Podcasts about Kyoto

After Kashiwa returned to winning ways with a come from behind 3-2 victory away at Kyoto on Friday night, Reysol correspondent Seamus Johnston returned to the pod to chat about the season so far, Friday's win, and the impact some newcomers have made at Hitachidai (to 28:50). Follow Seamus on Bluesky, and check out his Reysol Ramble Substack. Then Jonny and Ben round up the rest of the Matchday 7 results, including Kobe sending champions Kashima to a third straight defeat, Hiroshima's thumping win over Cerezo Osaka, and much needed wins for Shimizu and Nagasaki. We finish the episode with a check on the opening round of the ACL Elite and ACL Two, some possible domestic inclusions to the upcoming national team squad, and the big games on the J1 Matchday 8 slate.

Bonus Episode #76 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the long-awaited franchise revival developed and published by Capcom, out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. As the first mainline entry since Dawn of Dreams in 2006, it drops you into a dark fantasy version of Edo-era Kyoto twisted by a corrupting force called Malice, where a young, hot-headed Miyamoto Musashi is killed, dragged back to life, and saddled with the Oni Gauntlet, a demonic artifact that keeps him breathing only as long as he keeps feeding it souls. Twenty years is a long time to leave a series on the shelf, and this Musical Review is all about whether the wait was worth it. Bryan gets deep into the razor-sharp swordplay built around parries, deflects, and the signature Issen counter, the soul-fueled progression that shapes Musashi around your own playstyle, and the eerie stretch of temples, mountain paths, and hidden laboratories you cut through along the way. He works through Musashi's story and his gauntlet-bound partnership with Shizuka, the memorable cast of allies and villains reimagined from real history and folklore, and the bigger question of whether this actually feels like Onimusha after two decades away. And of course, he spends plenty of time with the score from Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki, and Tomoki Kameyama, breaking down how it fuses traditional Japanese sound with horror and dread. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS Main Theme from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Daidara from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Sasaki Ganryu from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Yoshioka Follower from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Rasho-gan from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Ifuu from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Nue from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Hinagiku from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Burai from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] The Demon on the Mount from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Oni Awakening from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Dokyo from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Minamoto no Yoshitsune from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki & Tomoki Kameyama, 2026] Ghost in the Silence from Onimusha: Way of the Sword [Nozomi Ohmoto feat. Cait Foley, 2026] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

Join Colleen and Robyn Benelli in this special "Best of Reiki Lifestyle" conversation featuring ICRT Licensed Reiki Master Teacher Kenloch Cheung. Explore the deep spiritual roots, kanji strokes, and historical context behind DKM, the Usui Master Symbol, direct from the sacred traditions of Mount Kurama. Kenloch shares his cultural wisdom and personal journey, revealing how this master symbol serves as a practical, illuminating bridge between the spiritual and physical worlds in everyday life. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Explore the sacred prayer of Sonten at Mount Kurama Temple and how it directly illuminates the origin of DKM. Decode the visual kanji of Dai, Ko, and Myo to understand how universal light, the trinity, and human unity work together. Discover the evolution of Reiki attunements and intuitive practices through the historical insights of Usui-sensei, Hayashi-sensei, and Takata-sensei.. Integrate the DKM symbol into daily self-care to strengthen your authentic self and anchor inner peace. Understand the connection between Kuan Yin, dragon energy, and the inclusive spiritual traditions of sacred Japanese shrines. Mentioned in this Episode: Reiki Symbols: DKM - the Usui Master Symbol, SHK - Mental Emotional Symbol, HSZSN - Distance Symbol Sacred Locations & Temples: Mount Kurama, Kurama Temple, Kyoto, Japan Spiritual Figures & Deities: Sonten (Trinity of Sun, Moon, and Earth), Kuan Yin (Kannon), Bishamonten Historical Figures & Teachers: Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata, William Lee Rand, Hyakuten Inamoto, Hiroshi Doi, Iris Ishikuro Techniques & Practices: Kenyoku (Dry Bathing), Reiju, Holy Fire Ignitions and Placements, Qigong, Johrei Contact Kenloch Chueng:  Kenloch Healing Space - kenlockhealingspace.boutir.com,  Instagram: @kenloch_the_oak_tree   Connect with Colleen & Robyn ReikiLifestyle.com Reiki Classes All Levels of Reiki Training Reiki Lifestyle YouTube Reiki Lifestyle Podcast Instagram: @reikilifestyleofficial Free Online Reiki Share: Join us every Tuesday from 9:30 am – 11:00 am Pacific Time for a global Reiki healing circle. Email: info@reikilifestyle.com Free phone consultation: Love the Show? If this episode helped you on your journey, please Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us share the gift of Reiki with more people around the world! **DISCLAIMER** This episode is not a substitute for seeking professional medical care but is offered for relaxation and stress reduction, which support the body's natural healing capabilities. Reiki is a complement to and never a replacement for professional medical care. Colleen and Robyn are not licensed professional health care providers and urge you to always seek out the appropriate physical and mental help professional health care providers may offer. Results vary by individual.

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Richard Sharum is an editorial and documentary photographer based in upstate New York. Mainly focusing on socio-economic or social justice dilemmas concerning the human condition, his work has been regarded as in-depth, up-close and personal. Selected exhibitions have occurred in Kyoto, Japan, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Reggio Emilia, Italy, New York City, Boston, Chicago and Dallas, and his work has been added to the permanent collection of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and The Wittliff Collection, as well as others.Richard's commissions include those by The Meadows Foundation, Centers for Community Cooperation, Harvard Law School, Student Conservation Association, Children's Medical Center (Oncology), Children's Cancer Fund. His publications include those by LFI (Leica International), British Journal of Photography, LensCulture, The Atlantic, Texas Monthly, Publico (Portugal), El Pais (Spain), Observer (UK), The Wall Street Journal, B+W Photo Magazine, Huck Magazine, Glasstire, PATRON, Creative Review, among others.Richard has published two photobooks, Campesina Cuba and Spina Americana, both with GOST. His third, American Homicide, will be released early in 2027, also by GOST. The last two of these titles will be joined in 2028 by American Avenue, to form a trilogy of books entitled Of Thee I Sing.He is represented by The Hulett Collection, Tulsa, Oklahoma. On episode 290, Richard discusses, among other things:His goal of reaching a wider audience among the general public.Team window vs. team mirrorHis new book American HomocideThe fascination for true crime among the publicHow murder affects all the groups involvedGetting access to the detective squad he embedded withThe portrayal of violence on screenHis obsession with timeThe need to be empathetic and openThe impact of being exposed so many murder victimsThe murder detectives he got to know and photographCorresponding with the perpetratorsPart three of his planned trilogy, American AvenueThe state of the photobook industry and the unfairness of the current systemReferenced:W Eugene SmithSebastião SalgadoJames NachtweyLarry TowellLeonard FreedSusan MeiselasGordon ParksWebsite | Instagram | Lecture at Columbia Become a A Small Voice podcast member here to access exclusive additional subscriber-only content and the full archive of 200+ previous episodes for £4 per month.Need a website? Or someone you know does? EXCLUSIVE LISTENER OFFER: 15% off when booked by Christmas 2026! Go here.Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here for everything A Small Voice related and much more besides.Follow me on Instagram here.

In Folge 425 von Rolling Sushi geht es um Kakerlaken auf Hokkaido, Ki-Lehrpläne, ausländische Unternehmen, die aufgeben, Japans ersten Astronauten, die Garnelen-Weltmeisterschaft, frustrierende Kontosperren für Ausländer, die Manipulation vom nationalen Warnsystem, kleine Gemeinden, die mehr als ein "kleines Kyoto" sein wollen, Energiearmut, das Unschuldslamm Russland und den neuen Rekordhaushalt.

「【10/1@京都・参加無料】Circular Gathering Kyoto 〜1200年の知恵から、循環する京都を描こう〜」　京都に息づく1200年の知恵から、循環型の未来を共に描いてみませんか？2026年10月1日、サーキュラーエコノミーに関心のある市内外の方々に幅広くご参加いただける交流イベントを開催します。The post 【10/1@京都・参加無料】Circular Gathering Kyoto 〜1200年の知恵から、循環する京都を描こう〜 first appeared on IDEAS FOR GOOD.

A quick update from the Krewe on Season 7 & its release schedule! We're moving our regular release day from Friday to Tuesday mornings, with the next four episodes temporarily moving to a bi-weekly schedule to give us a little more breathing room (starting September 15). We appreciate everyone's continued support & look forward to bringing you the rest of Season 7!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!

In questo episodio: L'overtourism in Giappone è davvero arrivato a un punto di non ritorno? In questa puntata di Parliamo di Asia usciamo dai soliti cliché da cartolina insieme al regista e documentarista Lorenzo Ciani, autore di Perfect Days Dreamin', per capire cosa sta succedendo davvero nel Paese del Sol Levante. Dalla pressione turistica a Kyoto e Tokyo alla narrazione spesso patinata dei social, fino al ruolo dei creators e alle reazioni della popolazione locale: un'analisi schietta e documentata per chi vuole capire il Giappone di oggi oltre la superficie. Tematiche principali dell'episodio: Overtourism e gestione dei flussi: Come la riapertura post-pandemia ha impattato le città giapponesi. La narrazione dei social: Tra "giappoguru" e narrazioni distorte del Paese. Il documentario: Il dietro le quinte di Perfect Days Dreaming. Link e risorse citate nell'episodio:

VOV1 - Chiều ngày 6/9, tại thành phố Huế, diễn ra Hội nghị “Kết nối Huế - Nhật Bản năm 2026”. Hội nghị có sự tham dự của đại diện Bộ Ngoại giao, Đại sứ quán Việt Nam tại Nhật Bản, Tổng Lãnh sự quán Việt Nam tại Osaka; lãnh đạo thành phố Huế cùng đại diện các cơ quan, tổ chức và doanh nghiệp Nhật Bản. Đại diện các địa phương của Nhật Bản như Nara, Kyoto, Kagawa, Okayama, Kobe, Shimane cũng tham dự.Phát biểu tại Hội nghị,  ông Lê Anh Tuấn, Thứ trưởng Bộ Ngoại giao nhấn mạnh, hợp tác địa phương là một kênh quan trọng góp phần làm sâu sắc hơn quan hệ Việt Nam - Nhật Bản. Việc tăng cường kết nối giữa các địa phương tạo điều kiện để hai bên triển khai những chương trình hợp tác sát với nhu cầu thực tế, mang lại lợi ích thiết thực cho người dân và doanh nghiệp. Thứ trưởng Lê Anh Tuấn cho rằng:“Với những lợi thế đặc thù về di sản văn hóa, cảng Chân Mây - Lăng Cô, vị trí trên hành lang kinh tế Đông - Tây, trục giao thông Bắc - Nam, cùng hệ thống giáo dục, y tế chất lượng cao, Huế có nền tảng để phát triển du lịch, logistics, công nghiệp, kinh tế xanh, kinh tế số và thu hút các nhà đầu tư chiến lược, trong đó có doanh nghiệp Nhật Bản”.Hội nghị “Kết nối Huế - Nhật Bản năm 2026”

Essa semana, vagamos por Kyoto e enfrentamos chefes cinematográficos em Onimusha: Way of the Sword, comentamos os anúncios da Gamescom 2026, as alucinações do DLSS 5, a situação dos devs de Star Wars Zero Company, as licenças digitais do Xbox e o novo gameplay de Grand Theft Auto VI.Blocos• 00:07:27: Evento de aniversário d'As Baratas• 00:26:04: Roubos na Gamescom• 00:29:46: Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026• 01:45:46: Data do próximo State of Play• 01:52:59: DLSS 5• 01:55:36: Devs de Star Wars Zero Company em licença não remunerada• 02:05:56: Licença digital para jogos físicos no Xbox• 02:21:03: Olhada Aprofundada em GTA VI• 02:42:47: Onimusha: Way of the Sword Apoie e acompanhe• Contribua• YouTube• Twitch• Bluesky• Contato

At 1:15 p.m. on April 12, 1945, Franklin Roosevelt was sitting for a portrait at his cottage in Warm Springs, Georgia, when his face suddenly fell forward. He raised his left hand to his temple and whispered to his cousin Daisy: "I have a terrific pain in the back of my head." He was dead by 3:35. That evening, Harry Truman, a former farmer and failed haberdasher who had been vice president for eighty-two days and had met with Roosevelt only twice, placed his hand on a Bible and became the thirty-third president of the United States. He had never been briefed on the atomic bomb. Thirteen days later, War Secretary Henry Stimson handed him a three-page memo that began: "Within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon ever known in human history, one bomb of which could destroy a whole city." Today's guest is James M. Scott, author of Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent into Total War. We discuss how a Hungarian physicist who did his thinking in the bathtub tracked down Einstein by asking a boy on a Long Island street corner to launch the Manhattan Project, why Oak Ridge, Tennessee, became a secret city of 75,000 people who had no idea what they were building, and how the firebombing of Tokyo killed 105,000 people in a single night months before the atomic bombs fell. We look at why Groves wanted to destroy Kyoto for its two thousand temples and Stimson stopped him because he had honeymooned there, how Japan's military leaders refused to surrender even after two atomic bombs and forced an unprecedented intervention by an emperor who had spent the war collecting marine specimens in a palace while his cities burned, and why a group of young officers assassinated the commander of the Imperial Guards and seized the palace on the eve of surrender in a coup that came within hours of succeeding. Scott argues that the historical record supports Truman's decision but lets the last word belong to the survivors, and to a war minister who committed seppuku wearing the white shirt the emperor had personally given him, with a photograph of his dead son folded on top of his dress uniform.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyoto's legendary Rokudo Chinno-ji temple opens its gates for a rare public viewing—and the real haunted location that inspired Capcom's Onimusha: Way of the Sword reveals why this "Gate to Hell" has terrified visitors for centuries. Discover the ritual bell hidden behind stone walls, the folklore of the underworld well, and the supernatural traditions that make this one of Japan's eeriest crossroads. This episode dives into the genuine temple mythology that proves haunted locations need no video game to chill the spine.

Michelle had such an amazing time in Kyoto, Japan, and will soon post a full episode on Kyoto. Segment one is a sneak peak into the bike tour they did with Kyoto Bike Tour, which she and her kids, ages 7 and 9, loved!!!  They explored on a bike down safe streets and saw rice fields, a bamboo forest, and monkeys! This is the only bike tour company she found that specifically had a family tour, catered to young children. Looking for a last minute getaway? Dawn Yanek talks about Myrtle Beach and why it's a great family destination! She is an author, actor, mom of two, and MomSanity.com and talks about the latest family travel trends, smart ways to save on last-minute vacations, and tips for finding the best values before school starts.Are your kids looking to ace their school or professional auditions? Kurt Domoney, founder of Broadway Kids Auditions, is a professional Broadway actor, New York City based director, choreographer, actor, and coach and has choreographed a broad spectrum of projects from musical theatre to opera. He has been a member of actors equity for 25 years and now is helping coach the next generation of Broadway performers! Listen to his conversation with Michelle about tips for giving your kids the confidence and tools to excel both on and off the stage.We are approaching flu season once again and Michelle talks with pharmacist and senior director of immunizations at Walgreens, Samantha Picking, about why getting vaccinated is so important.

Dave Thomas, editor of Fusion News and fusion filmmaker covering the industry for over a decade, gives this week's global Fusion News update.  Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Pacific Fusion's next fusion machine could clear a key hurdle to commercial powerhttps://techcrunch.com/2026/08/25/pacific-fusion-next-fusion-machine-could-clear-key-hurdle-to-commercial-power/2. Kyoto Fusioneering raises $162 millionhttps://kyotofusioneering.com/en/news/2026/08/24/43503. Marathon Fusion tackles one of fusion's biggest fuel problemshttps://heatmap.news/climate-tech/marathon-fusion-lithium-tritium4. Inertia Enterprises cuts fusion fuel production from days to hourshttps://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/inertia-enterprises-finds-a-way-to-make-its-fusion-fuel-fast/Bonus stories:STEP passes 50 fusion patent applicationshttps://stepfusion.com/uk-fusion-energy-hits-major-ip-milestone/Eni sees fusion as its “next refinery”https://www.ft.com/content/e6a069b6-69f8-4a21-9873-3cc0736d27e2?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Jonny and Ben were joined by a pair of our correspondents on this episode, after their sides notched first wins of the new season on Saturday night, after both had endured a rough start to the campaign. First up is Ralf Seidl on Urawa, who downed Yokohama F.Marinos 3-2 at home (to 22:15), then Jamie Meikle hops on to discuss Kyoto's win over Fukuoka, and their mass signings of Brazilians ahead of a first ACL Elite campaign (to 42:25). As mentioned at the end of Part 2, please check out Jamie's terrific You Tube channel, Soccer Bunka. Then in Part 3, Jonny and Ben run through the other results, including Kawasaki also winning for the first time, and Kashiwa and Kashima staying perfect, before we wrap things up with a couple of cupsets from the Emperor's Cup last midweek, and look ahead to the next two rounds of fixtures.

Author Tess Woods had always dreamed of her big day, growing up watching her beloved Nana create in-demand bridal gowns. The stories of these dresses became a way for Tess to understand her family's origins in North Africa, which she left in the late 1970s. (Warning: This episode references the loss of a child.)Tess moved to Melbourne from Egypt when she was five years old.At large family gatherings, Tess dreamed of a big, fat, Egyptian wedding with 250 guests, food for days, belly dancing — the works.But after she became engaged to her sweet, mild-mannered Australian boyfriend Paul, Tess' parents' marriage imploded and she decided to elope to Fiji with a wedding party of just 11.Tess' cherished and feisty Nana made her wedding dress and her wedding underwear, and the nuptials were an unexpected hit.Tess and Paul moved their young family to Perth to begin their own story, which would unfold with ambition, tragedy and religion.Further informationThe Cairo Bridal Shop is published by Penguin Random House.This episode refers to the loss of a child. Please contact Red Nose on 1300 308 307 if you need support.This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan. The Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores migration, getting married, homemade wedding dresses, loss of a child, stillbirth, Japanese shrines, Kyoto, philosopher's walk, near death experience, collapsed lung, intubation, fear of death, religion, Coptic Christian, Catholic, lapsed Catholic, catholicism, church, Mass, Perth, physiotherapy, physiotherapist, historic fiction, divorce, family get togethers.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Young, idealistic Hayashi Tadataka, daimyo of Jozai, bootstraps and crowdfunds an army while staying one step ahead of the Kyoto government's forces. And in Edo, Tokugawa Iesato inherits the mantle of Tokugawa headship.Script and sources available at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://riverside-wings.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riversidewings on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or buy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠some merch at Fourthwall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Music is Fuuin Jinja and Yotsume Ryokan, from 「MOMIZizm MUSiC（もみじば）｜フリーBGM 」) and Hall of the Mountain King by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com (Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 | Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/hall-of-the-mountain-king | Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/2RDX5sVEfs4 )

On this episode, we ask: Whar are buruma? This is a rebroadcast of episode 53 of Ichimon Japan. Topics Discussed What buruma/bloomers are A brief overview of the history of school uniforms in Japan About the gakuran style school uniform About the supposed link between gakuran uniforms and Prussian military uniforms About sailor uniforms (sērā fuku) About "blazer" style uniforms The controversy over whether it was a school in Kyoto or Fukuoka that first introduced the sailor uniform in Japan The "second button" tradition The story behind why schools across Japan began having female students wear bloomers in the 1960s and why they stopped in the 1990s The urban legend that bloomers became popular due to the Japanese women's volleyball team wearing them in the 1964 Olympics The 1993 incident in Singapore that was the final straw that led to the disappearance of bloomers from schools in Japan About girls being able to wear slacks instead of skirts as part of their school uniforms About koromogae (changing school uniforms in accordance with the change of the seasons) And much more! Listen to Ichimon Japan on [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1492400997" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Apple Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pY2hpbW9uamFwYW4ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Google Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/japankyocom/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyocom" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Stitcher[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZVgnljVM8gcR1ar98eK0D" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Spotify[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-59510504/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]iHeartRadio[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/mv3zr-ad2df/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyo.com" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]PodBean[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyocom-p1290988/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Tunein[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://ichimonjapan.libsyn.com/rss" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]RSS[/btn] Support If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes Support the show by joining the Patreon, donating to Ko-fi or getting a t-shirt! Join PatreonL https://japankyo.com/patreonSupport on Patreon:  Donate to Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/japankyo Get a t-shirt from Mecha Neko Sushi: https://mechanekosushi.com/ Mobal Get 10% off the Mobal Voice & Data plan! Mobal Affiliate Link: http://mobal.com/tonyjapan   Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. Here are some of the Japanese language articles found when researching the topic of this episode. 高校の制服の歴史 昔の制服を試着！椙山歴史文化館 学校制服としてのセーラー服の歴史 学院の歴史資料 This is the website of Kyoto Heian Jogakuin. This is one of the schools that takes the credit for being the first to introduce sailor uniforms in Japan. On this page you can see a photo of this early version of the sailor uniform. This is the photo Ryan refers to that has a dog in it. セーラー服 学ランの由来と歴史について知ろう！ 知ってるようで知らない学ランとセーラー服のお話 日本の学ランがプロイセンの軍服をモデルに作られたというのは本当ですか？ 卒業式 学生服の第二ボタンの意味と由来とは？ あの恥ずかしいブルマーはなぜ日本中の学校で強制されていたのか？ 裏には教育界とメーカーの癒着が This is the article that explains the history of "bloomers" in Japan. It discusses why blooomers became so widely used in Japan and then why bloomers suddenly disappeared. The article goes over the research of Yuji Yamamoto, a professor at Kansai University who wrote a book titled Burumā no Nazo (The Riddle/Puzzle/Mystery of Bloomers). 【ＳＤＧｓ】愛媛でも広がるジェンダーレス制服 採用増える「ジェンダーレス制服」、誕生の背景は　トンボのデザイナーに聞く Here's some of the English language sources read for this episode. About Japanese School Uniforms: Symbols of Freedom, Rebellion, and Fashion School uniforms in Japan Sailor Uniforms and the Maypole Dance SEIFUKU Here is a video of the Japanese women's volleyball team competing in the finals of the 1964 Olympics. Japan Win First Ever Women's Volleyball Gold - Tokyo 1964 Olympics Here's a video that shows the evolution of girls' school uniforms in Japan over the past 100 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inJR23ik8CI To learn about weird/antiquiated/pointless school rules in Japan check out the episode of Ichimon Japan linked to below. Why are school rules in Japan so strict? (All About Kōsoku) | Ichimon Japan 23 Don't forget to check out the latest episodes of the Japan Station podcast via the links below. Coeds & Kaiju: On the Female Student in Japan's New Left, Kaiju Movies & More (Dr. Chelsea Szendi Schieder) | Japan Station 77 Behind the Scenes of JapanKyo Docs | Japan Station 78 Support the show by picking up a t-shirt at KimitoDesigns.com. Check out Kimito Designs Japanese Vocabulary List Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC. Seifuku 制服 【せいふく】 (n) uniform Sērā fuku セーラー服 【セーラーふく】 (n) sailor suit; middy uniform Burumā ブルマー : ブルマ; ブルマー; ブルーマー; ブルーマーズ; ブルマーズ (n) (1) bloomers; (n) (2) (girls') gym shorts We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media X: https://x.com/tonyrvega Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social https:///japankyo.com/ichimonjapan  

In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with Maren Fichter, a tea educator and writer whose Substack Tea & all the rest covers farming, heritage, tourism, and education in specialty tea. She has worked with tea in Japan, China, the US, and the UK, develops and teaches the Matcha Power unit on the UK Tea Academy's Tea Sommelier course, and is currently based in Wazuka, Kyoto, where she works at Obubu Tea Farms. Maren thinks about tea knowledge as a web, where a term only means something if there are other terms for it to hang on to, and much of the conversation follows that idea. Topics range from what the matcha boom has changed on the ground in Wazuka, to why single origin means something different in matcha than it does in wine or coffee, to pairing "ceremonial grade" with harvest season and shading duration rather than simply debunking it, and how those same details explain price.https://teawithmaren.com/https://beingtea.com/teacher-training/https://savouringbath.com/ https://matchathing.co.uk/ 

"We are so well positioned to have it continue and flourish because we have become a Perpetual Purpose Trust, which means this place is no longer owned by one person or any financial interest—it is owned by purpose." —Michael Stusser "We're always trying to figure out how we keep moving the property forward in a way that's sustainable, and also how it's going to impact our guests, our business, our staff." —Heather Bishop  A perpetual purpose trust sounds like a legal footnote until you meet the two people who actually built one. This episode traces how Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Sonoma County became the first U.S. spa to place itself inside that structure — permanently removing any future owner's ability to chase profit over mission.  Justine first sits down with founder Michael Stusser, who traces the idea back to a single afternoon in an 800-year-old Kyoto stone garden, and then with CEO Heather Bishop, who inherited the vision and had to figure out how to make it legally unbreakable. This one's for anyone who's tired of the word "sustainable" doing all the talking and none of the work. Michael and Heather don't just describe the enzyme bath, the meditation gardens, or the gray water system — they explain the budgeting, the permits, and the trade-offs behind each one. It's a conversation about what it actually costs, in time and humility, to build something that outlasts you. The enzyme bath's heat comes entirely from billions of thermophilic bacteria fermenting Douglas fir and rice bran — not from any external heat source. Osmosis's perpetual purpose trust means the business has no human shareholder; its "shareholder" is the mission itself, enforced by a trust committee and an independent trust enforcer. The five-and-a-half-acre property couldn't legally go into the same trust as the business, so it's being paid off and moved into a separate land trust over the next three to five years. A gray water system currently covers roughly 50–60% of the property's irrigation needs, with a rainwater catchment system planned to close the gap entirely. Osmosis sources its enzyme bath wood shavings as a byproduct from local lumber operations that would otherwise throw them away. Trust-based decision-making already changed real policy — Heather cites expanding paid time off to all staff, including part-time employees, as a direct result of the trust's staff-benefit objectives. Listen to the full conversation with Michael Stusser and Heather Bishop, and follow Essential Ingredients so you don't miss what's next. https://tinyurl.com/Essential-Ingredients-Podcast  Meet Michael:   Michael Stusser, founder of Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, is a pioneer in ecological sustainability, organic gardening, and holistic wellness. Beginning his journey at UC Santa Cruz in the late 1960s, he helped establish horticultural training centers and later served on the board of the Farallones Institute in Sonoma County.  In the early 1980s, Michael apprenticed in traditional landscape gardening in Kyoto, Japan, where he immersed himself in Zen meditation and discovered the healing power of cedar enzyme baths. Returning to California in 1984, he introduced this unique practice, gaining national recognition in outlets like The New York Times and CNN. By 1988, he transformed five acres in Freestone into Osmosis, blending inspired landscaping, meditation traditions, and eco‑restoration to create a sanctuary rooted in sustainability, spirituality, and rejuvenation.  LinkedIn Meet Heather:  Heather Bishop is the CEO of Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, where she leads one of Northern California's most distinctive hospitality businesses with a focus on people‑centered leadership and operational excellence. Over the past decade, she has guided Osmosis through transformative organizational change, overseeing operations, finance, HR, strategic planning, and guest experience for a team of 80+.  Heather recently spearheaded the company's transition into a Purpose Trust‑owned business—one of the few in the United States—ensuring long‑term mission preservation while modernizing governance, HR systems, and employee benefits. With expertise in executive leadership, organizational development, change management, and hospitality operations, Heather is dedicated to building resilient, purpose‑driven organizations where employees thrive and guests enjoy exceptional experiences.  LinkedIn Connect with Osmosis:  Website Instagram Facebook  X YouTube Pinterest Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Podcast Chapters: 01:48 Meet Michael Stusser: The Kyoto Garden That Started It All 03:11 What Is an Enzyme Bath, Really? 09:51 Osmosis Becomes a Perpetual Purpose Trust 13:03 Self-Love, Deep Peace: Osmosis's Core Mission 16:38 Meet Heather Bishop: Massage Therapist to CEO 19:40 Stewarding Salmon Creek and the Meditation Gardens 27:17 Inside the Cedar Enzyme Bath's Sustainable Sourcing 30:28 Perpetual Purpose Trust, Explained in Plain Terms 36:03 Why the Land Stayed Out of the Trust 39:30 What Sustainability Actually Costs  THE PRIMES  ✨ You're more capable than you have ever been, and somehow more invisible than ever. You keep handing out advice you do not take yourself. You keep saying 'after this next thing' to your own life, and the people around you have no idea because, from the outside, everything looks fine— that is exactly what The Primes was built for.

Jonny and Ben kick off this episode celebrating Mito Hollyhock's first ever J1 win, and chat about the worrying signs for Mito's victims Kyoto, who look a shell of the side who rose to 3rd in 2025 (to 16:35). Next we discuss first wins of the new season for Nagoya and FC Tokyo (to 33:40), the three teams with a perfect record after three rounds (to 54:20), and the other four games (to 1:10:05), before we finish the pod with a look at the new Under 21 league, and a check of upcoming Emperor's Cup and J1 Matchday 4 fixtures.

The Fulbright Program offers another unique path to experience Japan through academic and professional exchange. Dr. Rose Honegger joins the Krewe to share her Fulbright experience in Japan, what she gained from the program, and how it influenced her work in higher education. The conversation also explores who Fulbright is for, what makes a strong candidate, and tips for those considering applying. ------ About the Krewe ------ The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy! ------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------ Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode! Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season! Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  ------ Links for the Fulbright Program ------ Fulbright Program Website ------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------ JSNO Event Calendar Join JSNO Today!

Joel “Jay-Ray” Anderson is a drummer that was recently touring with The Wiz.I caught up with him mid-tour. We talked about growing up in a musical family in Fort Lauderdale, learning drums from YouTube and his oldest brother, coming up through the Dillard High School drumline, studying music at Broward College and Florida Memorial University, landing his first tour (Pretty Woman) the week after graduation, and transitioning to The Wiz through a network built one relationship at a time. We got into gospel drumming history, drumline battles, a month spent touring Japan, and why networking, not just chops, is what actually opens doors.Jay-Ray comes from a house full of musicians. His father plays guitar and sings; his oldest brother plays drums and keys; another brother sings, plays drums, and plays saxophone; and a third brother plays bass, guitar, and keys while producing. Jay-Ray's own introduction to the drums came at six years old, when his oldest brother sat him down in front of a kit for the first time. By twelve, he had his own Sonor drum set, a gift from that same brother, and was already teaching himself by copying drumming videos on YouTube.Jay-Ray attended Dillard Center for the Arts, where he played in two jazz bands, marched snare in the wind orchestra and drumline, and got pulled onto snare drum as a freshman after impressing section leader Javon with a string of paradiddles. He talks about the discipline instilled by band directors Christopher Dorsey and Dr. Sheldon McClain, learning traditional grip for the first time, and the intensity of real drumline battles.Jay-Ray studied at Broward College (Associate's in Music Performance) before transferring to Florida Memorial University for his bachelor's degree, where he played under percussion director Taurus Lovely, a 25-year Broadway touring veteran (including Tina Turner: The Musical) who would later become the person who got Jay-Ray his first tour. Jay-Ray's first trip to New York came in 2018, when Dillard's jazz band won the Essentially Ellington competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the same trip where he first saw a Broadway show, Ain't Too Proud.The day after Jay-Ray graduated from Florida Memorial in May 2023, Taurus Lovely called with an audition opportunity for the Pretty Woman national tour. Jay-Ray recorded four songs from the show, landed the gig, and was in rehearsals in Syracuse, New York within months. He talks candidly about the learning curve of running click tracks and Ableton on the road, getting walked through the system by original drummer Kevin Maynard, and the parts of touring nobody warns you about, like setting up and breaking down your own kit on travel days. Over roughly two years with the show, he toured extensively across the U.S. and spent a month performing in Japan (Shinjuku, Tachikawa, Kyoto, and Osaka).Jay-Ray's move to The Wiz came through his network: Sammy Merandino and Quentin “Q” Robinson recommended him, and MD Michael Aarons brought him in. Jay-Ray left Pretty Woman in Wichita and, within a week, was in New York starting rehearsals, spending his off-hours studying original drummer Trevor Holder's book and comparing the Broadway cast recording to the touring arrangement. He also shares how he first met Q Robinson years earlier, showing up at Hamilton's closing show in Fort Lauderdale just to introduce himself.Asked what he'd tell a high school or college drummer chasing a career like his, Jay-Ray's answer is simple: networking. Every opportunity in his career, from Pretty Woman to The Wiz to this very podcast episode, traces back to a relationship someone else made on his behalf.Where to Find Jay-Ray* Instagram & TikTok: @jay.ray04* Facebook: Joel Anderson* Email: joel.r.anderson04@gmail.comResources * Free: How to Land a Broadway Gig Roadmap — subscribe to Broadway Drumming 101 (free or paid) and grab it at broadwayboundbook.com/roadmap* The Broadway Sub Playbook ($7.99) — available at signaturebrandworks.com* Broadway Drumming 101 merch (backpacks, tees, hats, mugs, and more) — signaturebrandworks.com* Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career by Clayton Craddock — out nowClayton Craddock was most recently the drummer for Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway credits include Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and Cats: The Jellicle Ball, with additional credits spanning tick, tick…BOOM!, The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, and subbing on Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the Tony Awards. He has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

Osaka - Swissotel Nankai Osaka; Arigato Travel and Culinary Food Tours; Food Activity Japan's Sushi Making ClassMichelle traveled to Japan with her two children, ages 7 and 9 and the last stop on their trip was the really fun city of Osaka. Besides the overstimulation of crane machines, pokémon stores, and amazing shopping for mom, there's a lot to explore, including the incredible food scene.  We stayed at two wonderful properties while there - one was the really fun Pokémon themed room at Mimaru in Namba North and then an the extremely central and convenient Swissotel Nankai Osaka. The Swissotel Nankai Osaka was a great last stop for shopping and a central base to then take the train back the Kansai Airport.  It also has a great indoor pool, cold/hot plunge pools and a gym.  Osaka has a great food scene and offers so many different restaurant options and markets to try a variety of local cuisine.  Arigato Travel and Culinary has amazing tour guides who will make sure you try it all.  Their Osaka food tour will leave you stuffed and educated!Food Activity Japan is a great company, located in Tokyo and Osaka, and offers sushi, chopstick making and matcha tea classes.  It is a wonderful kid friendly activitity and perfect for those days you may want a break from the outdoors.Osaka also has cultural sites to see and is a 45 minute train ride from Kyoto, so it's a great city to base yourself to explore other regions as well.  You can stock up on all your Japanese cosmetics, sunscreens, snacks and clothes, so you may want to bring an extra bag or suitcase or buy one there!

Jaap Koppedrayer is a legendary bowyer with more than three decades of experience. A native of the Netherlands, he lives in Georgia in the United States and grows bamboo for bowmaking on his farm. There he also hosts international archery gatherings and is renowned for his expertise in the yumi bows of Japan. Episode Links:https://www.facebook.com/jaap.koppedrayerProject Quiver at Anchor Point ExpeditionsSummaryIn this episode, Jaap shares his extensive knowledge of traditional Japanese archery, bow making, and bamboo cultivation, highlighting the cultural and technical aspects of these ancient arts. Discover the secrets behind the craftsmanship, the history of bows, and the philosophy that guides this timeless practice.Show Notes:History and tradition of Japanese archeryThe process of making Yumi bows and arrowsCultivation and selection of bamboo for bows and arrowsTechniques for flight shooting and long-distance archeryThe cultural significance of archery in Japan and ChinaThe mental and philosophical lessons from archery practiceThe impact of historical events on archery traditionsThe tools and tools used in bow makingChapters:00:00 - How Stefan Tim connects them01:09 - Why Jaap moved to Georgia to grow bamboo for bows04:19 - Hosting Japanese and Chinese archery programs04:47 - Building a 120-meter Japanese archery corridor07:58 - Choosing bow making over greenhouse work08:27 - First trip to Japan and meeting Kanjuro Shibata10:58 - The difference between Madake and Yadake bamboo12:37 - Why bamboo must age and cure for years13:46 - Bamboo farming challenges in Georgia's climate16:25 - Why Madake is ideal for Japanese bow backs17:35 - Making many bow styles before focusing on Kyoto archery18:13 - Early international horseback archery festivals19:10 - Chinese archery revival and making bows for China22:21 - Why horn bows take 3 to 5 years to finish23:26 - Flight shooting and training for precision26:34 - The challenge of lighter Yumi and very heavy bows27:19 - Feathers, sinew, and old-school materials sourcing28:41 - Going full-time in bow making in 198731:26 - Early Mongolian-style and horse bow work32:13 - Learning from Shibata by watching, not being lectured34:36 - Learning Japanese lacquer, Uru-shi35:54 - Ongoing relationship with the Shibata dojo and Kudo36:23 - The release technique used for flight shooting38:21 - Teaching bamboo arrow making through workshops40:49 - What a Yumi bow is made of42:10 - Rope, wedges, glue, and setting the bow's curve45:15 - Possible ancient roots and shared global techniques46:27 - Thoughts on the Silk Route and the spread of techniques47:36 - Reading Zen and the Art of Archery48:07 - Visiting dojos in Japan by bicycle with Yumi bows49:12 - A modern book comparison: The Archer by Paulo Coelho50:27 - Archery as a major part of Jaap's life, not just bow making51:48 - Japan, Turkey, China, and Korea rediscovering tradition52:17 - The Fort Dodge festival and international exchange54:39 - Lessons from bow making: humility, patience, and listening57:27 - Workshop tools: planers, belt sanders, rasps, and knives59:31 - No formal farm name, just “the bamboo farm”60:03 - The kind of students who come to train60:33 - Turkish archery and flight shooting workshops61:31 - The rural Georgia community that supports the program62:19 - What archery teaches about not taking life too seriously63:26 - Improvising with what you have and sharing knowledge at shoots64:41 - A funny flight shooting story involving arrows that came back66:52 - Looking at the bows in Jaap's workshop67:29 - Kay's writing work and the kitchen table shop68:53 - A life built around craft, people, and purpose69:19 - Future idea: focused conversations on specific bow types70:09 - Lucas Novotny and the old Turkish bow story72:21 - How to reach Jaap by email or phoneNotable quotesAction items

Jasmine Mund, mechanical design engineer with a key interest in the fusion industry, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. Kyoto Fusioneering to Relocate U.S. HQ to Tennessee and Deliver UNITY-3 with ORNL, a First-of-Its-Kind Facility to De-Risk Fusion Technologyhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260811349799/en/Kyoto-Fusioneering-to-Relocate-U.S.-HQ-to-Tennessee-and-Deliver-UNITY-3-with-ORNL-a-First-of-Its-Kind-Facility-to-De-Risk-Fusion-Technology2. Fusion energy developer TAE signs helium-3 future fuel supply option agreementhttps://www.reuters.com/business/energy/fusion-energy-developer-tae-signs-helium-3-future-fuel-supply-option-agreement-2026-08-05/3. MIT scientists' new framework could make fusion power a commercial realityhttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/mit-scientists-economic-framework-fusion-power-reality4. Fusion fuel tech makes commercial leaphttps://www.neimagazine.com/news/fusion-fuel-tech-makes-commercial-leap/5. Latest MAST Upgrade experiments achieve milestoneshttps://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/latest-mast-upgrade-experiments-achieve-milestones6. Fuse Touts ‘Highest' Neutron Yield by Any Fusion Companyhttps://www.powermag.com/fuse-touts-highest-neutron-yield-by-any-fusion-company/Bonus stories:Fusion machines benefit from first-ever silver crystal tritium separationhttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/nuclear-fusion-reactors-get-first-silver-tritiumFusion energy expert Prof Dennis Whyte appointed next UKAEA CEOhttps://www.niauk.org/fusion-energy-expert-prof-dennis-whyte-appointed-next-ukaea-ceo/

For years I have wanted to do a proper deep dive on Reiki and I finally made the space to do it. Reiki traces back to a specific man on a specific mountain in a specific year. In the spring of 1922, a broken and starving Japanese seeker named Mikao Usui completed 21 days of fasting alone on Mount Kurama north of Kyoto, and something entered him from above. A great light. Symbols poured into him faster than thought. He came down able to heal a torn toenail with his bare hands, and by the following year he had walked into the smoking wreckage of the Great Kanto earthquake and treated the wounded for weeks alongside his students. He gave the practice a name — Usui Reiki Ryoho — and it has now spread to cancer wards, hospitals, and hospice rooms across the entire planet. ⠀ In this episode I walk you through everything. The mountain itself. The being called Sanat Kumara that Japanese Buddhist tradition says arrived on that summit from Venus six and a half million years ago. The five precepts Usui called the secret method. The four symbols the tradition guarded so fiercely for a century. The Reiju attunement ceremony that opens a lifelong channel in a human being. The laboratory evidence — Bernard Grad's healed mice at McGill, William Bingston's dozen cancer cure experiments across six labs, the 140 peer-reviewed papers, the sham Reiki controls that isolated the effect from expectation. The extraordinary story of Hawayo Takata smuggling this Buddhist practice into the West during World War Two by rewriting Usui as a Christian minister. And the full Hatsurayo daily practice you can start tonight — 10 minutes that opens the channel in your own hands and stays open for the rest of your life. This is a consciousness technology and every part of it is available to you.  

Could your skin be revealing what's happening inside your gut?In Episode 149 of The Dr. Haley Show, Dr. Michael Haley sits down with Dr. Jonathan Carp, a board-certified dermatologist, lifestyle medicine expert, and founder and CEO of Miracle Noodle, for a fascinating conversation about the gut-skin connection, inflammation, metabolism, nutrition, mental imagery, and taking a more active role in your own health.Dr. Carp explains why he has always viewed the skin as a window into the body and shares the story of a patient with severe lupus whose unexpected improvement changed the direction of his medical career.That experience led him to explore nutrition and lifestyle medicine more deeply while continuing to practice conventional dermatology.The conversation also explores acne and insulin, psoriasis and metabolic health, the gut microbiome, mental imagery, and the idea that different people may have very different “80/20” factors influencing their health.Later, Dr. Carp tells the story of traveling to Japan and eating a bowl of konjac noodles at a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant outside Kyoto. That experience eventually led him to create Miracle Noodle, now sold in thousands of stores nationwide.Dr. Carp explains what konjac and glucomannan are, why glucomannan is considered a soluble prebiotic fiber, how Miracle Noodle fits into low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets, and the difference between the company's traditional konjac noodles and its newer egg-white noodles.In This EpisodeWhy the skin can provide clues about internal healthAcne, insulin, hormones, and metabolic healthHow gut health may influence inflammatory skin conditionsThe lupus patient who changed Dr. Carp's approach to medicineMental imagery and the work of Dr. Gerald EpsteinWhy Dr. Carp views the gut and skin as closely connected systemsMetabolic health, inflammation, and the microbiomeThe difference between a disease-reversal diet and a long-term dietWhy whole, minimally processed foods remain central to Dr. Carp's approachThe Japanese meal that inspired Miracle NoodleKonjac, glucomannan, and soluble prebiotic fiberMiracle Noodle for low-carb, keto, and gluten-free dietsHow to prepare konjac noodlesMiracle Noodle's high-protein egg-white noodlesWhy Dr. Carp wants people to become their own authority in healthThree pieces of advice that helped shape his lifeEpisode Chapters00:00 Your Gut Is an Extension of Your Skin00:49 Meet Dermatologist Dr. Jonathan Carp03:04 The Skin as a Window Into Internal Health06:26 Acne, Insulin & Gut Health08:50 The Lupus Patient Who Changed His Practice12:16 Mental Imagery and Healing15:08 How Dr. Carp Uses Healing Visualization19:29 The Gut-Skin Connection Explained23:10 Metabolism, Gut Health & Inflammation27:09 The Four Pillars and the 80/20 Rule30:23 Disease-Reversal Diet vs. Long-Term Diet33:00 How Miracle Noodle Began in Japan34:45 Glucomannan: The Fiber Behind Miracle Noodle35:50 Keto, Satiety & Fasting-Mimicking Diets38:10 Gut Benefits of Konjac and Glucomannan40:46 How to Prepare Miracle Noodle41:44 Egg-White Noodles: A High-Protein Alternative43:11 Fiber, Regularity & the Microbiome45:21 Where to Find Miracle Noodle46:24 Becoming Your Own Authority in Health48:22 The “Power Words” That Shaped Dr. Carp51:41 Final ThoughtsResourcesFull show notes and transcript:https://drhaley.com/gut-skin-connection-jonathan-carp/Watch the video interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/RDLizF7_QgwMiracle Noodle:https://miraclenoodle.com/Healing Visualizations by Gerald Epstein, M.D.Mentioned by Dr. Carp as a resource for learning the mental-imagery techniques discussed in the episode.Radical Remission by Kelly A. Turner, Ph.D.Mentioned during the discussion of people who have experienced unexpected improvement from serious illness.The Dr. Haley ShowDiscover more interviews and health conversations at:https://drhaley.com/Haley NutritionLearn more about Haley Nutrition and its raw Aloe vera products at:https://haleynutrition.com/Podcast listeners: Listen during the episode for the current Haley Nutrition coupon code and exclusive listener offer.If this episode made you think of someone dealing with skin problems, gut issues, metabolic health challenges, or chronic inflammation, please share it with them.Subscribe to The Dr. Haley Show wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss future conversations about gut health, nutrition, longevity, lifestyle medicine, and unconventional ideas worth exploring.Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Statements made by guests represent their own views, experiences, and interpretations. Always consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing medications, supplements, diet, or other healthcare practices.

This is a special episode talking about the newest UNESCO World Heritage cultural site: The Asuka and Fujiwara Ancient Capitals. This is particularly relevant as it is directly related to the history we are currently examining in this podcast. For more information, check out the blogpost at: https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-unesco  Rough Transcript: Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua, and this is a special episode on Japan's newest UNESCO world heritage site: the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara. Rarely do I focus too much on current events in this podcast.  After all, we are still dealing with the events of the 7th century, and that is hardly "current" in any sense.  However, just last month, at the end of July 2026, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention met and made a ruling on inducting the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara as one of the newest World Heritage sites. Given the obvious relevance of this to this podcast, I thought it was worth talking about. As such we'll go into a little history of the UNESCO world heritage convention, what it means, and how sites get added—or even removed—from the list.  And then we'll talk about the addition of the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara, what is included in that description, and what part those various locations play in the story of Japan's history, which we've been laying out for the past several years.  Warning up front:  This is probably going to be a longer episode than usual, as there is a lot to cover, but it still didn't seem to make sense to break it up into two parts. Before we get into the background of UNESCO more generally, let's talk briefly about the news.  The Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fuijwara had been on UNESCO's tentative list since 2007, and following an on-site evaluation in September of 2025, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, or ICOMOS, made a recommendation in June 2026 that the property be inscribed on the World Heritage list. On 26 July, 2026, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee met in Busan, South Korea and accepted the recommendation.  This becomes Japan's 22nd cultural World Heritage site, and the 27th World Heritage property in Japan, since the World Heritage program is also inclusive of natural heritage sites, such as Yakushima, Amami-Ohoshima, the Ogasawara islands, and the mountainous regions of Shirakami-Sanchi, and Shiretoko, in Hokkaido. The recommendation for Asuka and Fujiwara was not just for a single site, but includes 19 individual sites and over 1,100 hectares of "buffer zone".  The individual sites are listed on the UNSECO World Heritage website as follows: •             Asuka Palace Site •             Asuka Pond Garden Site •             Asuka Water Clock Site •             Sakafuneishi Ritual Site •             Asuka-dera Temple Site •             Tachibana-dera Temple Site •             Yamada-dera Temple Site •             Kawara-dera Temple Site •             Hinokuma-dera Temple Site •             Ishibutai Mounded Tomb •             Shobuike Mounded Tomb •             Kengoshizuka Mounded Tomb •             Fujiwara Palace Site •             Daikandaiji Temple Site •             Motoyakushiji Temple Site •             Mounded Tomb of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jito •             Nakaoyama Mounded Tomb •             Kitora Mounded Tomb •             Takamatsuzuka Mounded Tomb So these are the specific locations, that were included in the single designation.   And these are how they are officially listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site in English, so for anyone who is going to comment that saying Asuka-dera Temple is redundant, because "Tera" already means "Temple", let's just not, shall we?  They are all in the Asuka and Kashihara area, and easily accessible, one from the other, so you can go and visit them if you would like.  I suspect that there is going to be a bit of push for that area in the coming tourist season as they now put up official UNESCO world heritage site markers.  And you may have noticed that a lot of these site names may sound very familiar, because the majority of them are places we've already mentioned on the podcast – but more on that later. But first, what does it mean to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site? UNESCO is the "United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization".  It was founded in 1945, with the stand-up of the UN itself, as a successor to the League of Nations' International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.  That said, the idea of a "World Heritage Site" didn't come about until 1975, with the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, with the first sites being designated in 1978. Prior to this, UNESCO had been involved in various attempts to help preserve various monuments of historical significance.  They begin working with various museums and other organizations, and in 1965 UNESCO created ICOMOS, an international professional association to work towards the conservation and protection of cultural heritage.  A site designated as a World Heritage Site must be considered to be of "outstanding universal value" and can fall under one of two categories.  The first, and perhaps the one that most often comes to mind, are the cultural sites.  The second are natural sites considered of outstanding value.   With the 1975 convention, UNESCO had leaned heavily on ICOMOS as an advisory body regarding sites of particular cultural significance.  A similar body, the World Conservation Union, provides input on sites of natural significance. To be determined a World Heritage site, there is a set of ten criteria, and a site must meet at least one of the ten.  This means that a site must: i.            Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius ii.           Exhibit an important interchange of human values iii.          Bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization iv.           Illustrate a significant stage in human history v.            Be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use vi.          Be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance; or it must vii.         Contain superlative natural phenomena viii.        Be an outstanding example representing major stages of earth's history ix.          Be an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of ecosystems and communities of plants and animals; or it must x.           Contain the most important and significant natural habitats for conservation of biological diversity. I abbreviated that list, but it gives you an idea of what the committee is looking for. To be placed on the list, a site must first be nominated.  Nominations are made by UN member countries and placed on a Tentative List.  From there, they can be selected into a Nomination File, which is then evaluated by the advisory organizations as appropriate.  The World Heritage committee meets once a year, at which time they may determine whether a nominated site will be added to the World Heritage list or if more information is needed. Having a site listed as an UNESCO world heritage site carries prestige and can drive tourism and revenue to help protect the site.  Members can request financial assistance with some conservation projects, and signatory nations are expected to contribute to the conservation of world heritage sites.  At the same time, the host country is expected to provide regular reports on the conditions of the site and efforts being undertaken to conserve it.  Should the situation change so that key aspects of the site's intrinsic value are lost, the World Heritage Committee may choose to revoke a designation.  This has only been done a few times, but it is always a possibility. All of this means that the Asuka and Fujiwara capital sites are now eligible for certain types of financial assistance and international aid to help further preserve and even restore certain aspects, such as the tomb murals in the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora kofun.  But let's talk about the sites that have actually been included, and to do that, we'll go through in roughly chronological order, based on the timeline that was given by Japan in the nomination documents, and what makes the most sense for narrative cohesion.   That said, it is important to note that the dates on the timeline in the UNESCO nominating document are where we first see mentions of the monuments, not necessarily when the temples were first constructed or anything like that.  If you want to learn more, check out the documentation submitted on the UNESCO world heritage website. And speaking of learning more, many of the sites we are about to discuss we have covered in previous episodes—though some more than others.  We'll call out relevant episodes as we can, but you can also find out more by searching on our website, sengokudaimyo.com, for more information about any of these topics. Let's start with Asukadera, or Asuka Temple.  The nominating document notes that it was completed in 596, though it had been started quite a bit earlier.  We discussed Askua-dera and many of the other temples back in episode 142, though Asuka-dera itself has been a part of the story since at least Episode 92, with the rise of Soga no Umako.  Asuka-dera, as you may recall, started off as a private temple for the Soga family, though they were so intertwined with the royal family that it almost didn't make a difference.  For the longest time it was the primary temple site at least in the Asuka region, and defined what Buddhism looked like early on.  Later it would be included as one of the Four Great Temples, and it would eventually move to Nara, though a temple would continue to operate on the site until the modern day.  That said, through fires and reduced patronage, the current temple is much reduced from its former glory.  Still, archeologies have found indications at the site demonstrating the true extent of the temple at the height of its power and influence, and how it truly played a key role in numerous events surrounding the building of a continental style state government. Speaking of the Soga family, the next site on the list, dated to 626, is Ishibutai kofun.  Ishibutai kofun was originally a square kofun, or Houfun, thought to be the resting place of Soga no Umako, the Grand Minister and head of the Soga family who led it to prominence in the age of Kashikiya Hime, aka Suiko Tenno.  We talked about his passing in episode 103.  Excavations have suggested that the tomb took up an area about 85 meters to a side.  This included an outer moat and an inner, platform, about 50 meters square.  The burial chamber is a horizontal stone chamber created with impressive megaliths—a fancy word that just means "big stones".  In this case we are talking about stones that rival or even dwarf those at monuments like the famous Stonehenge, in England.  The stones are part of what give it its name, Ishibutai, or Stone Stage, because unlike in other kofun, these ones are exposed.  There is a theory that after the fall of the Soga family, and the deaths of Soga no Iruka and Soga no Emishi, the tomb was deliberately uncovered as a form of posthumous punishment. Because it is not a tomb under the care of the Imperial Household Agency, Ishibutai kofun has seen extensive excavation from 1933 to 1975.  That said, most of the funerary goods were likely stolen a long time ago.  There were some various bits and pieces found here and there—gilt and bronze implements and earthenware shards, but otherwise nothing truly significant.  They did find evidence of other tombs, nearby.  Perhaps ironically it seems that these other tombs were leveled to make room for Ishibutai kofun, making its own uncovering feel somewhat karmic, in a way. The next site, if we were to follow the timeline, is the Asuka Palace site.  This actually encompasses the site of at least four different palaces, which we discussed back in episode 134, with a blogpost showing the various palace remains, if you want to compare them.  In 630 we have the construction of the Okamoto Palace of Kashikiya Hime.  Then, in 643, we have the Itabuki Palace built for Takara Hime during her first reign as Kogyoku Tenno.  This was the location of the famous Isshi Incident, when Takara Hime's son, Naka no Oe, instituted the coup against Soga no Iruka and his father, killing Iruka in court in front of his mother.  For more on that, check out episode 106.  It was later used when she and Naka no Oe left the Toyosaki Naniwa Palace and returned to Asuka.  It may be during the time of the Itabuki Palace that another one of the monuments was built.  This is the Shobuike Kofun.  The nomination document doesn't give a precise date for this one, and we really only know for certain that it was built in the 7th century, but they place it on the timeline shortly after the events of 643.  Like Ishibutai kofun, it is a hofun, or square kofun, surrounded by a moat with a horizontal burial chamber.  At only 30 meters long, it is not as large or as prominent as Ishibutai Kofun, possibly indicating that the occupants were not as prominent or that kofun building as a whole was falling out of fashion.  Inside, there were two stone coffins, in the "house shape", meaning the lid had a peaked roof appearance.  In addition, the interior of the coffins was lacquered, making these unique in the archipelago.  Finally, perhaps as is the case with Ishibutai kofun, the mound appears to have been deliberately dismantled at some point in the early 8th century, when Fujiwara-kyo was still the capital. We do not know who was buried at Shobuike Kofun, but there are two theories.  One theory proposes that, given the unique features, it may have been a member of the royal family.  Another theory suggests that it may be a tomb for members of the Soga family.  This theory is connected to the idea that Ishibutai is the tomb of Soga no Umako.  Given its shape and similarities, perhaps this tomb is for a relative?  In addition, though not part of the World Heritage Site nomination, there is a nearby square kofun known as Koyamada Kofun.  There is a theory that this other tomb might also have been a royal tomb—perhaps even a first burial for Tamura no Ohokimi, aka Jomei Tenno.  However, there is another theory that these two tombs, together, make up the tombs of Soga no Emishi and Soga no Iruka.  That would explain them both being of similar shapes, and similar to the kofun thought to be that of Soga no Umako.  It could also explain why Shobuike kofun was later destroyed, like with Ishibutai Kofun. Shortly after Shobuike Kofun was thought to have been built, the court moved to Naniwa for a time, before eventually returning to the Itabuki Palace.  Then, in 656, we have the Nochi-no-Okamoto Palace, aka the Later Okamoto Palace, built after the Itabuki palace burned down.  It was repurposed by Ohoama when he brought the court back from Ohotsu, and then expanded with the Ebinoko Enclosure, among other changes, turning it into the Kiyomihara palace, where Ohoama and then Uno no Sarara ruled until the completion of the Fujiwara Palace around 694. Around the same time as the Later Okamoto Palace was the construction of the Sakafuneishi Ritual Site.  This site is located on a hill on the east side of the Asuka valley, overlooking the Asuka palace site.  There they have found stone walls, a strange carved stone with channels for what appears to be water or liquid for some kind of ritual purpose, and, towards the bottom of the hill, a stone turtle basin and water spout that appears to have once been connected to a spring.  Of all of the included sites, this is perhaps the most enigmatic in terms of how it was used and what was going on there.  It is likely that this is what is referred to in the Chronicle as the Tou no Mine site, where it is said that they built an enclosure encircling two tsuki trees, calling the site the Futatsuki Palace.  That said, today the name "tou-no-mine" is applied to a peak some distance further up the valley and into the mountains, and I do not believe that any concrete evidence of a "palace" has been found at either location.  Still, it demonstrates that there was something going on that was important enough to build walls and create intricate stone carvings—not something we necessarily find everywhere, though they are particularly prolific in the Asuka region once you consider all the various stone carvings that have been located there.  Current thinking seems to suggest that it was a site where sovereigns from Kashikiya Hime through Uno no Sarara conducted rites associated with ascension to the throne.  The walls show evidence of being built earlier in the 7th century, which we discussed in Episode 118, and then damaged during the incredibly powerful Nankai earthquake during the Hakuho era.  We talked about this earthquake back in episode 139, along with other natural disasters.  This was an earthquake of immense power, known as a Nankai Megathrust Earthquake, that caused destruction across the archipelago, from Shikoku up through the Kanto region.  Walls show evidence of being repaired in Temmu's time and the site appears to have been in use up through the 9th century.  This means it was still being used in some capacity even after the court had moved up to Heian-kyo, in modern Kyoto, but who knows by whom. By the way, I feel like I should address something here.  Often times there is a bit of an archaeological joke that if you don't know what something is it gets termed a "ritual site" or a "ritual implement".  And, granted, "ritual" does not necessarily mean "religious".  Brushing your teeth each day could be considered a ritual.  So is the inauguration of a new president or prime minister.  It just refers to something that we do regularly, usually as part of a societal tradition.  Often it is symbolic, though sometimes it can have a greater function.  So in all likelihood whatever was happening at the Sakafuneishi site probably was a kind of "ritual", whether it was religious or not, but we just don't have enough info to know what that might have looked like.  The physical evidence does not conform to any other well known practice, so we are left guessing. Compare this to another "ritual" site, the next on our list:  The Mizuochi site.  When it was first discovered in 1972, it was clear that it was important.  There was a large building foundation, in the shape of a square podium, faced with paving stones.  It was also near to Asukadera and the location where various stone figures had been found at the turn of the century.  It would take several more years to discern enough features to come to the realization of what it was for.  This was due to the discovery of highly unusual features and artifacts. For instance, there is the central building, designated SB200.  It had pillars set on base stones, forming a grid pattern in a square—four spans long on each side.  This is unusual compared to other buildings on the site, which had more conventional pillars embedded in the ground.  Each span of the pillars at SB200 was a uniform distance.  The podium on which the building was placed was just under 11 meters on each side, and a little more than a meter in height.  The pillar bases were further strengthened under the floor level, meaning that the resulting structure would have been remarkably sturdy.  In the center of the building was a stone platform, set about a meter below the surface, where they found the remains of a large and small lacquered wooden boxes.  Around the platform were buried wooden culverts and copper pipes, which would have been able to carry water to and from the site. There was nothing else like this discovered anywhere else, but given the nature of everything, it seemed to make sense that this was the site of the clepsydra, the water clock, which Naka no Oe is said to have built.  Pottery shards from around the 650s and 660s seem to back up this identification, and simulations have demonstrated how the water clock may have actually worked.  As such, the site seems to have been fairly well identified, which is really remarkable, and provides an incredible link to that era.  Not only that, but the technology demonstrated was incredibly advanced for its time.  As such, it truly is a remarkable site.  For more, check out Episode 127, where we talked more in depth about the importance of time and direction in Ancient Yamato. The next site on the list is the Kengoshizuka Kofun.  This mounded tomb is said to have been built around 667 CE—around the time that Yamato was supporting Baekje in a failed attempt to stave off that country's destruction at the hands of the Silla-Tang alliance.  This is an octagonal shaped kofun—a shape which is thought to have only been used by members of the royal family.  The academic position is that this is the tomb of Takara Hime—aka Saimei Tennou—who had died just as Yamato was starting to send troops to the Korean peninsula.  This theory is at odds with the Imperial Household Agency, which has designated a different tomb—Kurumaki-Kenno Kofun—as Saimei Tennou's mausoleum The story as it is recounted in the Nihon Shoki goes something like this.  As Yamato was gathering forces to defend Baekje—see episodes 123 and 124 for what happened—Takara Hime passed away at the temporary court set up in Asakura, in modern Kyushu.   With Yamato just about to launch a military campaign, they couldn't also hold a royal funeral, so they had her body taken back to the Nara basin..  Takara Hime's remains were temporarily interred at the plain of the Asuka River—Asuka-gawara.  It wouldn't be until after the conflict was over—a little more than 5 years later—that she would be buried.  At that time, we are told that she was buried together with Royal Princess Hashibito, her sister-in-law, at Wochi Hill—little market hill—and that the royal granddaughter, Princess Ohota, was buried in front.  And indeed, the layout of Kengoshizuka Kofun  has space for two coffins, and the archeologists found evidence of another burial in "front" of the kofun.  So in all ways this  seems to accord with the Chronicles, though the Imperial Household Agency has not chosen to change its designation.  I suspect that if they did it might cause some issues due to the limits of what archaeologists are allowed to do with tombs designated as royal mausoleums. Kengoshizuka Kofun has been remarkably reconstructed, so that you can go and see what it probably looked like when it was first built.  Since it was not designated as an imperial mausoleum by the Imperial Household Agency, archaeologists were able to excavate Kengoshizuka, and they found some remarkable finds, including a particularly spectacular coffin fitting made of cloisonne hexagonal plates with images of flowers that were connected to each other.  There also appears to have been a coffin made with lacquered linen, rather than the stone or tuff coffins found elsewhere.  So that's Kengoshizuka Kofun.  That's #7 on our list.  Moving on to #8, on the timeline at 673, it is Kawara-dera, and I'm going to lump this in with Tachibana-dera, which is noted on the timeline at 680.  In fact, the nominating document proposes a much earlier timeline for the start of Tachibana-dera, starting in the 640s, with Kawara-dera in the 660s, about two decades later. These two temples sit across from one another, and at one time they appear to have been coupled together as a monastery and a nunnery.  In fact, the nominating documents call out Tachibana-dera as Japan's oldest nunnery. The actual founding of these two temples is somewhat in dispute.  Let me start with Tachibana-dera.  Tachibana-dera claims to have been founded by none other than the legendary Shotoku Taishi.  It is said that the land of Tachibana-dera was the area of the palace where Prince Umayado, aka Shotoku Taishi, was born, and that in 606 he had the property turned into a temple.  As such, it claims to be one of seven major temples built by the Prince.  However, we don't have any actual documentation for the temple until it shows up in 680, due to the report of a fire.  We do see it in numerous poems in the Man'yoshu, which is one of the ways we can also tell that it was a nunnery. More information can be gleaned from the archaeological excavations at the site.  The original temple was clearly built on the same Baekje designs as others of that period.  In an interesting twist, it appears as though the temple was not oriented north to south, as others were, but rather it was oriented west to east.  This would have had it facing the royal palace, initially, in a configuration very similar to that of Shitennoji, in Osaka, or Yamadadera, which is also one of the sites included in UNESCO World Heritage designation. The original temple had a middle gate, a pagoda, a main hall—or kondo—and a lecture hall (Koudou).  It was surrounded by a walled corridor.  Some of the roof tiles that have been found appear to be from the first quarter of the 7th century, but there are many more from the mid-7th century, suggesting that full-scale construction wasn't carried out until that period.  None of the original buildings appear to have survived, though there is an Asuka era stone statue, as well as various important cultural properties that have been preserved, and excavations have given us an idea of what it looked like, originally. Compare that to Kawara-dera, which sits to the north of Tachibana-dera.  We've talked about Kawara-dera before, as it was eventually designated one of the four national temples.  It was clearly built at a later date than Tachibana-dera, though when, exactly, is still unclear. There is mention of a Kawara-dera in an entry for 653, but even then, the Chronicles note that may have actually been at Yamada-dera, on the other side of Asuka, indicating that even the Chroniclers weren't entirely sure.  That leaves the first clean mention of the temple at 673, in the reign of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tenno.  There is a note, prior to this, in about 656, which talks about "Kawara no Miya", or the Kawara Palace. This is where Takara Hime briefly moved after the fires damaged the Itabuki Palace, which was rebuilt into the Later Okamoto Palace.  It is thought that Kawara-dera is on the site of that temporary palace, and it is possible that the building of that palace lent something to the eventual creation of Kawara-dera. Kawara-dera has a unique layout, known specifically as the Kawara-dera style temple layout.  Although the overall temple is built on a north-south axis, the west main hall faces east, towards the pagoda, in the southern courtyard.  There was then a central main hall, and then the northern courtyard, with the koudou, or lecture hall, facing south.  There is also evidence that the east gate was sizeable—possibly larger than the south gate.  If so, it may be that this temple, like Tachibana-dera, was also facing east—facing the palace—but it was, at the same time, also on the same north-south access as other buildings and facilities.  This almost seems like they were perhaps compromising between facing the palace and utilizing the continental idea of a north-south alignment.  I almost wonder if the pagoda and western kondou weren't first built and then someone decided to change the orientation mid-way through the building process.  Either way, it is definitely unique. Although Kawara-dera was designated as one of the four national temples, it is the only temple that was not eventually moved up to Heijo-kyo, or Nara, when the capital eventually moved up there.  There are numerous theories as to why, but regardless of that, it stayed in Asuka and was no longer considered a national temple.  Over time it declined, and repairs could not be maintained across the entire complex.  Today, a successor temple, Gufuku-ji, sits on the site, but it is much reduced.  Fortunately, you can still see many of the exposed footings and get an idea for just what this temple was like back in its heyday. Now since we've mentioned it, it is probably worth talking about Yamada-dera, which is also on the list.  Like the others, there is a small successor temple to the north, but most of the ancient Yamada-dera grounds are visible, and if you go out there you can clearly see where all the buildings were.  There are signs and raised platforms depicting where the various buildings were at, so you can easily see what was there.  Furthermore, if you check out the Asuka Historical Museum, they have a remarkably well-preserved section of one of the walls of the gallery from the temple, including some roof elements.  It appears to have fallen down during a fire, and other material must have fallen on top of it so that the fire could not consume that section, leaving it in incredible shape. Yamada-dera is part of the Hosso sect—that is the sect following the teachings of the monk Xuanzang.  We talked about Xuanzang, and the monks who studied with him, back in episodes 120 to 122.  It is said to have been founded by Soga no Kurayamada no Ishikawa no Maro.  He was a relative of Soga no Emishi who supported Prince Naka no Oe in his coup in 645.  Soga no Kurayamada eventually became Udaijin, or Minister of the Right, and he was essential in implementing the Taika reforms.  Long story short, he was slandered, and fled to Yamada-dera, which was still under construction.  Rather than being taken by government forces, he took his own life, as well as that of his wife and eight children.  You can listen to the whole story back in Episode 112.  All of that is said to have happened here at that temple, in the year 649.  Perhaps because of the stain of that incident, the temple construction appears to have been halted for a time.  It wouldn't be completed until 685, when Ohoama and his wife, Uno no Sarara, a direct descendant of Soga no Kurayamada, were on the throne. Finally, there is one more temple from this early period that is mentioned, and that is Hinokuma-dera.  Of all of the temples so far, this one we probably have mentioned the least in the main podcast.  Hinokuma-dera is located to the southwest of the main Asuka valley, south of the famous Takamatsuzuka kofun.  It is first mentioned in a record dated to 686.  That indicates it must have been built some time prior, and archaeological excavations seem to place it at the second half of the 7th century, with the pagoda and main hall being completed in the late 7th century.   The temple continued to be maintained through the 8th century, but declined after the Heian period when the pagoda and lecture hall collapsed.  In the early 20th century a local Shinto shrine was relocated here, and remains, today. Hinokuma-dera was built as a private temple by the Yamato no Aya.  The Yamato no Aya are an intriguing group of people.  The name "Aya" implies a group that was originally employed as weavers, a technology brought over from the continent.  Indeed, they are said to have been largely immigrants who came and brought the technology with them.  The Aya were broken into different groups, with the Yamato no Aya being one of the more powerful.  The name appears again and again in the Chronicles, though in the time of Ohoama they were put on notice as a clan.  We aren't told what they did, exactly.  They seem to have made their way back into the court's good graces over time, however. Hinokuma-dera is interesting in that it is much smaller than the other temples we have discussed, and the form is quite different.  It isn't organized along cardinal directions, but rather with the koudou, or lecture hall, in the northwest and the kondou, or main hall, in the southeast.  The pagoda was between the two, slightly off-center to the northeast, directly across from the main gate, which faced southwest.  This means that you would enter from the southwest into a large, rectangular courtyard.  You could be facing a pagoda near the rear wall, with a lecture hall to your left and the main image hall to your right.  This is compared to Baekje temples that were on the periphery of the Baekje capital, and this may have been in a similar situation.  Based on the surrounding geography, it appears that some of the choices may have been made to conform with local geologic features, such as the ridge that it is on. It is interesting, however, for its uniqueness, especially as a private temple that did not have the resources of the court.  There were probably quite a few of these kinds of temples that we just don't see or hear about in the record.  When the court moved, first up to Heijo-kyo, but later on to Heian-kyo, in modern Kyoto, the head of the Yamato no Aya no doubt moved as well, and that probably led to the temple's decline, over time. Speaking of the court, there is one more part of the Asuka court that we should touch on before we leave the era of the Asuka palace.  At some point, probably related to the Later Okamoto Palace, the court created a pond and garden.  This Asuka Pond Garden site is first mentioned in 685, though it likely existed for some time.  Evidence suggests that it was built around the same time as the later Okamoto Palace, so sometime around 656, and based on excavations, we know that there was a south and north pond, divided by a middle bank.  Water flowed from the south pond to the north pond through a wooden pipe in that middle bank.  The south pond had a pentagonal shape, about 65 meters long, east to west, and 55 meters wide, north to south.  It was only 30 cm at its deepest point, with two islands in the pond itself.  The north pond was 36 meters east to west and 52 meters north to south, and it was up to 4 meters deep.  There was a stone overflow channel that was built for water to flow back into the Asuka river.  There was also a stone fountain, like that found at the Sakafuneishi site, and evidence of buildings and a wall around the site.  There has also been analysis of seed pollen, indicating what kinds of vegetation might have been grown in the garden. This was a lavish area that was purpose-built for entertainments of various kinds.  This is the area that the royal family and various nobles likely adjourned to at the end of the day for relaxation and for various banquets and other such gatherings. Of course, not all the court proceedings were so joyful.  In 686, Ohoama died, and for the next couple of years the court business was taken up with eulogies and memorials.  This is also when they built the next site included in the list: The mounded tomb of Temmu Tennou and, eventually, Jitou Tennou.  The tomb is an octagonal kofun, similar to the Kengoshizuka kofun for Takara Hime.  It is built to the southwest of the Asuka basin, a fair distance from the palace.  However, this positioning also puts it directly south of the site of the new Fujiwara Palace.  As the Fujiwara capital and palace site had already been selected, they would have been able to build this tomb in relation to the future palace, creating a direct north-south link between the two.  It is also along the same ridgeline as the tomb of Kengoshizuka and the tomb attributed to Kinmei Tennou and Princess Kibi no Himemiko. The octagonal tomb was built in five tiers.  It is about 42 meters on a side, built with rammed earth and then covered, originally, with dressed stones, while the surrounding area was paved.  Ohoama was buried in a sealed stone burial chamber in a dry-lacquered linen-made coffin, similar to what was found, again, at Kengoshizuka.  Later, when Uno no Sarara passed away, her urn was added to the tomb. Speaking of that, I cannot believe I didn't mention this in the last episode on Queen Uno no Sarara, but yes, she was cremated.  In fact, she is the first Yamato sovereign to have been cremated in the Buddhist style, rather than to have her body buried intact.  Today, almost cremation is the default in Japan—to the point that it actually has caused some issues with people who, for religious reasons, request a different type of burial.  However, at this point, it was still somewhat new.   Prior to Buddhism, all indications are that bodies were simply buried.  Buddhism brought in the concept of at least four different types of funerary rites.  There is dosou, or earth burial, but there was also suisou, water burial; fuusou, wind—or "air"—burial; and then kasou, fire burial.  Suisou would be committing a body to water, and fuusou generally means leaving the body on a stand, out in the open, to allow the body to decompose while birds, ideally vultures, come and do their work.  Of these, "kasou", fire burial or cremation, is linked to the historical Buddha, whose physical body is said to have been cremated, with the bones and teeth left behind considered holy relics.  That Uno no Sarara requested cremation would seem to indicate her own support of Buddhism and Buddhist institutions. The tomb of Temmu and Jitou has remained largely intact—at least compared to some that we have discussed this episode-- but not inviolate.  Over time, the site was allowed to become overgrown with trees and other vegetation.  In 1235 the tomb was robbed and in 1881 it was officially designated as an Imperial Mausoleum by the Imperial Household Agency, which now manages the site.  You can approach up to a point, but the tomb itself is largely off-limits to the public. Speaking of Uno no Sarara's support of Buddhism, we've already talked about her connections to Yakushi-ji, the next site on our list.  This temple was commissioned by Ohoama when his wife, Uno no Sarara, grew unexpectedly ill in 680.  She did recover, and the temple would eventually be considered one of the four National temples of the Yamato state.  It appears to have been built—possibly shifted slightly—specifically in line with the new avenues being laid out for Fujiwara-kyo, the new capital, and it fits neatly into place, taking up an entire city block.  When the capital moved, the temple was also moved.  The new temple sits up near modern Nara, in the area known as Nishi-no-kyou—the West (side of the) capital.  For the new site, the court may have used some of the materials from the original temple, though there does seem to have been a continued presence at the Fujiwara capital site until the 11th century.  To avoid confusion, the temple in the old Fujiwara capital site is referred to as "Moto-Yakushiji", meaning the Real or Original Yakushi Temple. Yakushiji was commissioned in 680, but work on the temple wasn't completed until 698, four years after the move to the new Fujiwara Palace.  Key features at this time were its size and its double pagodas, rather than just the single pagoda common in earlier temples.  This mimicked temple innovations happening on the continent, and was later adopted by several temples in the new capital of Heijo-kyo. Another national temple from around this time, also included in the nomination letter, is Daikandaiji.  Like Yakushiji, this temple was a grand statement of the Yamato state's ambitions.  Both were large temples that would have stood out, and as national temples they were symbols of state power and authority in matters both secular and spiritual. We discussed all of this in a previous episode, Episode 142, where we covered the four national temples, so I don't want to belabor it too much other than to give a brief overview.  In summary, what we know as Daikandaiji today is very likely the old Kudara Ohodera,  Kudara, in this instance, being spelled with the same kanji as for "Baekje".  Kudara Ohodera was the largest of the Asuka and Fujiwara era temples.  Its pagoda was over 80 meters tall, one of the tallest in Yamato at that time, and the main hall rivaled that of the Daigokuden, the main hall of the Fujiwara palace.   It also appears to have been moved twice.  First it was moved from its original location closer to the Asuka palace.  And then it appears to have been shifted to align with the avenues of the new Fujiwara capital.  The name was also changed.  "Kudara Ohodera" likely referred to the location where the temple was first founded by Tamura, aka Jomei Tennou.  It was then moved to Asuka and took on the name "Takechi Ohodera", given its new location, but then was renamed to Ohotsukasa no Ohodera, the Great Temple of the High Officials, or something like that.  This same name, read with the on'yomi reading, becomes "Daikandaiji". The temple was later moved to Heijo-kyo, where it was renamed to "Daianji", which means something like the Temple of Great Safety or Protection.   There is another story that says that the temple actually originated in the Kumagori dojo created by the legendary Shotoku Taishi, but, like so many such stories, that may have been added later to increase the temple's prestige.  As with so many of these temples, when the move was made to Heijo-kyo, the temple lost its national status, but remained active.  Without the upkeep by the court, it eventually declined, finally disappearing almost entirely.  Remains were rediscovered in the Edo and Meiji period, with major excavations in the 1970s and 80s.  From this, there is evidence of fire, even before construction was completed.  Indeed, there is a record of fire in 711.  The temple was likely under construction for much of the period of the Fujiwara capital's existence. This is probably as good a point as any to talk about the Fujiwara Palace itself.  I would note that the World Heritage site designation only includes the palace site, and not the entire capital city of Fujiwara-kyo.  That is probably for the best, as findings have suggested that the ancient capital was built on a plan far grander that previously thought. Initially, it was believed that the Fujiwara capital was built similar to Heijo-kyo and Heian-kyo, which is to say that it was modeled after the Tang capital of Chang'an.  This model creates a rectangular city with the main palace complex at the far north of the city.  Lower classes are typically housed in the southern regions while upper classes and nobility are provided land in the northern areas of the city.  Part of the reason to believe that the city was laid out like this has to do with the three mountains:  Mt. Unebi, Mt. Miminashi, and Mt. Kagu.  If the palace were located at the northern end of the city, then the city would fit rather nicely in the plains between these three mountains.  However, it appears that the plans for Fujiwara-kyo were much grander, and it appears that the Fujiwara palace sat not at the northern top of the capital, but instead it was in the middle.  This more closely approximates the ideal Confucian model, which created a square city divided into nine districts with the palace in the center.  However, it also means that the city grid is interrupted by the mountains, particularly by Mt. Miminashi, in the north.  To cover all of that land would be untenable, and much of it has been built up or under cultivation for centuries.  Furthermore, it is unclear how built up Fujiwara-kyo ever was.  Imagine trying to just create a city from scratch.  Not only was it about building the temples and the palace, but about all of the other houses, which would have been organized by the individual owners.  One also has to wonder just how many workers there were, and materials, to do all of this.  If much of this was done as traditional wooden buildings, then many of the blocks may not have left any significant remains, though new construction in the area does perform exploratory archaeology just in case.  There are a lot of interesting features that have been found. However, let's focus just on the Fujiwara Palace.  As I've previously pointed out—just back in Episode 152, for example, the Fujiwara Palace was, in many ways, getting back to the type of palace that the Toyosaki Naniwa Palace had tried to be.  This was a massive State complex.  The overall property appears to have been a square, with nine gates—once again, mimicking the geometric perfection suggested in ancient sources.  That wall, which was defined by post-holes in the ground, was also surrounded by a moat.  The south central gate was known as the Suzaku-mon, or Suzaku gate, named for Suzaku, the crimson bird of the south.  This was at the north end of Suzaku Oji, or Suzaku Avenue, the central road of the Fujiwara capital. This road was 24 meters wide, with 4 meter ditches on either side.  The ditches would have carried water throughout the city, while also allowing the city to drain water during large rains.  From the Suzaku gate to the north the palace opened up to the first courtyard, with two building where officials could prepare for the day.  Originally this would have been the place for officials to change into their formal robes, though later they were commanded to show up to work already dressed.  From there, once it opened, they would pass through another gate into the Choudouin, or State Hall.  Here, the 8 bureaus, or ministries, each had a Choudou, or court hall, where they would perform their work.  There were also four other halls for other governmental work. Besides the southern gate, there were gates on the east and west, which led to further government offices to the west and east of the court.  A fourth gate, at the north end of the Choudouin enclosure, would lead to the Daigokuden, the Great Audience Hall.  This was part of a reduced enclosure.  Two buildings have been discovered to the east and west of the enclosure, and north of the enclosure would have led to the private quarters of the sovereign and their family. The government buildings are more obvious than some others—many of the buildings were built in the continental style, meaning with stone footings, leaving a lot of evidence of their existence.  Meanwhile, the buildings of the sovereign's private residence were likely still in the indigenous style—plain wood with posts sunk directly into the ground, and thatched roof.  That would all leave a lot fewer traces, not to say that they haven't ever found anything. Today, the Fujiwara Palace site is a large open area where many of the features that have been found are indicated with modern crimson colored pillars, demonstrating where the various pillars were found.  At the same time, any above-ground reconstructions would have be conjectural, as we don't have enough remaining to know exactly what the palace looked like beyond the pillar locations. This palace and the city was ambitious.  It was huge and clearly meant as a permanent capital.  The fact that it was only occupied until about 710, when the capital moved north, to Heijou-kyou, is something we'll talk about in a later episode.  But still, it was absolutely an incredible move.  Think of how much labor this took and what kind of costs were involved?  This was truly a flex of the state's ability to mobilize labor to be able to do all of this, and generally marks the moment where the Yamato government really came into its own.  It also marks the period where the name "Yamato" is thought to have been officially changed to refer to "Nihon", the "Origin of the Sun", the name by which Japan would be known ever since.  It really is a symbol of Japan's changing state. There are only three more monuments included in the World Heritage Site designation, and they are all tombs. The first is Nakaoyama Kofun.  This is another octagonal kofun, approximately 19.5 meters from one side to the other.  It is only three tiers, as opposed to the five tiers of the tomb of Temmu and Jitou, and similarly covered in stone and surrounded by stone pavement.  The sealed burial chamber is narrow—designed for an urn rather than for a full-body coffin.  This is the first such mound clearly built to accommodate Buddhist style cremation, rather than a coffin.  While the keyhole shaped kofun had stopped being utilized for some time, this appears to put the final seal on the coffin, as it were, of the kofun building period, which had started back in the mid-3rd century.  Certainly, royal tombs continued to be built in the form of mountains, but they would stop having the same kind of artificial mound. It is unclear who was buried in the mound.  It was plundered around the 13th century, and there was considerable damage noted in the Edo period.  However, given Kengoshizuka Kofun and the kofun of Temmu and Jitou Tennou, it seems hard to deny the general consensus that this is the tomb of none other than Karu—that is to say Monmu Tennou.  However, as with Kengoshizuka Kofun, the Imperial Household Agency has named a different kofun, that of Kurihara-tsuka'ana Kofun, slightly to the south of Nakaoyama.  I would note that while this is an octagonal kofun, similar to the others we have seen, the Kurihara kofun, aka the Hinokuma Anko Misasagi, is a round kofun, which, in the consideration of modern scholarship, is not generally thought to have been a shape used for a royal tomb. There are two other tombs on the world heritage list that are round tombs, however—though they are not thought to have been royal tombs.  These are the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora kofun, and both of them have incredible features that are considered of particular importance to the indication of the development of the state.  This is because in both tombs elaborate tomb mural paintings were discovered. The murals of the Kitora kofun are perhaps the simpler between the two.  The Kitora murals have the four directional guardians on the walls of the tomb.  Again, we talked about this back in episode 127.  It was the idea that there was a directional guardian for each of the four cardinal directions.  This includes Genbu, the black tortoise of the north; Byakkou, the White Tiger of the West; Seiryuu, the Blue (or green) Dragon of the East; and Suzaku, the Red Bird of the South.  These descriptions were heavily tied in with various continental ideas of what would be known as "feng shui", including different ideas of color, direction, and concepts of yin and yang.  The Kitora kofun clearly shows these four guardians.  Based on the style of the tomb and the paintings, it is assumed that this tomb was built in the very beginning of the 8th century.  Combined with tomb goods found, while we don't know who was buried there it is very likely that it was either a royal prince or high ranking noble.  It has been suggested that this could have been the tomb for the Minister of the Right, others have suggested that it could be Royal Prince Takechi, who died in the late 7th century, or possibly even a high ranking member of the Baekje nobility living in the archipelago since the fall of their country, given some of the continental features of the tomb and its murals. In addition to the spectacular directional guardians, on the ceiling of Kitora Kofun is a depiction of the stars.  This star chart has been the focus of considerable study, as it depicts the stars in the sky as they might have been seen from the ground.  Though there are some errors, it is remarkably accurate, and it has been heralded as the oldest such star chart in the world.  There are earlier depictions of the sky, like the Nebra Sky Disc, from modern Nebra, in Germany, which dates to about 1800-1600 BCE, but those are more like an astronomical rule, rather than a chart.  It is also interesting that the positions of the stars don't exactly correspond with the sky over the Fujiwara capital: instead, it seems that the latitude better fits with the capital of Pyongyang in Goguryeo.  This opens up lots of intriguing possibilities about how this star chart came to be, and who created it.  It may be that some of the errors we see in the star positions come from taking a star chart possibly from the Tang court, and then localizing it to the Goguryeo capital in Pyongyang.  That chart then appears to have made its way to Japan where it was used in the Kitora kofun.  That means that the artist  wasn't necessarily directly looking at the sky at the time, but rather looking at a depiction, probably drawn on paper which has since been lost.  All of this points to the availability of, and importance placed on, astronomical information at the time.  In the Takamatsuzuka Kofun we similarly have directional animals, although in that case Suzaku, in the south, has been lost.  There is also a depiction of the stars, though it is more based on the zodiac, with constellations depicted in the various "houses" of the sky, rather than a true chart of the sky.  Most significantly in this tomb, however, are depictions of courtiers – groups of male and female attendance - in what appears to be court clothing, and indeed this is the best depiction we have of what court clothing may have looked like at this time.  It very much is in keeping with the clothing we see on the continent.  It is possible that the clothing depicted is not actually what was in use in the court, but possibly clothing from the continent as it was depicted in drawings and the like.   However, the style of clothing does seem to match the continental style clothing we see later in the Nara period, and so it does seem to be our best source for the clothing of the time barring us finding actual garments or further depictions. Both of these tombs are stunning, and have greatly increased our knowledge of the world of the court of 8th century Japan.  However, they are also both extremely fragile and in need of conservation.  Since being opened, humidity levels in the tombs have risen, which has led to the deterioration of the paintings themselves.  Japanese historians and conservators have gone to great lengths to preserve what they could before any more was lost, and there are depictions of what they looked like when they were originally found.  One of the goals of the World Heritage determination appears to be the conservation of these incredible paintings for future generations to be able to see. And there you have it.  Those are the sites  that were recently listed together on the UNESCO World Heritage list as the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara.  I hope that everyone gets a chance to go see them in person some day—it really is a beautiful and rather bucolic area with history strewn all about.  It isn't difficult to walk most of it, either, though to see everything you probably want at least a couple of days, not including various museums and other institutions.  And, of course, the rest of the Nara basin is full of even more treasures, such as Horyuji temple, the Makimuku Palace site, Mt. Miwa, and then the ancient capital of Nara, just to name a few. But that will have to be for another day.  For now, I think I've gone on long enough.  This has been a bit longer than most episodes, so I hope that you enjoyed it.  We'll be back with our regularly scheduled episodes in a couple of weeks. Until then if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through either our Ko-Fi or BuyMeACoffee sites—just look up SengokuDaimyo. For all of that, you can also find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, you may have noticed that there are advertisements running on the podcast—that is so that we can keep this free to everyone, but if you want an ad-free version, we have uploaded our entire back-catalog to Patreon, where we will be releasing early and ad-free episodes for anyone who wants to sign up. Finally, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.

Japan has a reputation for being incredibly safe, but what does “safe” actually mean? The Krewe is joined by Jordan Green, aka AfroInJapan from YouTube & Instagram, to explore safety in Japan beyond just crime, including natural disasters, wildlife, xenophobia, & the considerations travelers & foreign residents should keep in mind. Does Japan live up to it's rep? You be the judge! ------ About the Krewe ------ The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy! ------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------ Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode! Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season! Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan!  ------ Links for Jordan Green/AfroInJapan ------ AfroInJapan on YouTube AfroInJapan on Instagram AfroInJapan's "The Myth of Crime in Japan" ------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------ JSNO Event Calendar Join JSNO Today!

Auf Instagram, TikTok & Co. trendet Japan und alles, was mit diesem Land zu tun hat, regelmäßig. Städte wie Tokyo oder Kyoto stehen als Reiseziel ganz oben auf der Bucket List vieler Menschen. Aber auch Hiroshima mit seinem Peace Park, der an die schrecklichen Folgen des Atombombenabwurfs erinnert, wird von vielen Touristen besucht. Korrespondent Ulrich Mendgen aus dem ARD-Studio Tokio berichtet über die Hotspots Japans, aber auch die Schattenseiten des Touristen-Booms. Und er gibt auch seine ganz persönlichen Japan-Verhaltenstipps für den nächsten Besuch. ------ Alle Folgen des Weltspiegel Podcast findet ihr hier: https://www.ardaudiothek.de/sendung/weltspiegel-podcast/61593768/ ------ Podcast-Tipp: Plusminus. Der ARD-Wirtschaftspodcast https://1.ard.de/plusminus-podcast-cp ----- Moderation: Janina Werner Redaktion: Heribert Roth, Navina Lala Mitarbeit: Nils Neubert, Sophia-Maria Kohn Redaktionsschluss: 13.08.2026

Auf Instagram, TikTok & Co. trendet Japan und alles, was mit diesem Land zu tun hat, regelmäßig. Städte wie Tokyo oder Kyoto stehen als Reiseziel ganz oben auf der Bucket List vieler Menschen. Aber auch Hiroshima mit seinem Peace Park, der an die schrecklichen Folgen des Atombombenabwurfs erinnert, wird von vielen Touristen besucht. Korrespondent Ulrich Mendgen aus dem ARD-Studio Tokio berichtet über die Hotspots Japans, aber auch die Schattenseiten des Touristen-Booms. Und er gibt auch seine ganz persönlichen Japan-Verhaltenstipps für den nächsten Besuch. ------ Alle Folgen des Weltspiegel Podcast findet ihr hier: https://www.ardaudiothek.de/sendung/weltspiegel-podcast/61593768/ ------ Podcast-Tipp: Plusminus. Der ARD-Wirtschaftspodcast https://1.ard.de/plusminus-podcast-cp ----- Moderation: Janina Werner Redaktion: Heribert Roth, Navina Lala Mitarbeit: Nils Neubert, Sophia-Maria Kohn Redaktionsschluss: 13.08.2026

The mini series within the Royal Studies Podcast on Monarchy & Money is hosted by Charlotte Backerra from the University of Klagenfurt in Austria, and Cathleen Sarti from the University of Oxford in the UK. In the Monarchy & Money episodes, they are talking with scholars on why economic questions are important to understand monarchical rule, and how royals are interacting with the economies of their kingdoms and beyond their territories. They are also always happy to hear about research into economic, financial, and business activities of monarchies and dynastic rulers of all kind.Social Media: facebook, LinkedIn, Bluesky: @cathleen-sarti.bsky.social Guest Bio: Dries Raeymaekers  teaches Early Modern History at Radboud University (Nijmegen, the Netherlands). His research explores the political culture of early modern Europe, with a particular focus on the history of monarchy, dynastic politics, and court society in the Western European context. He has held a Fulbright Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University and has been a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Historical Research (London), the Centre Roland Mousnier (Paris-Sorbonne), and the Centre de Recherche du Château de Versailles. In 2025, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Dries is the author of a prize-winning dissertation on the court of Brussels in the early 17th century, which has been published as One Foot in the Palace: The Habsburg Court of Brussels and the Politics of Access in the Reign of Albert and Isabella, 1598–1621 (Leuven University Press, 2013). He is also the co-editor, with René Vermeir and José Eloy Hortal, of A Constellation of Courts: The Households of Habsburg Europe, 1555–1665 (Leuven University Press, 2014), and, with Sebastiaan Derks, of The Key to Power? The Culture of Access in Princely Courts, 1450–1750 (Brill, 2016). Together with Liesbeth Geevers, he is co-editing the early modern volume in the forthcoming Bloomsbury Cultural History of Monarchy series. With Marc Jaffré, he is currently preparing an edited volume on working conditions at early modern courts.Bluesky: @driesraey.bsky.social **Marc W. S. Jaffré is a historian specialising in the histories of princely courts, peace building and hospitality in early modern France and Tokugawa Japan. He is an honorary fellow of Durham University, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a chercheur associé of the Centre Roland Mousnier (Sorbonne Université), and the Deputy Chair of the European Branch of the Society for Court Studies. He is the author of The Courtiers and the Court of Louis XIII, 1610–1643 (Oxford, 2025) and the co-editor of Marginalized Voices and Figures in French Festival Culture, forthcoming with Brepols in 2027. He has been awarded a Marie Curie (MSCA) global postdoctoral fellowship by the European Commission for the project 'HOST-FJ. Hospitality in Early Modern France and Tokugawa Japan: Concept and Practice'. The project will start in September and is co-hosted by the Istituto Storico Italo-Germanico in Trento and Nichibunken in Kyoto. He has been a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Groningen on the project 'Building Peace: Transitional Justice in Early Modern France' and a lecturer at Durham University, the University of Oxford (Balliol College) and the University of St Andrews.Previous Episodes of the Monarchy & Money series:02 January 2026: Katia Wright (Winchester) on The Queen's Lands – English Queens of the 14th Century 16 January 2026: Veronika Hyden-Hanscho (Klagenfurt) on Revenues of Habsburg Nobility in the Long 18th Century 30 January 2026: Fabian Persson (Linnaeus University, Kalmar and Växjö) on Court Economy in Sweden