City in Kansai, Japan
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Good Times Episode 12: Making it Happen With Maurice: Lost Without Japan Ep 116 Lost Without Japan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostwithoutjapan/ Please Consider Kindly Supporting Our Crowd-Funded Show By Supporting Us Through Our Shows Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/paying-for-our-4-109129803?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Maurice: https://mhicksart.wixsite.com/arts?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafzW9m5_l1Wn54MJ2NRJxP2T7XaBz4819JJyqBKJCWGCyPD6NtQ2ZdkhN_6OA_aem_FJ2Y6VRF_tjew5s7SfTLjA Maurice Insta: https://www.instagram.com/slycelyfe?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Maple Lopo and Doc Kane https://maplopo.com/about-us/ As always, the link to our shows Google Resource doc can be found at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WEVbRmvn8jzxOZPDaypl3UAjxbs1OOSWSftFW1BYXpI/edit#
It turns out self-medicating and herbal remedies are not exclusive to humans.From cats eating grass, to elephants making medicinal tea in their throat pouch — the animal world has its own prescriptions.And naturally, there's plenty of digging through poo involved in this scientific research!Featuring:Dr Kevin Feeney, Central Washington University.Professor Michael Huffman, University of Kyoto.Dr Sophia Daoudi-Simison, Newcastle University UK.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Nick Kilvert, Presenter/ Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Mastering: Angela Grant.This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!Get access to over 2000 cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776Welcome to the second episode of this year's Summer Selling Series!Today I'm chatting with Sophia from Komasa Collection about why Japan should be on every travel advisor's radar - and trust me, there's way more to it than just cherry blossoms and Disney! We're breaking down the misconceptions about Japan being too expensive or intimidating to sell, plus sharing insider tips on how to get clients off the beaten path and into authentic experiences like family temples and hidden sake breweries in the Japanese Alps. From navigating the luggage transfer system to finding those perfect conveyor belt sushi spots, we're covering all the practical stuff that'll make you feel confident selling this incredible destination. Whether your clients want luxury ryokan experiences or budget-friendly adventures through Tokyo's neighborhoods, Japan has something magical for every type of traveler. Sophia's Email Address: sophia@komasacollection.comSophia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-hatchitt-71907abb/Questions this episode answers:What makes Japan different from other popular travel destinations?How many days should clients plan for a Japan trip?What are the must-see destinations in Japan beyond Tokyo and Kyoto?What are the best alternatives to overcrowded tourist spots in Japan?What are the best food experiences to have in Japan?Should travelers visit Japan during cherry blossom season?How do you find authentic cultural experiences like tea ceremonies and geisha encounters?What should travel advisors know about working with Japan ground operators?How do you plan day trips from Tokyo?What should travelers pack for a trip to Japan?Enjoy (and take action)!---------------------------------------------------------------Check out EVERYTHING I offer to support your travel business journey: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/Say HI on Social:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbsFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Direct EMAIL:rita@steeryourmarketing.com
Friday 18th July is two days before election day for the Upper House in Japan on Sunday 20th July. Here are some sounds of the parties canvassing for votes in Kobe and Kyoto.
Send us a textVideo Version HEREThese are real stories that have never been heard before. Unsettling accounts sent in by viewers from three different parts of the world. Each one is a chilling reminder that the paranormal doesn't care about borders, beliefs, or geography.In tonight's episode of Into the Fog, we explore: • A disturbing presence in a traditional house in Kyoto, Japan • A security guard's unexplained night of chaos in the UK • And a chilling haunting that changed men's personality in Indiana, USAAll three stories are true, previously unheard, and deeply personal. And together, they reveal one unsettling truth: no country is safe.Got your own story to share? Email it to info@peterlaws.co.ukSpecial Thanks to:- Bernard (surname withheld)- Jin Amarasinghe- Elizabeth SmithwickFor more on Peter Laws check out:www.patreon.com/peterlawsor www.peterlaws.co.uk
◆ In this episode, I am talking about a sandae with Japanese sweets I had in Kyoto, using vocabulary and grammar from GENKI 1. (GENKI 1 is a Japanese textbook meant for beginners at JLPT N5 / CEFR A1 level.) ◆ This story was originally released as Ep.19 on May the 17th, 2024. I just re-recorded it and created a listening comprehension exercise, answer key, vocabulary list and transcript for it for Patreon members, which was not available when it was first released. ◆ You will need to be a subscriber to my Patreon monthly membership to listen to it. The sample audio file is available on my Patreon site. ◆ Patreon Here are the benefits for my Patreon members : (Note : The benefits you get vary based on the tier you select.) - Podcast episodes - Vocabulary lists with English translation - Transcripts - Listening comprehension exercises (These are all in Kanji with Furigana.) - Answer keys for the exercises - Photos related to the episodes with captions - Extra information & fun facts related to the episodes Check out my Patreon page for more information : patreon.com/JapanesewithMeg ◆ You are cordially invited to... - leave me a review on Apple Podcast - rate my podcast on Spotify
I’m in Kyoto; NCA Arrests for Retail Hackers; Breach Disclosure Pain; Push Security Partnership with HIBP; Sponsored by Malwarebytes https://www.troyhunt.com/weekly-update-460/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vin Latteri - July 13th 2025 The danger isn't just around us—it's the subtle influence that shapes us from within. As we continue our The King & His Kingdom series in Matthew 16:1–12, Jesus is met with demands for signs—and offers a warning instead: beware the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This message challenges us to examine what's forming our thinking. Are our expectations causing us to miss Jesus? Are we forgetting what Jesus has already done? Are we letting fear or control take the lead? Jesus calls us back to trust, to memory, and to a kingdom mindset. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew16 #BewareTheYeast #KingdomMindset #FaithOverFear #TheKingAndHisKingdom #RestoredTemecula #ChristianSermon #TrustJesus #SpiritualDiscernment #BiblicalTeaching Share this message with someone who needs to hear it! Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome Home: Restored Church(00:00:34) - A Special Message for One of Our Clergy(00:03:07) - Jesus Thanks For His Gifts(00:04:47) - The Kingdom of Heaven vs The Kingdom of This World(00:07:55) - The Bible(00:08:14) - The Sign of the Sea(00:11:57) - The Differences Between the Pharisees and the Sadducees(00:19:26) - What Are Expectations?(00:21:58) - Favorite Trip Of All Time(00:22:31) - driving from Tokyo to Kyoto in Japan(00:26:49) - The Japanese Police Pull Over My Car(00:29:02) - Do You Have Expectations That Make You Miss Jesus?(00:31:27) - Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Sad(00:36:27) - The kingdom of heaven is also inside out(00:42:23) - The Who of King Jesus(00:44:16) - Do You Have Expectations That Are causing You to Miss Jesus?(00:51:25) - "Start Living Inside Out"(00:51:52) - Listen to the Spirit and Be Obedient
Jenn and Doug dive into how social media shapes global perceptions of Japan—both the good and the misleading. From viral content to common myths, they explore what's real, what's exaggerated, and why it matters.------ 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, Threads: @kreweofjapanpodcast & 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 ------Tickets to Kanpai on the Bayou JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!
Date Masamune goes flower viewing in Yoshino. Toyotomi Hideyoshi abruptly puts his own kinfolk to the sword. At Jurakudai, Lady Mego gives birth to a curiously named daughter. And a man named Ishida Mitsunari makes his first appearance in our story.Script and sources available at http://riverside-wings.comSubscribe to Riversidewings on Patreon, or buy some merch at Fourthwall. (Music is "Shinshun Ryoutei," "Kyoto no Ohayashi," "Hokora Uta," and "Yamagami no Yashiro," from 「MOMIZizm MUSiC(もみじば)|フリーBGM 」)
Uncanny Japan - Exploring Japanese Myths, Folktales, Superstitions, History and Language
Ever wonder who Japan's first samurai was? Or whether severed heads can actually fly? This episode has both answers in the incredible story of Taira no Masakado - a legendary 10th-century warrior who became one of Japan's Three Great Vengeful Spirits. Discover the supernatural tale of his severed head that refused to decay, the three months it spent on display in Kyoto's marketplace, and its legendary flight back to what would become Tokyo. Learn about the cursed head mound that still stands today, the mysterious deaths that plagued anyone who dared disturb it, and why frogs have become sacred symbols at his shrine. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Discord: https://discord.gg/XdMZTzmyUb Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thersa-Matsuura/e/B002CWZ73Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1500180689&sr=8-1 Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan
It's summer, the time of year each nation flings its most obnoxious and provincial citizenry into the rest of the world on cruise ships and discount airlines. And the rest of the world responds to the binge drinking, the clacking of roller suitcases, and public displays of ignorance with, "Why are these people my problem exactly?" It's the annual Gringos On the Move episode, this time covering mass tourism at Jonestown, the Disneylandification of Kyoto, and the anti-tourist and expat protests in Mexico City, Venice, and Barcelona. Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com
Japan has a way of staying with you.Hi, I'm Neil Patil and after years of travelling to Japan, I'm finally here to tell you about a place that's quietly shaped me.I've visited Japan over five times, and each time it feels like opening a brand-new chapter in a story I never want to stop reading.In this episode, I'm sharing 5 personal wonders that keep calling me back:
Kami Nakama returns to the man who introduced him to the courts of Japan filled with questions and accusations. Truths about Haruka's farm and the intent of the Portuguese come to light in the chapel by the lake. The time of Revelation is at hand.Loosely tied into Assassin's Creed: Shadows.An Everyday Heroes crossover campaign featuring characters inspired by Highlander, The Crow and Assassin's Creed.Check out all the Dreamslayer Studios content for Everyday Heroes on DriveThruRPG! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/29906/dreamslayer-studiosLike what you see? Support us on Patreon at https://patreon.com/DreamslayerStudiosPick up your Dreamslayer Merch at https://www.teepublic.com/user/dreamslayer-studiosIntroduction Music: The Gatekeepers by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comMusic by Dark Fantasy Studios.Visit Dreamslayer Studios online at https://dreamslayerstudios.renderforestsites.com/For more Everyday Heroes action check out our other campaigns: Get Charlotte - set in the worlds of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguezhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrWbwUCH4XApGfyDb52ySJri34mZYT5uOzark Requiem: Abaddon's Descent - A Requiem Horror campaignhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrWbwUCH4XCLat_AqLzU93ikbGEvVp3P Thanks to our monthly supporters Staci Teter Artalis Jonathan Morton Oraxsis Laura Shepherd Clint Byrd Michael Brightbill
◆ In this episode, I am talking about a traditional wooden townhouse cafe in Kyoto, using vocabulary and grammar from GENKI 1. (GENKI 1 is a Japanese textbook meant for beginners at JLPT N5 / CEFR A1 level.) ◆ This story was originally released as Ep.18 on May the 14th, 2024. I just re-recorded it and created a listening comprehension exercise, answer key, vocabulary list and transcript for it for Patreon members, which was not available when it was first released. ◆ You will need to be a subscriber to my Patreon monthly membership to listen to it. The sample audio file is available on my Patreon site. ◆ Patreon Here are the benefits for my Patreon members : (Note : The benefits you get vary based on the tier you select.) - Podcast episodes - Vocabulary lists with English translation - Transcripts - Listening comprehension exercises (These are all in Kanji with Furigana.) - Answer keys for the exercises - Photos related to the episodes with captions - Extra information & fun facts related to the episodes Check out my Patreon page for more information : patreon.com/JapanesewithMeg ◆ You are cordially invited to... - leave me a review on Apple Podcast - rate my podcast on Spotify
10 Locations for One Piece Statues Near Kumamoto, Japan, Lost Without Japan Ep 115 Lost Without Japan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostwithoutjapan/ Please Consider Kindly Supporting Our crowd-funded show By Supporting Us Through Our show's Patreon: https://patreon.com/lostwithoutjapanpodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Google Shared Maps For This Episode: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fimxQf2sPBtFsdAF8
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Whispers in the Bamboo: A Tanabata Tale of Inspiration Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-07-07-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 夏のある日、京都の嵐山竹林は美しい緑色に輝いていました。En: One summer day, the Arashiyama bamboo grove in Kyoto was shining a beautiful green.Ja: 風が竹を揺らし、竹の葉が静かにささやく音が聞こえます。En: The wind was rustling the bamboo, and you could hear the gentle whispers of the bamboo leaves.Ja: この日は特に特別でした。なぜなら、七夕祭りの日だったからです。En: This day was particularly special because it was the day of the Tanabata festival.Ja: 竹には色とりどりの短冊がたくさん結ばれ、人々の願いが風に揺れていました。En: Many colorful paper strips, or tanzaku, were tied to the bamboo, and people's wishes were swaying in the breeze.Ja: はるきは、内気な作家です。En: Haruki is a shy writer.Ja: 彼は新しい物語のインスピレーションを探していますが、いつも難しいと感じていました。En: He is searching for inspiration for a new story but always finds it challenging.Ja: 特に人と話すのが苦手です。En: Especially because he is not good at talking to people.Ja: しかし、今日は特別な日にしようと決心し、七夕祭りに参加することにしました。En: However, he decided to make today special and chose to participate in the Tanabata festival.Ja: はるきは竹に短冊を結びます。「新しい物語のアイデアが欲しい」と書きました。En: Haruki tied a tanzaku to the bamboo, writing, "I want ideas for a new story."Ja: その瞬間、えみことかずきが近くを通りました。En: Just at that moment, Emiko and Kazuki passed by.Ja: えみこは明るく冒険好きです。En: Emiko is cheerful and loves adventure.Ja: 彼女は京都の文化を探索するために訪れています。En: She is visiting to explore the culture of Kyoto.Ja: えみこは、はるきの書いた短冊を見て、微笑みました。En: Emiko saw the tanzaku that Haruki had written and smiled.Ja: 「こんにちは、これを書いたのはあなた?」と声をかけます。En: "Hello, did you write this?" she asked.Ja: はるきは驚きましたが、えみこの親しみやすさに安心しました。En: Haruki was surprised but felt relieved by Emiko's friendly demeanor.Ja: 「はい、私ははるきです。新しい物語を書きたいと思っています。でも、なかなか良いアイデアが浮かびません。」En: "Yes, I'm Haruki. I want to write a new story, but good ideas just don't come to me."Ja: えみこは笑いながら答えました。En: Emiko replied with a laugh.Ja: 「私も旅行して新しい体験をしたいんです。もしかしたら、私たちがお互いにインスピレーションを与えられるかもしれませんね。」En: "I also want to travel and have new experiences. Maybe we can inspire each other."Ja: かずきもその会話に加わり、二人の出会いを喜びました。En: Kazuki joined the conversation, pleased with their meeting.Ja: 「えみこの冒険話は本当に面白いよ。En: "Emiko's adventure stories are really interesting.Ja: 良い話の種になると思う。」En: I think they could be great seeds for a story."Ja: えみこの話や旅の経験にインスパイアされたはるきは、新しい物語のアイデアを思い付きました。En: Inspired by Emiko's stories and travel experiences, Haruki came up with an idea for a new story.Ja: 七夕の伝説である織姫と彦星の物語に基づいて、えみことの友情を描くことにしたのです。En: He decided to depict a friendship with Emiko, based on the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi from the Tanabata lore.Ja: その日の終わり、はるきは心が軽く、前向きな気持ちになりました。En: By the end of the day, Haruki felt light-hearted and optimistic.Ja: 彼は新しい友達を作ることができ、さらなるインスピレーションを得たことを嬉しく思いました。En: He was happy to have made new friends and gained further inspiration.Ja: はるきは竹に再び短冊を結び直しました。「人との出会いを大切にし、物語を紡ぎたい」と。En: Haruki tied another tanzaku to the bamboo, writing anew, "Cherish encounters with people and weave stories."Ja: 七夕の空に願いを託し、はるきは新たな第一歩を踏み出しました。En: He entrusted his wish to the Tanabata sky and took a new first step forward. Vocabulary Words:grove: 竹林rustling: 揺らしwhispers: ささやくparticularly: 特にshy: 内気inspiration: インスピレーションchallenging: 難しいparticipate: 参加moment: 瞬間cheerful: 明るくadventure: 冒険explore: 探索するdemeanor: 親しみやすさrelieved: 安心converse: 会話pleased: 喜びましたdepict: 描くlegend: 伝説optimistic: 前向きなencounters: 出会いweave: 紡ぎentrusted: 託しlight-hearted: 心が軽くtie: 結ぶfestival: 祭りcolorful: 色とりどりknowledge: 知識experiences: 体験stories: 物語seeds: 種
Think you know Japanese alcohol? Think again. In this episode, the Krewe dives into shochu — Japan's most beloved distilled spirit that somehow still flies under the radar outside the country. We sit down with Christopher Pellegrini, founder of Honkaku Spirits and one of the world's leading voices on shochu, to break it all down. Whether you're new to shochu or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode is a great place to start. Kanpai!Tickets to Kanpai on the Bayou ------ 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, Threads: @kreweofjapanpodcast & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past Food & Beverage Episodes ------Craving Ramen ft. Shinichi Mine of TabiEats (S4E11)Hungry For Travel ft. Shinichi of TabiEats (S3E15)Sippin' Sake ft. Brian Ashcraft (S1E19)Talking Konbini: Irasshaimase! (S1E3)------ About Christopher & Honkaku Spirits ------Christopher on IGHonkaku SpiritsJapan Distilled Podcast------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!
Intent on addressing his midlife crisis, Toyotomi Hideyoshi invades Korea. Date Masamune puts on a show in Kyoto so flashy that it reshapes the Japanese language. And we learn how then as now, logistics and sanitation in an army is a thankless and necessary task.Script and sources available at http://riverside-wings.comSubscribe to Riversidewings on Patreon, or buy some merch at Fourthwall. (Music is "Shinshun Ryoutei," "Kyoto no Ohayashi," "Hokora Uta," and "Yamagami no Yashiro," from 「MOMIZizm MUSiC(もみじば)|フリーBGM 」)
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Tobey's Spider-Man is coming back to theaters in the fall and a big addition to the Nintendo Museum! Find out about everything with the #MikeJonesMinuteCon.
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: A Bamboo Grove Romance: Discovering Love at Tanabata Festival Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-07-02-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 竹の葉が風にそよぐ音が聞こえる。En: The sound of bamboo leaves swaying in the wind can be heard.Ja: 夏の日差しが温かく、空は晴れ渡っている。En: The summer sun is warm, and the sky is clear.Ja: この日は、京都の嵐山竹林で七夕の祭りが開かれていた。En: On this day, the Tanabata festival was being held in the Arashiyama bamboo grove in Kyoto.Ja: 竹の間に吊るされた色とりどりの短冊が風に揺れ、織姫と彦星の伝説が語られているようだった。En: The colorful strips of paper hung between the bamboos swayed in the wind, as if the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi were being narrated.Ja: はるかは、大学の勉強から少し離れて、この祭りを楽しみに来た。En: Haruka had come to enjoy the festival, taking a break from her university studies.Ja: 彼女は静かで内向的だったが、新しい経験を求めていた。En: Although she was quiet and introverted, she was seeking new experiences.Ja: 竹林の中を歩くのは穏やかで心地よかった。En: Walking through the bamboo grove was peaceful and pleasant.Ja: そんな中、はるかは一つのブースに目を留めた。En: In the midst of this, Haruka noticed one booth.Ja: そこでは、カイトという名の若いアーティストが、彼の作品を展示していた。En: A young artist named Kaito was exhibiting his works there.Ja: カイトは親しみやすく、彼の作品には自然の美しさが表れていた。En: Kaito was approachable, and the beauty of nature was evident in his works.Ja: 彼は人目を引くような絵を描いており、竹や山の風景が鮮やかに表現されていた。En: His paintings were eye-catching, vividly expressing scenes of bamboo and mountain landscapes.Ja: 「こんにちは」と、はるかは少しの勇気を出して声をかけた。En: "Hello," Haruka said, mustering a bit of courage to speak up.Ja: カイトはにっこりと微笑んだ。「こんにちは!絵に興味がありますか?」En: Kaito smiled warmly. "Hello! Are you interested in the paintings?"Ja: はるかは絵を指さして、「これ、とてもきれいですね。竹林を歩いているみたい」と言った。En: Pointing to one of the paintings, Haruka said, "This is very beautiful. It feels like I'm walking in the bamboo grove."Ja: こうして、二人は自然と会話を始めた。En: In this way, the two naturally began to converse.Ja: はるかは、カイトの作品に惹かれ、彼の話に耳を傾けた。En: Haruka was drawn to Kaito's works and listened to his stories.Ja: 最初はつい警戒していたが、カイトの飾らない人柄に心を開き始めた。En: Initially somewhat wary, she began to open her heart to Kaito's unpretentious personality.Ja: 「この後、一緒に祭りを回りませんか?」カイトが提案した。En: "Shall we walk around the festival together afterward?" Kaito suggested.Ja: はるかは一瞬躊躇したが、笑顔で「ええ、いいわね」と答えた。En: Haruka hesitated for a moment but answered with a smile, "Yes, that sounds nice."Ja: 二人は竹林を歩きながら、夜の祭りを楽しんだ。En: As they walked through the bamboo grove, they enjoyed the night festival.Ja: 色とりどりのランタンが道を照らし、どこからともなく聞こえる音楽が祭りの雰囲気を盛り上げていた。En: The colorful lanterns lit the path, and music from somewhere added to the festive atmosphere.Ja: その時、カイトは彼のインスピレーションや夢について語り始めた。En: At that moment, Kaito started talking about his inspirations and dreams.Ja: 彼の話ははるかの心にも響いた。En: His stories resonated with Haruka's heart.Ja: そして、夜が深くなり、星が空に輝きだした。「星がきれいね」とはるかが言った。En: As the night deepened and the stars began to shine in the sky, Haruka said, "The stars are beautiful."Ja: 「七夕の伝説は知ってる?」カイトは問いかけた。En: "Do you know the legend of Tanabata?" Kaito asked.Ja: その問いにうなずき、二人は星について話しながら、互いの夢や恐れを語り始めた。En: Nodding in response to his question, the two began to talk about the stars, sharing their dreams and fears.Ja: 共通するものが多いことに気づき、彼らは心を通わせることができた。En: Realizing they had much in common, they were able to connect.Ja: やがて祭りは終わりに近づき、帰る時間になった。En: Before long, the festival was coming to an end, and it was time to leave.Ja: はるかは心に決めた。「カイト、あなたのスタジオにいつか行ってもいい?」彼女は尋ねた。En: Haruka made a decision. "Kaito, may I visit your studio someday?" she asked.Ja: カイトは笑顔で答えた。「もちろん!ぜひ来てください。」En: With a smile, Kaito answered, "Of course! Please do come."Ja: 竹林の小道を歩きながら、二人はこれからの出会いに期待していた。En: Walking along the bamboo forest path, they both looked forward to the encounters to come.Ja: それぞれの心に新しい風が吹き、これからの未来を楽しみにしていた。En: A new wind blew through each of their hearts, and they eagerly anticipated the future.Ja: 祭りの夜空には、キラキラと星が輝いていた。En: In the festival's night sky, the stars twinkled brightly. Vocabulary Words:swaying: そよぐtanabata: 七夕grove: 竹林introverted: 内向的unpretentious: 飾らないlanterns: ランタンresonated: 響いたconverse: 会話strips: 短冊narrated: 語られているapproachable: 親しみやすくeye-catching: 人目を引くvividly: 鮮やかにhesitated: 躊躇したbooth: ブースsurroundings: 環境exhibit: 展示artist: アーティストexhibiting: 展示していたpleasant: 心地よかったcourage: 勇気suggested: 提案したpath: 小道anticipation: 期待decision: 決心encounters: 出会いstars: 星fears: 恐れstudio: スタジオfestival: 祭り
The sovereign, Naka no Oe is dead, and with his death comes an all too familiar tradition: different factions warring for the throne. And this time it isn't just something we are guessing at, we get a front row seat to the show, with enough details to fill several episodes. In Part I we will look at what kicked off the war--or at least what we know--and discuss a few of the theories. We will also go over some of the events that happened while Prince Otomo was the head of state. For more, check out our podcast webpage at https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-129 Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan. My name is Joshua, and this is episode 129: The Jinshin no Ran, Part I: Prologue to War. The long bridge at Uji arched over the river, like a wooden rainbow. Former Crown Prince Ohoama, his head shaved and wearing the garments of a monk, was carried over the bridge. This was no simple priestly procession, however: he was accompanied by his entire household. Some on foot, and some on horseback. Even the kesa, once meant to be a symbol of priestly humility and simplicity, cried out that this was a man of wealth and power and status. The procession made its way across the bridge, headed south, to the ancient Yamato capital and then on to the mountain passes beyond, where the cherry trees would bloom, come the spring. At the north end of the bridge, the high ministers and nobility of Yamato watched them go. The ministers of the Left and the Right stood in the cold, winter air, wrapped in their warmest clothing, but it wasn't just the weather that was causing a chill. To some, this seemed a miracle—a clear sign that the succession would now be an easy one, with Ohoama taking himself off the board. But to others, they weren't so sure. While many of Yamato's traditions had evolved or changed—or even been outright replaced by continental ideas—many still remembered how things had been. The bloody politics and power struggles that often accompanied any transition of power. Naka no Oe had risen to power in just such a fashion. Now that he was not long for this world, would his legacy be any less violent? Greetings, everyone, and welcome back. Last episode we took you through the official reign of Naka no Oe, aka Tenji Tennou. Granted, this reign was only from 668 to 671, but Naka no Oe had already been putting his stamp on the state for over 33 years. Now, however, he was dead, as were those who had helped him implement his enormous changes, and with his death there was the question: Who would now ascend to the throne? And that question brings us to today's topic: The Jinshin no Ran, also known as the Jinshin War. This was a succession dispute that occurred in the year 672 following the death of Naka no Oe, between Naka no Oe's son Ohotomo and his brother Ohoama. The name, “Jinshin”, is formed much as the name of the “Isshi” incident, using the sinified Japanese reading of the sexagenary cycle characters used for the year. 672 was a “Mizu-no-e Saru” year, or what we today might just call a “Water Monkey” year. Read together, these characters can be pronounced “Jinshin”, hence “Jinshin no Ran”. Quick digression: That word “Ran”, indicating a war or similar martial disturbance, is the same character used as the title of the famous Kurosawa film that took Shakespear's King Lear story and set it in the Warring States period of Japan. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it—definitely a classic. Not exactly relevant here, but still worth it. But back to the Jinshin War: we're going to likely spend a few episodes on this, not just because it is important, but also because the record is fairly detailed, and I'd like to use it to really help us get an idea of what was going on. This episode we'll look at the broad picture: some of the causes of the war and where things were, generally speaking, just before the major campaigns kicked off. Of course, this isn't the first succession dispute in the Chronicles, but this one is incredibly detailed, and especially importantbecause it goes to the heart of the legitimacy of the royal family—the imperial family—for at least the next century. To a certain extent, I would also suggest that it was exactly the kind of thing that the Nihon Shoki was created to address: an official history as propaganda for the Japanese court, telling the court approved story of the royal family and providing justification as to why they are in power. Along the way it also props up the lineages of other elites. So let's go over the basic story of the conflict before we get into the details. I know, I know: spoilers. But I think it will help to have context for what we are talking about right now. To try to summarize: Ohoama, Naka no Oe's brother, is mentioned as the Crown Prince throughout Naka no Oe's reign, but just before Naka no Oe's death, Ohoama declined the position and went to Yoshino to become a Buddhist monk. This allowed Naka no Oe's son, Prince Ohotomo, the current Dajo Daijin, or head of the council of state, to run the government and eventually take the throne. However, shortly into Prince Ohotomo's reign, Ohoama raised an army and fought with Ohotomo and the court at Ohotsu-kyo, known as the Afumi court. After a couple of months of intense fighting, Ohoama defeated the Afumi forces and Ohotomo. Ohoama would go on to take the throne, becoming known as Temmu Tennou. He is credited with starting the projects that culminated in the creation of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. On the surface, this could easily look like a simple case of usurpation—especially if you come from a cultural background where sons are expected to inherit from their fathers, as is common in many European monarchies. However, we have to remind ourselves that this isn't Europe. For centuries, succession in Yamato had been much more chaotic than that. Often succession went not to a son or daughter, but first to a brother, and even then it didn't necessarily go to the oldest brother, or to the oldest child. Even designating an heir wasn't a guarantee that, after a ruler's death, someone else wouldn't come along and change things by force. Of course, the Nihon Shoki appears to lay out various rules for succession. In most cases, your mother has to be descended—however distantly—from a previous sovereign. Also, inheritance typically doesn't come at the attainment of adulthood. It isn't like someone turns 20 and they are suddenly eligible. We see plenty of reigns that are passed off as regencies—that is, the sovereign is legally just a caretaker for the throne until the true heir comes of age. Perhaps the most famous of these is Okinaga Tarashi Hime, aka Jingu Tenno, who supposedly held the throne from the death of her husband until their son, Homuda Wake, aka Ojin Tenno, was of age. But it isn't like she just abdicated. In fact, I don't think we've seen a single example where a regent has abdicated the throne. The only real abdication that we see is in 645, when Takara Hime, known as Kogyoku Tenno during her first reign, abdicated after the Isshi Incident. There are also plenty of examples of possible claimants to the throne who certainly seem like they may have been supremely qualified for the position who end up dying or being killed, sometimes with the specific claim that they were trying to usurp the throne. The most recent example is Furubito no Oe, who likely was in line to inherit the throne from Takara Hime prior to the Isshi Incident. It doesn't help that the Chronicle often only calls people by their titles: so it is the “Crown Prince” who does such and such, or it is “the sovereign”—without explicitly naming who that person is. Of course, this is sometimes made clear by context, but that can't always be relied upon. This is compounded by the fact that at this time, Wa cultural norms were being overwritten by continental concepts of propriety and morality, with the growth of reading and continental works introducing many people to the discourses of Confucius and others. Borrowing governmental structures and ideas from a Confucian state meant that Confucian ideals would get pulled along as well, even if those structures and ideas weren't strictly Confucian. An example is the importance of filial piety, and so-called “Proper” relationships between people. In some cases Confucian or even Buddhist concepts were used to explain and rationalize existing traditions, and in others they were used to provide a counter-narrative. Thus the world described by the Nihon Shoki is one that was no doubt much more comprehensible to an 8th century member of court than to someone from the 3rd. I say all that so that we can keep an eye out for the Chroniclers' bias and perhaps give some thought to what might not have gotten written down. The creation of the Ritsuryo state was the culmination of over 33 years of work. During that time, the Yamato court had centralized their power and control. The Chronicles, looking back at the end of the process, report this as a good thing, and it is hard to argue that these reforms truly did lead to the country of Japan as we know it, today. However, it probably wasn't all lollipops and rainbows. The centralization of authority received pushback, and we see the center flexing its military might as well as legal and moral authority. The new Ritsuryo state claimed a much greater control over land and resources than any previous government had done or been able to do. Even if the 5th century sovereign Wakatakeru no Ohokimi, aka Yuryaku Tenno, had people at his court from Kyushu to Kanto, influence isn't the same as control. Up until the Ritsuryo reforms, it appears that local administrators had a lot of leeway in terms of what happened in their local domains. After all, what could Yamato do about it? As long as “taxes” were paid, then there was no reason for Yamato to otherwise interfere with local events, and even if there were, who would they get to enforce their will? But In the Ritsuryo system, at least conceptually, the State had local governors who reported back to the central authority. These governors were set apart from the Kuni no Miyatsuko, the traditional local authority, and their income was tied to the court. Moreover, this system wasn't just tradition and the whims of the elites: it was codified in written laws and punishments. In fact, the Record of the Fujiwara—the Toushi Kaden—claims that the entire legal code was written down in 668 by their patriarch, Nakatomi no Kamatari, prior to his death. There are also other references to this compilation, known to us as the “Oumi Code”, referencing the region that the court had moved to: Afumi, around Lake Biwa. Unfortunately, we don't have any extant copies of what, exactly, the Code said, other than various laws explicitly noted in the Nihon Shoki. Still, we can assume that it was probably similar to later codes, which would have been using the Oumi code as a base from which to work from. The new authority for this code descended from the throne, based on continental and even Confucian concepts of the State. And Naka no Oe had no doubt been the one to help maintain continuity over the past three decades. Now he was dead, so what came next? Well based on what we have in the Nihon Shoki, that should be obvious: His brother, the Crown Prince, Ohoama, would take the throne, wouldn't he? After all, he was the designated Crown Prince, and he had been in that role, promulgating orders, and otherwise acting as we might expect, at least since Naka no Oe had given up the position. And yet, it seems there was some doubt. After all, while a brother—or sister—inheriting the throne was hardly unheard of, Naka no Oe did have children of his own. Most importantly, there was his son, Prince Ohotomo. Ohotomo was only about 23 years old, but he had been made the Dajoudaijin, the head of the Council of State, which one would think would put him in a position of tremendous authority. Naka no Oe apparently had some inkling that there could be a succession dispute upon his death. And so, two months after he had taken ill, as it became painfully obvious that he might not recover, he called in his brother, Crown Prince Ohoama, and he told him clearly that it was his intention to have his brother succeed him on the throne. Before going much further, I would note that the entries in the Nihon Shoki that speak to this incident are spread across two different books in that chronicle. Part of it takes part in the chronicle of Tenji Tennou (Naka no Oe), but then the reign of Temmu Tennou (Ohoama) is actually broken up into two books, the first of which is often considered the history of the Jinshin Ran, while the second is really Temmu's reign. And in some cases we get slightly different versions of the same event. The Nihon Shoki was written less than 50 years after the events being discussed, so likely by people who had actual memory of what happened, it was also propaganda for the regime in power at the time. So as we read through the events, we have to be critical about our source and what it is telling us. To that end, I'll mostly start out with the narrative as it appears in the Nihon Shoki, and then we can look back and see what else might be going on if we make some assumptions that the Chroniclers may not be the most reliable of narrators for these events. Anyway, getting back to the story as we have it in the Nihon Shoki: So the person sent to fetch Prince Ohoama to come see his brother, the sovereign, was a man by the name of Soga no Yasumaru. And Yasumaru brought not only the summons, but a warning, as well. He told Prince Ohoama to “think before you speak”. This suggested to Ohoama that there was some kind of plot afoot. And lest we forget, for all that Naka no Oe is often put up on a pedestal for his role in the Taika reforms and founding the nation—even the posthumous name they gave him was the “Sovereign of Heavenly Wisdom”—that pedestal he stands on is covered in blood. Naka no Oe's political career starts with the brazen murder of Soga no Iruka in full view of all the gathered nobility, and is immediately followed with him marshalling forces against Soga no Emishi, who set fire to his own house rather than surrender. And then, shortly into the Taika period, Naka no Oe had his own brother, Furubito no Oe, killed so that he wouldn't be a threat. And later, when he just heard a rumor that Soga no Ishikawa no Maro—his father-in-law, Prime Minister of the Right, and co-conspirator—was having treasonous thoughts, he gathered up forces to have him and his family murdered. And though it may have been a bit less bloody, let's not forget his apparent falling out with his uncle, Karu, where he left the giant palace complex at Naniwa and took the entire royal family to Asuka against his uncle, the sovereign's, wishes. Add to that the note from the Fujiwara family records, the Toushi Kaden, about the party at the “shore pavilion” where Ohoama spiked a spear through a plank of wood which rattled Naka no Oe enough that he was contemplating having him taken out right there. According to that account, it was only the intervention of Nakatomi no Kamatari that saved Ohoama's life. Even if it weren't true, it likely illustrates something about how their relationship was viewed by others. Given all of that, I think we can understand how Ohoama might not be entirely trusting of his older brother's intentions. So when that same brother offered him control of the government, Ohoama was suspicious. Perhaps it was because he was already the Crown Prince, the expected heir, so why would Naka no Oe be offering him the throne? Perhaps it was some kind of test of his loyalty? And so Prince Ohoama declined. He claimed that he had always had bad health, and probably wouldn't be a good choice. Instead, he put forward that the Queen, Yamatobime, should be given charge, and that Naka no Oe's son, Prince Ohotomo, should be installed as the Crown Prince—the new successor to the throne. Furthermore, to demonstrate his resolve, he asked to be allowed to renounce the world and become a monk. Indeed, immediately after the audience with his brother, Prince Ohoama went to the Buddhist hall in the palace itself and had his head shaved and took holy orders. He even gave up any private weapons that he might have—likely meaning not just his personal weapons, but any private forces that might be under his command. The sovereign himself sent his brother a kesa or clerical garment, apparently approving of—or at least accepting—his decision. Two days later, Prince Ohoama went back to his brother and asked to be allowed to leave for Yoshino to go and practice Buddhism there. He was given permission and he headed out. The ministers of the left and right, that is Soga no Akae and Nakatomi no Kane, along with Soga no Hatayasu, a “Dainagon” or Chief Counselor, and others, all traveled with him all the way to Uji, where they saw him off. By evening he had made it as far as the Shima Palace, which is assumed to have been in Asuka—possibly at or near the site of the old Soga residence. The following day he was in Yoshino. Arriving at Yoshino with his household, Prince Ohoama gave his servants a choice—those who wished could take orders and stay with him in Yoshino. Those with ambitions at the court, though, were allowed to return back to Ohotsu, presumably going to work for another family. At first, none of them wanted to leave his side, but he beseeched them a second time, and half of them decided to stay and become monks with him while half of them left, returning to the court. As we mentioned earlier, another royal prince—and possibly crown prince—had taken a similar option back in the year 645. That was Prince Furubito no Oe, half-brother to Naka no Oe and Ohoama. We talked about that back in episode 109. As with that time, taking Buddhist orders and retiring from the world was meant to demonstrate that the individual was renouncing any claims on the throne and was no longer a threat to the succession. The Nihon Shoki notes, though, that as Prince Ohoama was leaving Uji, some commented that it was like the saying: “Give a tiger wings and let him go.” The first part of that is no doubt referencing a saying still used in Mandarin, today: “Rúhǔtiānyì” or “Yǔhǔtiānyì, meaning to “add wings to a tiger”—in other words to take something strong and make it even more powerful. In this case, the choice to renounce the succession and leave court made Ohoama more powerful and then set him free to do what he wanted. There is a lot of speculation around what actually happened. Prince Ohotomo had only recently come of age and been given the important position of Dajo Daijin. Still, he was also only 23 years old. Now, granted, Naka no Oe hadn't been much older, himself, when he instigated the Isshi Incident, but most sovereigns aren't mentioned as having come to the throne themselves until they were maybe 30 years old or more. Still, there is at least one theory that suggests that Naka no Oe wanted to have his brother, Ohoama, step aside and let Ohotomo take the throne. According to that theory, his request for Ohoama to succeed him as ruler eas a ruse to get Ohoama to admit his own ambition, which Naka no Oe could then use as a pretext to get rid of his brother. There is another theory that Naka no Oe wanted Ohoama to step in as effectively regent: Ohoama would rule, but Ohotomo would then inherit after him. Ohoama's counterproposal is intriguing. He suggested that the affairs of state should be given to Yamato-bime, Naka no Oe's queen, and that she should rule as regent until Ohotomo was ready. Of course, we have examples of something like this, most recently from the previous reign. Takara Hime came to the throne, originally, because her husband, who was the sovereign, passed away and their children were not yet of age to take the throne. However, there is something interesting, here in the relationship between Yamato Bime and Ohotomo. Because while Yamato Bime was the queen, and daughter, herself, of Furubito no Oe, Ohotomo was not clearly of the proper parentage. He was not Yamato Bime's son – she had no children herself - , but his mother was simply a “palace woman” named “Iga no Uneme no Yakako”. This suggests that she was an uneme from Iga named Yakako, and we are given no details about her parentage. She is also listed as the last of Naka no Oe's consorts, suggesting to the reader that she was the lowest in status. For this reason Ohotomo is known as the Iga Royal Prince, Iga no Miko. Of course, there are plenty of reasons why the Chroniclers might not want to give any glory to Prince Ohotomo or his mother. After all, the story works out best if Ohoama should have just been the sovereign all along. And this could all be technically true—the best kind of true—while also omitting key details so that the reader draws a certain inference. The Chroniclers were pulling from lots of different sources, and you didn't have to do a lot of changing things when you could just not put them in in the first place. In other cases we know that they changed the records, because we see them using anachronistic language that doesn't make sense if drawn from a contemporary record. And so we have at least a couple of theories of what might be going on here, beyond just the straight narrative. One idea is that Naka no Oe wanted Ohotomo to inherit all along, and perhaps he thought Ohoama could be a regent to help him out once Naka no Oe passed away. Or maybe he just wanted Ohoama out of the way. There is also the theory that the Nihon Shoki is, in fact, correct, that Naka no Oe wanted to give the state to Ohoama, but the latter refused, either misunderstanding Naka no Oe's intentions or perhaps gauging the feeling at court—perhaps it wasn't Naka no Oe that Ohoama was worried about, but rather some of the high nobles and officials? It is probably telling that Ohoama's reported solution was to have Yamato-bime act as regent, with Ohotomo eventually inheriting. Whatever the actual reason, Ohoama declined Ohoama headed off to self-imposed exile in Yoshino. Meanwhile, back in Afumi in the Ohotsu capital, Ohotsu-kyo, Ohotomo was now the de facto Crown Prince. We are told that on the 23rd day of the 11th month of 671 he took his place in front of the embroidery figure of Buddha in the Western Hall of the Dairi, the royal quarters of the Ohotsu Palace. He was attended by the Minister of the Left, Soga no Akaye, the Minister of the Right, Nakatomi no Kane, as well as Soga no Hatayasu, Kose no Hito, and Ki no Ushi. Taking up an incense burner, Ohotomo made a vow that the six of them would obey the sovereign's commands, lest they be punished by the various Buddhist and local deities. These five ministers, along with Ohotomo, are going to show up again and again. Moving forward, they would manage the government, and would be generally referred to as the Afumi court. And it is clear that the Chroniclers laid the blame for anything that might happen at their feet. The Afumi court would continue court business as usual, and they were immediately thrown into the thick of it. For instance, they were likely the ones to entertain the Tang envoys that arrived that same month. You see, the priest Douku (or possibly “Doubun”), along with Tsukushi no Kimi no Satsuyama, Karashima no Suguri no Sasa, and Nunoshi no Obito no Iwa, had finally made it back from their journey to the mainland. They brought with them Guo Wucong along with an embassy from the Tang court that numbered approximately 600 members, as well as ambassador Sathek Sonteung, of Silla, with his own embassy of about 1400 people. This enormous entourage sailed in 47 ships, and they had anchored at the island of Hijishima. The Governor of Tsushima, responsible for being the first line of met with them. Given then number fo ships, they didn't want it to look like it was a hostile invasion, so the governor sent a letter to Prince Kurikuma, the viceroy of Tsukushi, to let him know what was happening. Prince Kurikuma had them send Doubun and others ahead to the capital, so that they could let the court know that a massive embassy had arrived, and to prepare the way for them. However, with the sovereign in extremely poor health, and the court otherwise preoccupied with preparations for what might come next, , they kept the embassy at Tsukushi, for the time being. We are told that that they sent presents on the 29th for the king of Silla, but no indication of them being brought to the court. Enormous foreign embassies aside, the Afumi court had plenty to deal with close to home. It didn't help that the day after Ohotomo and the ministers had gathered to make their oaths, a fire broke out in the Ohotsu palace, apparently originating with the third storehouse of the treasury. Several days later, the five ministers, attending the Crown Prince, Ohotomo, made oaths of loyalty in the presence of Naka no Oe, whose condition was only growing worse. And four days later, on the third day of the fourth month, Naka no Oe passed away. He was then temporarily interred in what is referred to as the “New Palace”. And contrary to what Ohoama had suggested, there is no indication that Queen Yamato-bime was installed as any kind of regent. Instead it seems as if Ohotomo was just jumping in and taking the reins. Granted, he also had the Council of State to lean on, so there's that. The Chronicles are pretty quiet for a couple of months after Naka no Oe's death, and then we are told that Adzumi no Muraji no Inashiki was sent to Tsukushi to let the Tang ambassador Guo Wucong know the news. We are told that on the 18th day of the 3rd month, Guo Wucong, I presume having made it to Ohotsu, publicly mourned the late sovereign. Three days later, on the 21st, he made obeisance at the court, presumably to Ohotomo, and offered up a box with a letter from the Tang emperor and various presents in token of goodwill for the sovereign of Yamato. A couple of months later, the Afumi court returned the favor, presenting armor, bows, and arrows as well as cloth, floss, and silk. Later in that same 5th month, Guo Wucong and his people departed for the continent. And here is where we hit one of the big questions of this whole thing: Had Ohotomo been formally invested as sovereign, yet? We clearly see that he had his father's ministers on his side, and they were running things. Then again, it took years after Takara Hime's death before Naka no Oe, himself, formally stepped up. It is quite possible that Ohotomo was not yet invested, and perhaps that was, in part, because there was another person with a claim who was still alive. It is hard to say. What we do know is that the consensus opinion for centuries was that Ohotomo was never formally invested as sovereign. He is certainly seen as having inherited the governance of the kingdom, but he was never considered one of the official sovereigns. That all changed in relatively recent times. In fact, it wasn't until 1870, the early years of the Meiji period, that Prince Ohotomo was given a posthumous title and regnal name: Koubun Tennou. Today, the Imperial Household Agency and some historians consider Ohotomo to have been an official sovereign, but that isn't everyone. If he was, though, much what we see would have been happening at his court. That same month that Guo Wucong departed, Prince Ohoama got wind that something hinky was afoot. Ohoama was residing as a monk in Yoshino, but by all accounts he still had half of his household staff, his wives, and family, all with him. Also, as the former Crown Prince, he clearly had friends and allies. After all, he was still a member of the royal household. And so it was in the 5th month that he heard from one Yenewi no Muraji no Wogimi that there was something amiss. For one thing, the Afumi court had called up laborers to build the tomb for Naka no Oe, but word was that they had issued those so-called laborers with weapons rather than tools. Wogimi seemed worried that they were preparing to do something about Ohoama. After all, even though he had theoretically retired from the world, as long as he was alive, he still had a claim on the throne, similar to the problem of Prince Furubito no Oe back in 645. Someone else told Ohoama that they noticed pickets were being set up in various places between the Afumi and Yamato—another sign that the Afumi court was apparently expecting some kind of military action. Furthermore, the guards at the Uji bridge were no longer allowing supplies bound for Yoshino and Ohoama's household. It seemed clear that something was up, and so Ohoama made an announcement: while he had renounced the royal dignity and retired from the world, it was only because of his poor health and a desire to live a long and happy life. If that life was being threatened by forces outside of his control, then why would he let himself be taken quietly? From that point, he seems to have started plotting and gathering forces of his own, in case things came to a head. Of course, there are those who suggest that, in truth, Ohoama had been plotting and raising forces ever since he started his exile in Yoshino—or at least since his father passed away. Indeed, once things kick off, you'll notice how quickly people are levying troops, as if spontaneously deciding to support Ohoama's cause, and I would suggest that there was probably lot of back and forth that we just don't see because it was never recorded. Things reached a tipping point on the 22nd day of the 6th month. That is when Ohoama gave orders to three of his vassals, Murakami no Muraji no Woyori, Wanibe no Omi no Kimide, and Muketsu no Kimi no Hiro. He claimed that the Afumi Court was plotting against him, so he asked his vassals to go to the land of Mino—modern Gifu prefecture—and to reach out to Oho no Omi no Honeji, the governor of the Ahachima district hot springs—now the area of Anpachi. Honeji was to levy soldiers and set them out on the Fuwa road—this was the road from Mino to Afumi, and was one of the few ways in and out of Afumi region. As we've mentioned in the past, the benefit of Ohotsu-kyo was its naturally defended position. Lake Biwa is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and there were only a few ways in and out. The Fuwa Pass is at the edge of a location that you may have heard of: today we know that region as Sekigahara. That is because it was one of several seki, or barriers, set up to help check movements across the archipelago. To the south, one could also use the Suzuka pass, where there would likewise be set up the Suzuka no Seki, or Suzuka barrier. Suzuka was accessible from Afumi via the regions of Koga and Iga. There was also the Afusaka no Seki, between Afumi and the area of modern Kyoto, and the Arachi no Seki, between Afumi and Tsuruga, on the Japan Sea—where many of the Goguryeo missions had arrived. Of these, the Afusaka barrier and the Fuwa barrier were probably the most well known and most heavily traveled. Control of the Fuwa pass would be critical throughout Japan's history, controlling much of the traffic between eastern and western Japan. Hence why, over 900 years later, another fight would come to a head here, as the battle of Sekigahara would see Tokugawa Ieyasu's eastern forces defeating the western army of Ishida Mitsunari. That battle is seen as a decisive victory that birthed the Tokugawa shogunate, who would rule Japan for the next 250 years. So for Ohoama, having Honeji and his men take control of the Fuwa barrier was critical, as it would limit the Afumi court's ability to levy forces in the eastern provinces. A few days later, Ohoama was himself about to move out, but his advisors stopped him. They were worried about heading east without an army, yet. Ohoama agreed, and he wished that he hadn't sent Woyori out just yet—Woyori was someone he trusted, militarily. Instead, however, he had to make do. And so he had Ohokida no Kimi no Yesaka, Kibumi no Muraji no Ohotomo, and Afu no Omi no Shima go to Prince Takasaka, who was in charge of the Wokamoto Palace in Asuka, and apply for posting bells—the tokens that would allow him and others use the various official post stations to supply them with provisions as they traveled. Speaking of this palace, although the court had moved to Ohotsu, a palace was maintained in Asuka. After all, this was still seen as the “ancient capital” and the home to a lot of powerful families, so it makes sense that the royal family kept the palace in working order. It also appears to have functioned as the local government headquarters for the region, with Prince Takasaka, or Takasaka no Ou, at its head. Asking for the posting bells was a test by Ohoama. If he received them, then great, it would give him the ability to travel to the east, where he could presumably raise troops to protect himself. However, if Prince Takasaka refused, then that would be a sign that the Afumi government had, indeed, sent word that Ohoama was not supposed to go anywhere. If that was to happen, then Afu no Shima would return to Yoshino to let Ohoama know, while Ohokida no Yesaka would go to Afumi to tell Ohoama's sons, Prince Takechi and Prince Ohotsu, to make haste and meet him in Ise. Sure enough, Prince Takasaka refused the posting bells, and so, on the 24th of the 6th month, Prince Ohoama made the decision to move. They left quickly—he didn't even let anyone saddle a horse for him or prepare his carriage. He just started to head out on foot on a journey to the East. That journey would set in motion the coming conflagration. Ohoama and his allies would quickly gather their forces in an incredibly short period of time, starting with a daring trek across the mountainous path between Yoshino and the land of Ise. At the same time, the Afumi court would levy their own forces. It was now a race for people and positions. And to see how that race progressed, I'll ask you to tune in next episode, when we take a look at the opening moves in the war for the throne of Yamato.Until then, thank you once again for listening and for all of your support. If you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts. If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website, SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page. You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com. Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now. Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.
After a very eventful J1 matchday, and some housekeeping at the start of the episode (to 12:10), Jonny and Ben were joined by first time guest Seamus Johnston to chat about Kashiwa Reysol, who went joint top of the top flight with a character-building 2-0 away win over Shimizu on Saturday. Seamus chats about his expectations coming into the season under new manager Ricardo Rodriguez, some of the standout players thus far, and whether or not the club will be active in the summer transfer window (to 35:20). Then Jonny and Ben run through the other games played over the weekend, when, with the notable exception of Kyoto, the rest of the top six struggled.
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Whispers of Kyoto: Art, Friendship, and New Beginnings Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-07-01-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 夏の日差しが、金閣寺の金色の屋根に輝いていました。En: The summer sunlight glimmered on the golden roof of Kinkaku-ji.Ja: 澄んだ池がその姿を映し、静けさの中にも観光客たちの活気が漂っています。En: A clear pond reflected its image, and amidst the tranquility, the liveliness of tourists drifted.Ja: ここは京都。あの有名な歴史的な場所です。En: This is Kyoto, that well-known historical place.Ja: しかし、その賑わいの中にも、静かな角があります。En: Yet, even in the bustling crowd, there is a quiet corner.Ja: そこに、過去のささやきがまだ聞こえてきそうな、秘密の庭がありました。En: There, a secret garden seemed to whisper the past.Ja: 庭の片隅、静かにスケッチをしている青年がいました。En: In one corner of the garden, a young man was quietly sketching.Ja: 彼の名は圭(けい)です。En: His name was Kei.Ja: 圭は若いアーティストで、美しさを捉えようとあれこれ考えながらも、人との繋がりを渇望していました。En: Kei was a young artist, while wrestling with capturing beauty, he longed for human connection.Ja: しかし、観光の喧騒が彼の創作意欲を乱します。En: However, the hustle and bustle of tourism disrupted his creative spirit.Ja: そこで圭は、人の少ない秘密の庭へと歩みます。En: So, Kei walked to the secret garden where there were fewer people.Ja: 一方、鈴(すず)は世界を旅しながら、自分の未来とタナバタの願いに心を寄せていました。En: Meanwhile, Suzu was traveling the world, focusing her heart on her future and her Tanabata wishes.Ja: しかし、彼女自身、どんな願いが本当のものかはわかりません。En: Yet, she herself did not know what her true wish was.Ja: 鈴は夕方、神社を目指します。En: In the evening, Suzu headed towards a shrine.Ja: そこで、心の安らぎを探したかったのです。En: There, she hoped to find peace of mind.Ja: 日が傾く頃、鈴がその庭を歩いていると、偶然にも圭にぶつかります。En: As the sun set, Suzu was walking through the garden and happened to bump into Kei.Ja: 二人は幼馴染で、再会に驚きました。En: The two were childhood friends and were surprised by their reunion.Ja: でも、その驚きはすぐに、自然な笑顔と昔話に変わります。En: But the surprise soon turned into natural smiles and reminiscing about old times.Ja: 思い出の中で、二人は共に過ごした日々を語り合いました。En: In their memories, they talked about the days they spent together.Ja: 鈴は願い事を語りました。En: Suzu shared her wish.Ja: 声に出すことで、はっきりと自分の気持ちがわかったのです。En: By voicing it, she understood her true feelings clearly.Ja: 「自分の信じる道を進みたい」と。En: "I want to follow the path I believe in."Ja: 圭もその言葉に勇気をもらい、新たなインスピレーションが湧いてきました。En: Kei was also encouraged by her words, and a new inspiration welled up within him.Ja: 鈴の存在が、彼にとって新しいミューズになったのです。En: The presence of Suzu became his new muse.Ja: その時、金閣に夕日が当たり、黄金色に光りました。En: At that moment, the setting sun hit Kinkaku, glowing in golden light.Ja: 圭は、鈴との再会がこんなにも創作に影響を与えるとは思いませんでした。En: Kei hadn't imagined that reuniting with Suzu would influence his creativity so much.Ja: 彼は芸術において人との繋がりが如何に大切かを学びました。En: He learned how vital human connection is in art.Ja: そして、鈴は彼の言葉に背中を押され、自分の夢を追う勇気を得たのです。En: And Suzu, spurred on by his words, gained the courage to pursue her dreams.Ja: 静かな庭で、二人は共に美しい夕日を眺めました。En: In the quiet garden, the two of them watched the beautiful sunset together.Ja: 光の中で、心は穏やかに満たされました。En: In the light, their hearts were peacefully filled.Ja: 圭はまたスケッチブックを開き、今度は心からの絵を描き始めました。En: Kei opened his sketchbook once more, and this time began drawing from the heart.Ja: 新たな一歩が、ここから始まったのです。En: A new step was beginning from there. Vocabulary Words:glimmered: 輝いていましたtranquility: 静けさliveliness: 活気amidst: 中にもbustling: 賑わいcorner: 角whisper: ささやきsketching: スケッチwrestling: 渇望hustle: 喧騒bump: ぶつかりますreunion: 再会reminiscing: 昔話inspiration: インスピレーションmuse: ミューズglowing: 光りましたvital: 如何に大切pursue: 追うfilled: 満たされましたsetting: 傾くwished: 願いましたencouraged: 勇気をもらいcreative: 創作意欲new step: 新たな一歩past: 過去quiet: 静かreflection: 映しshrubs: 茂みcapture: 捉えようfilled: 満たされました
Positivity is at the heart of any kind of success. A desire to succeed, paired with a positive mindset, good friends, and hard work, can create momentum and growth in any direction you choose. On this episode of The Unfinished Print, a Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with Michael Verne, a gallerist specializing in Japanese prints and paintings. Michael shares his approach to success, the power of positivity in business, and how he navigates the ups and downs of running a small, focused gallery. Through rich stories, both his own and those of the artists he represents, Michael offers insight into how storytelling shapes his business, sustains its growth, and supports educating people about mokuhanga and Japanese art. Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me theunfinishedprint@gmail.com Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase. Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known. Michael Verne and The Verne Collection - website The Metropolitan Museum of Art - is the largest art museum in North and South America. It began to be assembled by John Jay (1817-1894) in the late 19th century. Incorporated in 1870, the museum has collected many essential pieces, such as the works of Henri Matisse (1869-1954) and Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). For more information about the MET, you can find it here. Daniel Kelly - is a visual artist and printmaker based in Kyoto, Japan. Daniel Kelly has shown all over the world, and is many museum collections as well. More information can be found, here. Morning Calm (1983) 14.5" x 20.5" Tomikichirō Tokuriki (1902-2000) - was a Kyoto based mokuhanga printmaker and teacher. His work touched on many themes and styles. From “creative prints” or sōsaku hanga in Japanese, and his publisher/printer prints, or shin hanga prints of traditional Japanese landscapes. Dance of Shimazu (1950's) Sanford Smith and Works On Paper Exhibit - Sanford Smith (1939-2024) was one of the more important New York City art promoters of his time. Founding Sanford L. Smith + Associates, Sanford Smith created many art fairs such as the Works On Paper show, now known as Art On Paper which focused on works on paper such as prints, watercolours and photographs. More information can be found, here. Willy Loman - is a fictional character in the novel Death of as Salesman by Arthur Miller, first published in 1949. Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) - was a stencil and dyeing printmaker (katazome 型染め) from Japan. His works were specifically Biblical in nature. His work was also in stained glass which can be found in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. Eve (1965) John Carroll University - is a private Jesuit University located in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, USA and founded in 1886. New Heights Podcast - is a podcast hosted by American football players Jason and Travis Kelce. It is produced by Michael Verne's son Brian Verne who is the CEO of Wave Sports and Entertainment. The Armoury Show - is an annual international art fair held in New York City, primarily focusing on contemporary art by living artists, but also featuring works by 20th-century masters. Pace Gallery - is a gallery located in New York City and founded in 1960. Today the gallery is a leader in exhibiting some of the top artists in their media. There are galleries in London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Seoul, Geneva and East Hampton. More information can be found, here. Joel Stewart - is an American visual artist based in Kyoto, Japan. Joel works in ceramics, installation, printmaking and mixed media. More information about Joel can be found, here. Karatsu (2016) watercolour on paper 30" x 22" Quiet Elegance - is a book published by the Charles E. Tuttle Company in 1997 written by Betsy Franco and Michael Verne. The Charles E. Tuttle Company is now called simply Tuttle. Dan Rather - is an American journalist who was the head anchor of the CBC Evening News from 1981 - 2005. Joshua Rome - is an American mokuhanga printmaker based Vermont after spending many years in Japan. His themes are of landscapes and the human condition. More information can be found, here. Mixing Hours (1998) shibui (渋い) - is a Japanese concept that refers to a subtle, simple, and refined beauty. Yuko Kimura - is a contemporary printmaker based in California who used etching, aquatint, monotype, indigo dye, and cyanotype on pleated, stitched or twisted paper for her works. Yuko creates process videos on her website so you can see her process of her complex works. More information can be found, here. Fusion no. 22 2010 etching and enamel on copper in abaca handmade paper 8" x 6" wabi sabi - is a traditional Japanese aesthetic concept that embraces the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, it values natural materials, asymmetry. Takauchi Seihō (1864 - 1942)- was a painter of Nihonga. His paintings were famous because of his travels to the West and the influences gathered from that. More information can be found, here. Spring and Autumn (left screen) c 1889 Allen Memorial Art Museum - is an art museum located in Oberlin, Ohio and was founded in 1917. Katustori Hamanishi - is a mezzotint artist known for his diptychs , triptychs and quadtychs. More information can be found, here. Cosmos Field (2022) 23.75" x 17.75" mezzotint Shigeki Kuroda - is a visual artist who works in aquatint, mezzotint, drypoint, and etching. For more information about his work can be found, here. Mild Breeze (1953) 25.1" x 18.1" etching and aquatint Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) - was a mokuhanga printmaker based in Japan. Karhu lived in Japan for most of his life after studying with Tetsuo Yamada and Stanton Macdonald-Wright. HIs themes were of his home city of Kyoto, Japan. More information can be found, here. Katsura Moonlight (1982) 15.75" x 11./81" Tollman Collection - is a well known Japanese art gallery located in Daimon, Tokyo, Japan. More information can be found, here. Toko Shinoda (1913-2021) - was a Japanese visual artist who was made famous for her works in Sumi ink paintings and prints. More information can be found, here. Winter Green (1990) ink on paper Hideo Takeda - is a Tokyo based graphic illustrator, mokuhanga printmaker, and all around artist who challenges what it means to be an artist in this modern world. More information can be found, here. Green (2009) Painting 13" x 9.5" Sarah Brayer - is a visual artist who is based in Kyoto, Japan. Her works are predominantly poured Japanese paper (washi). Sarah was the first Western artist to work at the Taki paper mill in Echizen. This is where she currently make her paperworks. Sarah have worked continuously in Echizen since 1986 as the only Western artist to do so. Sarah Brayer has also produced mokuhanga in her career. More information can be found, here. ' Sea Meets Sky (Japan Blue Series) woodblock monotype, chine colle, 16" x 14" Cameron Bailey - is a mokuhanga printmaker based in Queens, New York. His mokuhanga technique is in reduction where Cameron creates beautiful and powerful landscapes. More information can be found, here. Tempest (2025) 16" x 24" Shirō Kasamatsu (1898–1991) was a mokuhanga print designer during the shin-hanga movement of the early 20th century, and later focused on his own mokuhanga printmaking during the sōsaku-hanga period of the 1950's. More information can be found, here. Co Corridor (1960's/1970's) oban 10"x 15" Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950) - a watercolorist, oil painter, and woodblock printmaker. Is associated with the resurgence of the woodblock print in Japan, and in the West. It was his early relationship with Watanabe Shōzaburō, having his first seven prints printed by the Shōzaburō atelier. This experience made Hiroshi believe that he could hire his own carvers and printers and produce woodblock prints, which he did in 1925. The Acropolis At Night (1925) 10.13" x 16.5" Kawase Hasui (1883-1957), a designer of more than six hundred woodblock prints, is one of the most famous artists of the shin-hanga movement of the early twentieth century. Hasui began his career under the guidance of Kaburaki Kiyokata (1878-1971), joining several artistic societies early on. However, it wasn't until he joined the Watanabe atelier in 1918 that he began to gain significant recognition. Watanabe Shōzaburō (1885-1962) commissioned Hasui to design landscapes of the Japanese countryside, small towns, and scenes of everyday life. Hasui also worked closely with the carvers and printers to achieve the precise quality he envisioned for his prints. Mishima River, Mutsu (1919) 14" 9" Shibata Zeshin (1807 - 1891) - was a laquer ware painter and print designer during the 19th Century. Album of Lacquer Pictures by the Venerable Zeshin (1887) 6.5" x 7" Kiyoshi Saitō (1907-1997) - was a Japanese woodblock printmaker and artist who worked in the sōsaku hanga style of mokuhanga. HIs fame outside of Japan was fairly comprehensive with his peak fame being in the 1950's and 1960's. For a comprehensive book on his life and times, Saitō Kiyoshi: Graphic Awakening published by The John & Mable Ringling Museum is an excellent source. Can be found, here. Lecture by Dr. Paget about Saitō can be found, here. My interview with Professor Paget can be found, here. Otaru, Hokkaido (1948) 18" x 24" Munakata Shikō (1903-1975) - arguably one of the most famous modern printmakers; Shikō is renowned for his prints of women, animals, the supernatural and Buddhist deities. He made his prints with an esoteric fervour where his philosophies about mokuhanga were just as interesting as his print work. Princess Showing Upper Arm (1958) 9" x 7.5" Sekino Jun'ichirō (1914-1988) - was a mokuhanga printmaker who helped establish the sōsaku hanga, creative print movement in Japan. His themes were of landscapes, animals and the abstract. Sekino exhibited and became a member with Nihon Hanga Kyōkai and studied with Ōnchi Kōshirō (1891-1955) and Maekawa Senpan (1888-1960). Cats and There Kittens (1960) 18" x 13" Katsuyuki Nishijima - is a contemporary mokuhanga printmaker based in Japan who carves and prints his own work. His prints are colourful and focused on the Japanese landscape. More information can be found, here. Moon Over Lake 10.25" x 14.75" Mayumi Oda - is a Buddhist teacher and artist based in Hawai'i. Her artwork has gained international recognition, having traveled worldwide. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Mayumi is an environmental activist and resides and works at Ginger Hill Farm, an eco-retreat on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Explore more about Mayumi Oda's work, here. Bell Telephone (1976) 21" x 15" colour screen print Nicholas Cladis - is an artist and paper historian who teaches and lives in Iowa. He lived in Echizen from 2014-2020 where he studied how to make washi, taught at the Fukui Prefectural University, as well as being the International liaison for the paper making union. More info can be found on his website, here. You can find Nicholas' episode with The Unfinished Print, here. Craig Anczelowtiz - is a mixed media collage artist who splits his time between New York and Japan. Craig's works focus on Japenese themes and nostalgia. More information can be found, here. Meiji Beauty #8 (2025) vintage Japanese papers, gouache, plexi, gold leaf, and ink on thick washi 20" x 28" © Popular Wheat Productions Opening and closing musical credit -Next Journey by Robomoque (2023) on Gunn-R-Rotation Records logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :) Слава Українi If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know. ***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***
◆ In this episode, I am talking about tourists and my college life in Kyoto, using vocabulary and grammar from GENKI 1. (GENKI 1 is a Japanese textbook meant for beginners at JLPT N5 / CEFR A1 level.) ◆ This story was originally released as Ep.10 on May the 7th, 2024. I just re-recorded it and created a listening comprehension exercise, answer key, vocabulary list and transcript for it for Patreon members, which was not available when it was first released. ◆ You will need to be a subscriber to my Patreon monthly membership to listen to it. The sample audio file is available on my Patreon site. ◆ Patreon Here are the benefits for my Patreon members : (Note : The benefits you get vary based on the tier you select.) - Podcast episodes - Vocabulary lists with English translation - Transcripts - Listening comprehension exercises (These are all in Kanji with Furigana.) - Answer keys for the exercises - Photos related to the episodes with captions - Extra information & fun facts related to the episodes Check out my Patreon page for more information : patreon.com/JapanesewithMeg ◆ You are cordially invited to... - leave me a review on Apple Podcast - rate my podcast on Spotify
Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Finding Light at Kyoto's Gion Festival: A Summer of Rediscovery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-06-30-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 京都の夏、祇園祭が華やかに開かれていました。En: In the summer in Kyoto, the Gion Festival was being held magnificently.Ja: 伏見稲荷大社は灯篭の光で照らされ、赤い鳥居が並ぶ参道に、祭りの訪問者たちが集まっていました。En: Fushimi Inari Taisha was illuminated by the light of lanterns, and the visitors of the festival gathered along the approach lined with red torii gates.Ja: かき氷や焼きそばの香りが漂い、賑やかな笑い声が響き渡ります。En: The scent of kakigori and yakisoba wafted through the air, and the lively sound of laughter resonated.Ja: アキラは大学生でした。毎日、たくさんの勉強に追われていました。En: Akira was a university student, constantly overwhelmed by the demands of his studies.Ja: 彼は、自分の夢と両親の期待の間で日々葛藤していました。En: He struggled daily between his dreams and his parents' expectations.Ja: 今日は、重要な勉強会を抜け出し、祭りへと足を運びました。En: Today, he skipped an important study session and headed to the festival.Ja: 彼は変化を求めていました。En: He was seeking a change.Ja: 一方、ユキは自由な心を持つ写真家志望の若い女性でした。En: On the other hand, Yuki was a young woman aspiring to be a free-spirited photographer.Ja: 彼女はこの祭りで理想の写真を撮りたかったのです。En: She wanted to capture the perfect photo at this festival.Ja: しかし、多くの人々と賑わいの中で、彼女は少し孤独を感じていました。En: However, amidst the crowds and bustle, she felt a bit lonely.Ja: アキラとユキは参道で出会いました。En: Akira and Yuki met on the pathway.Ja: アキラの表情には少し不安があり、ユキは彼に声をかけました。En: Akira's face had a hint of anxiety, and Yuki approached him.Ja: 「こんにちは、いい祭りですね」と彼女は笑顔で言いました。En: "Hello, it's a nice festival, isn't it?" she said with a smile.Ja: アキラは驚きましたが、嬉しかった。「こんにちは、はい。とても賑やかですね」と答えました。En: Akira was surprised but pleased. "Hello, yes. It's very lively," he replied.Ja: ふたりは話し始め、ゆっくりと参道を歩きました。En: The two started talking and slowly walked along the pathway.Ja: 祭りの最高潮、灯篭の行列が始まりました。En: At the festival's climax, the procession of lanterns began.Ja: アキラはユキとともにその光景を見つめていました。「素敵ですね」とアキラがぽつりと言いました。En: Akira watched the scene with Yuki. "It's beautiful," Akira muttered.Ja: その瞬間、ユキはアキラの表情と灯篭の光を完璧にとらえた写真を撮りました。En: In that moment, Yuki captured a perfect photo of Akira's expression and the lanterns' light.Ja: 彼女はその写真に満足しました。それは、祭りの本質を見事に捉えたものでした。En: She was satisfied with the photo, as it remarkably captured the essence of the festival.Ja: アキラはその時、気づきました。En: Akira realized something at that moment.Ja: 人生には学びだけでなく、喜びや自由も必要だと。En: Life requires not only learning but also joy and freedom.Ja: 責任と楽しさをうまく融合させることができるのです。En: It's possible to skillfully blend responsibility with fun.Ja: 「ありがとう、ユキ。君のおかげで大事なことに気づけました」とアキラは感謝を伝えました。En: "Thank you, Yuki. Thanks to you, I realized something important," Akira expressed his gratitude.Ja: ユキは微笑んで、「私もありがとう。君のおかげで素晴らしい瞬間を見つけました」と応えました。En: Yuki smiled and replied, "Thank you too. Thanks to you, I found a wonderful moment."Ja: 彼らは別れましたが、新しい確信とともに、それぞれの道を進み始めました。En: They parted ways, but with newfound conviction, they each began to move forward on their respective paths.Ja: アキラはこれから、勉強と楽しみの両方を大切にします。En: From now on, Akira will cherish both studying and enjoyment.Ja: ユキは、人とのつながりを通じて写真の新たな喜びを見つけました。En: Yuki discovered new joy in photography through connections with people.Ja: 夏の夜、彼らの心には新しい光が輝いていました。En: On that summer night, new lights shone in their hearts. Vocabulary Words:illuminated: 照らされlanterns: 灯篭approach: 参道wafted: 漂いanxiety: 不安overwhelmed: 追われてexpectations: 期待seeking: 求めてaspiring: 志望convenience: 確信together: ともにcaptured: とらえたessence: 本質conviction: 確信unexpected: 驚きましたsatisfied: 満足しましたmuted: ぽつりと言いましたremarkably: 見事にgratitude: 感謝cherish: 大切にしますlively: 賑やかfreedom: 自由blend: 融合させるclimax: 最高潮bustle: 賑わいhint: 表情photographer: 写真家remarkably: 見事にlonely: 孤独forgotten: 見つけました
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit akiyaproject.substack.comThe past month has been filled with gatherings with friends and family. First, my best friend from high school traveled to Japan with his family for a vacation. He made the trip up the mountain to my place and I had some tough work prepared for him! We completed a pretty big pour of concrete for the kitchen floor. I made sure he carved his name into the wet concrete for safe keeping. It meant a lot for him to make the trip up just to help with the renovation. To thank him for his time and effort, I took him to this great onsen in Ashiya called Shio-Ashiya Onsen Suishun (highly recommended if you're ever near Kobe). It's well-organized and has everything from massage baths, saunas, steam rooms, medicinal baths, electric pulse baths, to outdoor baths. Just a few weeks ago, a huge number of aunts, uncles, and cousins made trips to Japan. On the first night in Kyoto, I took them all to Kimura Sukiyaki. It's run by a very Showa-era family; that is to say, they only accept cash, store your shoes for you at the front door, don't speak much English, have poorly translated menus, and offer a truly authentic Japanese experience. The next day, we all meet up at the beautiful Demachiyanagi Delta in Kyoto for a big Costco sushi picnic. Next time, I hope I can host them all up at the fully renovated house. The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell BerryWendell Berry is an iconic essayist within the fields of agriculture and conservation. Today, I walk through some of his most powerful writing from the 70s to the 90s.I first came across his work while in college and he left an imprint strong enough to compel me to revisit it today — almost a decade later. If you know me by now, its easy to see why. He speaks about how important land ownership and land use are to a healthy community and citizenry. He elevates this kind of discussion into a moral plane, for land owning and land use is not enough. Land is created not by man but by God. Land is a gift, and he argues that we must practice stewardship (and reject exploitation) if we are to deserve the privilege of private land ownership.Most importantly, he believes that honest labor is inextricably tied to human dignity. We cannot expect to outsource work to machines or exploited human labor without consequence. Throughout his life's work, he offers ideas of a well-functioning local economy as an antidote. Please enjoy this episode as we explore the critiques and hopes of Wendell Berry.Tired of akiya renovation advice from people who've never held a hammer in Japan? I've spent 3 years making every mistake so you don't have to. Join hundreds of fellow renovators for just $5/month (less than one batch of concrete!)Books Mentioned In This Episode:When you purchase a book (or anything on Amazon) with the links below, you support me and the podcast at no extra cost to you:* The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry by Wendell BerryLinks to More Resources:* Wendell Berry* Shio-Ashiya Onsen Suishun* Kimura Sukiyaki* Jeffersonian Democracy* The Bank That Hamilton Built* Swiss Cultural Landscapes* William Carlos Williams* The Beauty of Everyday Things by Soetsu Yanagi* Jichikai (Japanese Self-Governing Associations)* Learn Ikebana in Kobe (with me and a local expert!) on TripAdvisor* The Akiya Project on YouTubeUnlock the rest of this post below, including 200+ exclusive photos, step-by-step videos, detailed supplier lists, and real renovation costs from my hands-on restoration of a 100-year-old Japanese farmhouse. See exactly how I navigated permits, found traditional materials, and saved ¥900,000 in contractor costs through DIY methods
MOB is back! In this episode, JW and Chris are aiming for nothing less than world domination. Join us on a journey through Holland and Japan, accompanied by the best of Bond playing from every speaker. From the vinyl bars of Kyoto to the red-light district of Amsterdam, this is an episode you won't want to miss! As always, by the end of the ep, you'll be eager to purchase records of your own!
Thinking of going vegan in Japan? This week, the Krewe chats with Leonore of itadakihealthy about navigating the unique challenges of being vegan in Japan. From hidden ingredients and dining tips to nutrition and travel advice, Leonore shares practical insights for plant-based living in & traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun.------ 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, Threads: @kreweofjapanpodcast & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past Food & Travel Episodes ------Expo 2025: Japan on the World Stage ft. Sachiko Yoshimura (S6E2)Hanging Out in Hyogo ft. Rob Dyer (S5E14)Checking Out Miyagi ft. Ryotaro Sakurai (Guest Host, William Woods) (S5E5)Explore Matsue ft. Nicholas McCullough (S4E19)Craving Ramen ft. Shinichi Mine of TabiEats (S4E11)Travel Hiroshima ft. Joy Jarman-Walsh (S4E4)Travel Aomori ft. Kay Allen & Megan DeVille (S3E17)Hungry For Travel ft. Shinichi of TabiEats (S3E15)Henro SZN: Shikoku & the 88 Temple Pilgrimage ft. Todd Wassel (S3E12)Border Closures Couldn't Stop These Visas! ft. Rob Dyer & Allan Richarz (S3E11)Natsu Matsuri Mania: Summer Festivals in Japan (S3E3)Off the Beaten Path: Kansai ft. Rob Dyer [Part 2] (S2E12)Off the Beaten Path: Kansai ft. Rob Dyer [Part 1] (S2E11)Japan Travel Destination: Hokkaido ft. Kay Allen (S2E7)Japanese Theme Parks ft. Chris Nilghe of TDR Explorer (S2E4)Talking Konbini: Irasshaimase! (S1E3)Navigating Nippon: Where to Go in Japan? ft. Kay Allen of JNTO (S1E11)Matsue & New Orleans: Sister Cities ft. Dr. Samantha Perez (S1E2)------ About Leonore & itadakihealthy ------Ultimate Vegan Guide for Japan 2025itadakihealthy on IG (ENG)itadakihealthy on IG (JP)itadakihealthy Websiteitadakihealthy Linktree & Resources------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!
Gamō Ujisato levels an accusation of treason. A gold-plated cross comes before a silver-tongued excuse about a wagtail. And once again, Date Masamune manages to charm, bewilder, and lobby his way out of disaster.Script and sources available at http://riverside-wings.comSubscribe to Riversidewings on Patreon, or buy some merch at Fourthwall. (Music is "Shinshun Ryoutei," "Kyoto no Ohayashi," "Hokora Uta," and "Yamagami no Yashiro," from 「MOMIZizm MUSiC(もみじば)|フリーBGM 」)
You ask, you receive! Welcome to a Mailbag episode. Dave and Chris answer the questions that listeners and viewers like YOU sent in. From what "having a perspective" looks like as a restaurant to Dave's go-to hot sauce to must-own cookware, the pair cover a ton of topics. Want your questions answered on the podcast? You can Ask Dave through Instagram @davechangshow or email askdave@majordomomedia.com with your name, city, Majordomo cooking level (1-10), favorite thing you make, bucket-list restaurant you've never tried or the single best meal you've ever had, and your actual question! Learn more about Owamni here: https://owamni.com/ Watch the episode with Aisha Ibrahim here: https://youtu.be/hLBUDd6U3Rs Learn more about Daniel here: https://www.danielnyc.com/ Learn more about Le Bernardin here: https://www.le-bernardin.com/ Watch the episode in which Dave talks about his dinner at Noma in Kyoto here: https://youtu.be/jsH43_LqwoE Listen to the Post-Opening Diaries for Ko mentioned in the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5eg5F14sKy01gYQyWZkdbS?si=_N6CbZPRSp-1Y0w2_n-kww Learn more about César here: https://www.cesar.restaurant/ Learn more about Ekstedt here: https://ekstedt.nu/ Learn more about Saison here: https://www.saisonsf.com/ Learn more about Hartwood here: https://www.hartwoodtulum.com/ Send in your questions to askdave@majordomomedia.com. Su Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, host Adam Hoots connects with Dominic Desmarais, a Canadian mechanical engineer and Lean Construction enthusiast with more than two decades of experience. Recorded live from Kyoto, Japan, at The International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) 33, Dominic shares insights from his profound Lean journey, his passion for bridging the traditional divides between thinkers and doers, and the critical interplay of mind, hands, and heart in the workplace. Dominic examines the fundamental importance of human motivation and respect in the construction industry, drawing compelling analogies between workplace motivation and the intrinsic joy of sports. He emphasizes how authentic human connection, creativity, and physical engagement transform mundane tasks into meaningful activities. Key takeaways include: · Understanding the essential "trinity" of mind, hands, and heart to drive motivation and productivity in construction. · How genuine respect and human-centered thinking dramatically improve job satisfaction and outcomes. · Real-world reflections from Japanese construction sites, highlighting cultural differences in discipline, safety, visual management, and worker care. · Dominic's practical insights on recognizing beneficial change (kaizen) versus neutral or harmful change in construction processes. · Powerful examples of visual management and operational excellence observed in Japan that can be practically implemented on Western job sites. Dominic thoughtfully challenges traditional Western paradigms, urging construction leaders to dismantle artificial divisions between thinkers and doers, cultivating environments where people can thrive and deliver exceptional value. He advocates for intentional cultural reflection, understanding that true "Lean" practices may differ significantly depending on regional and organizational starting points. ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that matter most to those in the field. With stories from the trenches, lessons learned, and plenty of laughter, this podcast is for the men and women doing the hands-on work of construction. RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:• The Lean Builder | Blog, book, resources, news, and events | www.theleanbuilder.com • IGLC (International Group for Lean Construction) | https://iglc.net/ GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:• Adam Hoots | Podcast host for Hoots on the Ground and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions | https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhoots/ • Dominic Desmarais | Lean Practitioner, Mechanical Engineer, and Advocate for Human-Centered Construction Excellence | Director of Lean Construction with Graham | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-desmarais-p-eng-680b4236/
Sam Robson made a triumphant return to the pod, to help Jonny and Ben run through all nine games played over the weekend in J1 Matchday 21. After a quick look back at the Emperor's Cup and Urawa's first two games at the Club World Cup, we kick off our top flight review with Machida's home win over leaders Kashima, and the instant classic between Kashiwa and Kyoto at Hitachidai that finished 3-3. From there we move on to Hiroshima and Kobe, who surged into the top four with away wins, and then work our way through the other five games, chatting about the managerial changes at Niigata and Yokohama F.Marinos along the way.
A veritable staple of the Japanese scene and founder of the Protection label, Haruka joins our series with two hours of delightful, liquiform groove recorded live from Kyoto. Expansive yet dialed in with tireless precision, Haruka's set transitions between eyes-down introspection and buoyant, infectious energy with ease. To witness this level of craft enveloped by such a warm and vibrant aura is an absolute pleasure, and it's easy to imagine oneself suspended weightless in Haruka's element. Thank you Haruka! @haruka_ptc Artwork by Camille Ferdinandus.
Kumamoto Day Trip: Doing Good With Your Day Trip and Home to some amazing One Piece locations to visit in Japan, Lost Without Japan Episode 114 Lost Without Japan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostwithoutjapan/ Please Consider Kindly Supporting Our crowd-funded show By Supporting Us Through Our show's Patreon: https://patreon.com/lostwithoutjapanpodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Google Shared Maps For This Episode: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C9QYhUddDk8jSewL7
In Part 2 of our Japanese soccer series, journalist Dan Orlowitz returns to help us explore how Japan's soccer scene is making waves across the globe! We dive into Samurai Blue's international success, Japanese players shining abroad, and the flow of global talent into the J.League. Plus — how can fans outside Japan actually watch the matches? We've got that covered, too.If you've ever cheered for Japan in the World Cup or wanted to follow J.League stars in Europe, this episode is for you!------ About the Krewe ------The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode!Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season!Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past KOJ Sports-Related Episodes ------Meet the J.League ft. Dan Orlowitz (S6E4)Kendo: The Way of the Sword ft. Alexander Bennett, 7th Dan in Kendo (S4E16)The Life of a Sumotori ft. 3-Time Grand Champion Konishiki Yasokichi (S4E10)Talking Sumo ft. Andrew Freud (S1E8)------ About Dan Orlowitz ------Dan's Socials & WritingsJ-Talk Podcast------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------JSNO Event CalendarJoin JSNO Today!
Date Masamune leads his new overlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, north to announce Michinoku's new political settlement. Katakura Kagetsuna turns down what may have seemed to other men to be the opportunity of a lifetime. A new rivalry with a new neighbor begins. And a new opportunity for expanding his holdings appears conveniently-- perhaps, too conveniently-- on Masamune's doorstep.Script and sources available at http://riverside-wings.comSubscribe to Riversidewings on Patreon, or buy some merch at Fourthwall. (Music is "Shinshun Ryoutei," "Kyoto no Ohayashi," "Hokora Uta," and "Yamagami no Yashiro," from 「MOMIZizm MUSiC(もみじば)|フリーBGM 」)
Our guest is Yoshinori Ishi who is the executive chef and producer of Auberge TOKITO https://www.aubergetokito.com/en/ in Tachikawa, Tokyo. Chef Ishii's background is unique and spectacular. He worked at one of the top Kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto called Arashiyama Kiccho as a sous chef and moved abroad to cook at the United Nations Ambassador's Residence in Geneva and New York. Then he moved to London to open Umu, which earned two Michelin stars—the first two stars by a Japanese restaurant in Europe. After 10 years of success at Umu, he decided to open Auberge Tokito in the suburb of Tokyo. In this episode, we will discuss how Chef Ishii's philosophy of Japanese cuisine transitioned and expanded over the last 35 years of his career in Japan and abroad, why he decided to go back to Japan to start a new project, the innovative concept of Auberge TOKITO, which focuses on the Japanese cuisine that never existed before and much, much more!!! The documentary film TOKITO: https://www.tokitofilm.com/en
The heroes travel to the town of Shiga to meet with Madame Biwa at the Crimson Lantern to uncover truths about the Shadow Petals. But there are mysterious things moving in the shadows as the conspiracy deepens.Loosely tied into Assassin's Creed: Shadows.An Everyday Heroes crossover campaign featuring characters inspired by Highlander, The Crow and Assassin's Creed.Check out the new Horror Compendium for Everyday Heroes brought to you exclusively by Dreamslayer Studios! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/512154/requiem-a-horror-compendium-for-everyday-heroesLike what you see? Support us on Patreon at https://patreon.com/DreamslayerStudiosPick up your Dreamslayer Merch at https://www.teepublic.com/user/dreamslayer-studiosIntroduction Music: The Gatekeepers by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comMusic by Dark Fantasy Studios.Visit Dreamslayer Studios online at https://dreamslayerstudios.renderforestsites.com/For more Everyday Heroes action check out our other campaigns: Get Charlotte - set in the worlds of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguezhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrWbwUCH4XApGfyDb52ySJri34mZYT5uOzark Requiem: Abaddon's Descent - A Requiem Horror campaignhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrWbwUCH4XCLat_AqLzU93ikbGEvVp3P Thanks to our monthly supporters Staci Teter Artalis Jonathan Morton Oraxsis Laura Shepherd Clint Byrd Michael Brightbill
WERBUNG | [Link weiter unten] Sichert euch jetzt eure Portion Daily Energy! Entdecke die Bohnen Favorites von HOLY und unsere leckeren Empfehlungen für Neueinsteiger - gesund & ganz ohne unnötigen Kalorien. Mit dem Code “AD5” gibt es sogar 5 € extra Rabatt für Neukunden und mit dem Code “AD” warten außerdem zusätzlich 10% Rabatt auf Bestandskunden. /WERBUNG Der japanische Dolmetscher, Übersetzer und Youtuber Hiro Yamada ist zu Gast bei ALMOST DAILY. Er beschäftigt sich intensiv mit der Vermittlung japanischer Kultur auf seinem Channel EINFACH JAPANISCH. Gemeinsam mit Etienne, Gregor und Viet spricht er über den kulturellen Alltag in Japan, die Eigenheiten des Tourismusbooms, Klischees und Missverständnisse zwischen Ost und West. Neben Städten wie Tokio, Osaka oder Kyoto geht es natürlich auch um die Welt der ANIMES, MANGAS und VIDEOSPIELE – von RETRO-GAMING in AKIHABRA bis zur Frage, was es mit PACHINKO-AUTOMATEN und KATZEN-CAFÉS auf sich hat. Es geht auch um Hiros Arbeit als MANGA-Übersetzer für Titel wie HUNTER x HUNTER oder VINLAND SAGA. Alles in allem also eine Folge voller Hintergründe, praktischen Tipps für Japan-Reisende und differenzierten Blicken auf ein Land, das für viele mehr Mythos als Realität ist. Rocket Beans wird unterstützt von Holy und YellowTec.
Today, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most enchanting ways to experience Japan - staying at a ryokan. If you've ever dreamed of sleeping on tatami mats, slipping into a steaming onsen, or savoring a multi-course kaiseki dinner crafted with local, seasonal ingredients - a ryokan stay is the ultimate expression of Japanese hospitality and tradition. To help us explore this beautiful corner of Japanese culture, I'm joined by two very special guests: Ms. Ritsuko Nakamura, the okamisan, or head of Ryokan Kurashiki, and Ms. Kumi Sato, the okamisan of Takachiho Ryokan Shinsen. In Japan, the okami-san holds a deeply respected role, preserving centuries-old customs and caring for guests with a level of warmth and grace that words alone can't fully capture. It's rare to hear directly from these remarkable women, so while they may have been a little nervous, they were truly excited to share with you. I hope you'll lean in and savor this unique chance to hear about Japan's ryokan tradition. We talk about what makes a ryokan stay so transformative, from the seasonal beauty outside your window to the artful simplicity within. If you're planning a trip to Japan, or simply curious about the Japanese art of slowing down, this episode is for you. Let's step inside. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn
Welcome back to Open The Voice Gate! Case (https://twitter.com/_inyourcase) and Mike (https://twitter.com/fujiiheya) are back with an update on the comings and goings of Dragongate.Open The Voice Gate returns to discuss Dragongate and their road to Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival 2025! After the weekend of shows in Kyoto (6/14) and Hakata (6/15), the title situation at Kobe World is a lot more clear and Case and Mike give their early previews for the Dream, Triangle and Twin Gate matches and where the programs are a month out from Dragongate's biggest show of the year. As well, they talk about Love and Peace's first rebranded weekend, Mexico contra Japon, What's Goin' On with Strong Machine J, Tokyo Gurentai, Rookie of the Year discussions, and a whole lot more!Our podcast provider, Red Circle, offers the listeners the option to sponsor the show. Click on “Sponsor This Podcaster” at https://redcircle.com/shows/open-the-voice-gate and you can donate a single time, or set up a monthly donation to Open The Voice Gate!Please Rate and Review Open The Voice Gate on the podcast platform of your choice and follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/openvoicegate.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Sergio Perera is a chef & nutrition expert. Having trained as a professional chef in some of Spain's most respected restaurants and then training in Japan, a serendipitous moment saw Sergio become the go to private chef to Hollywood actors (such as Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chris Hemsworth), athletes, royalty and politicians. Growing up in Spain he was naturally an advocate for the healthy Mediterranean diet, but it was working with actors which prompted him to study and learn more about nutrition and during his time with Chris Hemsworth he helped prepare him for the role Thor, optimising his nutrition to support his exercise and muscle building regime. He was an integral part of the successful training app known as CENTR by Chris Hemsworth, writing recipes, diet programs and meditations, offering subscribers a holistic wellness approach. Sergio has an international upbringing, born in Spain to a Mexican/American and Spanish Parents and growing up on a US Airforce base, has given Sergio a unique perspective on food and culture. Sergio's love for food and cooking began in his Grandfather's kitchen where he learnt the traditional cuisine of the Aragon region. At the age of 18, he set off to expand his repertoire of Spanish cuisine by training at some of the world's most prestigious restaurants such as ARZAK, Mugaritz and with Albert Adria at the iconic el Bulli restaurant in Roses, Spain. His curiosity and passion for culture eventually lead him to Kyoto, Japan where he was introduced to Kaiseki which is an exquisite form of dining that moves elegantly and poetically with the seasons. Sergio has used his culinary and artistic experience to create beautiful and inspirational images for food books, magazines and film productions. He is currently the brand ambassador for Winning Appliances, working alongside John Winning's team on numerous culinary and creative projects. The most recent has been the opening of ORA Japanese dining and bar in Sydney's Waterloo. Always eager to embrace new opportunities, Sergio welcomes the chance to work with clients—whether they are actors preparing for a film, high-profile individuals seeking an exclusive private dinner, or those planning a special event. He has also trained numerous chefs in becoming the ultimate private chef/nutritionist for high profile families and individuals and has been creating a small team of elite chefs throughout Australia. He actively participates in restaurant consultations across Australia, Europe, and the U.S., ensuring that each culinary experience is tailored to meet the unique needs of his clients. We chat about his life changing time in Japan, intuition, mindfulness, living in his car, creativity and food, flow, Molecular gastronomy and working with the masters, the new chef, vulnerability, moving to Australia and working with Chris Hemsworth, love of music, fear, and of course food plus plenty more! Check Sergio out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergio.perera Website: https://www.pererasergio.com/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/ and @Michael_Kahan on Insta & Twitter to keep up to date with the latest info. https://www.instagram.com/michael_kahan/ https://twitter.com/Michael_Kahan
Our guest is Isao Yamada who is the chef-owner of Yamada https://www.yamadanewyork.com/ in New York. He was classically trained in Kyoto as a Kaiseki chef and opened his own restaurant at the age of 25 in his hometown Fukuoka. He could have successfully built his career in Japan but he decided to move to the U.S. in 2006 to pursue new challenges.Chef Yamada's career in the U.S. evolved as he worked closely with the legendary chef David Bouley in New York. He earned a Michelin star as the executive chef at Chef Bouley's Kaiseki restaurant Brushstroke. In April 2025, Chef Yamada opened his own beautiful restaurant Yamada in Manhattan.In this episode, we will discuss Chef Yamada's unique career, how he collaborated with the legendary Chef Bouley, his Kaiseki dishes at Yamada that seamlessly merge authenticity and creativity, his joy and challenges in cooking in America, how Japanese cuisine in America has changed in the last two decades and much, much more!!!Follow Chef Yamada on Instagram @chef_yamada.isao, as well as his restaurant Yamada @yamadanyc!
Narrator: Jessika Downes-Gössl
I'm certainly not educated well enough to say what exactly has led to the dramatic reductions in global testosterone levels, be it plastics, sugars, antibiotics, processed chemicals, or whatever else. However, my guest today is a hormone replacement expert, so we'll find out together! Welcome to the Just Dumb Enough Podcast. A show that acknowledges no one is always an expert, by dispelling misconceptions with real experts. My guest today is Susie Bell. Susie has over three decades of experience helping patients, many of whom struggle to keep their natural hormones in check as the years go on. For women, it's widely acknowledged to be an issue around menopause; but for men, it can happen in your late teens! That's a shock, but so are the many messages that you'll hear actually explained when we give the topic room to explain itself. Thank you so much to everyone in Japan who made the first international tour such an absolute blast! I've never felt 16 days go by so quickly, and I feel I could have spent another hundred days without issue. Hopefully I get to do even more of those big tours in the coming months and years. Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Okinawa: Seriously, THANK YOU so much! ( Https://Www.GetWellWithSusieBell.Com ) ( https://static1.squarespace.com/static/627d7bbb8f061a4300985c07/t/663cf6a8f150ed30ef08d0bb/1715271336480/Susan+Bell_Memoir_Forward.pdf ) Let's fix our imbalances without shame! As mentioned in the interview, I do know many young men with low Testosterone levels, and that includes myself. Before my father passed away, he and I compared our levels to find that they were almost identical despite being 25 years apart. In ranking news... May wrapped up while we were on tour: 1. The United States, with California, Wisconsin, and Oregon at the top; sorry Ohio. 2. England of the United Kingdom. 3. Australia, with Queensland well over New South Wales. 4. Canada, with Ontario just barely beating British Columbia. 5. South Africa, just beating Ireland. That's it for this week! Have a great week, a great weekend, and I'll see you all back here next week for another new episode! Until the next episode, pretty please do all the things to help the show: rate, review, like, and subscribe. Reach out to DumbEnoughPodcast@Gmail.Com or on any social media if you want to reach me personally. Most importantly, Stay Dumb! #Podcast #Education #HormoneReplacement #Testosterone #GymBro #Semaglutide #Estrodile #Progesterone
The WDW Radio Show - Your Walt Disney World Information Station
830 · Adventures by Disney Japan Recap: Stories & Highlights - Part 1 Japan is truly unlike anywhere else in the world. And this week, I want to take you there - not with a guidebook, but through the memories, moments, and magic we experienced together on our recent WDW Radio Adventures by Disney Journey to Japan group trip. Join me and some of the friends (who are really more like family) from our group as we reflect on our journey through Kyoto, Hiroshima, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Tokyo - and how this adventure changed us in ways we never expected. We'll share the beauty, the surprises, and the emotion of this remarkable experience - and explore not just what makes Japan so special, but why Adventures by Disney makes it unforgettable. And if you weren't able to join us on this trip... don't worry. Stay tuned for the announcement of our next very special WDW Radio adventure. I promise - you won't want to miss it.
My perfume hot takes, a catch-up with Principal Perfumer Sabine de Tscharner about her newest creation for Laundry Sauce, Mojave Peach, and your hotline Qs answered, ALL IN ONE EP!Thank you to our sponsor Laundry Sauce!Use code perfumeroom15 to get 15% off any Laundry Sauce order! (valid through Aug 9, 2025)FRAGS MENTIONED:Amouage Existence*, L'Artisan Passage D'Enfer, CdG Incense Zagorsk, Kyoto; Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady, Mojave Peach, Guerlain Mitsouko, Florstalgia Iris*, Guerlain Vol de Nuit, Chanel No. 19, DS&D IDK What, Aesop: Hwyl, Tacit; MAISON d'ETTO Macanudo, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, Perfumer H: Leather, Moss, Musk; Arquiste Tropical, Voyages Imaginaires Le Grand Jeu, Ourside Nostalgia, Sana Jardin Berber Blonde, Fulton & Roark Thousand Palms, Carolina Herrera, Good Girl, Mizensir Tres There, Ambre Magique, Carthusia Terra Mia, Thameen Peregrina, Marissa Zappas Annabel's Birthday Cake