Podcasts about meiji emperor

In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Henry Smith, Professor Emeritus in the Dept. of East Asian Languages & Cultures at Columbia University.  Together we delve into the scientific aspects of Meiji woodblock prints, exploring the trajectory of Nishiki-e during the late Edo and Meiji eras. Additionally, we examine the significance of cochineal and naphthol dyes, and scrutinize particle sizes. Henry's scholarly contributions include groundbreaking articles on subjects such as Hokusai and the Blue Revolution, with the introduction of Prussian Blue to the Japanese woodblock aesthetic during the mid to late Edo Period.  Join me in discovering how Henry's passion drew him into the enchanting world of Meiji woodblock prints, as we navigate the influence of Western collectors in Meiji Japan, exemplified by figures like English s urgeon William Anderson. Henry helps me in understanding the rich palette and the science behind Meiji prints, shaped by the infusion of imported dyes and pigments. Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me at 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. Publishers are given if known. The funeral procession of Meiji Emperor at Nijubashi designed by Yasuda Hanpo (1889-1947) Columbia Academic Commons  Professor Henry Smith's article on the Japanese Student movement, here. Peter Gluck - is an American architect who has won multiple awards and has designed buildings all over the world. He is the principal of GLUCK+, an architecture firm based in New York City.  Professor Carol Gluck - is a Special Research Scholar and George Sansom Professor Emerita of History, Department of History at Columbia University. She has written multiple books and articles on Japanese history.  Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) - an American-Canadian journalist, activist who had written extensively on the life and death of North American cities such as New York City, and Toronto. Her book The Death And Life Of Great American Cities, is considered a classic in urban planning for the modern city and its subsequent decline.  Robert Venturi (1925-2018) -  was an American architect and theorist known for his contributions to postmodern architecture. He, along with his partner and wife Denise Scott Brown, played a key role in shaping architectural discourse in the late 20th century. Venturi challenged the modernist principles that dominated architecture at the time, advocating for a more inclusive and eclectic approach. His book, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966) was where he critiqued the rigidity of modernist architecture and championed a more diverse and contextual approach to architecture.  Metabolism (Japan) - The Metabolism movement was characterized by a group of young Japanese architects and designers who sought to address the challenges of rapid urbanization and rebuilding after World War II. Key principles and concepts of Metabolism in Japanese architecture are megastructures, prefabrication and modularity, biology and organic growth, and technological innovation. One special notable example of Metabolist architecture was the now demolished Kisho Kurokawa's Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tōkyō. Shinjuku: The Phenomenal City - was the exhibition Henry Smith discussed in this episode. It was exhibited December 16, 1975 to March 7, 1976 at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City. More info, here. a+u magazine - also known as architecture and urbanism magazine, is a Japanese/English architecture magazine first published in 1971. More info, here.  Kōji Taki (1928-2011) - was a Japanese author, architectural critic, editor, and key figure in the Metabolist movement. He played a significant role in shaping the discourse of contemporary architecture in Japan and was instrumental in promoting the ideas of the Metabolists. Kappabashi - located in Tōkyō's Asakusa district, is a renowned destination for kitchenware and restaurant supplies. The street is lined with stores offering a diverse range of products, including traditional Japanese knives, sushi-making equipment, and unique culinary gadgets. Kappabashi is especially popular for its sampuru shops, where visitors can buy realistic food replicas commonly displayed outside restaurants. The area features a mix of large retailers and specialty stores, creating a charming atmosphere with its traditional Japanese architecture. It's easily accessible from Tawaramachi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. fūkei hanga - are landscape images. These paintings and prints represent the natural world such as mountains, rivers, waterfalls. You can find these types of prints from the golden age of nishiki-e to shin-hanga, to today.  Sunset at Tomonotsu (1940, 9"x14") by Tsuchiya Koitsu (1879-1942) and published by Watanabe.  Mitaka - is a city located in the western part of Tōkyō, Japan. A very pretty and quiet part of the city it is famous for the Ghibli Museum, and Inokashira Park. 100 Views of Edo (名所江戸百景) - is a series of nishiki-e prints designed by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858). It was published between 1856 and 1859 and consists of 118 or 119 prints, each depicting various scenes of Edo (Tōkyō). The prints show the beauty, diversity, and everyday life of Edo, capturing different seasons, landscapes, landmarks, and activities. Hiroshige's use of color, composition, and atmospheric effects contributes to the series' enduring popularity. The scenes range from bustling urban areas and landscapes to rural views, often incorporating elements of nature and traditional Japanese culture. Suruga-chō (1885) Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji - one of Hokusai's most iconic series, known for its various depictions of Mount Fuji in different seasons, weather conditions, and different vantage points. The series includes "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." Published between 1830-1832 the series portrays Mount Fuji in different perspectives, everyday life, as well as the special importance of Mount Fuji in Edo culture. The series had a large impact on Western artists and thinkers, including the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Umezawa Hamlet-fields in Sagami Province (1830-31) Santa Barbara Museum of Art - is an art museum located in Santa Barbara, California, USA. Its collection contains art works from all over the world, focusing on paintings, sculpture, and paper works. More info, here.  Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) - was a painter and woodblock print designer famous for his war prints on the First Sino-Japanese War (July 25, 1894- April 17, 1895). Kiyochika captured the transitional period in Japanese history as the country underwent rapid modernization and Westernization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Onoguchi Tokuji Destroying The Gate at Jinzhoucheng (1895 14 3/4" x 28 9/16") published by Daikokuya. Utagawa School - was a school of print designers starting with Utagawa Toyoharu (1735-1814). He employed one point perspective (vanishing point) in his print designs, being influenced by Western perspective. The influence of the Utagawa school goes far in Japanese print history and one of its most successful. This schools print designs of kabuki portraits, beautiful women (bijin-ga), and landscapes are excellent. Some famous names attributed to the Utagawa school are Utamaro (1753-1806), Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865), and Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858). A fine description of this school can be found, here at Artelino.  Newly Published Picture of the Battle of Jiuzan-shan in China (9 3/16" x 13 1/8") attributed to Utagawa Toyoharu Okumura Masanobu (1686-1784) - was a Japanese nishiki-e artist and print designer who lived during the Edo period. He is credited with pioneering the use of full-color printing and is considered one of the early masters of the art form. Okumura Masanobu was known for his contributions to bijin-ga and yakusha-e (actor prints). He played a role in the development of nishiki-e as a popular art form. More information can be found at Viewing Japanese Prints, here.  Large Perspective Picture of Evening Cool by Ryōgoku Bridge (ca. 1748) hand coloured Sumida River - is a major river that flows through Tōkyō, Japan. It plays a significant role in the history, culture, and landscape of the city. The Sumida River flows for approximately 27 kilometers (about 17 miles) through Tokyo, originating from Kita City and flowing into Tōkyō Bay. It passes through several wards, including Kita, Adachi, Sumida, Taito, Koto, and Chuo. The river has been portrayed in nishiki-e prints for generations, along with its bridges.  Kobayashi Kiyochika the Sumida River at Night (9.76"x14" - est. 1881) Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) - is considered one of the last “masters” of the ukiyo-e genre of Japanese woodblock printmaking. His designs range from landscapes, samurai and Chinese military heroes, as well as using various formats for his designs such as diptychs and triptychs. Yamayoshi Genba no jō Chikafusa (14 5/16" x 9 15/16" - 1848/49) published by Sumiyoshiya Ike no Taiga (1723-1776) - was a Japanese painter of the mid-Edo period, known for his skill in the Nanga style, which was influenced by Chinese literati painting. He is best remembered for his role in promoting a cross-cultural exchange of ideas between Japan and China in the realm of art and aesthetics during the Edo Period. Landscape with Pavilion (1750) Akita ranga painting - a style of Japanese painting that emerged in the late Edo period, particularly during the 19th century, in the region of Akita in northern Japan. The term "ranga" literally translates to "Dutch painting" and reflects the influence of European painting styles, particularly Dutch and Western techniques, which were introduced to Japan through trade with the Dutch during the Edo Period. More info, here.  Satake Shozan (1748-1785) - Pine Tree and Parakeet (68.11" x 22.83") est 1700's, painting. Shinobazu Pond - is a large pond located within Ueno Park in Tōkyō, Japan. Ueno Park is a spacious public park that is home to several museums, a zoo, temples, and beautiful green spaces. Shinobazu Pond is one of the central features of Ueno Park, and it is renowned for its scenic beauty and historical significance. hanmoto system - is the Edo Period (1603-1868) collaboration system of making woodblock prints in Japan. The system was about using, carvers, printers, and craftsmen by various print publishers in order to produce woodblock prints. The system consisted of the following professions; publisher, artist, carver, and printer. William Anderson (1842–1900) was an English surgeon and collector with a significant impact on the appreciation and understanding of Japanese art in the late 19th century. Anderson became a passionate collector of Japanese art, amassing a vast and diverse collection that included nishiki-e, ceramics, textiles, and other traditional artworks. His collection grew to be one of the most significant and comprehensive of its time. His bequest laid the foundation for the development of Japanese art studies in the West, influencing subsequent generations of scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts. ezōshiya - is a type of Japanese bookstore that specializes in selling "ehon" or picture books. Ehon are valued not only for their storytelling but also for the quality of illustrations. These books played a role in promoting visual literacy and appreciation of art in Japan. Nishiki-e had been sold at these book stores during the Edo Period.  Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) is widely regarded as one of the most significant woodblock print designers in Japanese history. His diverse portfolio includes prints ranging from landscapes and books to erotica and sumo. Kunisada worked during the vibrant era of nishiki-e alongside notable artists such as Andō Hiroshige (1797-1858), Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), and the aforementioned Kuniyoshi. This period represents a rich and abundant chapter in Japanese woodblock print history. Ichikawa Danjurō VIII as Hanzaemon published by Tamaya Sōsuke (1852) 13 9/16" x 9 3/16" cochineal - known as yōko in Japanese, is a red dye taken from the dried bodies of female cochineal insects. These insects are native to Central and South America, where they feed on the sap of prickly pear cacti. Cochineal has been used for centuries as a natural dye, valued for its vibrant red color. An article about synthetic pigments and cochineal in Japanese woodblock prints and co-written by Henry Smith can be found, here.  William Sturgis Bigelow (1850-1926) - was an avid collector of Japanese art. His extensive travels to Japan from 1882 to 1889, coupled with a close friendship with Ernest Fenollosa, enabled him to amass a remarkable collection. Bigelow's acquisitions played a pivotal role in promoting Japanese art in the Western world. World Of The Meiji Print - is a book published by Weatherhill in 1991 and written by Julia Meech-Pekarik. It describes how nishiki-e developed and evolved during the Meiji period.  Roger Keyes (1942-2020) - was a distinguished scholar of Japanese woodblock prints. His expertise was showcased in his 1982 dissertation, a comprehensive study of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Additionally, Keyes authored the book 'Ehon: The Artists and the Book in Japan' in 2006, further solidifying his significant contributions to the understanding of Japanese printmaking. Amy Reigle Newland - is a Japanese print scholar who has written various articles and books upon the subject. One of my favourite books by Newland is her book about Toyohara Kunichika, Time Present and Past: Images of A Forgotten Master (1999).  Bruce Coats - is Professor of Art History and the Humanities at Scripps College, Claremont, California. He has contributed to several books on Japanese woodblock prints, one of my favourites is Chikanobu: Modernity and Nostalgia in Japanese Prints (2006).  James A Michener (1907-1997) - was a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, scholar, and esteemed academic known for his extensive contributions to various literary genres. Beyond his celebrated literary achievements, Michener also delved into the world of Japanese prints, demonstrating a multifaceted curiosity and intellectual versatility. His exploration of Japanese prints added another layer to his diverse body of work, reflecting a deep appreciation for Japanese art and culture. Honolulu Academy of Arts - founded in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke, evolved into the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) in 2012. Rice-Cooke's vision for a multicultural art space led to its creation, with an endowment and land donated by the Cooke family. The museum's architectural style blends Hawaiian, Chinese, and Spanish influences. Over the years, HoMA expanded, adding educational wings, a cafe, and more, while its permanent collection grew to over 50,000 pieces. In 2011, The Contemporary Museum merged with HoMA, unifying as the Honolulu Museum of Art. More info, here.  shinbun nishiki-e - the Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked a pivotal moment in Japan's history, prompting significant societal upheavals. Tōkyō, formerly Edo, became the new centre of Imperial Japan, and by 1871, the traditional feudal class system had been abolished, accompanied by compulsory education laws. This era of profound change spurred creative responses to economic challenges. Starting in the summer of 1874, innovative individuals introduced shimbun nishikie, vibrant single-sheet woodblock prints that served as colorful souvenirs. These prints, produced until 1876, were not just visually striking but also narratively engaging, recounting news articles in a format ideal for oral storytelling. Renowned artists like Ochiai Yoshiiku and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, both students of the celebrated Utagawa Kuniyoshi, played a key role in illustrating these captivating snapshots of an evolving Japan. An excellent article on shinbun nishiki-e can be found here, from All About Japan.  Fighting Off A Wolf by Sadanobu II (1848-1940) from the Nichinichi Shinbun (9 1/2" x 6 3/4")  Satsuma Rebellion -  occurring in 1877, was a last stand against the modernization policies of the Meiji government by disaffected samurai from the Satsuma domain. Led by Saigō Takamori (1828-1877), a key figure in the Meiji Restoration. The rebellion sought to restore imperial power and resist the centralization efforts of the government. The conflict ended in a decisive government victory at the Battle of Shiroyama, where Saigō met his end, marking one of the final samurai-led uprisings in Japan's history. Suzuki Harunobu (1725-1770) -pioneered the art of nishiki-e, becoming the first to craft multi-color woodblock prints. Renowned for his exquisite designs, Harunobu's subjects often revolved around the portrayal of beautiful women, shunga (erotic art), and classical poetry. His innovative techniques and thematic choices significantly influenced the genre during the Edo period in Japan. Lovers Walking In The Snow (1764-1772) (11 1/4"x8 1/8") Emperor Meiji born Mutsuhito (1852 – 1912), was the 122nd Emperor of Japan, reigning from 1867 until his death in 1912. His reign, known as the Meiji Era, marked a transformative period in Japanese history. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 saw the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule, with Emperor Meiji playing a central role in Japan's modernization and westernization efforts. During his era, Japan underwent significant political, social, and economic reforms, propelling the country into the ranks of major world powers. Emperor Meiji's reign is often associated with Japan's rapid modernization and emergence onto the global stage. sōsaku-hanga -  also known as creative prints, is a printmaking style primarily, though not exclusively, characterized by prints created by a single artist. Originating in early twentieth-century Japan, alongside the shin-hanga movement, this style emphasizes the artist's direct involvement in the entire printmaking process — from design and carving to printing. While the designs, especially in the early stages, may appear rudimentary, the concept of artists producing their own prints marked a significant departure from the traditional model where a select group of carvers, printers, and publishers collaborated in the creation of woodblock prints. shin hanga - is a style of Japanese woodblock printmaking that emerged in the early 20th century, marking the end of the nishiki-e period. Originating around 1915 under the direction of Watanabe Shōzaburō (1885-1962), the art form responded to the foreign demand for "traditional" Japanese imagery. Shin hanga artists focused on motifs like castles, bridges, famous landscapes, and bamboo forests. The style was initiated when Watanabe discovered Austrian artist Fritz Capelari (1884-1950) and commissioned him to design prints for Watanabe's budding printing house. This collaboration led to the evolution of shin hanga into a distinctive new style of Japanese woodblock printing. The shin hanga movement thrived until its inevitable decline after the Second World War (1939-1945). fan print (uchiwa-e) - are crafted in the form of flat, oval fans using materials such as rice paper or silk. These prints are designed to be functional fans, allowing for practical use while showcasing artistic designs. Amy Poster - is the curator emerita of Asian Art at the Brooklyn Museum. aizuri-e - are woodblock prints made entirely with shades of blue. This style gained popularity during the Edo Period.  Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) - was a nishiki-e print designer and author during the Edo Period. His print designs are famous for beautiful women and large head prints (ōkubi-e).   surimono (date unknown - Edo Period) Hiraga Gennai (1729-1779/80) - was a versatile Japanese polymath and rōnin during the Edo period. His diverse talents spanned pharmacology, rangaku (Dutch learning), medicine, literature, painting, and invention. Notable creations include the erekiteru (electrostatic generator), kankanpu (asbestos cloth). Gennai authored satirical works such as Fūryū Shidōken den (1763) and Nenashigusa (1763), along with essays like On Farting and A Lousy Journey of Love. He also wrote guidebooks on male prostitutes, including the Kiku no en (1764) and San no asa (1768). Employing various pen names like Kyūkei and Fūrai Sanjin, he is most recognized by the name Hiraga Gennai. Yokohama-e -refers to a genre of Japanese woodblock prints depicting scenes from Yokohama, a pivotal port city during the late Edo and Meiji periods. These prints showcase the influx of international influences, featuring foreign ships, traders, and cultural exchanges. Yokohama-e captures the dynamic transformation of Japan as it opened to the world, portraying a vivid visual narrative of the city's bustling trade and encounters between Japanese and Western cultures. View of Foreigners' Houses on the Beach Street Seen From Yokohama Port (ca. 1873) by Hiroshige III (1842-1894) Sadahide Utagawa (1807-1878/79) - was a designer of nishiki-e during the late Edo and early Meiji Periods. He trained under Utagawa Kunisada and depicted medieval Japanese scenes, collaborating on the 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō, and prints related to Yokohama-e.   Battle of Ōei (ca.1848) Sir William Henry Perkin (1838–1907) was a British chemist who is renowned for his accidental discovery of the first synthetic dye, known as mauveine or mauve. This significant breakthrough occurred in 1856 when Perkin was attempting to synthesize quinine, a treatment for malaria, from coal tar derivatives. Instead, he obtained a purple-colored substance while working with aniline, leading to the creation of the vibrant purple dye. napthols - are special dyes used in making colourful fabrics on handlooms. They get their name from a specific part in their makeup called an azo group. These dyes are known for making colors really bright and long-lasting on fabrics. They help create fabrics in lots of different colors, like orange, brown, yellow, scarlet, golden yellow, black, red, violet, and more.  orpiment -  sekiō in Japanese, is a bright yellow to orange-yellow mineral composed of arsenic trisulfide (As2S3). It has been historically used as a pigment in painting and for other decorative purposes due to its vibrant color. Often found in association with realgar, another arsenic sulfide mineral, orpiment has also been employed in traditional medicine and alchemy. However, its toxic nature limits such applications, and it's crucial to note that handling orpiment, especially in powdered form, poses health risks due to the presence of arsenic. Marco Leona PhD - is the David H. Koch Scientist at Large at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has written several articles on Spectroscopy and art.  Estée Lauder (1906-2004) - was a pioneering American businesswoman and the co-founder of the renowned cosmetics company Estée Lauder Companies. Alongside her husband Joseph Lauder, she established the company in 1946, starting with a few skincare products she developed herself. Estée Lauder's hands-on approach to marketing and emphasis on quality turned her brand into a symbol of luxury. Initially selling to friends, she built a global beauty empire with a diverse product line including skincare, makeup, and fragrances. Today, the Estée Lauder Companies remain influential in the beauty industry, with a portfolio of well-known brands. Estée Lauder's legacy is marked by her significant contributions to the cosmetics world and her establishment of an enduring and iconic beauty brand. The Adachi Institute of Woodblock Prints - is a print studio located in Tōkyō. Established in 1994 in order to promote and preserve the colour woodblock print of Japan. More information, in English and in Japanese.  The 47 Rōnin of Akō - were a group of samurai who sought revenge for the unjust death of their master, Lord Asano Naganori, in 1701. After Asano was forced to commit seppuku (a form of ritual suicide), his loyal retainers, the 47 Ronin, meticulously planned and executed the revenge, successfully avenging their lord's honor. The story is a celebrated example of bushido (samurai code) and loyalty in Japanese history and folklore. smalt - is a deep blue pigment that has been historically used in art and ceramics. It is composed of finely powdered glass, often colored with cobalt oxide to achieve its distinctive blue hue. Smalt was popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods as a substitute for expensive blue pigments like lapis lazuli. Artists would mix smalt with binders to create blue paint for their artworks. Smalt has some drawbacks, including a tendency to fade over time and a vulnerability to darkening when exposed to certain environmental conditions. Keiji Shinohara - is a Japanese mokuhanga printmaker who apprenticed under Uesugi Keiichiro in Ōsaka. He is the artist-in-residence at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. More info about Keiji can be found here, and here. Yamado-ike from the series Eight Views of Hirakata (2006) 11"x15": gum arabic - is a sap from two types of Acacia tree. In art it is used as a binder for pigments which creates viscosity (depending on how much or little is applied to your pigments) for your watercolours and oils. Rachel Levitas has a fine description on how she uses gum arabic in her work, here.  Bakumatsu Period -  refers to the final years of the Edo period, specifically from the mid-19th century to the early 1860s. The term "Bakumatsu" can be translated as "end of the shogunate." This era was characterized by significant political, social, and economic changes that eventually led to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule in the Meiji period. Bunsei Period - was a period in Japanese history which lasted from April 1818 - December 1830 CE © Popular Wheat Productions opening and closing musical credit - The Shadow of Your Smile by Dominic Farinacci, G@ Records (2023)  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.***                                          

Episode 497 TRIGGER WARNING Mention of Suicide. Join the NuTube sensations the Treasure Stompers as they seek for the brass seal of the Meiji Emperor. Rumoured to have gone missing deep in Aokigohara forest, the suicide forest the Treasure Stompers are out to retireve it. Plus get some sweet sweet views! Dead Of Night – […]

⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- In 1869, the Meiji Emperor declared the northern island of Hokkaido to be sovereign territory of Japan. In a process direclty inspired by American colonization, Japanese settlers were brought in to "civilize" the territory, a process which would have terrible consequences for the indigenous inhabitants -- a non-Japanese people known as the Ainu. Japanese colonists and western onlookers derisively viewed the Ainu as isolated primitives, at best isolated remnants of the ancient Jomon people ancestral to the mainland Japanese. This is nonsense. The Ainu and their predecessors have a rich history of interaction with the peoples of Asia, including the Japanese, and have an illustrious history that goes back many hundreds of years. This episode of Gladio Free Europe charts the course of Ainu history before the conquest of Hokkaido. Using archaeology and archaeogenetics, cover the ancient mingling of various Northeast Asian peoples who populares the island and investigate longstanding claims that the Ainu are related to various outside groups. Chinese early Japanese sources also give us incredibly insights into early relations between Hokkaido and the outside world. We discuss the fearsome Emishi people, a medieval community that has long been associated with the Ainu, who feature prominently in the film Princess Mononoke, and recount how the expansion of Ainu people into mainland Siberia led to a long war against the Mongols. By the Sengoku Era, feudal warlords began competing for access over the growing Hokkaido trade, which led to the establishment of Japanese settlements on the island. In this period, the Ainu came under Japanese occupation without falling under the protection of Japanese law. This exploitative situation had profoundly negative consequences for the indigenous people, leading to two major revolts against the settlers. While the Ainu remain colonized by Japan today, their survival exposes the myth of homogeneity central to Japanese nationalism. Please join us for this discussion on one of Asia's most intriguing and inspiring peoples.

On this day in 1871, the yen became the national currency of Japan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we wrap up our imperial biographies with a look at the Meiji Emperor's relationship to three important aspects of his reign: the constitution, the wars fought in his name, and his heir. Plus, we talk Meiji's death, and his legacy. Note: no episode next week for American Thanksgiving; show notes here. 

This week: the life of the Meiji Emperor in the turbulent 1870s and 1880s. We'll cover everything from the birth of his first surviving child to his drinking habits to his role in various political crises to the complicated process of shaping what a "modern" emperor's role even was. Show notes here.

Today we're taking a trip to Japan. Today's episode may contain some talk that could be hard for some to listen to. We will be discussing suicide in parts of today's episode. While we normally have a pretty lax, “we don't care who we piss off or trigger” kind of attitude, we all agree that mental health and suicide are serious issues and we do not want anyone who may already have some problems to listen to something we are discussing and to make any said problems worse. We joke around and have fun and there will be jokes and fuckery in this episode, BUT, we will not make jokes about suicide or mental health. We will try and find some levity to shake off the darker situations, but will do our best to also be respectful when needed. We say this all the time and this is another great spot for this message, please if you are having any sort of thoughts of suicide and depression please reach out to someone that you can talk to. There are many many excellent resources for those who need them.   With that being said, in today's episode we are talking about Japan's Aokigahara Forest, also known as the suicide forest. We are going to go through the history of the forest and we are also going to talk about some of the tales of spirits and monsters in the forest. Also we'll get into some spooky stories, of course, because that's what we do here!    Due to the high level of stress faced by the Japanese, Japan is seen as one of the top countries with high suicide rates. According to a report by The Guardian, depression, serious illness and debt are among the common reasons one seeks to end their life.    Historically suicide has been viewed differently in Japan than the way we see it now. Most people today will remark how selfish or cowardly suicide is. Japan historically has had the view that suicide was an honorable thing.   Back in the feudal era in Japan, committing suicide was seen as an act of honour. Samurai warriors would rather commit suicide, or known as seppuku sometimes referred to as Harakiri (ritual disemboweling) than fall into the hands of their enemy – a way to uphold their honor and dignity. It was also used as a form of capital punishment for samurai who had committed serious offenses, or performed because they had brought shame to themselves. It  was later practiced by other Japanese people during the Shōwa period (particularly officers near the end of World War II) to restore honor for themselves or for their families. The ceremonial disembowelment, which is usually part of a more elaborate ritual and performed in front of spectators, consists of plunging a short blade like a tantō into the belly and drawing the blade from left to right, slicing the belly open. Some practitioners of seppuku allowed themselves to die slowly, but they usually enlisted the help of a “kaishakunin,” or second, who would lop off their head with a katana as soon as they made their initial cut. The goal was generally not to take the head off in one swing, rather most of the way off on the first swing with the second bringing down a very light cut allowing the head to fall into the hands of the deceased. Among other rituals, the doomed individual often drank sake, they were only allowed a specific number of sips, and composed a short “death poem” before taking up the blade. In each case, it was considered an act of extreme bravery and self-sacrifice that embodied Bushido, the ancient warrior code of the samurai. There was even a female version of seppuku called “jigai,” which involved cutting the throat using a tanto. Japanese Tanto knives (or short swords) are characterized by their dagger-like design. The tanto knife first appeared around the year 900. Seppuku fell out of favor with the decline of the samurai in the late-19th century, but the practice didn't disappear entirely. Japanese General Nogi Maresuke disemboweled himself in 1912 out of loyalty to the deceased Meiji Emperor, and many troops later chose the sword over surrender during World War II. Perhaps the most famous case in recent history concerns Yukio Mishima, a renowned novelist and Nobel Prize nominee who committed ritual seppuku in 1970 after leading a failed coup against the Japanese government. On October 25, 1944, the Empire of Japan employed kamikaze bombers for the first time. (Kamikazi bombers were named after the “divine wind” that had destroyed the Mongol fleet in the thirteenth century, thus saving Japan from invasion.) The tactic was part of the ferocious Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history, which took place in the Pacific Ocean near the Philippines. Kamikaze strikes against Allied warships continued throughout World War II.   Kamikaze pilots deliberately crashed specially made planes directly into enemy warships, which resulted in suicide. It was a desperate policy. Motoharu Okamura, who commanded a kamikaze squadron, remarked that by 1944, “I firmly believe that the only way to swing the war in our favor is to resort to crash-dive attacks with our planes. There is no other way. Provide me with 300 planes and I will turn the tide of war.” In these kamikaze attacks, more than 3,000 Japanese pilots were killed, and there were more than 7,000 casualties among American, Australian, and British personnel. Flight Lieutenant Haruo Araki wrote the following letter to his wife before his last flight:                                Shigeko,   Are you well? It is now a month since that day. The happy dream is over. Tomorrow I will dive my plane into an enemy ship. I will cross the river into the other world, taking some Yankees with me. When I look back, I see that I was very cold-hearted to you. After I had been cruel to you, I used to regret it. Please forgive me.   When I think of your future, and the long life ahead, it tears at my heart. Please remain steadfast and live happily. After my death, please take care of my father for me.   I, who have lived for the eternal principles of justice, will forever protect this nation from the enemies that surround us.   Commander of the Air Unit Eternity   Haruo Araki   WOW!   The reason we wanted to include this letter is that last line. He referred to himself as living for the eternal principles of justice. He says he will forever protect his nation from the enemies that surround them. This goes to show that there was still a sense of pride in the fact that you are committing suicide for the cause. It was seen as a strength not a weakness historically. On the other side of the coin, the Allies, steeped in the Judaeo-Christian tradition of the sanctity of life, the apparent willingness of Japanese servicemen like Araki to carry out suicide attacks was profoundly shocking. But then, as scholars of the kamikaze point out, the word suicide in Japanese does not always have the same “immoral connotation” that it has in English. Two versions—jiketsu (self-determination) and jisai (self-judgement)—“suggest an honorable or laudable act done in the public interest.” There is, moreover, no ethical or religious taboo regarding suicide in Japan's traditional religion of Shintoism.  To surrender, on the other hand, was seen as dishonourable, hence the contempt the Japanese felt for prisoners of war. Japanese soldiers believed that when they fell on the field of battle they would become kami, or gods, and join the nation's spirits at the Shinto shrine of Yasukuni in Tokyo. Hence the typical farewell from members of the Shimpū (Divine Wind) Special Attack Corps: “I'll meet you at the Yasukuni Shrine!”  Nowadays, many have chosen to end their life not for honourable reasons, but mainly because they could not fit into society. In Japan today, suicide is considered a major social issue. In 2017, the country had the seventh highest suicide rate in the OECD, at 14.9 per 100,000 persons, and in 2019 the country had the second highest suicide rate among the G7 developed nations.  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is “an international organisation that works to build better policies for better lives.”, as per their website. Seventy percent of suicides in Japan are male, and it is the leading cause of death in men aged 20–44. After peaking in 2003, suicide rates have been gradually declining, falling to the lowest on record (since 1978) in 2019. Monthly suicide rates in Japan increased by 16% between July and October 2020, due to a number of reasons attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. What is driving these big divide rates?  As of 2020, the leading motive, with 49% of suicides was "Health issues". However because the category for health issues includes both mental (like depression) and physical issues, it is not possible to distinguish between the two. The second most commonly listed motive for suicides was "Financial/Poverty related issues" (e.g., Too much debt, Poverty), which was a motive in 17% of suicides. The third motive is "Household issues" (e.g., disagreements in the family) listed in 15% of suicides.   By occupation, 59.3% of suicide victims were in the broad "Not Employed" category, which is not to be confused with the colloquialism "unemployed" (as in those who are seeking but unable to find a job). The "Not Employed" category also includes pensioners, homemakers and others. While the teenage suicide rate in Japan is lower than the OECD country average, teenage suicide rates have been the only category to increase slightly in recent years, despite the significant drop in overall suicide rates over the past decade.   Many who decide to commit suicide will chose a place where it is hidden and not easy to be found to spend their last moment. And for the Japanese, Aokigahara Forest is one of the most common locations. It is also known as the world's second-most common location to commit suicide. The most common location is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, in the US. Aokigahara is located at the northwest base of the country's highest mountain, Mount Fuji. Due to its high density of trees, Aokigahara is also known as a Jukai – which simply means a “sea of trees'. The tree cover is so thick that, even at noon, you will hardly find a bright spot in the forest. Aokigahara is also known as Japan's Demon Forest, and the “perfect place to die”. Many Japanese believe that the forest is haunted and dare not go nearby. This 35-sq km, around 14 sq mile, forest is cold, rocky, and contains some 200 caves, of which a few, such as the Ice Cave and Wind Cave, have been popular among tourists. Because of the rocky area and thick trees, Aokigahara's surroundings are almost identical, making it the perfect journey for those who are making a one-way trip. For trekkers and hikers, they often carry along plastic tape to mark their way so that they will find the way out again.    Let's find out a bit more about the forest itself, because well, nerd shit. It formed out of a devastating volcanic eruption that occurred in the year 864. Which was ironically, chainsaw's second birthday. The nickname “Sea of Trees" captures the full grandeur of how this wind-swept forest appears from the mountain with its treetops rolling like waves. The trees in the forest do bear an exotic, gnarled appearance because they grew out of hardened lava. Their roots could not penetrate to the usual depth. The flow of the lava left the ground with an uneven surface before hardening, where it is not unusual to see trees partially uprooted, along with gaping holes—cave-like recesses—that have formed in the ground. Aokigahara has been falsely portrayed as a place where navigational compasses go haywire. Needles of magnetic compasses will move if placed directly on the lava, aligning with the rock's natural magnetism, kind of like moody, except the exact opposite, which varies in iron content and strength by location. However, a compass behaves as expected when held at a normal height. The forest has a variety of conifers and broadleaf trees and shrubs. Deeper in the forest there are many aromatic flowering plants. There are also many mosses, liverworts and ferns. Aside from the immense savings of plant life that choke the forest, it is home to plenty of wildlife. Some of the animals you may encounter include the Asian black bear, deer, fox, Japanese mink and Japanese squirrel, boar, and wild rabbit. Also the forest is a great place to see tits! That's right my friends, they have many kinds of tits including willow tits, long tailed tits, and of course the great tits.   So why is this such a popular place for people to end their lives? Well as stated earlier it is a very quiet place that offers up dense cover to help conceal things that are going on. Essentially it's peaceful and you can be alone away from prying eyes. Not only that, there was a mystery novel called “Kuroi Jukai” (translated as Black Sea of Trees) written by Seicho Matsumoto in 1960. The novel ends romantically with the lovers committing suicide in the forest, which revitalized the Suicide Forest's popularity among those who wanted to end their life. Also Wataru Tsurumui's controversial 1993 bestseller, The Complete Suicide Manual, is a book that describes various modes of suicide and even recommends Aokigahara as the perfect place to die. Apparently this book is also a common find in the forest, usually not too far away from a suicide victim and their belongings. Undoubtedly, the most common method of suicide in the forest is hanging. It's not uncommon for officials to find abandoned cars at the trail heads, empty campsites throughout the forest, strings and ropes left by people who venture off path to help find their way back, and sadly the body's of those who decided to enter the first and never come out. There are signs along the trails urging people to seek help if they are having issues and contemplating suicide. The signs read, “Your life is something precious that was given to you by your parents” and “Think about your parents, siblings, and children once more. Do not be troubled alone.” The signs end with a helpline telephone number, hoping the lost souls who seek to die would call for help. There are people who hike the forest in hopes of finding people and stopping them before it's too late. One man has found over 100 bodies in his time in the forest. With all of this death surrounding it, is it any wonder that there are tales of Hauntings and strange things happening here. There are also stories of demons that inhabit the forest. And with that being said and most of the heavy lifting being done, let's get into what we come here for every week… Creepy shit!    The most common tale of the forest being inhabited by something evil had to do with the Yurei. Yurei are thought to be spirits barred from a peaceful afterlife. Ukiyo-e artist Maruyama Ōkyo created the first known example of the now-traditional yūrei, in his painting The Ghost of Oyuki. Ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese art which flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. The Zenshō-an in Tokyo houses the largest single collection of yūrei paintings which are only shown in August, the traditional month of the spirits. Yurei are seen in white clothing believed to signify the white burial kimono used in Edo period burial rituals. They have long black wild hair. They generally lack legs and feet and the haha typically dangle at the wrists. The arms are usually held stretched out or at the sides stretched out at just the elbow. The Yurei are often accompanied by hitodama, which are floating flames. They can be various colors such as blue, green or purple. So Yurei is actually somewhat of a catch all phrase for ghosts. There are actually different types of Yurei. There's Onryo, which are vengeful ghosts who come back to scene a wrong doing done to them, Goryo, which are spirits of the high class and aristocrats which are also vengeful usually for having been martyred. There are Ubume which are mother ghosts who either died in childbirth or left children behind when they passed, they come back to care for the child and often bring sweets to them. There are several others as well including Funayurei which are the ghosts of those who died at sea and Zashiki-warashi which are the ghosts of children. There are more but you get the point. According to legend, people bring their family members during famine to the forest and leave them to die there, in order to save their food for other family members. Those left in the forest would slowly die due to starvation, turning them into yurei. The belief in yurei continues to today. When a body is found in Aokigahara, forest guardians place it in a room next to the forest before being sent to authorities. Legend has it that if the body is left alone in the room, its yurei move around screaming in the room. Hence, forest guards will play rock-paper-scissors to determine who the unlucky companion to the body is.    Also in Japanese legend, aside from the Yurei, the forest is said to be haunted by demons. So there's that. Demons are always good to have around. So knowing that there are possibly ribs of ghosts and demons hanging around, let's get into some creepy stories from the forest!    During a VICE documentary that takes a tour of the forest, an extremely creepy curse is found. There's a Jack Skellington-like doll with his face cut off, nailed upside down to a tree as a sort of inverted crucifixion. According to the documentary's guide, Azusa Hayano, "They nailed this character upside down as a symbol of contempt for society. No, it's more like a curse. The curse is nailed in." Apparently, it's not that uncommon for visitors to leave a curse on the world they're leaving behind.   This next story was written for a Japanese newspaper:   Jun 26, 2011 I am walking through Aokigahara Jukai forest, the light rapidly fading on a mid-winter afternoon, when I am stopped dead in my tracks by a blood-curdling scream. The natural reaction would be to run, but the forest floor is a maze of roots and slippery rocks and, truth be told, I am lost in this vast woodland whose name, in part, translates as “Sea of Trees.”   Inexplicably, I find myself moving toward the sound, searching for signs of life. Instead, I find death.   The source of that scream remains a mystery as, across a clearing, I see what looks like a pile of clothes. But as I approach, it becomes apparent it's more than just clothes I've spotted.   In a small hollow, just below a tree, and curled up like a baby on a thick bed of dead leaves, lies a man, his thinning gray hair matted across his balding cranium. His pasty upper torso is shirtless, while his legs are covered only by black long johns — with blue-striped boxers sticking out above the waistband — and a pair of woolly socks.   Under his bent legs a pair of slacks, a white shirt and a jacket have been spread out as a cushion at his final resting place. Scattered around are innumerable documents, a briefcase and other remnants of a former life. Nearer to him are items more closely related to his demise: empty packets of prescription pills, beer cans, and bottles of liquor…   The article goes on but this is the end of the story for our creepy purposes...   The man had been dead for some time so there's no way he could have produced the scream. So where did it come from? A demon or Yurei trying to draw the man in?   The destination truth television show filmed an episode in the forest and may have caught a Yurei on camera. A man was hanging out in a spot alone and in a clip on you tube he says that he thought he saw something so he checked the camera. After checking the camera he notices a shape that seems to rise up from the ground. It's white and human-like. It's there for a couple seconds and then send to disappear back into the ground. Now what it was we can't say, it could have been a yurei or honestly it looks just as much like someone dressed in white standing up from behind a bush then crouching back down. Given the forest legend though… We won't rule out ghosts.    We found this next story buried in a message board. There have been many stories of people who have had their guide lines cut while they were exploring the forest. This is an account of one of those incidents. It was written by an anonymous person so take it how you will!         "While on vacation me and my friend decided to check out the suicide forest. We were told the best thing to do would be to get on a tour and check out the caves as well. We didn't really want to do a touristy thing though. We decided to hike out there ourselves. We read up on dinner things about the area and decided we would bring along a bunch of Paracord to string along so we wouldn't get lost. We got there in the late afternoon and found a trailhead and parked. Immediately we were struck with an eerie feeling and the signs at the beginning of the trail and in various places saying not to commit suicide and get help didn't help. We set off on the trail to check it out. We walked for about 15 minutes and found a spot in the dense forest that we thought would be a good spot to head in. My friend tied the Paracord to a tree a few feet in and we set off. The further we got in the creepier it got. It was very quiet. You couldn't hear animals or birds or other people. There was not much light coming through but we could still see ok. After about an hour of exploring and letting out our line, which actually ended up being two large bundles of Paracord tied together, we decided to head back. We reeling in the line and heading back the way we came. At some point we started to hear a rustling. We thought this was strange cus we hadn't seen any animals but hey .. We're in a forest so who knows. But it soon became evident that something was actually following us! We were both spooked and picked up the pace. The rustling got louder but then whatever it was it seemed to take off ahead of us. We were both somewhat relieved… That is until a few minutes later when we got to a point where the Paracord had been shredded and the shredded end wrapped around a random tree! We couldn't find the other end of the cord and we started to freak out. Then… We heard the rustling again, but we could not see anything. We started to look around for the other end of the cord. As we were looking the rustling seemed to come from all around us. We kept getting more scared and my friend started crying and freaking out about being lost and telling about how we're going to end up dead like the rest of them. The rustling got louder and louder and then all of a sudden… Nothing. No rustling, no noise, nothing. We both stood there looking around. That's when I saw it. I saw a shadowy white figure off a little into the first. I thought I was seeing things at first. I rubbed my eyes and looked again and it was still there. At this point I lost it and started screaming. My friend turned around to see what I was screaming at and saw it too. It started to move towards us. It wasn't walking though it was like… Floating. As it came closer I see that the figure had no bottom half… It was basically a floating torso. You couldn't see the face as whatever it was had long wild hair. My friend started screaming as well and we both started frantically looking for the other end of our line. As the figure came closer we finally found the end of the cord and started moving as fast as we could. The figure continued to follow us, matching our speed. After what seemed like hours of moving as fast as we could through the forest with thing following us we finally came to where we started and could see the main trail. We ran on to the main trail and ran all the way to the car without looking back. Neither of us said a word on the way back to the hotel. To this day we don't talk about it. In my head I truly think that whatever that figure was trying to trap us in that forest. That figure still haunts me"   Creepy!!!   Locals in the area that reporters have spoken too, classic they have become used to the stories and they are not worried for the most part. Despite these statements there are still reports of locals hearing blood curdling screams at all hours from the forest. Some locals claim to see Nthe Yurei from time to time as well.    There are numerous stories of people that may not have necessarily seen anything but definitely get the heavy sad feeling when they visit as well as the feeling that something or someone is watching them. Then of course there are those with the unfortunate story of coming upon a body which is probably the worst story you can bring home.    By all accounts the forest is a beautiful place to visit and most people have no issues there. Regardless, take heed when exploring and please be respectful to the place that many have lost their lives.    Movies: https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?countries=jp&keywords=japanese-horror-film&sort=user_rating&title_type=feature

The death of the Meiji Emperor, Mutsuhito, in 1912, officially ended the Meiji Era. His long reign oversaw Japan overthrow the Shogunate form of government, cast off the feudal system, and fend off foreign aggressors. Then began Japan's incredible, impressive, and quick rise to a world power with major implications in the first half of the 20th century.Japan's relationship with Korea perfectly exemplifies the Meiji's geo-political history and goals. It is important to grasp that if the Meiji Restoration is to be fully understood.A comparison is made between Japan's and China's response to foreign nation aggression toward them in the 19th century. The comparison provides a compelling story of these two great nations.

The statistical evidence from Japan for the 1870 to 1890 period bears out the extent of her modernization. By any measure, railroad trackage, coal production or use, or miles of telegraph or telephone wires installed, Japan had vastly grown.In February 1889, the Meiji Emperor presented to the Japanese people its written constitution. It enshrined the Emperor's sovereignty and political and cultural role. It created a bi-cameral legislative body called a Diet. The document also importantly declared the citizens' basic civil rights such as religion, speech, and due process among many others.The elections to the new Diet in both 1890 and 1892, installed lower house representatives antagonistic to the executive branch and the elites. Eventually the sides found common ground and made the new constitution work.

By the late 1870s, the new government faced enormous financial pressures. It dealt with yen depreciation and price inflation. The former Samurais suffered greatly because of the conditions. For that, and other reasons, some of them revolted in early 1877. This caused the Seinan or Samurai War. The Meiji Emperor was able to defeat the former Samurais after eight months.The Ryukyu Island nation status had long been ambiguous. Both Japan and China had claims to some or all of the islands. This was finally decided in Japan's favor in 1879. In a limited capacity, the decision involved an attempted mediation by former United States President US Grant.The Korea issue was finally decided in the Treaty of Kanghwa (or Ganghwa) (1876) with Japan. Not without, however, further damage to the relations between Japan and China.

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

In this episode, Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh (UBC) sheds light on the story of Nogi Shizuko and her gruesome suicide alongside husband Nogi Maresuke on the day of the Meiji Emperor's funeral in 1912.  Noting the relative silence on Shizuko's role in the story, we discuss the absence of Shizuko as a figure in anti-war or women's movements in the prewar period, her reappearance in the postwar, and the position of women more broadly in Japanese wartime ideology. 

In 1910, an anarchist plot to assassinate the Meiji Emperor was uncovered. Seizing the opportunity, conservatives in the government pounced in to arrest 26 anarchists. The background of this confrontation between the government and the radical left, the trials themselves, and their modern legacy are our topics this week.

Robert Stolz‘s new book explores the emergence of an environmental turn in modern Japan. Bad Water: Nature, Pollution; Politics in Japan, 1870-1950 (Duke University Press, 2014) guides readers through the unfolding of successive eco-historical periods in Japan. Stolz charts the transformations of an “environmental unconscious” lying at the foundation of modern social and political thought. Bad Water begins by describing the establishment of the autonomous individual as a political unit, tracing the relationship between the Meiji liberal subject and the environment beginning in the 1870s. With the emergence of toxic flows that penetrated the body, and in light of the Ashio Copper Mine incident as Japan’s first experience with industrial-scale pollution, nature and politics were increasingly difficult to keep separated. Stolz looks closely at the work of Tanaka Shōzō – Japan’s famous “first conservationist” – in this context, from Tanaka’s jikiso appeal to the Meiji Emperor in 1901 through an environmental turn in which he conducted river pilgrimages and developed an ecological philosophy of “flow” (nagare) and “poison” (doku). Bad Water also considers the work of anarchist Ishikawa Sanshirō (1876-1956) and Snow Brand Dairy founder Kurosawa Torizō (1885-1982), two thinkers who took up the issue of the relationship between nature, the individual, and society after Tanaka’s death in 1913. It is a fascinating and important study that will be of wide interest to scholars and readers of the histories of Japan, environmentalism, hygienic modernity, and ecology. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Stolz‘s new book explores the emergence of an environmental turn in modern Japan. Bad Water: Nature, Pollution; Politics in Japan, 1870-1950 (Duke University Press, 2014) guides readers through the unfolding of successive eco-historical periods in Japan. Stolz charts the transformations of an “environmental unconscious” lying at the foundation of modern social and political thought. Bad Water begins by describing the establishment of the autonomous individual as a political unit, tracing the relationship between the Meiji liberal subject and the environment beginning in the 1870s. With the emergence of toxic flows that penetrated the body, and in light of the Ashio Copper Mine incident as Japan’s first experience with industrial-scale pollution, nature and politics were increasingly difficult to keep separated. Stolz looks closely at the work of Tanaka Shōzō – Japan’s famous “first conservationist” – in this context, from Tanaka’s jikiso appeal to the Meiji Emperor in 1901 through an environmental turn in which he conducted river pilgrimages and developed an ecological philosophy of “flow” (nagare) and “poison” (doku). Bad Water also considers the work of anarchist Ishikawa Sanshirō (1876-1956) and Snow Brand Dairy founder Kurosawa Torizō (1885-1982), two thinkers who took up the issue of the relationship between nature, the individual, and society after Tanaka’s death in 1913. It is a fascinating and important study that will be of wide interest to scholars and readers of the histories of Japan, environmentalism, hygienic modernity, and ecology. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Stolz‘s new book explores the emergence of an environmental turn in modern Japan. Bad Water: Nature, Pollution; Politics in Japan, 1870-1950 (Duke University Press, 2014) guides readers through the unfolding of successive eco-historical periods in Japan. Stolz charts the transformations of an “environmental unconscious” lying at the foundation of modern social and political thought. Bad Water begins by describing the establishment of the autonomous individual as a political unit, tracing the relationship between the Meiji liberal subject and the environment beginning in the 1870s. With the emergence of toxic flows that penetrated the body, and in light of the Ashio Copper Mine incident as Japan’s first experience with industrial-scale pollution, nature and politics were increasingly difficult to keep separated. Stolz looks closely at the work of Tanaka Shōzō – Japan’s famous “first conservationist” – in this context, from Tanaka’s jikiso appeal to the Meiji Emperor in 1901 through an environmental turn in which he conducted river pilgrimages and developed an ecological philosophy of “flow” (nagare) and “poison” (doku). Bad Water also considers the work of anarchist Ishikawa Sanshirō (1876-1956) and Snow Brand Dairy founder Kurosawa Torizō (1885-1982), two thinkers who took up the issue of the relationship between nature, the individual, and society after Tanaka’s death in 1913. It is a fascinating and important study that will be of wide interest to scholars and readers of the histories of Japan, environmentalism, hygienic modernity, and ecology. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Stolz‘s new book explores the emergence of an environmental turn in modern Japan. Bad Water: Nature, Pollution; Politics in Japan, 1870-1950 (Duke University Press, 2014) guides readers through the unfolding of successive eco-historical periods in Japan. Stolz charts the transformations of an “environmental unconscious” lying at the foundation of modern social and political thought. Bad Water begins by describing the establishment of the autonomous individual as a political unit, tracing the relationship between the Meiji liberal subject and the environment beginning in the 1870s. With the emergence of toxic flows that penetrated the body, and in light of the Ashio Copper Mine incident as Japan’s first experience with industrial-scale pollution, nature and politics were increasingly difficult to keep separated. Stolz looks closely at the work of Tanaka Shōzō – Japan’s famous “first conservationist” – in this context, from Tanaka’s jikiso appeal to the Meiji Emperor in 1901 through an environmental turn in which he conducted river pilgrimages and developed an ecological philosophy of “flow” (nagare) and “poison” (doku). Bad Water also considers the work of anarchist Ishikawa Sanshirō (1876-1956) and Snow Brand Dairy founder Kurosawa Torizō (1885-1982), two thinkers who took up the issue of the relationship between nature, the individual, and society after Tanaka’s death in 1913. It is a fascinating and important study that will be of wide interest to scholars and readers of the histories of Japan, environmentalism, hygienic modernity, and ecology. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices