rifle Corps reached Paoching, drove off its garrison, and continued marching toward Poli. In addition, the 15th Army finally reduced the Hsingshanchen Fortified Region, opening a more direct advance route toward Chiamussu. Meanwhile, the 2nd Red Banner Army succeeded in breaking through the outer Japanese defenses to besiege the Sunwu Fortified Region and surround the Aihun Fortified Region. To the west, the 36th Army continued to encounter strong resistance at Hailar and Wunoerh. The 5th Guards Rifle Corps initiated a southeastward pursuit along the railroad toward Wangyemiao, eventually catching elements of the 107th Division at Tepossi, while also engaging Japanese units retreating from the Wuchakou area. The forward detachment of the 7th Guards Mechanized Corps occupied Taonan after a march hindered by wet weather and Japanese kamikaze attacks. The 17th Army captured Taopanshin, and Pliyev's left column overcame a small Manchurian cavalry force, entering Dolonnor at the east end of the pass across the southern Grand Khingan Mountains. Back in the Pacific, the Allies grew restless as they awaited a Japanese response, ultimately interpreting the silence as a non-acceptance of the imposed peace terms. Consequently, Truman ordered a resumption of attacks against Japan at maximum intensity. More than 400 B-29 bombers launched daylight attacks, while over 300 conducted night raids, culminating in what would become the largest and longest bombing raid of the Pacific War. Furthermore, Truman began planning to drop a third atomic bomb on Tokyo. However, before he could proceed, Emperor Hirohito met with the most senior Army and Navy officers in the early hours of August 14, convincing them to cooperate in ending the war. The cabinet immediately convened and unanimously ratified the Emperor's wishes for an unconditional surrender. They also decided to destroy vast amounts of material related to war crimes and the war responsibilities of the nation's highest leaders. Shortly after concluding the conference, a group of senior army officers, including Anami, gathered in a nearby room and signed an agreement to execute the Emperor's order of surrender. This decision would significantly impede any attempts to incite a coup in Tokyo. During this meeting, General Kawabe Torashirō, Vice Chief of the Army General Staff, proposed that the senior officers present should each sign an agreement to carry out the Emperor's order of surrender, "The Army will act in accordance with the Imperial Decision to the last." An agreement was ultimately signed by each of the most important officers present, including Minister of War Anami, Chief of the Army General Staff Umezu, commander of the 1st General Army Field Marshal Sugiyama Hajime, commander of the 2nd General Army Field Marshal Hata Shunroku and Inspector-General of Military Training Doihara Kenji. When Umezu voiced concern about air units causing trouble, Vice Minister of War Wakamatsu Tadaichi took the agreement next door to the Air General Army headquarters, where its commander Kawabe Masakazu, the brother of Torashirō also signed. The document would serve to seriously impede any attempt to incite a coup in Tokyo. Simultaneously, the Foreign Ministry transmitted orders to its embassies in Switzerland and Sweden to accept the Allied terms of surrender, which were received in Washington at 02:49 on August 14. Anticipating difficulties with senior commanders on distant war fronts, three princes of the Imperial Family, who held military commissions, were dispatched to deliver the news personally. By 19:00, the text of the Imperial Rescript on surrender was finalized, transcribed by the official court calligrapher, and presented to the cabinet for their signatures. Around 23:00, the Emperor, with assistance from an NHK recording crew, made a gramophone record of himself reading the rescript. At long last, Japan had admitted defeat.  However at around 21:30 on 14 August, the conspirators led by Hatanaka set their plan into motion. The Second Regiment of the First Imperial Guards had entered the palace grounds, doubling the strength of the battalion already stationed there, presumably to provide extra protection against Hatanaka's rebellion. But Hatanaka, along with Lt. Col. Shiizaki Jirō, convinced the commander of the 2nd Regiment of the First Imperial Guards, Colonel Haga Toyojirō, of their cause, by telling him (falsely) that Generals Anami and Umezu, and the commanders of the Eastern District Army and Imperial Guards Divisions were all in on the plan. Hatanaka also went to the office of Tanaka Shizuichi, commander of the Eastern region of the army, to try to persuade him to join the coup. Tanaka refused, and ordered Hatanaka to go home. Hatanaka ignored the order. Originally, Hatanaka hoped that simply occupying the palace and showing the beginnings of a rebellion would inspire the rest of the Army to rise up against the move to surrender. This notion guided him through much of the last days and hours and gave him the blind optimism to move ahead with the plan, despite having little support from his superiors. Having set all the pieces into position, Hatanaka and his co-conspirators decided that the Guard would take over the palace at 02:00. The hours until then were spent in continued attempts to convince their superiors in the Army to join the coup. Hatanaka, Shiizaki, Ida, and Captain Shigetarō Uehara (of the Air Force Academy) went to the office of Lt. Gen. Takeshi Mori to ask him to join the coup. Mori was in a meeting with his brother-in-law Michinori Shiraishi. The cooperation of Mori, who was the commander of the 1st Imperial Guards Division, was vital. When Mori refused to side with Hatanaka, Hatanaka killed him, fearing Mori would order the Guards to stop the rebellion. Uehara killed Shiraishi. These were the only two murders of the night. Hatanaka then used General Mori's official stamp to authorize Imperial Guards Division Strategic Order No. 584, a false set of orders created by his co-conspirators, which would greatly increase the strength of the forces occupying the Imperial Palace and Imperial Household Ministry, and "protecting" the Emperor. The rebels, led by Hatanaka, spent the next several hours fruitlessly searching for the recordings of the surrender speech, failing to locate them amid a blackout caused by American bombings. Around the same time, another group of Hatanaka's rebels, led by Captain Takeo Sasaki, targeted Prime Minister Suzuki's office with the intent to kill him. When they found it empty, they opened fire with machine guns, devastating the office, and then set the building ablaze before departing for Suzuki's home. Fortunately, Hisatsune Sakomizu, the chief secretary to Suzuki's Cabinet, had warned Suzuki, enabling him to escape just minutes before the assassins arrived. After setting fire to Suzuki's residence, the rebels then proceeded to the estate of Kiichirō Hiranuma, aiming to assassinate him as well. Hiranuma managed to escape through a side gate, but the rebels torched his house too. In the aftermath, Suzuki spent the remainder of August under police protection, sleeping in a different bed each night to avoid detection. Around 03:00, Hatanaka was informed that the Eastern District Army was on its way to the palace to confront him and urged him to surrender. As Hatanaka saw his plan collapse around him, he pleaded with Tatsuhiko Takashima, the Chief of Staff of the Eastern District Army, for airtime on NHK radio to explain his intentions to the Japanese people. His request was denied. Meanwhile, Colonel Haga, commander of the 2nd Regiment of the First Imperial Guards, learned that the Army did not support Hatanaka's rebellion and ordered him to vacate the palace grounds. Just before 05:00, while his rebels continued their search, Major Hatanaka went to the NHK studios, desperately trying to secure airtime to convey his actions. However, slightly over an hour later, after receiving a phone call from the Eastern District Army, Hatanaka finally conceded defeat. He gathered his officers and left the NHK studio, feeling the weight of his failed coup. At dawn, General Tanaka learned that the palace had been invaded, so he went there to confront the rebellious officers. He berated them for acting against the spirit of the Japanese army and ultimately convinced them to return to their barracks. By 08:00 on August 15, the rebellion was entirely dismantled. Although they had held the palace grounds for much of the night, they ultimately failed to find the recordings. After his failed coup, Hatanaka took his own life before witnessing Japan's surrender. While TF-38 refueled on August 14, Halsey signaled McCain, stating, “I intend to strike the same general target area on the fifteenth.” McCain informed TF-38, “Our orders to strike indicate the enemy may have dropped an unacceptable joker into the surrender terms. This war could last many months longer. We cannot afford to relax. Now is the time to pour it on.” In fact, the Western Allies had sunk their last Japanese ships of the war that day, when submarines USS Torsk (SS-423) and USS Spikefish (SS-404) torpedoed I-373 and two small escort ships in the East China Sea, resulting in the death of 112 Japanese sailors. The following morning, August 15, the Third Fleet launched its first strike of 103 aircraft at 04:15 hours. At 06:14, just as the first strike was returning and the second strike was five minutes from the target, Halsey was ordered by Nimitz, “Air attack will be suspended. Acknowledge.” Shortly afterward, an officer burst in, waving a transcript—President Truman's official peace announcement. Halsey erupted with exuberance, “pounding the shoulders of everyone within reach.” He recalled, “My first thought at the great news was, ‘Victory!' My second was, ‘God be thanked, I'll never have to order another man out to die.'” However, within minutes, four retiring Hancock Hellcats were attacked by seven Japanese fighters, resulting in the Hellcats shooting down four without loss. Over Tokorazawa airfield, northwest of Tokyo, 20 IJAAF Ki-84 “Franks” ambushed six VF-88 Hellcats from Yorktown. The Hellcats managed to shoot down nine Franks but lost four of their own, along with their pilots. Rawlings' dawn strikes were intercepted by about 12 Zeros. Escorting Seafires shot down eight Zeros but lost one, while an Avenger downed a ninth Zero. Tragically, seven TF-38 flyers never returned. During the morning, Halsey launched his last strike of the war, but was soon ordered by Admiral Nimitz to suspend all air attacks. At 12:00, the Emperor's recorded speech to the nation, reading the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, was finally broadcast. The war was over… or was it really? 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. As Prime Minister Suzuki and his cabinet debated surrender, the Emperor Hirohito finally accepted the Potsdam Declaration, conditionally ensuring the imperial family's continuity. However, conspirators attempted a coup to prevent the surrender, ultimately failing. By August 15, Japan officially surrendered, marking the end of the Pacific War.

This week on Killers, Cults and Queens, Nikki and Cheryl don their finery to meet the Tsar and Tsarina of Russia... and their trusty spiritual sidekick Rasputin. Who was the real man behind the lorded healer? Did Rasputin actually have special powers? And how was he part of the downfall of the last Imperial Family? Nikki and Cheryl are about to find out.This episode includes mention of and discussion of sexual violence and may not be suitable for all listeners.Got a theory? Been lost in a rabbit hole? We want to hear from YOU! Email queens@global.com to get in touch, or DM us @killerscultsqueens on Instagram. And follow Cheryl @cheryldragqueen and Nikki Druce @nikkimacabrelondon.Listen on Global Player for free. Download Global Player from the app store or go to globalplayer.com. If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, please consider contacting the following resources:The Samaritans helpline: 116 123Confidential Emotional Support Line: 01708 765200Hope Not Hate: 020 7952 1181Exit UK: 0800 999 1945Safeline national male survivor helpline: 0808 800 5005Sexual Assault Support Line: 01708 765200Sane mental health line: 0300 304 7000

On a warm July day in 1822, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City echoed with the sounds of celebration. Agustín de Iturbide, a man of Basque descent born in Valladolid (now Morelia), Mexico, in 1783, stood before a cheering crowd as the heavy imperial crown was placed upon his head. He became Agustín I, the […]

成年に当たり、記者会見される秋篠宮家の長男悠仁さま、３日午後、東京・赤坂御用地内の赤坂東邸昨年９月に１８歳の成年を迎えた秋篠宮家の長男悠仁さまは３日、赤坂御用地内の赤坂東邸で初めての記者会見に臨まれた。 Japanese Prince Hisahito, the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko and second in line to the throne, attended his first press conference on Monday and vowed to fulfill his role as an adult member of the Imperial Family.

Japanese Prince Hisahito, the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko and second in line to the throne, attended his first press conference on Monday and vowed to fulfill his role as an adult member of the Imperial Family.

「新年祝賀の儀」に臨まれる天皇、皇后両陛下と皇族方、１日午前、皇居・宮殿「松の間」天皇、皇后両陛下が皇族方や三権の長らから新年のお祝いを受けられる「新年祝賀の儀」が１日、皇居・宮殿であった。 Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received New Year's greetings from other Imperial Family members and the country's leaders, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received New Year's greetings from other Imperial Family members and the country's leaders, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Japan's Imperial Household Agency on Monday announced details of a New Year's greetings event by the Imperial Family, which will be held for the first time in two years on Jan. 2 next year at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

宮内庁宮内庁は２日付で、来年１月２日に皇居で行われる新年一般参賀の要領を発表した。 Japan's Imperial Household Agency on Monday announced details of a New Year's greetings event by the Imperial Family, which will be held for the first time in two years on Jan. 2 next year at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

宮内庁が開設したインスタグラムの公式アカウント、４月１日宮内庁の西村泰彦長官は１１日の定例記者会見で、秋篠宮家など各宮家に関するＳＮＳでの情報発信強化について「その方向で検討している」と述べた。 Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering improving its sharing of information on Imperial Family branches via social media, Yasuhiko Nishimura, the agency's grand steward, said Wednesday.

Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering improving its sharing of information on Imperial Family branches via social media, Yasuhiko Nishimura, the agency's grand steward, said Wednesday.

"Mii," a cat owned by the Japanese Imperial couple and their daughter Princess Aiko, died Saturday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday.

We are BACK for Season 2 of the Hot History Podcast, so strap in because it's big! Today we break down the lives and lies of Russia's last Imperial Family - the Romanovs. With enough twists & turns to be a George R.R Martin sell-out, this is a story of deception, mystics, riches, genetic diseases and pretenders all wrapped up in an estimated $55 Billion package!

皇族数確保策に関する各党協議初会合後、記者会見する額賀福志郎衆院議長と尾辻秀久参院議長、５月１７日、東京・永田町衆参両院議長の下で与野党が協議している皇族数の確保策に関し、２３日の今国会会期末までの合意形成が見送られる見通しとなった。 Japan's ruling and opposition parties are unlikely to reach an agreement during the current parliamentary session over measures to secure a sufficient number of Imperial Family members, sources said Wednesday.

Seit fünf Jahren ist Naruhito der Tennou von Japan. Doch wer ist eigentlich Teil seiner Familie, wer wird später einmal nachfolgen? Das könnt ihr heute bei Acme.Nipp-on-AiR lernen. Außerdem gibt es wieder aktuelle Nachrichten aus Japan und zu Anime, Gaming und Vtubing.

皇族数の確保策に関する自民党の「所見」を額賀福志郎衆院議長に手渡す麻生太郎副総裁。 Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party submitted to both chambers of the country's parliament Friday its opinion supporting as "necessary" two government proposals to secure a sufficient number of Imperial Family members.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party submitted to both chambers of the country's parliament Friday its opinion supporting as "necessary" two government proposals to secure a sufficient number of Imperial Family members.

自民党の安定的な皇位継承の確保に関する懇談会で発言する麻生太郎副総裁、１９日午後、東京・永田町の同党本部自民党は１９日、「安定的な皇位継承の確保に関する懇談会」の第５回会合を開き、皇族数の確保策について、政府が示した２案は「妥当」との見解をまとめた。 Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday adopted a view that two proposals by a government expert panel to address the shrinking number of Imperial Family members are "reasonable," paving the way for talks on the matter between the ruling and opposition camps.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday adopted a view that two proposals by a government expert panel to address the shrinking number of Imperial Family members are "reasonable," paving the way for talks on the matter between the ruling and opposition camps.

319 Cultures, Conversations, and Community   The beauty of humanity is that we all share different cultures, from the differences in our food to whether we take our shoes off in the house, culture shapes how we interact with our community and our career which is why it is vital we have conversations about culture, so that we may find our community, teach others, and learn about another person's beliefs and values, in doing so we will all be stronger together as a community. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Kevin Hamm discuss the importance of community, culture, and the conversations that need to happen in order for us all to have a better understanding and respect for one another. Kevin offers valuable insight, intelligent conversation, and a healthy dose of humor, approaching this difficult topic with humanity and dignity.    Highlights A love for new and exciting things starts early and fosters growth and admiration for other cultures and ideas. What memories from your past impact your decisions to this day? Everyone sees the world through different lenses, be sure to encourage the growth and curiosity to see outside of your current lens.  Being yourself is vital to your survival and to being able to thrive as a human being. Fostering community through compassion and pride. Making sure the whole world knows you and your community exist.  Understand the cultural differences between yourself and other places, and understand that these differences can foster growth and connection between yourself and those of a different culture.  What access to other cultures do you have in your own community that you can explore right now. Ask questions! There is no harm in wanting to know more.   Quotes “At the time Governor Schwinden- I think it was Governor Schwinden, God I hope it was Governor Schwinden. Had just started the Sister State program with Kumamoto in Japan and so I joined a choir and discovered my love of sushi because we ended up going to Japan when I was a kid. And it's really fun to think about being an ambassador for the state of Montana going over when you're 12 years old or 11 years old, however old I was. Going over and being in front of the aristocracy, the Imperial Family, and all that in Japan, you know performing and being a soloist and homestays and meeting all these people, and having this incredibly intense, delightful introduction to how vast and different our world is, how diverse things are. When you're a kid and finding out some of those things that are common in other cultures we never even hear of, like at the time we didn't have a sushi restaurant in the state of Montana.” “The truth of the matter is I found a thriving and robust queer community up there as well and it was really interesting to see that this community that I knew existed in major metropolitan areas because Portland and Phoenix had given me that, also exists in these little tiny towns where people on a regular basis are like, “I'm going to move to the big city because I can't be here!” and then they move away. But there were some that were still there and wanted to live there and really loved it, and that was part of the realization that I was like, “Oh my community, the queer community, crosses every other boundary, whether it's racial or societal or economic, we're everywhere. And because we are everywhere we have community everywhere.” And that took me a little bit to figure out, but once I figured it out I was like “Oh I can move back to Montana because my community exists!”.” “It's not only that you don't want to be insulting in a lot of cases. I don't know that it would be insulting. They would just look at you like, “Oh you're not trying to be like us.” And I want to try to be like them. When I'm on their lands, in their place, in their house, I want to fit in, I want to belong, I don't just want to be there.” “The one thing I would tell anybody going into a new culture is don't be afraid to ask everything, ask the question that seems a little weird that you're like, “Oh I can't ask that.” You absolutely can.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Are you going to go explore a culture that you haven't explored before as a result of hearing this conversation? I know I'm going to and it could be just down the street, I have friends who own a Cuban restaurant here in town they are originally from Cuba. I have met them, I've spent time with them, but I'm not sure I explored their culture quite enough yet. I could even go to one of the upcoming Pow Wow adventures, I would love to do that with one of my friends from the tribes. I'm going to do that this year and I hope Listeners that you will find a culture you're not familiar with, somewhere within a few hours of your home and go explore it. Your mind and your heart will be better for it.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Kevin Kevin Hamm, 50, is a small business owner, battle-tested community organizer, fearless activist, and lifelong advocate for the rights and dignity of all Montanans. He has had the privilege of calling Montana his home state from the age of five; that's 45 years, for anyone counting. Armed with an appreciation for the importance of community investment that can only come from a childhood in a rural state, Kevin has spent his adult life investing in ways to give back to the place that built him. He has served on the boards of Queen City Ballet and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, and founded the Happiness & Joy Foundation, a 501(c)3 that puts on Montana Pride — Montana's statewide Pride celebration, which Kevin has run for the last nine years. In addition to his deep commitment to community investment, Kevin is a skilled businessman with a strong track record in tapping into economic potential. Through his marketing work, he assisted in ATX's transition from a $5 million company to a $20 million company and later capitalized on the skills he learned there to start two small businesses from scratch that continue to thrive today. Through Studio 19, his first company founded in 2010, he took on the responsibility of managing live production for the athletics departments at all Frontier Conference schools in the state; he continues to work with Carroll College leading their stream team to this day. By 2018, his reputation as a skilled problem solver had grown his customer base to such a degree that he was able to start Auxilyum, a second company that lightens the tech support load. Most importantly, though, Kevin's background is that of a typical working Montanan. He has firsthand experience doing the real work that powers our state as a matter of necessity, not just as a hobby or a means of making friends with the neighbors. He knows what it's like to sacrifice sleep working alongside good people in hot kitchens, and to give up sleeping entirely while turning a dream into a business. Kevin also knows this place in a way that everyone with a Montana childhood will understand; he grew up alongside people who valued character over politics, and formed lifelong friendships with people who disagreed with him on issues that might raise some people's hackles. He attended his first day of kindergarten on Four Georgians Elementary School's first day of operation, and found community in the halls of public schools and community theaters that gifted him with an education of which he is deeply proud. These experiences shaped Kevin into the man he is, but they are not unique to him — most Montanans will recognize these stories, and have their own versions to share. In Kevin, Montanans will find a candidate able to stand in a kind of solidarity shared only by those who know the value of hard work done on their own, without a trust fund to fall back on. So while he may not have unlimited funds with which to pay for billboards advertising his name or lobbyists on speed dial ready to pull strings on his behalf, Kevin does have something that matters more: a lifetime of solidarity with working Montanans, and decades of experience advocating for all of them in every way that he possibly can. Be sure to check out Kevin's LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as his website KevinHamm! Interested in the Former Felon's Ball this year? Click Here! Interested in learning about Montana Pride and how to help? Click Here! About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I've realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don't realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they're sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

「新年祝賀の儀」であいさつされる天皇陛下、１日午前、皇居・宮殿「松の間」天皇、皇后両陛下が皇族方や三権の長らから新年のお祝いを受けられる「新年祝賀の儀」が１日、皇居・宮殿であった。 Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Monday attended a New Year's ceremony at the Imperial Palace, also participated by other Imperial Family members and dignitaries from both at home and abroad.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Monday attended a New Year's ceremony at the Imperial Palace, also participated by other Imperial Family members and dignitaries from both at home and abroad.

As potential rescuers of the former Imperial Family drew closer, orders came from Vladimir Lenin to shoot the family where they were being held in the Ural Mountains. 

As potential rescuers of the former Imperial Family drew closer, orders came from Vladimir Lenin to shoot the family where they were being held in the Ural Mountains. 

Last time we spoke about the Massacre at Port Arthur, actions in Manchuria and the fall of Weihaiwei. The Japanese had completely destroyed their meticulously cultivated public image when they let loose atrocities upon the Chinese at Port Arthur. Meanwhile, multiple Japanese and Chinese armies fought in Manchuria, culminating in a decisive blow at the battle of Yingkou. The Japanese advance was getting ever closer to Beijing, but the event that would inflict the most serious threat to China was the battle for Weihaiwei. The survivors of the Beiyang Fleet were trapped within the harbor of Weihaiwei when the Japanese snuck onto the Peninsula and laid siege to the great fortified port city. The Japanese stormed the fort's guns and quickly turned them on the Beiyang fleet before launching torpedo boats to finish the job. It was a catastrophe for the Qing Dynasty, now the Japanese could launch offensives at their whim against Shandong province.   #54 The First Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1895 Part 6: Taiwan and end of the 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. Japan had just captured the port city of Weihaiwei. The Japanese government publicly reported their objectives of war were not yet attained and that the diet was prepared to grant whatever amounts were necessary for military expenses required to finish them. Meanwhile the Qing court in Beijing concluded that China's military defeats had been mostly a result of the weaknesses of European weaponry. Yes, that was their conclusion. They pointed out how there was a mismatch between Chinese gunpowder, which might I add was inferior to that of what was being used in the west, and their western purchased breech-loading rifles. From the North China Herald we get this gem "There is a movement in Peking for a return to the use of muzzle-loading rifles and long jingals [sic] for arming the Chinese armies. But the Chinese arsenals before the war was ‘unfit even for firecrackers' and had been provided ‘by unprincipled ordnance officials.' This inferior gunpowder supplied to the Chinese armies in Manchuria and elsewhere since the war began, had undoubtedly been one of the chief causes which has made our soldiery appear ridiculous in the eyes of the world. The powder in the cartridges has been found either not to carry far enough in nine cases out often or not even to explode! This sad state of affairs has been the principal cause of the hitherto astonishing panics of the Chinese soldiery whenever they were confronted by the Japanese." Instead of simply replacing defective powder and using modern weapons. The Qing solution to their gunpowder problem, which was the result of corrupt officials embezzling, was to simply dispose of modern weaponry and start using their old stuff. Instead of simply replacing defective powder and using modern weapons. With the Beiyang fleet's warships destroyed or captured, Prince Gong ordered the closing of the admiralty board since China no longer possessed a real navy. When he did so, they found 5 million taels missing from the account. It is alleged these funds were diverted to Empress Dowager Cixi's summer palace renovations. There was a general recognition in the west after the fall of Weihaiwei that the balance of power in the far east had changed. China was no longer the dominant power, it was clearly Japan. The Qing dynasty faced a horrible decision: they could negotiate a peace deal with Japan or they could risk a coup d'etat. It was to be defeat by the hands of Japanese, or their own Han subjects. The Manchu leadership clearly favored the former, especially since they were under the belief they could enlist some western intervention to mitigate better peace terms on their behalf. For the Japanese, they now were trying to figure how to make their war gains permanent, but to do so they really had to get the Qing to capitulate before foreign intervention occurred. While Japan could defeat China, she could not handle more nations jumping into the mix, particularly the Russians in Manchuria. The Japanese public and military were demanding peace terms to meet their great achievements in the field of battle. Japanese diplomats however were very aware of the international diplomatic consequences of being too ambitious in the peace terms. Cooperation between the Japanese military and diplomatic leadership began to wane after Port Arthur fell. A week after its fall, Premier Ito Hirobumi arranged Field Marshal Yamagata Aritomo to be relieved of his command for medical reasons, but he was not sick. No, it was because Yamagata favored a direct march upon Beijing and this made the Japanese political leadership worried he might not listen to orders telling him otherwise if he remained in the field. They believed such a strategy would ultimately backfire, because it would collapse the Qing dynasty which would simply drag western powers into the mix. As Premier Ito Hirobumi put it “Should this happen, Japan would be negotiating peace not with China, but with the Western Powers. But there is another twist to this story. Yamagata also happened to be Ito's most powerful rival and you can only imagine how much it might displeasure Ito if Yamagata marched into Beijing.  Thus Ito arranged for a different strategy. Beijing would no longer be an objective, instead the 2nd IJA hit Weihaiwei, but another far more distant objective was also tossed onto the map, Taiwan. It was the belief amongst the Japanese leadership, the western powers would tolerate Japan annexing Taiwan. Always trying to emulate the great powers, Japan wanted to obtain colonies, showcasing herself to be their equal. Taking territory on the mainland of Asia was much trickery and could butt heads with nations like Russia, but Taiwan was a lonely Qing held asset very far from her clutches. The strategy was extremely unpopular with the military and Japanese public, both of whom obviously were looking forward to a foothold on the Asian mainland and the ultimate spectacle of marching upon Beijing. In fact the Imperial Family had even sent Field Marshal Prince Komatsu Akihito over to specifically grab command over the march on Beijing. The Japanese royal family wanted one of its members to personally see the capitulation of the Qing emperor, now that would certainly be a hell of a spectacle. But most of the military and public did not understand what would occur if the Qing dynasty collapsed.  By this point of the war, the IJA sought to retain the Liaodong Peninsula, but the Japanese politicians understood this was far too close to the Chinese capital to be tolerated. Meanwhile the financial leaders of Japan sought, as you can imagine, large indemnity payments. War can be expensive. So the Peace demands would have three overarching demands: Taiwan, the Liaodong Peninsula and a fat sum of money in indemnities. Now ever since the disasters at Pyongyang and Yalu, the British and Russian governments began work to mediate between China and Japan. Nothing was coming to fruition, but after Port Arthur fell, the Qing began to get desperate. Just a week after Port Arthur's fall, the Qing government sent its first peace mission to Japan. On November 26th, the commissioner of customs at Tianjin, Gustav Detring and a journalist of the London Times named Alexander Michie arrived to Hiroshima with a letter from Li Hongzhang. Ito Hirobumi refused to receive the letter from Gustav Detring because he was not properly accredited by the Qing government, so he was sent away. When Gaiping fell on January 10th, the Qing government requested a cease-fire, which the Japanese turned down. In fact the Japanese publicly stated they would not halt hostilities even during peace talks. Thus the war continued on. Since the first mission, if you could call it that had failed, the Qing prepared a second. This time the Qing hired a special adviser, the former secretary of state to the US, John Watson Foster. Two commissioners were appointed, Zhang Yinhuan a former minister to the US, Peru and Spain and current Zongli Yamen. The second was Shao Youlin, a previous governor to Taiwan, and current activating governor of Hunan province. Zhang was capable of speaking English and thus he took the head. Speaking of heads, Shao Youlin, though a very unknown official, he was rather infamous for one thing. He had issued a proclamation at the beginning of the war, offering a 200 tael reward for the head of any Japanese officer or 100 taels for a regular soldier presented to him. Now if you have been listening to this series from the beginning you can guess this is the age old trick the Chinese played to save face. Always add some level of insult when performing negotiations. Thus Mr. Shao's appointment was just that, an insult and part of a game, a game the Japanese understood, China was still trying to make her look inferior. If China sent top ranking diplomats, it meant they were treating Japan as an equal. To this the Japanese retaliated. They used diplomatic fine print, found from European international law to rid themselves of the new delegation without breaching any rules on courtesy. They made the Chinese look ridiculous. Here is how it went down according to the North China Herald “the two envoys who should be proceeding were still idling in Shanghai because they were unfurnished with proper credentials” The Japanese also asserted the US minister in Beijing had been asked to draw up a proper set of credentials, but he was extremely late to present them and this was unacceptable. According to the Japanese the plenipotentiary powers of the two envoys lacked the authority to make any decisions. All of this occurred before the fall of Weihaiwei, meaning if the delegation had been successful the Japanese would have had a lot less chips on the table. A few days after the envoys departed for Hiroshima, the Peking Gazette, which was the official organ for the Qing government to publicate its edicts referred to the Japanese notably not with the term Woren, but this time the term Wokou which loosely meant “dwarf bandit'. The envoys reached Hiroshima on January 31st of 1895 and met with Ito Hirobumi on February 1st with Zhang keeping a friendly posture. Zhang continuously asked when he would be meeting with Emperor Meiji and Ito Hirobumi kept promising soon, soon he was a busy man, but in reality the Japanese, pardon my french, were just fucking with the envoys and were going to toss them out of the country. Ito Hirobumi made public statement to the two envoys, that they lacked official seals to conclude real treaties and that Japan had demanded assurances from the Qing government they would send proper envoys with proper seals. He finished off with this “ His Majesty the Emperor of Japan conferred upon my colleague and myself full powers to conclude and sign Preliminaries of Peace with the Plenipotentiaries of China." And on February 2, 1895, Ito called off the negotiations. Thus two days after the second mission arrived, they were already departing in failure. It would take over a month and a half before a third mission would leave China for Japan. In the meantime Japan captured Weihaiwei, destroyed the Beiyang fleet and were advancing upon Beijing by land and sea. This led the Chinese to stop messing around and choose envoys they knew the Japanese would accept. The Japanese made it known they would accept either Li Hongzhang or Prince Gong, China's two top foreign policy experts. Now if Li Hongzhang went, this offered the Japanese an enormous opportunity to humiliate the man who was commanding the Qing Navy and large parts of her land forces. The other choice placed a Manchu member of the royal clan in a position that would more than likely also result in humiliation. The Qing as you might guess, opted to toss the Han Chinese Li Hongzhang. It was the obvious choice to save the face of Manchu pride to scapegoat using a Han, a classica Qing dynasty strategy by this point in time. Thus the man who fought the most to modernize China and scapegoat this entire calamity would become the scapegoat and bear China's humiliation. To ready Li Hongzhang for his new responsibility, Emperor Guangxu simply restored all the honors and titles he had recently taken from him. Li Hongzhang yet again wore the 3 eyed peacock feather and yellow jacket. The Qing imperial court then asked all the highest ranking provincial officials for recommendations on what to include in the peace settlement. Li Hongzhang was provided with this: To accept a peace settlement as long as the Japanese only wanted indemnity payments. If Japan sought any territorial concessions, the Qing would continue to fight. Might I note, all of these officials who gave their recommendations were extremely out of touch with the reality of the ongoing war. On March 19th, Li Hongzhang alongside 100 other officials departed China for the port city of Shimonoseki. Premier Ito Hirobumi was the main Japanese representative and they would be conducted in english, with Li Hongzhang using an interpreter, Ito spoke english himself. Li Hongzhang presented official credentials with Emperor Guangxu's seal fixed on them. It's ironic, that when presented, Premier Ito asked why the Emperor used a seal, but no signature as was custom for modern society. Li Hongzhang waved it off stating it was Chinese custom and Ito did not press upon it, but yet again what a metaphor for China's reluctance to modernize. Li Hongzhang began negotiations by pressing upon things the two men used to talk about, pan-asianism vs western threats. In his words “the yellow race must work together to hamper the designs of the white race”. Ito replied “when I was at Tientsin 10 years ago settling the Korea problem, I gave you friendly advice that many reforms were most important for your country but I regret very much that no change whatever has taken place”. To this Li Hongzhang sighed and replied "the trammels of antiquated manners and customs in my country are most difficult to shake off and one cannot follow one's own inclination in effecting reform." Li Hongzhang then argued for the signing of an alliance between China and Japan against the West, which Ito declined. Then later that day, Li Hongzhang presented a proposal for an armistice, which Ito also declined. The main reason Ito Hirobumi was declining the armistice was because of the upcoming operations to invade Taiwan. Ito Hirobumi countered the armistice proposal by stating it would be accepted if the Japanese could occupy Dagu, Tianjin and Shanhaiguan; if China would cede control over railway from Tianjin to Shanhaiguan, which was her only railway at the time; and lastly pay for the cost of such occupation. According to Japanese foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu "As Li read this memorandum to himself, his face changed color and he appeared stunned. Over and over, he muttered that the terms were too severe." Li Hongzhang spoke with the Zongli Yamen, who in turn spoke to the Qing Court in Beijing and all agreed to reject such an armistice agreement. On March 24th, Li Hongzhang warned Ito "If the terms [for peace] involve the interests of any other country it would be well to proceed cautiously. Your Excellency said that Japan will attack Formosa [Taiwan]. This explains your objection to the Armistice." This was Li Hongzhang threatening that Western powers would intervene if Japan sought too extensive a price for peace and that China knew what they were up to with Taiwan. As Li Hongzhang left that days meeting to return to his lodgings, a Japanese youth named Koyama Toyotaro crept up to Li Hongzhangs palaquin and shot a pistol at him. The bullet went through Li Hongzhang's left cheek, literally just an inch below his eye. The Japanese police grabbed the man as Li Hongzhang was rushed to physicians to help him. The physicians were astounded with Li Hongzhangs fortitude in the face of such pain, especially since they could not anesthetize him due to his age. The operation would take a long recovery time, so Li Hongzhang decided not to have the bullet removed and simply went on with the negotiations. Now you think President Theodore Roosevelt was a badass,get a load of that. The bullet remained lodged deep under his nose. Emperor Meiji had ordered his personal physician to attend Li Hongzhang with bandages rolled up personally by the Empress. Emperor Meiji followed this up with an official public apology to the Qing government "It was of course incumbent on Us, in observance of international usage and on account of the credit of Our country to treat the Chinese Ambassador with proper courtesy and consideration...Most unfortunately, however, a fanatic has come forward and inflicted injury on the Chinese Ambassador. We are profoundly pained by the incident. The fanatic will of course be punished by Our officials in conformity with law." During the following week Li Hongzhang reported he had received over 10,000 letters of condolence from the Japanese public. This was an incredible loss of face for Japan. The wannabe assassin had very publicly breached the most elementary principle of modern diplomatic conduct. That said, the assassin received life in prison by the way. To restore some of their loss of face, Emperor Meiji granted a 3 week armistice to China, his entire military began pulling their hair out. The armistice was to be partial and not general however. What does that mean you might be asking? Well it meant it applied to the mainland, but not Taiwan and the Pescadore islands. The sneakiness of this was not lost of the press, the North China Herald had this to say “this voluntary sacrifice on Japan's part, is, as a matter of fact, no sacrifice and no armistice at all...[T]he march to Peking will not be continued...[but she] will go on with the subjugation of Taiwan." On March 15th of 1895, a Japanese expeditionary force of 5500 men had set sail for the Pescadore Islands. The Pescadore islands were the key to capturing Taiwan, their occupation would prevent the Qing from sending reinforcements across the Taiwan Strait. The Pescadores were garrisoned by 15 Qing battalions who held a recently created coastal defense battery that was created as a result of the French attacks during the Sino-French war. The Japanese opened up hostilities with a large naval bombardment of the Qing forts and batteries before landing ashore on Fisher Island and Penghu on March 24th. American-Canadian James W Davidson was a war correspondent with the IJA during the invasion of the Pescadore islands and later on Taiwan and he has honestly one of the best accounts on the entire story. So I am actually going to leave it to Mr. Davidson to describe how it went down. On March 20th, after a five days' trip from Sasebo naval station, the expedition, consisting of the fleet and the transports, arrived off the Pescadores and anchored near Pachau island to the south of the principal islands of the group. Bad weather on the 21st and 22nd prevented an immediate attack on the forts; but on the 23rd, the storm having abated, the ships got underway, and at 9.30 a.m., upon the first flying squadron drawing near Hau-chiau [候角?], the fleet subjected the Kon-peh-tai fort to a heavy bombardment, to which the Chinese replied for nearly an hour before they were silenced. During the afternoon, the disembarkation of the troops commenced. By the aid of steam pinnaces each towing several cutters, the troops, consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Companies of the 1st Regiment of reserves under the command of Colonel Hishijima, were all landed in less than two hours. The landing of the troops brought the Kon-peh-tai fort into action again, but without inflicting much damage on the Japanese. The troops on shore engaged in a skirmish with some 300 Chinese soldiers, afterward reinforced by 150 more, near a commanding knoll which both forces were desirous of occupying. After a few volleys from the Japanese, answered by an irregular fire from the Chinese, the latter eventually fled, leaving the position in the hands of the Japanese. Staff-quarters were then established in the village of Chien-shan [尖山社]. At 2.30 on the morning of the 24th, the troops advanced with the intention of taking the Kon-peh-tai fort and Makung (Bako) with a temporary company of mountain artillery under Captain Arai and the naval contingent with quick firing guns under Naval Lieutenant Tajima in the van. The night was very dark and the only available route was so frequently cut up with ditches running in every direction that progress was laboriously slow; only some two miles being made after three hours of painful tramping. By about 4 a.m., the Japanese force had all reached the rallying ground, and thirty minutes later, led by the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of reserves, were advancing towards the fort. The 5th Company, under the command of Captain Kinoshita, formed the advance guard, and a detachment of this company, under command of Lieutenant Ishii, were the first to engage the Chinese forces, 200 of whom had taken up a position outside the fort and appeared to dispute the advance of the Japanese. The engagement was very brief, the Chinese flying before the small number of determined Japanese. Meanwhile, the temporary battery of mountain artillery had been shelling the fort from a position too far distant to do much damage to the stronghold, but in a manner sufficiently effective to frighten out the garrison, who left in such haste that, thirty minutes after the first gun had been fired, the Japanese were in possession. Thus was the principal port captured in the Pescadores. The naval contingent were also enabled to participate in the engagement, and with their two quick-firing guns did much execution. The 4th Company of the 1st Regiment of reserves and the naval contingent captured the village, after only a slight skirmish with the enemy. The place had been held by a garrison 500 strong. With the 2nd Company of the 1st Regiment of reserves leading the van, the Japanese forces now reassembled and advanced on the capital and principal city of the islands, Makung. No opposition was encountered on the way, with the exception of some ineffective firing from the Yui-wang island fort [漁翁島砲臺]; and upon reaching the city, the 1st Company stormed the Chinese infantry encampment, being followed soon after by the 2nd Company, which dashed through the gateway with the intention of dividing into three sections and attacking the enemy from different sides. But, to their amazement, their plans were found unnecessary, the garrison, with the exception of some thirty who did make a slight show of resistance, having fled. Some shots were fired at a few stragglers, and at 11.50 a.m. the occupation of the city was complete. Another engagement the same day resulted in the capture of the fort in the Yuan-ching peninsula [圓頂半島] by Commander Tanji with a naval force; about 500 of the enemy surrendering without making any resistance whatever. Two days later (March 26th), blue jackets occupied the Yui-wang island forts and found the place empty, the garrison having fled. Soon after the Japanese entered, a native presented himself, apparently on a very important mission, which proved to be the delivery of a letter stating that the Chinese commander and garrison wished to inform the Japanese that they surrendered the fort. Thus fell the key to Southern China. The Chinese prisoners, with the exception of eight officers, were given their liberty. The spoils of the little campaign were considerable, including 18 cannon, 2,663 rifles, over a million rounds of ammunition, 797 casks, and 3,173 bags of powder, a thousand bags of rice, etc., etc. Rear-Admiral Tanaka occupied the post of first governor of the group, and a government office and military post offices were at once erected. While the battle for the Pescadores was raging, both sides were still undergoing negotiations. On April the 1st, Li Hongzhang's nephew, Li Jingfang met with Foreign Minister Mutsu to ask if he could replace his uncle as plenipotentiary. Given the embarrassing nature of the assassination situation, Mutsu agreed to this. That same day the Japanese handed the Qing delegation an 11 page treaty draft. The draft showed the IJN wanted Taiwan, while the IJA sought the Liaodong Peninsula and the bankers wanted a large indemnity. Interesting point to note, Ito Hirobumi was the main architect of the treaty and he modeled it very much on Otto Von Bismarcks treaty after defeating France in 1871. Ito Hirobumi was a great admirer of Bismarck, and he even modeled the Meiji constitution on that of Prussia. Thus he wanted the Treaty of Shimonoseki as it would become known to mirror the key features of the 1871 Treaty of Frankfurt. For those unaware the Treaty of Frankfurt held territorial annexation, a large indemnity payment and occupation of an enemy city until payments were complete. Ironically for those who know their world war history, the possession of Alsace-Lorraine would become the crux of two world wars, and much could be said of Japan's taking of Chinese territories leading to the same conclusion.  The Treaty held much more than the 3 demands however in totality it included, 1) the complete independence and autonomy of Korea 2) Qing cession of the entire coastal region of Manchuria from the Korean border south, including the Liaodong Peninsula, Niuzhuang, Taiwan, and the Pescadore islands 3) the indemnity payment of 300 million taels, to be paid over 4.5 years with a 5% interest rate 4) mandatory Japanese citizenship for residents in the ceded territories 5) a renegotiation of Sino-Japanese commercial treaties to mirror that with the West powers 6) the opening of 7 cities to international commerce, residence and industry (those being Beijing, Xiangtan, Chongqing, Wuzhou, Suzhou, Jiangsu and Hangzhou 7) the opening to international steam navigation of the upper Yangtze 8) exemption from the likin tax 9) Japanese occupation of Port Arthur, Weihaiwei and Fengtianfu until payments were done and 10) an end to all offensive military operations after treaty signing. Big gulp. To sing this would spell the end of Chinese influence not only over Korea, but major parts of Manchuria, and the complete loss of Taiwan and the Pescadore islands. When presented all of this China agreed to the issue of Korea's independence, but when it came to all the territorial claims Li Jingfang argued they were far too excessive. He also argued the indemnity fee was far too high and countered with 200 taels. It was at this point Ito Hirobumi pulled Li Jingfang aside for an informal meeting on April 8th. There he warned Li that time was running out and the closer the IJA got to Beijing the harder it would be to stop the toppling of the Qing Dynasty. Li immediately sent word back to the Qing court pleading for instructions on what to do, but they were not unified with factions emerging in the court fighting over differing issues. The next day the Qing delegation caved in to the Japanese demands with a few changes: 1) Both Japan and China would recognize Korea's independence 2) the territorial cessions would be the Pescadores, and part of Manchuria where it meets the border with Korea, this meant Andong, Kuandian, Fenghuangcheng and Xiuyanzhou 3) the indemnity payment was reduced 4) the Japanese would extend the same rights to Chinese in the ceded territories 5) The new Sino-Japanese trade deals would not be unequal treaties 6) Weihaiwei would be occupied until payments were made 7) all future disagreements would be submitted to international arbitration 8) all military offensives would cease upon signing. On April 10th, Li Hongzhang made the first visit to Ito Hirobumi since his date with the bullet and the talks began with a small exchange of courtesy. Li Hongzhang had this to say to Ito "What you have done for Japan I wanted to imitate for China. Had you been in my place you would know the unspeakable difficulties met with in China." Then Ito Hirobumi presented Japans revised treaty draft now including 1) Japan refused to recognize the neutrality of Korea and demanded China recognize the independence of Korea 2) Japan agreed to limiting territorial concessions, but wanted the Liaodong Peninsula, Nuizhuang, Taiwan and the Pescadores. 3) the indemnity payment was fine 4) Japan could not guarantee Chinese property right in ceded territories 5) Japan could not guarantee equal trade treaties 6) Japan reduced the list of cities to be opened from 7 to 4, Beijing, Xiangtan and Wuzhou were taken off. 7) Japan agreed to just occupy Weihaiwei 8) Japan refused to accept international arbitration to resolve future disputes 9) To stop military operations once this treaty was signed. The Japanese knew it would take another week or two for the delegation to get answers from the court in Beijing, thus giving their forces more time to subdue the Pescadores and Taiwan. Li Hongzhang began haggling more, so Ito Hirobumi pointed out that 60 more IJN transports were lying at anchor in Hiroshima's harbor awaiting the armistice expiration so they could depart for China. An ultimatum was given to the Chinese on April 11th and on the 15th they delegations met again where they simply hashed out the fine details such as waiving the interest rates and they extended the armistice to Taiwan and the Pescadores as by the 17th they were fully occupied. Finally on april the 17th the treaty of Shimonoseki was signed. With the treaty signed, the wolves came out in China to cast blame and cannibalize. Li Hongzhang's rivals at court came after him without mercy. Li Hongzhang for his part arranged to have his nephew take on the responsibilities of handing Taiwan over to Japan, a rough deal.  Now a lot would change, the balance of power in the far east for example. This is a podcast about the history of China so I do not want to delve too much into Japan, but it is important for the history of future events that you know this. Russia watched the war closely and by the end of it, came to the conclusion Japan posed a serious security threat to Russia and that of her expansion of the far eastern railway system. On April the 23rd, just 6 days after the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, the Ministers of France, Germany and Russia called upon the Japanese foreign ministry to offer some friendly advice. They recommended that Japan return the Liaodong Peninsula to the Qing dynasty on the grounds that Japan's possession of it would quote "would be a constant menace to the capital of China, would at the same time render illusory the independence of Korea, and would henceforth be a perpetual obstacle to the peace in the Far East." It was clear to the Japanese, the 3 western powers would intervene militarily if they did not acquiesce on the friendly advice. The IJN was not capable of facing the three navy's of France, Germany and Russia and thus Japan had to give up the Liaodong Peninsula. In truth Russia sought a warm water port in the Pacific, at this time they only had the cold water port of Vladivostok. As soon as Japanese forces had departed the Liaodong Peninsula, Russia immediately began occupying it and tossed immense funds into building up the naval base at Port Arthur. By December of 1897 Russian warships would be brought over to Port Arthur and in March of 1898 Russian formally leased the region for 25 years from China. And so the seeds of believe it or not WW2, had been sown some would argue. 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. Thus the first-sino Japanese war of 1894-1895 had come to an end. It was one of the most humiliating defeats for the Qing dynasty and yet again was breaking the dynasty brick by brick. For now the carving up of China was to ramp up. 

Alexios and his brother Isaac find themselves on the frontline during the height of another Byzantine Civil War. The entire Empire could come crashing down if things don't change very soon. In this episode, Alexios and his brother seize control of the Imperial Palace and take over as the next Imperial Family, starting the infamous Komnenoi Dynasty.The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish War from 1919 to 1922 to the present day.Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.comMusic by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

Experts show different views over the proposed use of social media to send out information on Japan's Imperial Family.

ジョージ王子の９歳の誕生日を祝って、エリザベス女王との写真を載せた英国王室公式アカウントの投稿、ツイッターより宮内庁がインターネット交流サイトの活用を検討している。 Experts show different views over the proposed use of social media to send out information on Japan's Imperial Family.

Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering starting to send out information on the Imperial Family through social media, the agency said Tuesday.

宮内庁は３０日、インターネット交流サイトを用いた皇室の情報発信を検討すると発表した。 Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering starting to send out information on the Imperial Family through social media, the agency said Tuesday.

Episode 2 of 2 Treasure's cracking open the secret of the "The Lost Imperial Faberge Eggs", an egg hunt that will change your life. Kristin and Reily give the clues leasing to the fabulous, Imperial Faberge missing eggs, and come to the fall of the Russian Imperial Family. You do not want to miss it! And if you have not listened to our first episode on The lost Faberge eggs, Please go and listen first (on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, google podcasts, or literally wherever you like to listen. ) Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8bTa_rzFNI (Rock Crystal Egg) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO7BwiT0V6w (Anastasia Clip ) *please rate and review us on apple podcasts, spotify or where ever you listen.* Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treasurepodcast/ (@treasurepodcast) Email us you personal treasures: Apodcasttreasure@gmail.com Twitter: @TheTreasurePod PayPal: https://paypal.me/treasurepod?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (@TreasurePod ) Sources: https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/what-she-wants/tsar-nicholas-ii-tsarita-alexandra-love-story-a2149-20180721-lfrm (https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/what-she-wants/tsar-nicholas-ii-tsarita-alexandra-love-story-a2149-20180721-lfrm) https://fabergediscoveries.com/news/2019/4/9/eight-rules-for-discovering-faberg-imperial-eggs-and-their-surprises https://spartacus-educational.com/RUSalexandra.htm

Ra-Ra Rasputin, Lover of the Russian Queen! There was a cat that really was gone! Ra-Ra Rasputin, Russia's greatest love machine! It was a shame how he carried on! (song by Boney M - Ra-Ra Rasputin!) Gregorij Efimovich, known to history as Rasputin, indirectly caused the fall of a 300 year old Imperial dynasty and the rise of the USSR. How did a peasant born in a nowhere village in the Russian Empire, the largest country on Earth at the time, rise to become a confidant of the Imperial Family? Rasputin is one of the strangest characters in all of history. In this first part of a two-part episode, we examine Rasputin through the lens of a person working a con. Rasputin is often called the "mad monk." But Rasputin was never an ordained monk. He could, however, be called one of history's greatest con artists. Opening and Closing Music: Penguin music - ModernChillout - Background Music [NCS Release] --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gene-tausk/message

Our interview with Helen Rappaport, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and best-selling author of books on Russia and the Romanovs. Her books like "Four Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Romanov Grand Duchesses," and "The Race to Save the Romanovs: The Truth Behind the Secret Plans to Rescue Russia's Imperial Family," provide the most intimate and dramatic portraits available of the lives of the Romanov family and their place in the modern world. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

In this exclusive episode - organised in collaboration with the V&A and recorded in London in October - I speak with Kieran McCarthy, director of Wartski (Faberge experts and dealers of the finest antique jewels and objets) and curator of the forthcoming exhibition at the V&A in London.  This is the first of two (hour long!) episodes with Kieran, in which he speaks to me about Faberge, the Imperial Family, the British Royal family and of course, wonderful Wartski's centennial connection to the most important Russian maison of all time.   I can't wait for you to listen! www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/faberge https://wartski.com/ www.josiegoodbody.com - https://www.instagram.com/josiegoodbody/?hl=en 

Aya Shimada tells us what the fuss over Princess Mako's nuptials tells us about Japan's treatment of women, how the media affords privacy rights to the famous, and Ollie remembered that he thinks wedding stuff is over-priced again.Bobby knows which one of the two Rising Sun post-covid cruise options he wants to take.Topics discussed on this episode range from: Why Aya thinks Japan has what she calls a "purge" culture How bullying is used in Japan to isolate and force out undesirable differences Aya's experience in both Japan and the US and how she felt trying to integrate in both places The community of Japanese people who've been abroad and come home AND the community of Japanese people who left Japan and never came back How Aya found the strength to face Japanese societal pressure, especially as a woman How that social pressure can contribute to a brain drain in Japan Subtle ways in which Aya discovered sexism applied to Princess Mako in the media More Coffee (and BBQ sauce) thank yous What Aya identified as "cyberbullying" of Princess Mako What press coverage of the marriage focused on and why How much of the general public actually cares about Royals, and why in one sense Aya thinks they should care MORE Does the media feel EXTRA ownership of Royals? R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to Aya Does the imperial family lead the culture, or represent the past? How does the Japanese imperial family struggle when it tries to adopt progressive ideas? Why all the fuss about Mako marrying a commoner? What did Japan think of the British Megxit? How the treatment of Mako in media infantilizes her and all women Some possibilities about the relationship between Mako and Kei that we hadn't considered Could she have married a non-commoner? How the conversation around this gets carried out at Japanese schools among young people, and what Aya thought about the royal family when she was a child The Heisei Emperor (whose name we totally now) and the things he did to KIND OF make statements about what they think/feel about world issues What happened with that payment to Princess Mako and also WHO CARES? The Debt thing with Komuro, and Japan being a bit hypocritical about it Will things get better for the poor, poor royal family in the future? What could be done to improve the situation and the role of the Royal family in the future? As always, the extras are FANTASTIC, and they're like getting a whole extra show for free. Well, not for free.For like 4 to 5 dollars a month.You can get access to the extras by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com.Topics discussed on the extras include: Aya's company CultureLabs and how she helps Japanese companies with Design Thinking Japan's attempts to diversify and how Aya navigates the need for diversification with ingrained resistance to it Aya's article about the Tokyo Olympics and what she thinks about it looking back on it Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com - it works now.or Tweet to us at @jbrcpodContent Links:On Japan's 'Megxit,' We Need a Feminist and ... - NewsweekAs a Japanese citizen and a consultant, I know why the Tokyo ...Social Media Links:Aya Shimada:  Linked-IN Ollie Horn: Twitter | InstagramBobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeOther things to click onSome are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor.  Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

This week we discuss the conclusion of Princess Mako's long overdue marriage to Kei Komuro and how Tokyo's busiest train line was closed over the weekend for renovations on an impressive scale!Word of the Week:撮り鉄 (tori-tetsu)This episode was recorded on October 29th 2021 in Hiroo, Tokyo.Join the discussion over on www.facebook.com/thisweekinjapanAlso, check out our "Japan Go!" YouTube Channel at youtube.com/japango

It's the first imperial family wedding in the country in decades and had all the hallmarks of a fairy tale wedding but the royal affair went off with little fanfare

The Squiz is your shortcut to the news.You can check out Stockland's Guide to Buy here (sponsored)Gourmet Traveller listMore details and links to further reading for all of today's news can be found in The Squiz Today email. Sign up (it's free!) - www.thesquiz.com.au.Sport Today - a sports news podcast designed to keep you ahead of the gameSquiz Shortcuts - a weekly explainer on big news topicsSquiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age appropriate news without the nasties! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Squiz is your shortcut to the news. LINKS:Your Shortcut to... Japan's royal family's woman problemSponsored: You can check out Stockland's Guide to Buy hereOther things we do:More details and links to further reading for all of today's news can be found in The Squiz Today email. Sign up (it's free!) - www.thesquiz.com.au.Sport Today - a sports news podcast designed to keep you ahead of the gameSquiz Shortcuts - a weekly explainer on big news topicsSquiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age appropriate news without the nasties! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hiromu Nagahara talks about Princess Mako's engagement and upcoming move to New York and the split in Japanese public opinion, between nationalists, who are angry, and normal people, who don't care.Ollie pays close attention to the head chopping facilities list on this week's cruise recommendation.Bobby does NOT like that thing that you all like.Topics discussed on this episode range from: How sometimes it's okay to just do something to connect Hiromu's recommendation for a way to enjoy studying Japanese history Amy Stanley's book: Stranger in the Shogun's City How learning about the history of the place you live can enrich your day-to-day Japan's history of leveraging Japanese art and Bobby and Ollie getting to feel like they contribute to the conversation The relationship between exporting/importing cultural products and political developments Ollie and Bobby find out that "Japanning" DOESN'T refer to becoming a high-functioning alcoholic "Enjoyment" as a catalyst of social change for VERY IMPORTANT REASONS The Japanese elite generation who loved Opera and saw their own stuff as backwards Princess Mako's upcoming nuptials and relocation to New York Why is this a big deal and why are nationalists so upset about it? A brief background of the current Imperial Family What's the debt scandal around her fiancee Komuro Kei, and his mom's broken off engagement The possibility that Princess Mako will turn down and "snub" the lump sum cash gift that royal daughters get when they marry The opportunistic timing of Komuro's mom's ex-fiancee's claims How Imperial succession works and why that places Princess Mako in a more important (but not THAT important) spot How the Ultra-nationalists see Princess Mako, and her duty to not "sully the dignity" of the royal family Not all Imperial Princesses are equal The unprecedented abdication of the previous emperor whose name I do not know The constitutional restrictions placed on the Imperial family A comparison between the actual authority of different countries' Imperial households throughout history How Japanese emperors have, nonetheless, influenced policy decisions How recent decisions and movements in Japan's symbolic monarchy bring up questions of constitutional legality; where do private decisions or expressions of opinion cross over into the iffy legal territory of swaying political decisions What's the anxiety around Princess Mako becoming Americanized? Who do Japanese royal daughters tend to marry and why? The reasons being used against Princess Mako moving to the states The fear that Princess Mako could be Japan's Prince Harry As always, the extras are FANTASTIC, and they're like getting a whole extra show for free. Well, not for free.For like 4 to 5 dollars a month.You can get access to the extras by supporting the podcast for less than $1 an episode by becoming a member at http://buymeacoffee.com.Topics discussed on the extras include: Japanese emigration throughout history Hiromu's own families  Reasons for and against Japanese people to seek employment/opportunity/adventure abroad What it means to be "kikokushijo: returning ex-pats" in Japan Have something you'd like to say? Send us a fax at japanbyrivercruise.com - it works now.or Tweet to us at @jbrcpodSocial Media Links:Hiromu Nagahara:  Twitter | MIT Profile | Tokyo Boogie-Woogie: Japan's Pop Era and Its DiscontentsOllie Horn: Twitter | InstagramBobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeOther things to click onSome are affiliate links because we're sell-outs We record remotely using Squadcast and the podcast is hosted on Transistor.  Bobby uses the Samson Go Mic and Ollie uses the AT2005USB mic ★ Support this podcast ★

The #Olympics are finished, but that doesn't mean people aren't still dumb, that, lack for foresight and other interesting #news.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://ncc1707c.wordpress.com/2020/03/03/the-last-russian-imperial-family/

On today's episode, Jill is joined by author Emiko Jean to discuss her new book Tokyo Ever After. The pair discuss the importance of writing a character she wanted to see growing up, the interesting nuances of the Imperial Family of Japan, and stories from Emiko's time working with bugs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his latest authoritative book, Journeys Through the Russian Empire: The Photographic Legacy of Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky (Duke University Press, 2020) Russian scholar, photographer, and chronicler of Russian architecture William Craft Brumfield frames the life and work of pioneering color photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (1863-1944), while also putting his own magisterial career into sharp perspective. Brumfield updates and interprets several of Prokudin-Gorsky’s iconic images with his own late twentieth and early twenty-first century versions, and the result is an extraordinary study of two photographers and two Russias. Prokudin-Gorsky was a polymath, inventor, explorer, entrepreneur, and eminently talented photographer, who pursued an over-arching goal of bringing color to the emerging technology of photography. Prokudin-Gorsky combined a strong grounding in both the science and the arts, which gave him easy mastery over the technology. But he was also a gifted entrepreneur, able to see the vast mainstream potential of photography, and throughout his career, he championed the rights of photographers and led the industry in its professional development. From the beginning of his professional life, he pursued his goal to produce color photography, but throughout his career, he was a vocal champion for his colleagues, assuming the editorship of Russia’s “Amateur Photography,” and campaigning successfully for photographers to assert ownership of their work. Prokudin-Gorsky’s groundbreaking use of glass slides to produce color soon came to the attention of the Imperial Family — passionate shutterbugs themselves — and Prokudin-Gorsky secured an invitation to present his slides to Nicholas II. The tsar became a staunch supporter of Prokudin-Gorsky, ordering the Minister of Ways and Communications to furnish Prokudin-Gorsky with a specially designed railway car for his laboratory, and access to river transport. The tsar also gave Prokudin-Gorsky an enviable laissez-passer for the entire empire, and an order that enabled the photographer to solicit aid from all government officials. For the next six years, Prokudin-Gorsky traveled throughout Imperial Russia on several regional expeditions, sponsored by the Ministry of Ways and Communications, capturing the emerging industrial might of the empire. But along the way, he also captured the natural beauty of Russia’s wilder corners: the majestic Caucasus, the arid desert of Central Asia, and the dense forests of the Urals. Did Prokudin-Gorsky understand that he was documenting a world that would soon disappear? For disappear it soon did, and Prokudin-Gorsky fled Russia in 1918, bringing with him thousands of color slides. Fast forward half a century, and enter William Craft Brumfield, who began documenting Russia’s architecture in the 1970s. He was a natural choice to curate a public exhibition of Prokudin-Gorsky’s collection for the Library of Congress in 1986, and his association with the Library and the collection has continued to this day. “Journeys Through the Russian Empire” is the magnificent culmination of this decades-long collaboration. William Craft Brumfield is the foremost Western expert on Russian architecture, and taught at some world’s most renowned centers of Slavic studies, including Harvard, Tulane, and the Pushkin Institute. In 2019, in recognition of Brumfield’s contribution to Russian culture, President Putin awarded him with Russia’s highest honor for a foreigner: The Order of Friendship. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who writes about travel, culture, cuisine and culinary history, Russian history, and Royal History, with bylines in Reuters, Fodor's, USTOA, LitHub, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life. She is the award-winning author of Lenin Lives Next Door: Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow and Have Personality Disorder, Will Rule Russia: A Pocket Guide to Russian History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm

In his latest authoritative book, Journeys Through the Russian Empire: The Photographic Legacy of Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky (Duke University Press, 2020) Russian scholar, photographer, and chronicler of Russian architecture William Craft Brumfield frames the life and work of pioneering color photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (1863-1944), while also putting his own magisterial career into sharp perspective. Brumfield updates and interprets several of Prokudin-Gorsky’s iconic images with his own late twentieth and early twenty-first century versions, and the result is an extraordinary study of two photographers and two Russias. Prokudin-Gorsky was a polymath, inventor, explorer, entrepreneur, and eminently talented photographer, who pursued an over-arching goal of bringing color to the emerging technology of photography. Prokudin-Gorsky combined a strong grounding in both the science and the arts, which gave him easy mastery over the technology. But he was also a gifted entrepreneur, able to see the vast mainstream potential of photography, and throughout his career, he championed the rights of photographers and led the industry in its professional development. From the beginning of his professional life, he pursued his goal to produce color photography, but throughout his career, he was a vocal champion for his colleagues, assuming the editorship of Russia’s “Amateur Photography,” and campaigning successfully for photographers to assert ownership of their work. Prokudin-Gorsky’s groundbreaking use of glass slides to produce color soon came to the attention of the Imperial Family — passionate shutterbugs themselves — and Prokudin-Gorsky secured an invitation to present his slides to Nicholas II. The tsar became a staunch supporter of Prokudin-Gorsky, ordering the Minister of Ways and Communications to furnish Prokudin-Gorsky with a specially designed railway car for his laboratory, and access to river transport. The tsar also gave Prokudin-Gorsky an enviable laissez-passer for the entire empire, and an order that enabled the photographer to solicit aid from all government officials. For the next six years, Prokudin-Gorsky traveled throughout Imperial Russia on several regional expeditions, sponsored by the Ministry of Ways and Communications, capturing the emerging industrial might of the empire. But along the way, he also captured the natural beauty of Russia’s wilder corners: the majestic Caucasus, the arid desert of Central Asia, and the dense forests of the Urals. Did Prokudin-Gorsky understand that he was documenting a world that would soon disappear? For disappear it soon did, and Prokudin-Gorsky fled Russia in 1918, bringing with him thousands of color slides. Fast forward half a century, and enter William Craft Brumfield, who began documenting Russia’s architecture in the 1970s. He was a natural choice to curate a public exhibition of Prokudin-Gorsky’s collection for the Library of Congress in 1986, and his association with the Library and the collection has continued to this day. “Journeys Through the Russian Empire” is the magnificent culmination of this decades-long collaboration. William Craft Brumfield is the foremost Western expert on Russian architecture, and taught at some world’s most renowned centers of Slavic studies, including Harvard, Tulane, and the Pushkin Institute. In 2019, in recognition of Brumfield’s contribution to Russian culture, President Putin awarded him with Russia’s highest honor for a foreigner: The Order of Friendship. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who writes about travel, culture, cuisine and culinary history, Russian history, and Royal History, with bylines in Reuters, Fodor's, USTOA, LitHub, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life. She is the award-winning author of Lenin Lives Next Door: Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow and Have Personality Disorder, Will Rule Russia: A Pocket Guide to Russian History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his latest authoritative book, Journeys Through the Russian Empire: The Photographic Legacy of Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky (Duke University Press, 2020) Russian scholar, photographer, and chronicler of Russian architecture William Craft Brumfield frames the life and work of pioneering color photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (1863-1944), while also putting his own magisterial career into sharp perspective. Brumfield updates and interprets several of Prokudin-Gorsky’s iconic images with his own late twentieth and early twenty-first century versions, and the result is an extraordinary study of two photographers and two Russias. Prokudin-Gorsky was a polymath, inventor, explorer, entrepreneur, and eminently talented photographer, who pursued an over-arching goal of bringing color to the emerging technology of photography. Prokudin-Gorsky combined a strong grounding in both the science and the arts, which gave him easy mastery over the technology. But he was also a gifted entrepreneur, able to see the vast mainstream potential of photography, and throughout his career, he championed the rights of photographers and led the industry in its professional development. From the beginning of his professional life, he pursued his goal to produce color photography, but throughout his career, he was a vocal champion for his colleagues, assuming the editorship of Russia’s “Amateur Photography,” and campaigning successfully for photographers to assert ownership of their work. Prokudin-Gorsky’s groundbreaking use of glass slides to produce color soon came to the attention of the Imperial Family — passionate shutterbugs themselves — and Prokudin-Gorsky secured an invitation to present his slides to Nicholas II. The tsar became a staunch supporter of Prokudin-Gorsky, ordering the Minister of Ways and Communications to furnish Prokudin-Gorsky with a specially designed railway car for his laboratory, and access to river transport. The tsar also gave Prokudin-Gorsky an enviable laissez-passer for the entire empire, and an order that enabled the photographer to solicit aid from all government officials. For the next six years, Prokudin-Gorsky traveled throughout Imperial Russia on several regional expeditions, sponsored by the Ministry of Ways and Communications, capturing the emerging industrial might of the empire. But along the way, he also captured the natural beauty of Russia’s wilder corners: the majestic Caucasus, the arid desert of Central Asia, and the dense forests of the Urals. Did Prokudin-Gorsky understand that he was documenting a world that would soon disappear? For disappear it soon did, and Prokudin-Gorsky fled Russia in 1918, bringing with him thousands of color slides. Fast forward half a century, and enter William Craft Brumfield, who began documenting Russia’s architecture in the 1970s. He was a natural choice to curate a public exhibition of Prokudin-Gorsky’s collection for the Library of Congress in 1986, and his association with the Library and the collection has continued to this day. “Journeys Through the Russian Empire” is the magnificent culmination of this decades-long collaboration. William Craft Brumfield is the foremost Western expert on Russian architecture, and taught at some world’s most renowned centers of Slavic studies, including Harvard, Tulane, and the Pushkin Institute. In 2019, in recognition of Brumfield’s contribution to Russian culture, President Putin awarded him with Russia’s highest honor for a foreigner: The Order of Friendship. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who writes about travel, culture, cuisine and culinary history, Russian history, and Royal History, with bylines in Reuters, Fodor's, USTOA, LitHub, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life. She is the award-winning author of Lenin Lives Next Door: Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow and Have Personality Disorder, Will Rule Russia: A Pocket Guide to Russian History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his latest authoritative book, Journeys Through the Russian Empire: The Photographic Legacy of Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky (Duke University Press, 2020) Russian scholar, photographer, and chronicler of Russian architecture William Craft Brumfield frames the life and work of pioneering color photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (1863-1944), while also putting his own magisterial career into sharp perspective. Brumfield updates and interprets several of Prokudin-Gorsky’s iconic images with his own late twentieth and early twenty-first century versions, and the result is an extraordinary study of two photographers and two Russias. Prokudin-Gorsky was a polymath, inventor, explorer, entrepreneur, and eminently talented photographer, who pursued an over-arching goal of bringing color to the emerging technology of photography. Prokudin-Gorsky combined a strong grounding in both the science and the arts, which gave him easy mastery over the technology. But he was also a gifted entrepreneur, able to see the vast mainstream potential of photography, and throughout his career, he championed the rights of photographers and led the industry in its professional development. From the beginning of his professional life, he pursued his goal to produce color photography, but throughout his career, he was a vocal champion for his colleagues, assuming the editorship of Russia’s “Amateur Photography,” and campaigning successfully for photographers to assert ownership of their work. Prokudin-Gorsky’s groundbreaking use of glass slides to produce color soon came to the attention of the Imperial Family — passionate shutterbugs themselves — and Prokudin-Gorsky secured an invitation to present his slides to Nicholas II. The tsar became a staunch supporter of Prokudin-Gorsky, ordering the Minister of Ways and Communications to furnish Prokudin-Gorsky with a specially designed railway car for his laboratory, and access to river transport. The tsar also gave Prokudin-Gorsky an enviable laissez-passer for the entire empire, and an order that enabled the photographer to solicit aid from all government officials. For the next six years, Prokudin-Gorsky traveled throughout Imperial Russia on several regional expeditions, sponsored by the Ministry of Ways and Communications, capturing the emerging industrial might of the empire. But along the way, he also captured the natural beauty of Russia’s wilder corners: the majestic Caucasus, the arid desert of Central Asia, and the dense forests of the Urals. Did Prokudin-Gorsky understand that he was documenting a world that would soon disappear? For disappear it soon did, and Prokudin-Gorsky fled Russia in 1918, bringing with him thousands of color slides. Fast forward half a century, and enter William Craft Brumfield, who began documenting Russia’s architecture in the 1970s. He was a natural choice to curate a public exhibition of Prokudin-Gorsky’s collection for the Library of Congress in 1986, and his association with the Library and the collection has continued to this day. “Journeys Through the Russian Empire” is the magnificent culmination of this decades-long collaboration. William Craft Brumfield is the foremost Western expert on Russian architecture, and taught at some world’s most renowned centers of Slavic studies, including Harvard, Tulane, and the Pushkin Institute. In 2019, in recognition of Brumfield’s contribution to Russian culture, President Putin awarded him with Russia’s highest honor for a foreigner: The Order of Friendship. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who writes about travel, culture, cuisine and culinary history, Russian history, and Royal History, with bylines in Reuters, Fodor's, USTOA, LitHub, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life. She is the award-winning author of Lenin Lives Next Door: Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow and Have Personality Disorder, Will Rule Russia: A Pocket Guide to Russian History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm

In his latest authoritative book, Journeys Through the Russian Empire: The Photographic Legacy of Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky (Duke University Press, 2020) Russian scholar, photographer, and chronicler of Russian architecture William Craft Brumfield frames the life and work of pioneering color photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (1863-1944), while also putting his own magisterial career into sharp perspective. Brumfield updates and interprets several of Prokudin-Gorsky’s iconic images with his own late twentieth and early twenty-first century versions, and the result is an extraordinary study of two photographers and two Russias. Prokudin-Gorsky was a polymath, inventor, explorer, entrepreneur, and eminently talented photographer, who pursued an over-arching goal of bringing color to the emerging technology of photography. Prokudin-Gorsky combined a strong grounding in both the science and the arts, which gave him easy mastery over the technology. But he was also a gifted entrepreneur, able to see the vast mainstream potential of photography, and throughout his career, he championed the rights of photographers and led the industry in its professional development. From the beginning of his professional life, he pursued his goal to produce color photography, but throughout his career, he was a vocal champion for his colleagues, assuming the editorship of Russia’s “Amateur Photography,” and campaigning successfully for photographers to assert ownership of their work. Prokudin-Gorsky’s groundbreaking use of glass slides to produce color soon came to the attention of the Imperial Family — passionate shutterbugs themselves — and Prokudin-Gorsky secured an invitation to present his slides to Nicholas II. The tsar became a staunch supporter of Prokudin-Gorsky, ordering the Minister of Ways and Communications to furnish Prokudin-Gorsky with a specially designed railway car for his laboratory, and access to river transport. The tsar also gave Prokudin-Gorsky an enviable laissez-passer for the entire empire, and an order that enabled the photographer to solicit aid from all government officials. For the next six years, Prokudin-Gorsky traveled throughout Imperial Russia on several regional expeditions, sponsored by the Ministry of Ways and Communications, capturing the emerging industrial might of the empire. But along the way, he also captured the natural beauty of Russia’s wilder corners: the majestic Caucasus, the arid desert of Central Asia, and the dense forests of the Urals. Did Prokudin-Gorsky understand that he was documenting a world that would soon disappear? For disappear it soon did, and Prokudin-Gorsky fled Russia in 1918, bringing with him thousands of color slides. Fast forward half a century, and enter William Craft Brumfield, who began documenting Russia’s architecture in the 1970s. He was a natural choice to curate a public exhibition of Prokudin-Gorsky’s collection for the Library of Congress in 1986, and his association with the Library and the collection has continued to this day. “Journeys Through the Russian Empire” is the magnificent culmination of this decades-long collaboration. William Craft Brumfield is the foremost Western expert on Russian architecture, and taught at some world’s most renowned centers of Slavic studies, including Harvard, Tulane, and the Pushkin Institute. In 2019, in recognition of Brumfield’s contribution to Russian culture, President Putin awarded him with Russia’s highest honor for a foreigner: The Order of Friendship. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who writes about travel, culture, cuisine and culinary history, Russian history, and Royal History, with bylines in Reuters, Fodor's, USTOA, LitHub, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life. She is the award-winning author of Lenin Lives Next Door: Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow and Have Personality Disorder, Will Rule Russia: A Pocket Guide to Russian History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm

記者会見する加藤勝信官房長官、２４日午前、首相官邸皇族減少に伴う公務の担い手不足の打開策として、女性皇族が結婚して皇籍を離脱した後も特別職の国家公務員と位置付け、皇室活動を続けてもらう制度の創設が政府内で検討されていることが分かった。 The Japanese government is considering having female Imperial Family members who have lost their royal status upon marriage continue Imperial activities as government employees, informed sources said Tuesday.

The Japanese government is considering having female Imperial Family members who have lost their royal status upon marriage continue Imperial activities as government employees, informed sources said Tuesday.

Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering canceling visits by the general public to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 2 to receive New Year greetings from the Imperial Family, due to the spread of the new coronavirus, sources at the agency said Monday.

毎年１月２日に皇居で行われる新年一般参賀について、新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大を考慮し、来年は行わない方向で調整が進められていることが１６日、宮内庁関係者への取材で分かった。 Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering canceling visits by the general public to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 2 to receive New Year greetings from the Imperial Family, due to the spread of the new coronavirus, sources at the agency said Monday.

http://loosescrewsed.com Join us on discord! And check out the merch store! Spooooooky voice-acted lore tour event by Awan, went off on Tuesday 27th October. Replay link https://www.twitch.tv/videos/783978243 CMDR Thauma circumnavigated the galaxy in a fleet carrier. Write up on Massively OP and Reddit. https://massivelyop.com/2020/10/27/the-gamer-who-circumnavigated-the-galaxy-in-a-ship-of-elite-dangerous-own-making/ The Horizons fold down has happened, and accounts who previously owned horizons now have a new paintjob for every ship, fighter, and srv. (Apparently the paint not working on PS4?) Cqc seems to be broken, too. And to top it off, the game is on steam sale for 75% off until November 2. Squad Update: All is quiet on the front, or quiet before the storm? In Game News: https://community.elitedangerous.com/ The Federation congress has voted to grant sanctuary to the Marlinist immigrants. The next day Imperator Hadrian Augustus Duval was wounded in an assassination attempt. NMLA claims responsability, It happened inside the headquarters of Nova Imperium, which firmly stands against NMLA in their statement. Hadrian Duval is the illegitimate grandson of Emperor Hengist. His father, the late Commander Hector Jansen, was the result of a secret liaison with a household slave. Although disowned by the Imperial Family, Hadrian claims to be a rightful heir to the throne. Interesting they are hitting currently not-in-power Duvals, eh? Curious... Both CGs have completed and for the first time in several weeks we don’t have a new one directly replacing it. The delivery CG finished in Tier 3, providing supplies to sustain the Marlinist populations in the LTT 3607, Charunder and Ennead systems until federal support comes in. The combat CG to protect the delivery ships also finished just shy of tier 4. Collect rewards way out at Fox Enterprise in LFT 625. Halloween event! Firstly, there’s new livery stuffs. Buy them and put them on your ship if you want to be sufficiently spooooooky! A few days ago some coded messages began to trickle out on twitter. These turn out to contain messages encoded in binary, but it takes days for all the pictures to come out and we get the full message. https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/jjvtvv/pieces_19/ Shortly thereafter we get an audio transmission. ttps://mobile.twitter.com/elitedangerous/status/1321500318434238465 And then a scripted Halloween special video from the CMs. (Great job, guys) https://youtu.be/52qsTzsvouY And now for those who aren’t going out on their own to find it, on to the rest of what’s been found! https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/jkc8pw/spoilers_summary_of_logs_and_lore_from_coalsack/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

101 years have passed since the murder of the Imperial Family of Russia at Yekaterinburg, but their appeal has not diminished.  Indeed, interest in the Romanovs is at a historic high as television and the Internet age enables ever more devotees to discover the sepia-tinged appeal of Tsar Nicholas II and his doomed family. Less attention is devoted to the members of Nicholas’s family of origin, including many who survived the slaughter of 1917, escaping Russia for lives of exile in Europe and North America. And of these, no one is more fascinating than Nicholas's own mother, Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna, the Danish princess who captured the hearts of Russia when she arrived to marry the heir to the throne, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich in 1866. C.W. Gortner's latest novel, The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna (Ballentine Books, 2018) goes a long way to addressing this disparity.  The novel is an exceptionally well-researched, masterfully crafted account of Maria Fyodorovna from her upbringing in a cozy and modest childhood home in Denmark — which she shares with her sister, Alix, destined to be Britain's Queen Alexandra — to her final bittersweet moments in Russia in 1918. Gortner endows Maria Fyodorovna with the ability to see more than one side of an argument, and through her interaction with her father-in-law, the Tsar Liberator Alexander II, the reader gets keen insight into the urgent need for political and social reform in Imperial Russia. The tragic early death of Maria Feodorovna’s husband leaves her eldest son, Nicholas, woefully unprepared to assume the throne.  Gortner deftly draws the inevitable clash of wills between Maria and Alexandra, 'Nicholas's stubborn but strong-willed wife, who comes to entirely rely upon the Mad Monk Rasputin.  This struggle between the two women successfully drives the second half of the novel as war and revolution begin to overshadow the gilded Romanov world. Gortner's research shines through The Romanov Empress, and the resulting novel is several notches above many other attempts to recreate the hermetically sealed world of Tsarskoye Selo and the Winter Palace in terms of both quality and accuracy.  His cameo portraits of the sprawling tribe of Romanovs are spot on — particularly that of Maria Feodorovna’s sister-in-law and sidekick, the redoubtable Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna the Elder.  But at the heart of the novel is Maria Fyodorovna herself — by no means perfect but trying hard to do what is right for the family and the country she loves in almost impossible circumstances.  Romanov fans will rejoice in this welcome addition to the canon. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who divides her time between Riga, Latvia, and New England.  Jennifer writes about travel, food, lifestyle, and Russian history and culture with bylines in Reuters, Fodor’s, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life.  She is the in-house travel blogger for Alexander & Roberts, and the award-winning author of  Lenin Lives Next Door:  Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow.  Follow Jennifer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or visit jennifereremeeva.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

101 years have passed since the murder of the Imperial Family of Russia at Yekaterinburg, but their appeal has not diminished.  Indeed, interest in the Romanovs is at a historic high as television and the Internet age enables ever more devotees to discover the sepia-tinged appeal of Tsar Nicholas II and his doomed family. Less attention is devoted to the members of Nicholas’s family of origin, including many who survived the slaughter of 1917, escaping Russia for lives of exile in Europe and North America. And of these, no one is more fascinating than Nicholas's own mother, Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna, the Danish princess who captured the hearts of Russia when she arrived to marry the heir to the throne, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich in 1866. C.W. Gortner's latest novel, The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna (Ballentine Books, 2018) goes a long way to addressing this disparity.  The novel is an exceptionally well-researched, masterfully crafted account of Maria Fyodorovna from her upbringing in a cozy and modest childhood home in Denmark — which she shares with her sister, Alix, destined to be Britain's Queen Alexandra — to her final bittersweet moments in Russia in 1918. Gortner endows Maria Fyodorovna with the ability to see more than one side of an argument, and through her interaction with her father-in-law, the Tsar Liberator Alexander II, the reader gets keen insight into the urgent need for political and social reform in Imperial Russia. The tragic early death of Maria Feodorovna’s husband leaves her eldest son, Nicholas, woefully unprepared to assume the throne.  Gortner deftly draws the inevitable clash of wills between Maria and Alexandra, 'Nicholas's stubborn but strong-willed wife, who comes to entirely rely upon the Mad Monk Rasputin.  This struggle between the two women successfully drives the second half of the novel as war and revolution begin to overshadow the gilded Romanov world. Gortner's research shines through The Romanov Empress, and the resulting novel is several notches above many other attempts to recreate the hermetically sealed world of Tsarskoye Selo and the Winter Palace in terms of both quality and accuracy.  His cameo portraits of the sprawling tribe of Romanovs are spot on — particularly that of Maria Feodorovna’s sister-in-law and sidekick, the redoubtable Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna the Elder.  But at the heart of the novel is Maria Fyodorovna herself — by no means perfect but trying hard to do what is right for the family and the country she loves in almost impossible circumstances.  Romanov fans will rejoice in this welcome addition to the canon. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who divides her time between Riga, Latvia, and New England.  Jennifer writes about travel, food, lifestyle, and Russian history and culture with bylines in Reuters, Fodor’s, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life.  She is the in-house travel blogger for Alexander & Roberts, and the award-winning author of  Lenin Lives Next Door:  Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow.  Follow Jennifer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or visit jennifereremeeva.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

101 years have passed since the murder of the Imperial Family of Russia at Yekaterinburg, but their appeal has not diminished.  Indeed, interest in the Romanovs is at a historic high as television and the Internet age enables ever more devotees to discover the sepia-tinged appeal of Tsar Nicholas II and his doomed family. Less attention is devoted to the members of Nicholas’s family of origin, including many who survived the slaughter of 1917, escaping Russia for lives of exile in Europe and North America. And of these, no one is more fascinating than Nicholas's own mother, Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna, the Danish princess who captured the hearts of Russia when she arrived to marry the heir to the throne, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich in 1866. C.W. Gortner's latest novel, The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna (Ballentine Books, 2018) goes a long way to addressing this disparity.  The novel is an exceptionally well-researched, masterfully crafted account of Maria Fyodorovna from her upbringing in a cozy and modest childhood home in Denmark — which she shares with her sister, Alix, destined to be Britain's Queen Alexandra — to her final bittersweet moments in Russia in 1918. Gortner endows Maria Fyodorovna with the ability to see more than one side of an argument, and through her interaction with her father-in-law, the Tsar Liberator Alexander II, the reader gets keen insight into the urgent need for political and social reform in Imperial Russia. The tragic early death of Maria Feodorovna’s husband leaves her eldest son, Nicholas, woefully unprepared to assume the throne.  Gortner deftly draws the inevitable clash of wills between Maria and Alexandra, 'Nicholas's stubborn but strong-willed wife, who comes to entirely rely upon the Mad Monk Rasputin.  This struggle between the two women successfully drives the second half of the novel as war and revolution begin to overshadow the gilded Romanov world. Gortner's research shines through The Romanov Empress, and the resulting novel is several notches above many other attempts to recreate the hermetically sealed world of Tsarskoye Selo and the Winter Palace in terms of both quality and accuracy.  His cameo portraits of the sprawling tribe of Romanovs are spot on — particularly that of Maria Feodorovna’s sister-in-law and sidekick, the redoubtable Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna the Elder.  But at the heart of the novel is Maria Fyodorovna herself — by no means perfect but trying hard to do what is right for the family and the country she loves in almost impossible circumstances.  Romanov fans will rejoice in this welcome addition to the canon. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who divides her time between Riga, Latvia, and New England.  Jennifer writes about travel, food, lifestyle, and Russian history and culture with bylines in Reuters, Fodor’s, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life.  She is the in-house travel blogger for Alexander & Roberts, and the award-winning author of  Lenin Lives Next Door:  Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow.  Follow Jennifer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or visit jennifereremeeva.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

101 years have passed since the murder of the Imperial Family of Russia at Yekaterinburg, but their appeal has not diminished.  Indeed, interest in the Romanovs is at a historic high as television and the Internet age enables ever more devotees to discover the sepia-tinged appeal of Tsar Nicholas II and his doomed family. Less attention is devoted to the members of Nicholas’s family of origin, including many who survived the slaughter of 1917, escaping Russia for lives of exile in Europe and North America. And of these, no one is more fascinating than Nicholas's own mother, Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna, the Danish princess who captured the hearts of Russia when she arrived to marry the heir to the throne, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich in 1866. C.W. Gortner's latest novel, The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna (Ballentine Books, 2018) goes a long way to addressing this disparity.  The novel is an exceptionally well-researched, masterfully crafted account of Maria Fyodorovna from her upbringing in a cozy and modest childhood home in Denmark — which she shares with her sister, Alix, destined to be Britain's Queen Alexandra — to her final bittersweet moments in Russia in 1918. Gortner endows Maria Fyodorovna with the ability to see more than one side of an argument, and through her interaction with her father-in-law, the Tsar Liberator Alexander II, the reader gets keen insight into the urgent need for political and social reform in Imperial Russia. The tragic early death of Maria Feodorovna’s husband leaves her eldest son, Nicholas, woefully unprepared to assume the throne.  Gortner deftly draws the inevitable clash of wills between Maria and Alexandra, 'Nicholas's stubborn but strong-willed wife, who comes to entirely rely upon the Mad Monk Rasputin.  This struggle between the two women successfully drives the second half of the novel as war and revolution begin to overshadow the gilded Romanov world. Gortner's research shines through The Romanov Empress, and the resulting novel is several notches above many other attempts to recreate the hermetically sealed world of Tsarskoye Selo and the Winter Palace in terms of both quality and accuracy.  His cameo portraits of the sprawling tribe of Romanovs are spot on — particularly that of Maria Feodorovna’s sister-in-law and sidekick, the redoubtable Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna the Elder.  But at the heart of the novel is Maria Fyodorovna herself — by no means perfect but trying hard to do what is right for the family and the country she loves in almost impossible circumstances.  Romanov fans will rejoice in this welcome addition to the canon. Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer who divides her time between Riga, Latvia, and New England.  Jennifer writes about travel, food, lifestyle, and Russian history and culture with bylines in Reuters, Fodor’s, The Moscow Times, and Russian Life.  She is the in-house travel blogger for Alexander & Roberts, and the award-winning author of  Lenin Lives Next Door:  Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow.  Follow Jennifer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or visit jennifereremeeva.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated his throne on April 30, 2019. What are the implications for the Imperial Family and how does this tie into the context of Japan’s recent past?

Its good to be back thanks for staying tuned and staying stoked. For your patients I have a super extra long episode for you. I share with you what happend to me and my kidney while in Japan during the month of October. Mahalo to the staff f at Mishima Hospital for helping stay alive. We visit with Michael Miller from Tiki's Grill & Bar about his new position on the board of the Hawaii Food Bank. You can Help out and make a donation to the food bank here http://hawaiifoodbank.org We feature music from Kalani Pe'a, Eric Hutchinson, Kahulanui, Willie K, Steff Mariani and comedy as well as a lesson in pigeon from Andy Bumatai. (Hey Andy i think i mispronounced your name several times I'm sorry but i stay dyslexic but still love you) Here are the show notes Aloha and welcome back to Hawaii Posts Hawaii’s only weekly update for weather surf and island events I’m your host Tom e Gaupp a.k.a. Tom e Stokes It’s good to be back and i thank you for staying tuned and staying stoked. In this our 11th episode we have our 777 followed by in interview with Michael Miller a new board member with the Hawaii Food Bank and we will close out the show with a few songs from our events featured artist The month of october was a wild month and I actually made a podcast for the first 2 months but fell short of posting it on my way to the airport. I was in Japan for a few weeks with my family while at Tokyo Disneyland nearly collapsed from abdominal pain, I thought it was just kidney stones but upon the insistence of my wife and father inlay i was taken to the emergency room and diagnosed with acute kidney infection, Pyelonephritis, caused by passing massive kidney stones that caused tearing in the ureter which is the tube between the kidney and the bladder. I was admitted to Mishima hospital for 7 days. It was pretty serious, my blood test revealed deadly levels of bacteria and high white blood cell count. The doctor braced me to prepare for the worse but hope for the best. I was on the verge of sepsis or septicemia which is a blood infection which could lead to septic shock which has a 50% mortality rate. Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Okubo and the whole staff at Mishima Hospital worked hard to heal me and by the grace of God i was cured in 5 days. But its a long road to recovery. It was pretty scary at first, being in a foreign land far from home. My Japanese is pretty limited but i am always trying to learn more and improve my japanese vocabulary. I speak survival japanese I can from greeting to and direction i talk about the weather, food and nod politely but i needed to communicate with the medical staff at the hospital if i wanted tell them how i felt and what i needed or just wanted to know what was going on inside my body. While in the hospital i used google translator app to converse with the doctors, nurses, pharmacist food service and staff. I am blessed to have a loving wife with caring in-laws. Both my mother and father inlaws came to my room several times to check in on me and bring me some much need snack and my favorite VitaC1000 dinks. My wife had to travel on with my boys, because the trip was for my kids and a chance for my wife to visit the grave sites of her recently deceased. Hospitals are no place for kids to hang out so off to Legoland and Kyoto they went. It’s safe to say that most of you may never spend a single day in a Hospital but let me tell you. The staff is so kind and caring the facilities are clean and well managed and the food, i ate everything they served me and enjoyed every bit of it. I tried new foods that prior to my stay in the hospital, might have otherwise passed up for the more popular japanese food such as my go-to sushi plates and udon noodles. But in the Mishima Hospital the dishes were more like japanese country cuisine bamboo shoots, nabe, wide varieties of fish, salads and side dishes. Needless to say after my first two days as i started to regain my health i ate very well. Fortunately i still have my mother and father in my life. My Dad sends my a prayer book from “Today” every two moths, i found it interesting that the first night in the hospital the lesson and prayer was titled “The Stone”. My mom is a retired nurse form the Ohio State University hospital and she is my personal medical assistant always there to help me understand what is wrong with me my wife or kids. She offered insight and loving comfort which was greatly needed at that time Laying in my hospital bed It game me plenty of time to think about my life, loved ones and the direction i would wish to proceed. I busted out some sophmorish artwork to keep up with my 4Buckeyes comic strip (learning that i can’t draw very well and i miss my computer to generate clean graphics and much better text … because my handwriting is worse than my 4 y.o. son) As Sinatra would sing in the standard “My Way”, “Regrets i have a few but then again too few to mention”. I decided that i would confess to this audience and anyone there after that i am not perfect, that i have said and done things that i wish i could take back or do again with a little more love in my heart. I resolved to be a better person every day and practice the golden rule of doing unto others as i would have them do unto me. I asked god for forgiveness, a chance to heal and the strength improve upon my life every day after. I was scared so reached out to my friend and family asking for their thoughts and prayers, something i never have done before but in the darkness of my hospital room thousands of miles from home, i cried in pain and was overwhelmed with sorrow and guilt wanting to be a better husband, father, son and friend to all. With great delight i received the thoughts and prayers from those i asked. It built up my spirit and health. Let me tell you Humility and Prayer works. Remarkably i was healed faster than 7 days the doctor predicted, I was discharged after 5 days and got to re-join my family and travel on to Osaka. Still weak and sore and irritable i realized that changing my was would take time tobe the better person i desire to be. I thank God, my family, friends and the entire staff at Mishima Hospital. Dr. Suzuki, Dr. Okubo, Then nurses Hitomi, Nagisa, Yuka, Yutom, Kaho, Yuka, Azumi, Tomoko. The food service staff Kotomi and Mieko. The pharmacist Yuichi Naito I have a few check ups with my doctor and urologist coming up in the near future but i am on the road to recovery, feeling better. I have started new exercise routines to strengthen my body mind and spirit. While there are many causes for Kidney Stones, Hydration may be the best prevention flushing your system of Oxalate excessive vitamin D or protein. In the last 10 years i have been drinking lots of water but the fact is my stones have been forming all my life and working in the hot sun as a life guard and surf cameraman over the years may have caused dehydration. I think back to my youth and realize that i didn’t drink enough water, even though i was a swimmer surrounded by water i just didn’t drink enough water. My kids take water to school and refill their bottles while at school. I remember this days in school waiting my turn at the drinking fountain and those friendly taunts and teases while i took my turn drinking “Hey save some for the fish!”. My best advise is stay hydrated. I just wanted to share that with you Now on with the show…… Here is your 7 7 7 forecast for Weather Surf and Events for all of the hawaiian islands 7 Day Weather Currently its 84 and sunny Winds have shifted from the typical NE tradewinds to south east winds with bings with it a little more humidity, vog and a good chance of epic sunsets. Light Trades will return on friday november 8th The next 7 days will be mostly sunny with occasional passing showers in the morning and evenings temperatures will range from 69-72 lows and highs from 79-84. Next thursday the 15th we have a good chance of more frequent precipitation https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/usa/honolulu Sun this week sunrise today was 6:38 and the sun set today is at 5:51 providing you with 11hr 13min of daylight losing an average 56 sec of sunlight every day next thursday the 15th sunrise will be 6:42am and sunset at 5:51 giving you 11hr 7min of daylight https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/usa/honolulu Our moon phase this week today its at a waxing minimum of 1.7% …. just a teeny tiny sliver that will be nearly invisible since the moon rise is at 7:37 am and moon set at 7:07pm The moon is waxing so that sliver will become a half moon by next thursday the 15th with the moon rise at 1:16pm and will be setting at 12:02am with a rumination of 55.7% In the night Sky Jupiter will set shortly after the sun around 6:45 and visible only aft the sun sets Mercury will set after the sunset @ 7:10 and visible in western sky Saturn is visible directly above after sunset and the will set around 9:10pm Mars will be the prominent planet in the evening setting around 12:50am If you have binoculars you can see Neptune which sets at 2:13a Uranus which will set at 5:32 Venus is a early bird shining bright rising at 5:12a in the east just before sunrise constellations Directly above is Pegasus North - Ursa Minor NW - Draco and Hercules W - High in the sky is Aquila SW - Capricornus above the horizon, Sagittarius along the horizon S - from the horizon looking up you will see Tucana, Pieces and Aquarius SE - Eridunus and cetus above that E - you’ll see Orions left side on the horizon and Pices higher in the East NE - from horizon and above you will see Auriga Perseus & Triangulum SURF High Tides at sunrise and sun set with the lows mid day North Shores: on the rise through the weekend saturday 4-6 with 6-10 faces sunday peaking at 5-8 thats 8-14 faces (2stories) then dropping but expect more bumps and swells throughout the week. West Shores: 2-5 (3-8 faces) Saturday and peaking at 3-6 (5-10) dropping on monday East Shores: holding at 1-2 (2-4faces) sunday may see a secondary swell around 2to 4 (3-7) South Shores holding at 1-2 Events Big Island Hawaii Kona Coffee Cultural Festival OCCURS BETWEEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018, 10:00AM - 5:00PM 48th Annual Kona Coffee Festival, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival on Alii Dr. in Kailua Kona 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon OCCURS ON: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018, 6:30AM - 11:30AM Come and join us for the 3rd annual 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon. Run the scenic coastline of Kailua-Kona from Coconut Grove Marketplace Hilo Hula Tuesday At The Bandstand OCCURS BETWEEN: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018, 11:00AM - 12:00PM Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon our well-known local entertainers provide a program of Hawaiian music and hula at this FREE event in Historic Downtown Hilo at the bandstand across from the Hilo Farmers Market.   Maui Above the Fold: New Expressions in Origami OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018, 10:00AM - 5:00PM Gallery hours: Tue – Sun 10 am - 5 pm (Also open before Castle Theater shows and during intermission) Maui Chef's Table OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2018, 6:00PM - 9:00PM AN INTERACTIVE, MULTI-COURSE DINING EXPERIENCE Dive into a menu of dishes inspired by The Mill House Chefs' personal stories and told through Maui's seasonal ingredients Hula O Nā Keiki OCCURS BETWEEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018, 8:00AM - 9:00PM Kā'anapali Beach Hotel is proud to host its 28th annual Hula O Nā Keiki – Maui's only children's solo hula competition. This year's event will be held November 9-10, 2018 in the Kanahele ballroom. Chinese Heritage Festival in Lahaina OCCURS ON: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018, 10:00AM - 8:00PM Lahaina celebrates the town's enduring Chinese heritage Oahu Bruno Mars will be in town doing 3 shows tonight Nov 8, sat nov 10, sunday nov 11 Peter Gene Hernandez, known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age and performed in various musical venues in his hometown throughout his childhood. He graduated from high school and then moved to Los Angeles, California Hawaii International Film Festival (38th Annual) OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 Established as the premier international film of the pacific at the Regal Cannery Theaters 735 Iwilei Rd Bishop Museum Presents the "Rapa Nui: The Untold Stories of Easter Island" Exhibition OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019, 9:00AM - 5:00PM More than 150 cultural treasures and never-before-seen biological specimens from Bishop Museum’s collections will be on display together for the first time in the Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Meiji Restoration and Immigration to Japan Exhibition OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019, 10:00AM - 4:30PM In 1868, Japan underwent a political revolution. With the coronation of Emperor Mutsuhito (known commonly as the Meiji Emperor), the Imperial Family regained political control, and the feudal stratocracy Honolulu Museum of Art @900 S Beretania HIC Pro OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018, 8:00AM - 4:00PM The HIC Pro annually kick-starts the North Shore’s competitive surf season and is characteristically graced with monstrous surf and high drama. The event takes place at Sunset Beach, which is one of the world’s most preeminent deep-water big wave spots that spans across a stadium-sized venue Royal Hawaiian Band At Kapiolani Bandstand OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2018, 2:00PM - 3:00PM Founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III, it is the only band in the United States with a royal legacy. With cultural roots dating back to the time of the Hawaiian monarchy, the mission of the Royal Hawaiian Band is to promote and foster hawaiian music The Music of Pink Floyd OCCURS ON: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018, 7:30PM - 10:00PM Any Colour You Like - https://youtu.be/bK7HJvmgFnM Windborne Music and Brody Dolyniuk are back! Last season we brought you The Music of Journey and The Music of Led Zeppelin – this season, we're bringing you Windborne's Rock Symphony The Music of Pink Floyd, featuring singer Brody Dolyniuk. World War One Centennial and Veteran's Day Commemoration OCCURS ON: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2018, 6:00AM - 8:30PM In Commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI there will be a full day of activities at or around the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. Hawaiian Pro OCCURS BETWEEN: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2018 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2018, 8:00AM - 4:00PM The opening event of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the Hawaiian Pro has created a local legacy that sets the bar for competition and initiates the start of peak surf season on Oahu. The break at Haleiwa Ali‘i Beach, simply referred to as ‘Haleiwa’, offers a wide variety of rideable Vans Triple Crown of Surfing OCCURS ON: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2018, 8:00AM - 4:00PM The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing has been crowning the greatest competitive surfer of the North Shore's infamous big wave season alongside elite World Champions for 36 years. Oahu attracts the world's best athletes to a 7-mile stretch of coastline in Haleiwa from October through December, Diamond Head Arts & Crafts Fair 2018 OCCURS ON: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2018, 9:00AM - 2:00PM Enjoy your day doing your Christmas shopping early at this community event for the whole family, featuring Made in Hawaii arts and crafts, plants, food, entertainment and cultural events and lots of free parking. With more than 200 crafters and handmade crafts, @ Kapiolani Community College BLUE NOTE HAWAII FEATURES Kalani Pe’a No ‘Ane’i - https://youtu.be/UqPBOkks5_Y OCCURS ON: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018, 6:30PM - 11:00PM Kalani Pe’a will be performing at Blue Note Hawaii with 2 shows nightly at 6:30pm & 9:00pm. Kalani's soulful voice showcases his many influences growing up, but his love for our culture keeps it right where it needs to be," said Jaz Kaiwikoʻo. Peʻa was determined in perpetuating Hawaiian Eric Hutchinson Eric Hutchinson - a million bucks on a queen motel bed (The FlowerSchool Sessions https://youtu.be/Bwjy7V8sfVw OCCURS BETWEEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2018, 6:30PM - 11:00PM Eric Hutchinson will be performing at Blue Note Hawaii with 2 shows nightly at 6:30pm & 9:00pm. Singer, songwriter, performer, producer, DJ - Eric Hutchinson is a constantly evolving musician, driven by his passion and curiosity for all things musical and creative Kahulanui E Mau - https://youtu.be/hqR6zkTcbYI OCCURS ON: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2018, 6:30PM - 11:00PM Kahulanui will be performing at Blue Note Hawaii with 2 shows nightly at 6:30pm & 9:00pm. GRAMMY® nominated and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning group Kahulanui is a nine-piece Hawaiian Swing Band from the Big Island of Hawaii, comprised of four horns, guitar, bass, ukulele, drums and steel. Willie K You Ku’uipo - https://youtu.be/txQj9pOCPMY OCCURS ON: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018, 6:30PM - 11:00PM Willie K Will be performing at Blue Note Hawaii with 2 shows nightly at 6:30pm & 9:00pm. The Hawaiian phenomenon Willie K is undoubtedly the only artist in the world who can go into an Irish pub in the middle of Maui and play anything from indigenous acoustic Hawaiian music to jazz, reggae, rock Stef Mariani Stay Gold https://youtu.be/5JUxDux2rt0 OCCURS ON: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2018, 6:30PM - 11:00PM Stef Mariani will be performing at Blue Note Hawaii with 2 shows nightly at 6:30pm & 9:00pm. Stef Mariani delivers sensitive folk melodies and driven lyrics that come together to form a passionate sound straight from the heart. Andy Bumatai Presents Hawaii Comedy Showcase Hawaiian Pidgin 101 - Ethnicities https://youtu.be/e_LVtykh09w OCCURS ON: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018, 6:30PM - 11:00PM Andy Bumatai Presents Hawaii Comedy Showcase will be performing at Blue Note Hawaii with 2 shows nightly at 6:30pm & 9:00pm. The Blue Note is very proud to present this showcase of the hottest comedians in Hawaii and hosted by our friend and Hawaiian Comedy Legend, Andy Bumatai! ♫ Mr. Sun Cho Lee ♪ (with lyrics) ♫ Keola & Kapono Beamer Mr. Sun Cho Lee - https://youtu.be/kS2YLvGGtwY Kauai In the Kitchen - Poipu Food & Wine Festival OCCURS ON: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018, 8:00AM - 6:00PM Cook with some of Poipu's finest Chefs at this year's Poipu Food Wine Festival. Participate in a hands-on cooking class with some of Poipu’s top chefs in their own restaurant. Classes at $50.00 per person per class will be limited in size and include a tasting and a commemorative gift. NTBG Free Weekly Hula Show OCCURS BETWEEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019, 2:00PM - 2:45PM Come out the National Tropical Botancial Garden South Shore Visitors Center and experience a traditional hula performance. Wahine Comedy Festival (4th Annual) OCCURS BETWEEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018, 8:00PM - 10:00PM The Female Comics of Hawaii present the 2018 4th Annual Wahine Comedy Festival at Trees Lounge in Kapaa on Veteran's Day weekend: Friday 11/9 and Saturday 11/10 8-10pm both nites. Enjoy original standup comedy. Na Hoku comedy album winner Brandi Morgan from Oahu headlines

Denis Vrain-Lucas was an undistinguished forger until he met gullible collector Michel Chasles. Through the 1860s Lucas sold Chasles thousands of phony letters by everyone from Plato to Louis the 14th, earning thousands of francs and touching off a firestorm among confused scholars. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll trace the career of the world's most prolific forger. We'll also count Queen Elizabeth's eggs and puzzle over a destroyed car. Intro: In 2011 Australian architect Horst Kiechle sculpted a human torso from paper. English historian Thomas Birch went angling dressed as a tree. Sources for our feature on Denis Vrain-Lucas: Joseph Rosenblum, Prince of Forgers, 1998. Michael Farquhar, A Treasury of Deception, 2005. John Whitehead, This Solemn Mockery, 1973. James Anson Farrer, Literary Forgeries, 1907. Rebekah Higgitt, "'Newton Dépossédé!' The British Response to the Pascal Forgeries of 1867," British Journal for the History of Science 36:131 (December 2003), 437-453. Stephen Ornes, "Descartes' Decipherer," Nature 483:7391 (March 29, 2012), 540. R.A. Rosenbaum, "Michel Chasles and the Forged Autograph Letters," Mathematics Teacher 52:5 (May 1959), 365-366. Ken Alder, "History's Greatest Forger: Science, Fiction, and Fraud along the Seine," Critical Inquiry 30:4 (2004), 702-716. Bruce Whiteman, "Practice to Deceive: The Amazing Stories of Literary Forgery's Most Notorious Practitioners, by Joseph Rosenblum," Papers of the Bibliographical Society of Canada 39:1 (2001). "Missives Impossible: Fake News Is Nothing New -- Even Isaac Newton Was a Victim, Says Stephen Ornes," New Scientist 236:3157/3158 (Dec. 23, 2017), 76-77. Steve Kemper, "Signs of the Times," Smithsonian 28:8 (November 1997), 134-140. Cullen Murphy, "Knock It Off," Atlantic Monthly 294:5 (December 2004), 187-188. Paul Gray, "Fakes That Have Skewed History," Time 121:20 (May 16, 1983), 58-61 Matthew Adams, "Archivist Talks About History of Forgery," University Wire, Oct. 24, 2014. Charles Whibley, "Of Literary Forgers," Cornhill Magazine 12:71 (May 1902), 624-636. "Literary Frauds and Forgers," Washington Times, Aug. 13, 1907. "Literary Forgers," New York Times, May 17, 1902. "Personal Gossip," Charleston Daily News, Oct. 20, 1869. Listener mail: Ben Zimmer, "Particitrousers of the Revolutionary Movement," Language Log, Sept. 7, 2015. Ben Zimmer, "Incorrections in the Newsroom: Cupertino and Beyond," Language Log, Feb. 1, 2008. Ben Zimmer, "Hugh Jackilometresan," Language Log, Jan. 4, 2017. Ben Zimmer, "It Was As If a Light Had Been Nookd ...," Language Log, June 1, 2012. Eddie Wrenn, "eBook Replaces All Mentions of the Word 'Kindle' With Rival 'Nook' -- and Ends Up Destroying War and Peace," Daily Mail, June 7, 2012. "Poor Mr Anus, the Council Candidate Given a Bum Deal by Facebook," Guardian, Sept. 28, 2018. Kevin Jackson, "Illusion / Right Before Your Very Eyes: Penn and Teller Do Magic, but the Real Trick Is That They Like to Give the Game Away," Independent, Jan. 30, 1993. Wikipedia, "Japanese Name: Imperial Names" (accessed Oct. 25, 2018). Wikipedia, "Akihito: Ichthyological Research" (accessed Oct. 25, 2018). Russell Goldman, "5 Things to Know About Japan's Emperor and Imperial Family," New York Times, Aug. 8, 2016. Akihito et al., "Speciation of Two Gobioid Species, Pterogobius elapoides and Pterogobius zonoleucus Revealed by Multi-Locus Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses," Gene 576:2 (2016), 593-602. Rob Beschizza, "Joachim Rønneberg, Saboteur Who Wrecked Nazi Nuke Program, Dies at 99," Boing Boing, Oct. 22, 2018. "Joachim Roenneberg: Man Who Stopped Nazi Germany's Nuclear Ambitions Has Died, Aged 99, Norwegian Authorities Confirm," Reuters, Oct. 21, 2018. "Joachim Ronneberg: Norwegian Who Thwarted Nazi Nuclear Plan Dies," BBC News, Oct. 22, 2018. Robert D. McFadden, "Joachim Ronneberg, Leader of Raid That Thwarted a Nazi Atomic Bomb, Dies at 99," New York Times, Oct. 22, 2018. This week's lateral thinking puzzle was contributed by listener Christopher McDonough. Here are three corroborating links (warning -- these spoil the puzzle). You can listen using the player above, download this episode directly, or subscribe on Google Podcasts, on Apple Podcasts, or via the RSS feed at https://futilitycloset.libsyn.com/rss. Please consider becoming a patron of Futility Closet -- you can choose the amount you want to pledge, and we've set up some rewards to help thank you for your support. You can also make a one-time donation on the Support Us page of the Futility Closet website. Many thanks to Doug Ross for the music in this episode. If you have any questions or comments you can reach us at podcast@futilitycloset.com. Thanks for listening!

Don't be so quick to blame King George V. There's more to the Romanovs story.Borimir Totev talks with Helen Rappaport, author of 'The Race to Save the Romanovs: the Truth Behind the Secret Plans to Rescue Russia's Imperial Family', about the Romanov family, the assumptions, and the important anniversaries.This podcast episode was edited and produced for Pushkin House by Borimir Totev.

by Vinnie & Joy Imperial 

Crown Prince Frederik acts as Regent, royal wedding update, abdication news, royalty attend the Winter Olympics and why the name 'John' is not an option for a royal baby.See more in this week's show.Visit our website http://rightroyalroundup.com.au.Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RightRoyalRoundup, follow us on Twitter @RightRoyalRound and Instagram @rightroyalroundup.

A new TV series about Queen Victoria to air in Britain, more abdication rumours, Victoria Day celebrations in Sweden, the Queen visits Prince William's workplace and Prince Harry leads by example for HIV/Aids testing.See more in this week's show. Visit our website http://rightroyalroundup.com.au.Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RightRoyalRoundup, follow us on Twitter @RightRoyalRound and Instagram @rightroyalroundup.

Charles and Di, Will and Kate, Satohito and Harumi - okay, in terms of royal couples that last pair might not be so familiar. In 2003 a lavish banquet was held to celebrate the new marriage of Prince Satohito Arisugawa of Japan’s Imperial Family. As one might expect, the guestlist was a who’s who of celebrities, politicians and wealthy elites. The party might have been a major success if it weren’t for one small problem; there is no Prince Satohito Arisugawa. In this episode we dive into one of the boldest and most uniquely Japanese swindles in modern history. We’ll be posting additional content and videos on our Facebook group. It’s private, but everyone is free to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/599855356835724/ Email us. truecrimejapan@gmail.com Sources: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/09/12/national/imperial-imposters-get-26-months/#.Vy3sB8jXfCQ http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2003/10/22/national/trio-held-for-fraud-over-imperial-wedding-scam/#.Vy3yMsjXfCQ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5334330.stm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/1477717/Guests-at-royal-Japanese-wedding-saw-bride-then-gloom.html http://articles.latimes.com/2003/oct/27/world/fg-royals27 http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/asia/article2610435.ece http://www.oneindia.com/2006/09/11/japan-couple-jailed-over-royal-wedding-rip-off-1157956700.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_House_of_Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusanagi

This week's news includes the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's return from Balmoral, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's trip to Australia, with facts and figures, and boosting tourism. The Duke and Duchess take legal action, a royal wedding in Japan, official engagement photos from Sweden and more.See more in this week's show.Visit our website http://rightroyalroundup.com.au.Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RightRoyalRoundup, follow us on Twitter @RightRoyalRound and Instagram rightroyalroundup.