Podcasts about Nakamura

When people visit Oʻahu and stay in Waikiki, most just look for whatever's nearby and end up at chain spots or hotel restaurants. They're everywhere—and they're often overpriced. What's more, many visitors assume that anything affordable or truly local is far away. But Waikiki is just three miles long. You don't need to leave the area to eat well or save money—you just need to know where to look. I've eaten at all the spots below, and trust me, they're worth finding. Here's a short list of my favorite low-key gems—small on size, big on flavor. Pho Minh Thu Waikiki Address: 2301 Kūhiō Ave #136, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $10–$14Portion Size: Generous; big bowls, sharable apps Pho Min Thu I walked into Pho Minh Thu on a humid afternoon craving something comforting and left borderline obsessed with the beef pho. The broth is clear but deeply flavored, and they pile in the tendon if you ask. I could drink that broth like tea. What to order: Beef Pho with tendon, shrimp spring rolls Zigu Waikiki Zigu Address: 413 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $18–$32Portion Size: Full entrées, craft presentation Zigu brings a modern touch to Japanese izakaya dining. The interior is hip, and they use local ingredients for a fresh take on traditional dishes. It feels more upscale without being stuffy. What to order: Local vegetable tempura, wagyu sushi, uni udon Maguro Spot Address: 2441 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $9–$16Portion Size: Bowl portions; solid for one You'll miss it if you blink, but this tiny window spot serves some of the freshest poke in Waikiki. No frills, no fluff—just rice, raw fish, and flavor. It's grab-and-go, and the price is fair. What to order: Spicy ahi poke bowl, shoyu ahi with avocado maguro Buho Cantina Address: 2250 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Top floor of Waikiki Shopping Plaza)Price Range: $16–$28Portion Size: Large; great for sharing This rooftop Mexican spot delivers killer views and tasty bites. It's lively at night but still chill enough for lunch. They've got solid tacos, strong margaritas, and a vibe you won't get downstairs. What to order: Short rib tacos, churros, jalapeño margarita Buho Cantina Teddy's Bigger Burgers Address: 134 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $11–$15Portion Size: Big burgers, filling fries This is where I go when I want a real burger. No prefab patties—these are juicy, messy, and cooked to order. The seasoned fries seal the deal. What to order: Original Burger with garlic fries, teri burger Teddy's Bigger Burgers Nakamura Ramen Waikiki Address: 2141 Kalākaua Ave #1, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $12–$18Portion Size: Big bowls, filling Good ramen in Waikiki is rare—Nakamura nails it. Broth is flavorful, noodles have bite, and the char siu melts. It's a small place so you might wait, but it's worth it. What to order: Tonkotsu ramen, black garlic ramen Stix Asia Food Hall (Waikiki Shopping Plaza) Address: 2250 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $8–$20Portion Size: Small-to-medium; food court variety It's not your average food court. Stix has a curated lineup of Japanese, Korean, and other pan-Asian stalls. It's air-conditioned, clean, and fast. Good for picky eaters or when you're craving variety. Stix Asia Food Hall What to order: Spicy miso ramen, tempura udon, yakitori skewers Waikiki Business Plaza Food Options Address: 2270 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $10–$20Portion Size: Varies; mostly fast casual This building has low-key good eats if you know where to look. There's udon, curry, local bento, and even a sweet shop. Perfect for a no-fuss lunch stop while shopping. What to order: Katsu curry, oyakodon, mochi ice cream BBQ Chicken Hawaii (Waikiki) Address: 2299 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Price Range: $12–$18Portion Size: Shareable boxes, heavy sides

Ciro Hamen e Matheus Laneri comentam o conturbado término de Carol Nakamura.

Et si je vous disais que vous pouviez atteindre un étât optimal de vos capacités cerébrales ? Non, ce n'est pas le mythe du 10%. Mais il existe un étât qui vous rend jusqu'à 3 fois plus effiace dans vos tâches, en consommant 3 fois moins d'énergie ! Cet état, c'est le flow !Dans cet épisode, nous explorons comment atteindre cet état où le temps s'arrête, dans lequel nous nous sentons absorbé par la tâche que nous faisons et nous en ressortons avec une sensation magnifique de fierté. Découvrez comment activer cet étât à votre guise afin de vous rendre plus efficace au quotidien !Un épisode puissant à ne pas manquer.Références :- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2013). Flow: The psychology of happiness. Random House.- Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1988). The flow experience and its significance for human psychology. Optimal experience: Psychological studies of flow in consciousness, 2, 15-35.- Collins, A. L., Sarkisian, N., & Winner, E. (2009). Flow and happiness in later life: An investigation into the role of daily and weekly flow experiences. Journal of happiness studies, 10, 703-719.- Nakamura, J., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2009). Flow theory and research.L'art du mentaliste, un podcast animé par Taha Mansour et Alexis Dieux, musique par Antoine Piolé.Retrouvez Taha Mansour :- Son site : www.tahamansour.com- Instagram / Facebook : @TahaMentalismeRetrouvez Alexis Dieux :- Son site : https://www.alexisdieux.com/- Instagram : @alexisdieuxhypnose

(Seminarhaus Engl) Die Lehren über Nicht-Selbst sind sehr tiefgründig und befreiend. Zugleich sollten sie nicht im Sinne einer Verneinung von Individualität, psychischen Bedürfnissen oder persönlicher Verantwortlichkeit verstanden werden. Es braucht beides: eine psychische Entwicklung der Persönlichkeit, des relativen Selbst, und die Übernahme von Verantwortung für unser eigenes Leben, aber auch die spirituelle Entwicklung, die uns von der Anhaftung an das Selbst befreit.

(Seminarhaus Engl) Die Lehren über Nicht-Selbst sind sehr tiefgründig und befreiend. Zugleich sollten sie nicht im Sinne einer Verneinung von Individualität, psychischen Bedürfnissen oder persönlicher Verantwortlichkeit verstanden werden. Es braucht beides: eine psychische Entwicklung der Persönlichkeit, des relativen Selbst, und die Übernahme von Verantwortung für unser eigenes Leben, aber auch die spirituelle Entwicklung, die uns von der Anhaftung an das Selbst befreit.

(Seminarhaus Engl) Der Buddha lehnte die Vorstellung einer ewigen, unveränderlichen Seele ab. Stattdessen beschrieb er, wie wir durch das Anhaften an den fünf Daseinsgruppen (khandas) und die Identifizierung damit ein Selbst erschaffen. Das Festhalten an einem solchen Selbst ist mit Leiden verbunden. Das Verständnis der Vergänglichkeit und Unzulänglichkeit aller Erfahrungen ermöglicht uns ein Loslassen.

(Seminarhaus Engl) Der Buddha lehnte die Vorstellung einer ewigen, unveränderlichen Seele ab. Stattdessen beschrieb er, wie wir durch das Anhaften an den fünf Daseinsgruppen (khandas) und die Identifizierung damit ein Selbst erschaffen. Das Festhalten an einem solchen Selbst ist mit Leiden verbunden. Das Verständnis der Vergänglichkeit und Unzulänglichkeit aller Erfahrungen ermöglicht uns ein Loslassen.

Djadja, égérie, Pookie, Nakamura : le journaliste Ismaël Mereghetti décrypte les petits et grands mots de l'artiste Aya Nakamura. Que nous raconte-t-elle sur la musique et la France ? Comment est-elle devenue cette artiste majeure ? «J'écris, je chante comme je parle», déclare Aya Nakamura. Fille de griotte, née au Mali, elle écrit sa première chanson à 16 ans. Dans ses textes, elle mêle mots d'argot et mots du nouchi ou d'autres langues et aspire à créer une «écriture du quotidien». Invité : Ismaël Mereghetti, journaliste. Auteur et réalisateur documentaire spécialisé dans la musique. « Aya Nakamura, dictionnaire critique » est publié chez J.-C. Lattès. Et la chronique de Lucie Bouteloup « La puce à l'oreille ». Aujourd'hui «Tirer son épingle du jeu».Une chronique en partenariat avec Le Robert, à retrouver sur Le français facile avec RFI ! Programmation musicale :Artiste : Youssoupha avec le titre Grands boubous des ancêtres.(Rediffusion)

Djadja, égérie, Pookie, Nakamura : le journaliste Ismaël Mereghetti décrypte les petits et grands mots de l'artiste Aya Nakamura. Que nous raconte-t-elle sur la musique et la France ? Comment est-elle devenue cette artiste majeure ? «J'écris, je chante comme je parle», déclare Aya Nakamura. Fille de griotte, née au Mali, elle écrit sa première chanson à 16 ans. Dans ses textes, elle mêle mots d'argot et mots du nouchi ou d'autres langues et aspire à créer une «écriture du quotidien». Invité : Ismaël Mereghetti, journaliste. Auteur et réalisateur documentaire spécialisé dans la musique. « Aya Nakamura, dictionnaire critique » est publié chez J.-C. Lattès. Et la chronique de Lucie Bouteloup « La puce à l'oreille ». Aujourd'hui «Tirer son épingle du jeu».Une chronique en partenariat avec Le Robert, à retrouver sur Le français facile avec RFI ! Programmation musicale :Artiste : Youssoupha avec le titre Grands boubous des ancêtres.(Rediffusion)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Bodhicitta—the mind of awakening—is the aspiration to attain awakening for the benefit of all. Seeing our practice in this light can be a source of inspiration and counteract the tendency to self-centeredness. The talk discusses the historical development of the concept and explains what it means.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Bodhicitta—the mind of awakening—is the aspiration to attain awakening for the benefit of all. Seeing our practice in this light can be a source of inspiration and counteract the tendency to self-centeredness. The talk discusses the historical development of the concept and explains what it means.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Introduction and guided meditation

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Introduction and guided meditation

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Introduction and guided meditation

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Thimo, Yuka and Akincano respond to practitioner's questions.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Saddhā - trust or confidence - is a fundamental quality that we need on our path. Why can it be difficult to trust? What is actually trustworthy? How does it manifest in our mind and in our actions?

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Saddhā - trust or confidence - is a fundamental quality that we need on our path. Why can it be difficult to trust? What is actually trustworthy? How does it manifest in our mind and in our actions?

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Saddhā - trust or confidence - is a fundamental quality that we need on our path. Why can it be difficult to trust? What is actually trustworthy? How does it manifest in our mind and in our actions?

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) To bring attention to the right things in the right way is crucial for our path. Through the mindful contemplation of our experience we can gain insight and develop liberating wisdom.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) To bring attention to the right things in the right way is crucial for our path. Through the mindful contemplation of our experience we can gain insight and develop liberating wisdom.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) To bring attention to the right things in the right way is crucial for our path. Through the mindful contemplation of our experience we can gain insight and develop liberating wisdom.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Calming and collecting the mind

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Calming and collecting the mind

Special Guest Goh Nakamura is a singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. A fortuitous 2007 feature on YouTube's front page brought his music videos over a million views and earned him a new fanbase from all over the world.As a session musician, his guitar and vocal work has been featured in films directed by Ridley Scott, such as A Good Year, American Gangster, and Body of Lies. His track Daylight Savings also appears in the film Feast of Love. Nakamura made his acting debut in Dave Boyle's award-winning film Surrogate Valentine, where he played a fictionalized version of himself. The film screened at a number of festivals, including the SXSW Film Festival, and Nakamura won a Special Jury Prize for Acting from the Dallas International Film Festival for his performance. Most recently, Goh was the composer for the documentaries Be Water and The Greatest Night in PopFollow Goh on Instagram @gohnakamura | Visit his website www.gohnakamura.comGuest Co-host Chris Saunders is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Manhattan. Coming from British and Jamaican roots, he had an innate love of music, which was nurtured by his family. Chris was raised on the music of icons, such as Jimmy Cliff, The Beatles, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Sting & The Police. He also co-hosts The Tracklist Podcast show.Follow Chris on Instagram @chrissaunders_music | Listen to his music on Spotify===========================Subscribe and listen to “Conversations with Daron Jenkins” HERE:

El ajedrez siempre ha sido el juego de la estrategia, la paciencia y la mente calculadora. Pero hay ciertas cosas que en nuestros días están cambiando y añadiendo capas a lo conocido. Anichess ha traído los power-ups al tablero y, en los esports, el ajedrez ha entrado en escena con fuerza. ¿Qué significa todo esto para un juego con más de mil años de historia? Para hablar de ello sube a la Nabucodonosor al Maestro Internacional David Martínez "Divis", de Chess.com, para conversar sobre innovación en el ajedrez, el pulso de Magnus Carlsen a la FIDE y su propia versión sobre el evento Clash of Claims, que tanto comentario y viralidad ha generado.Junto a Manfred y Óscar González, de Real o Virtual, exploramos el "flujo" de Nakamura y la importancia de darle aire fresco a los juegos tradicionales con elementos como los power-ups ¿Es la clave para incorporar nuevas generaciones?Escuchar audio

Jenn speaks to Tokyo bred, global citizen, Kyoto based, Momoko Nakamura (Momo) founder of Kyoto Research Institute. From her young memories of Japanese cookery at home, to her studies in microbiotics and traditional medicinal cooking, food television career in the US, to now returning to her roots in Japan and creating a company that is dedicated to researching, educating and preserving Japanese materials, Momo has been sharing her knowledge with the world, communicating the intangible in tangible ways. She shares with us what she means by intangible to tangible, her passion in the work she is doing, and the ups and downs that she has encountered along the way.  (Recorded on March 14, 2025)About Momoko Nakamura:Momoko leads Kyoto Research Institute, dedicated to the study of heritage Japanese materials. Her interest in fieldwork across the archipelago is rooted in over 20 years of communicating and educating on cookery culture and the food system. The Institute's research now extends beyond food, exploring a wide spectrum of the materials that create Japanese living, and shares these learnings in the form of educational programming, products, and publishing.Episode Resources:Website IG Maana Retreats Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing The Uncommon

In this week's episode of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show from five years ago (3-20-2020), PWTorch editor Wade Keller was joined by Cameron Hawkins from the PWTorch East Coast Cast to discuss with live callers WWE Smackdown including Ron Gronkowski's WWE Smackdown live debut, the Goldberg-Roman Reigns contract signing, Paige reveals Bayley's WrestleMania challengers, The Dirt Sheet with Miz & Morrison, Daniel Bryan & Drew Gulak vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro, analysis of how WWE is doing with social spacing on the shows, and much more with live callers and the mailbag.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wade-keller-pro-wrestling-post-shows--3275545/support.

On Episode 364 of DBWP: The Kayfabe Zone, the Mikes start with the Cena Turn and the love triangle of Punk, Rollins, and Reigns. Daniel tells us about his favorite cyprid, the Chupacabra and continues to scare the shit out of us. On the flip side, the Mike's debate Nakamura's time in WWE, and if the Wyatt Sicks are needed. “I Am Strange” written and performend by BZfOS / Schlitzer Pepi Recordsfacebook.com/drivebypodArchives: Danielgrothe.us

Sorry for the delay! We are going to blame the tariffs because why not.We have returned to the realm of Canadian dubbed anime with a fabulous punk rock classic of growing up and heartbreak between young women who meet by happenstance. Ai Yazawa's NANA has endured in popularity since it's premiere in 2006, and part of that enduring popularity has to do with the pitch perfect dub produced by our friends at Ocean Productions. Episode covered for the podcast was Episode 1 "Prologue: Nana K. and Nana O." Written by Tomoko Konparu and Directed by Morio Asaka, Ryōsuke Nakamura. Original airdate April 5, 2006.If you liked what you heard please and wish to support the show, please consider subscribing and leaving a nice review on your podcatcher of choice.Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CartoonNightPod?s=20Chris' Twitter: https://twitter.com/CinemacreepSylvie's Twitter: https://twitter.com/sylvieskeletonsTheme song by https://soundcloud.com/hvsynLogo designed by https://www.rachelsumlin.com

In this episode of Wrestling Soup, the hosts dive into the latest WWE Raw, discussing the controversial Seth Rollins vs CM Punk cage match with a critical review of its many finishers. They delve into the continuing storylines, including Jay Uso's prospects against Gunther, Cody Rhodes' promo on John Cena's absence, and the intricacies of the Judgment Day faction potentially ousting Finn. Additionally, there's speculation about future matchups, the discuss Iyo Sky's current character direction, and a look at Nakamura's potential future. The show concludes with a quick touch on an AEW event review and insights into potential NXT call-ups and how they could impact WWE's main rosters.00:42 WWE Job Controversies02:25 Working from Home in WWE06:51 Raquel Gonzalez and NXT Talent08:21 AEW Revolution Reactions12:27 Wrestling Injuries and Dave Meltzer21:42 Logan Paul and WWE Celebrity Appearances35:59 Cody Rhodes and WWE Champions46:41 Seth's Selling Controversy47:21 Roman's Intensity and Paul Heyman's Role49:34 CM Punk's Babyface Journey51:21 Seth Rollins' Character Evolution57:17 Cody Rhodes' Promo and WWE Backstage Promos59:57 New Day's Heel Turn and Lucha Libre Moments01:06:37 Women's Division: Raquel vs. Bayley01:14:31 Judgment Day Drama and Future Predictions01:25:57 Nakamura's WWE Journey and Future Speculations01:30:23 Wrapping Up and Upcoming ContentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Episode 293 of No One's Ready For Wrestling discusses possibly one of the best WWE PLE's of the year in Elimination Chamber! Pat McAfee addresses calling Canada terrible at the Elimination Chamber and I give my reason on why Canada booed America's National Anthem (you should know why!). Jade Cargill returns and attacks Naomi inside the Elimination Chamber. Bianca punches her ticket to WrestleMania and the Women's Elimination Chamber will go down as one of the best Chamber matches ever. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens went to war in an unsanctioned match and was the best match of the night in my honest opinion! Randy Orton makes his return and WWE is teasing the Punt Kick on KO. After 20 years, John Cena sells his soul to The Rock and brutally attacks Cody Rhodes. Why this heel turn works and now makes WrestleMania this year even more intriguing? WWE kept Cena's heel turn a secret and is Travis Scott training to wrestle? WWE made history with Elimination Chamber PPV. Is AEW planning on combining the International & the Continental Championships? Rey Fenix is finally free at last as he's now a free agent and will be WWE bound! Multiple names left AEW. Predictions for AEW Revolution. More twists & turns planned for the road to WrestleMania. Natalya is set to compete in GCW's Bloodsport XIII & NWA's Crockett Cup. Stephanie Vaquer explains why she signed wit WWE over AEW. WWE set to host Evolution 2 and why now is the time to do it?! CM Punk eviscerates The Rock & John Cena on RAW and what can this lead to for Punk to get his main event at WrestleMania this year? IYO SKY dethrones Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship and she makes history with the win. Plus, we know that Rhea will be added for the Triple Threat Match at Mania and the story they can tell for Rhea Ripley this year. Shawn Spears dethrones Tony D'Angelo to win the NXT North American Championship. Predictions for NXT Roadblock and do I see either Giulia or Stephanie Vaquer walking out as double champion? Naomi reveals that she attacked Jade Cargill and she gives her reason why she did it in an excellent segment with Bianca Belair on SmackDown. Cody Rhodes responds to John Cena's heel turn. Finally, LA Knight dethrones Nakamura to win the United States Championship and why Shinsuke's title reign will go down as one of the worst championship reigns right now.All this & so much more RIGHT HERE on No One's Ready For Wrestling!

Smackin It Raw delivers wrestling review shows covering Raw, Smackdown, NXT and PPV/PLE's as well as news and rumors from the world of wrestling. Join us Mondays for RawFlix, Tuesdays for NXXXT and Fridays for Smackin It Down!In this action-packed WWE SmackDown recap, Shinsuke Nakamura battles LA Knight for the United States Championship in an epic showdown! Plus, Chelsea Green faces a mystery opponent, and Cody Rhodes has just ONE day to decide whether he'll sell his soul to The Final Boss, The Rock! With appearances from top Superstars like Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Jimmy Uso, Tiffany Stratton, Trish Stratus, Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, Alexa Bliss, and more, you won't want to miss the excitement!Also featuring #DIY, Bianca Belair & Naomi, Carmelo Hayes, Drew McIntyre, Motor City Machine Guns, Nick Aldis, Pretty Deadly, R-Truth, The Miz, Street Profits, and more! Who will rise to the occasion and make their mark on WWE SmackDown?

Jeff interviews Spencer Nakamura, where they discuss Christians becoming numb, letting your work replace your walk, struggling with evangelism and being intentional about discipleship. FOLLOW US: https://linktr.ee/elijahfireshow /// ElijahFire and ElijahStreams are part of Elijah List Ministries. Thank you for making the always-free Elijah List Ministries possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/elijahfirepodcast

Send me a Text MessageWhat if music could heal your soul? What if a simple breathing technique could bring you deep peace? In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, I sit down with the incredible Akikazu Nakamura, a world-renowned shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) master. Aki's journey is remarkable—he left the structured world of quantum chemistry to embrace the boundless power of music, meditation, and the ancient Japanese breathing technique, Missoku.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What is the shakuhachi? The ancient Japanese bamboo flute that transforms sound into meditation✔️ Missoku breathing explained – An ancient Japanese technique for calm, focus, and mindfulness✔️ How music connects us to something greater – Beyond entertainment, it's a spiritual tool✔️ The transition from science to music – How Aki followed his passion from chemistry to sound✔️ How Missoku enhances meditation & stress relief – And how you can apply it to your lifeAki has performed at Lincoln Center and the Montreux Jazz Festival, pioneering new methods of circular breathing and blending tradition with innovation. His music and breathwork offer a unique way to find stillness and healing in a chaotic world.About Akikazu Nakamura:

durée : 00:08:34 - franceinfo junior - Ce mardi, les jeunes de franceinfo junior analysent le phénomène musical Aya Nakamura avec le journaliste Ismaël Mereghetti, auteur du livre "Aya Nakamura, dictionnaire critique".

(Meditationszentrum Beatenberg) Our actions are often driven by unconscious or conflicting intentions. How can we align with wholesome intentions and cultivate wholesome mindstates? Based on the Dvedhāvitakkasutta the talk discusses the importance of renunciation, metta and compassion for the path and the transformation of the heart.

Nikolaos Ntirlis is a Correspondence chess champion, and computer engineer who has become well known in the chess world for his vast opening expertise. Nikolaos is quite skilled at finding original opening ideas, and has grown popular through his books, and by highlighting new opening ideas on his Twitter/X account. The ideas Nikos suggests have often seen quick adoption by Grandmasters, and he has even seen moves he highlighted subsequently appear in the games of Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Girl. In fact, GM Giri wrote the Foreword to Nicolaos' newest book, the excellent  Reimagining 1. E4. The book offers new ideas for White across many defenses to 1. E4, and explains opening concepts clearly without bombarding you with opening theory. In our conversation, we discussed the origins of Nikolaos' opening enthusiasm, how best to use engines, as well as which defenses to 1.e4 were most challenging to combat theoretically. Nikolaos is also an accomplished chess trainer who hasworked with the national team of Denmark. In our conversation, he offered some helpful chess improvement advice with a philosophical bent. Lastly, we discussed some of  Nicolaos' other interests including correspondence chess, chess books, and martial arts. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  0:02- What is the origin of Nikos' popular Twitter threads, where he suggests lines that have been used by GMs like Nakamura, Carlsen, and others? Mentioned: Nikolaos' X account here: https://x.com/NikolaosNtirlis/status/1852645135487558104 10:00- Was there any defense against 1. E4 where it was particularly challenging to find fresh ideas? 14:30- What rating range is this book best suited for?  16:00- Does Nikos agree that one should learn opening ideas, rather than openings?  Mentioned: Nikos' interview with Charlyze van Zyl for Forward Chess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyanVxu48lk 18:30- Patreon mailbag question: What did Nikos discover about an original line that Niemann played against Kramnik?  Mentioned Han Schut's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/hanschut Read the Twitter thread in question: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1841408942737420435.html 19:00- Who are Nikos' favorite opening theoreticians?  25:00- What is Nikos' advice for how amateurs should use engines?  32:00- Are there any underappreciated openings?  33:00- Nikos' overall chess improvement advice 34:00- Where did Nikos' love for openings start? Mentioned: GM Efim Geller  41:00-  Patreon mailbag question: How can one still win a game in correspondence chess?  48:00- What is Nikos' advice for remembering openings?  52:00- Does Nikos play any OTB?  56:00- What are Nikos' favorite books?  Mentioned: Mentioned: IM Willy Hendriks, IM Tibor Karolyi's Fischer Books  1:00- Thanks to Nikos for joining me! You can check out his Quality Chess Books here:  https://qualitychess.co.uk/products/coming_soon/24060/reimagining_1e4_by_nikolaos_ntirlis/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchessQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last time we spoke about the Ishiwara Kanji. Born in 1889 in Japan, Kanji Ishiwara was the son of a policeman from a samurai lineage. He entered military training at 13, rising through the ranks to become a Major and a respected lecturer. His unconventional views on military strategy and history led him to predict a prolonged conflict with the United States. Deeply influenced by Nichiren Buddhism, he envisioned Japan as a moral leader destined to guide Asia, advocating for reform in China while grappling with his nation's imperial ambitions. In 1928, ishiwara fell ill with influenza, leading to a six-month hospitalization. During recovery, he joined an elite study group discussing war theories. His lectures on total war gained fame, culminating in a presentation to Kwantung officers. Amid rising tensions in Japan, he advocated for control over Manchuria, believing Japan had a moral duty to stabilize China. His theories on warfare, including the devastating potential of airpower, foreshadowed the horrors of future conflicts, influencing Japan's military strategies.   #137 Ishiwara Kanji Part 2: The Mukden Incident Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War.   For the next two and a half years, Ishiwara and Itagaki collaborated with other members of the Kwantung Army to address what they perceived as the Manchurian issue. By the mid-1930s, the belief that Manchuria needed to be forcibly seized had become the prevailing opinion among the Kwantung Army. Ishiwara was convinced that Japan could no longer remain passive in Manchuria, as each passing day meant Japan was gradually losing its rights and interests in the region to China, risking expulsion. Abandoning Manchuria would be a national catastrophe, resulting in the loss of a crucial buffer state, valuable resources, and land for Japan's growing population to settle. In essence, Manchuria was vital for Japan's survival and growth. Ishiwara would often say “manchuria provides Japan with breathing space” where have we heard that type of talk before?. To the military heads in Tokyo Ishikawa would often assert Manchuria had to be seized via force, because of the soviet threat of the USSR and communism as a whole “In view of the traditional russian policy in that area, once the soviets advanced into manchuria, it would become a base for the communization of asia. Not only would the internal stability of manchuria become impossible to maintain, but Japan would be unable to maintain its own national defense, and China's defenses, too, would become imperialized". The Army Headquarters in Tokyo also recognized that Manchuria was a crucial defensive line against the USSR. However, unlike the Kwantung Army, which aimed to control all of Manchuria, the leaders in Tokyo focused on incorporating southern Manchuria through the South Manchurian Railway and did not pursue any territory north of it. Ishiwara, on the other hand, believed that the only way for Japan to prevent the USSR from exerting pressure on southern Manchuria was to occupy northern Manchuria and extend even further north toward the Amur River. This would allow Japan to control the mountain ranges that bordered the western and eastern frontiers of northern Manchuria. Once Japan controlled northern Manchuria, Ishiwara stated in 1931 “With the solution of our defense problems in the north, we would then be free to plan an advance in any direction: to China proper, for example, or even to Southeast Asia”. Ishiwara advanced his ideas significantly after Japan's conquest of Manchuria, recognizing the necessity of effectively administering and pacifying its diverse populations. He posited that the stability of Manchuria could be achieved through the unique skills and contributions of the various ethnic groups residing there. For instance, he believed that the Chinese would excel in developing small businesses, while the Koreans would apply their expertise in paddy farming. These racial dynamics, according to Ishiwara, would play a crucial role in the development of Manchukuo and the broader vision of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. However, it was clear that, above all, Manchuria was intended to serve Japan's interests, many of which were exploitative and economically driven. By early 1930, Ishiwara and his colleague Itagaki devised a military strategy reminiscent of the tactics employed during the Russo-Japanese War, specifically a surprise night attack. Their plan involved the Kwantung Army launching an assault on the Liaoning region, targeting key Chinese garrisons. This operation required meticulous planning, as the Kwantung Army was significantly outnumbered by the forces commanded by Zhang Xueliang. In the vicinity of Mukden alone, Zhang commanded approximately 20,000 well-equipped troops, supported by aircraft and tanks. Across Manchuria, he could mobilize around 250,000 soldiers in the event of conflict. In stark contrast, the Kwantung Army could only field about 10,000 personnel, primarily composed of garrison units stationed along the railway. They lacked substantial air support and mechanized units, and their overall equipment was inadequate. To address this stark imbalance in military strength, Ishiwara emphasized the importance of intelligence and rigorous training. He aimed to refine specific assault techniques, enabling Japanese forces to execute rapid and concentrated attacks that would overwhelm their Chinese adversaries. The overarching strategy was notably straightforward: it hinged on delivering a decisive blow to the heart of Zhang Xueliang's military stronghold at the Peitaying barracks in Mukden. Ishiwara believed that if this critical target fell, it would shatter the enemy's morale, providing the Kwantung Army with the necessary military and psychological momentum to dominate the surrounding regions. However, he acknowledged that if the Soviet Union intervened, the entire plan could unravel catastrophically. One important variable Ishiwara highlighted was the necessity to pull off the operation before any attempt to restructure the domestic order in Japan occurred. Ishiwara knew his arguments and those of his colleagues would influence the heads in Tokyo, and they had to act before they did. However the heads at Tokyo and the Kwantung army held very different perspectives on when to act. In June of 1931 the Central army HQ stated in its General Outline of a solution to the Manchurian problem “we must defer the question of military action for a whole year. During this time the foreign ministry would attempt to dampen anti japanese activities in manchuria through negotiations with the government of Nanking. In the meantime the government would launch an information campaign to try and drive acquiescence at home and aboard for military action ” Ishiwara, as you can imagine, was deeply frustrated by the prospect of delaying action for another year. He argued passionately that the current international landscape necessitated an immediate strike. At that time, the Soviet Union was still in the midst of its ambitious five-year plan, which limited its capacity for intervention. Meanwhile, the United States, Britain, and France were grappling with their own financial crises, rendering them unable to mount significant resistance in the Far East. Most notably, the Nationalist regime in China was preoccupied with its unification efforts south of the Great Wall, but this situation was expected to shift soon. Ishiwara believed that if they postponed their plans for a year, the geopolitical environment would deteriorate further, making decisive action imperative. For Ishiwara, the moment to act was now or never. In July 1931, Ishiwara and Itagaki orchestrated a crucial reconnaissance mission aimed at familiarizing the newest Kwantung officers with the northern regions of Manchuria. To disguise their true intentions, they informed high command that the mission was a survey focused on the Soviet Union. However, the real objective was to assess the strength and influence of Chinese power in northern Manchuria. During their return journey, the team received alarming news about the disappearance of Captain Nakamura Shintaro, a Kwantung staff officer. Upon reaching Port Arthur, they learned that rumors were circulating that Captain Nakamura had been killed by Chinese soldiers under what were described as “mysterious circumstances.” In the preceding months, Manchuria had witnessed a surge in violent riots, murders, work strikes, and various other incidents, all contributing to a climate of unrest. The Nakamura affair intensified these existing tensions. In response, both the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministries attempted to negotiate a resolution to the crisis. However, figures at the central army headquarters, such as Nagata Tetsuzan, who sympathized with the urgency felt by their Kwantung counterparts, felt compelled to support them. The situation was rapidly escalating, and the stakes were growing ever higher. For Ishiwara the issue was clear as he wrote “the Nakamura incident adds just one more issue to the others. What the army should do now is to ignore the foreign ministry and solve the problem by taking matters into its own hands”. And that's exactly what he did. The Kwantung officers moved their troops beyond the railway zone, where they had been confined, and without waiting for Itagaki's approval—who was in Japan at the time—they began preparations to send an armored train along with a mixed regiment of infantry and artillery to Mukden. Their goal was to enlist the help of the Chinese military in investigating Nakamura's disappearance. Upon learning of this, Tokyo sent a telegram instructing them to halt their departure from the railway and to refrain from using the Nakamura incident as a pretext for employing force to address the Manchurian issue. For Ishiwara this was the last straw. On August 20th he sent a message to Nagata condemning the current diplomatic situation and that negotiations were an utter waste of time. “There is no way to settle the matter except by placing it in the hands of the army. If central hq finds it so difficult to trust its field personnel then it had better replace them with representatives more suitable to the conditions it imagines to exist in Manchuria”. Ishiwara doubled down and pushed for a plot to provoke military conflict outside of Mukden. As he wrote in almost a messianic Nichiren conviction ‘I will be the pillar of Japan; I will be the eyes of Japan; I will be the great vessel of Japan” . “Gekokujo / ruling from below” is a Japanese historical term referring to when subordinates defy or manipulate their superiors. Ishiwara and his like minded close colleagues were about to perform Gekokujo. Ishiwara ordered the dispatch of an armored train carrying a mixed regiment of infantry and artillery to compel the Chinese military authorities in Mukden to assist in the investigation of Nakamura's disappearance. However, central headquarters halted the train's departure at the last moment, sending a telegram from Tokyo that specifically instructed the Kwantung Army not to use the Nakamura incident to pressure a resolution to the Manchurian issue.  In addition to the Nakamura situation, another issue was brewing. Colonel Dohihara Kenji was involved in a plot to enlist Warlord Yan Xishan to attack Zhang Xueliang. This scheme was attracting unwanted attention and undermining the effectiveness of the Nakamura incident, prompting Ishiwara to swiftly suppress the plans. Rumors began to circulate in Tokyo that the Kwantung Army was preparing to retaliate against the Chinese due to the Nakamura situation. In response, War Minister General Minami dispatched Major General Yoshiji Tatekawa to Mukden to caution the Kwantung officers against any such actions. Ishiwara was informed of Tatekawa's arrival and sent urgent telegrams to his followers, warning, “Plot exposed. Act before Tatekawa's arrival.” Consequently, the launch date was moved from September 28th to the 18th. Itagaki personally intercepted Tatekawa's train, inviting him for tea and sake, and arranged for him to spend the night with a geisha on the evening of the 18th. On September 18th of 1931, 1st Lt Suemori Kawamoto of the independent Garrison Unit of the 29th infantry regiment planted bombs along the tracks near Liutiaokou. At 10:20pm they exploded doing only minor damage to 1.5 meters of track on one site. The damage was so minor a train actually passed over the tracks without difficulty 10 minutes later. Ishiwara, Itagaki and their followers quickly announced the explosion to be a Chinese atrocity and mobilized the Kwantung Army. Itagaki ordered the Independent Garrison Force and 29th infantry regiment to storm the Peitaying Barracks. Battalion commander Shimamoto was awakened by the orders via telephone and quickly dispatched the 1st (Ono) and 4th (Takahashi) companies from Mukden; the 2nd (kawakami) company at Fushun to advance to Liutiaokou. At 10:40pm the 29th regiment commander Hirata got a call from Shimamoto who ordered him to get his regiment into emergency formation and to storm the Peiyating barracks.  Two secretly hidden 24cm artillery pieces began to bombard the Peitaying barracks as 500 Japanese stormed the 7000 strong Chinese garrison. Despite being outnumbered 14 to 1, the Japanese destroyed Zhang Xueliangs small air force, routed the Chinese and occupied the Peiyating Barracks by 11pm, all at the cost of 500 Chinese lives and allegedly only 2 Japanese lives. A major reason the Japanese had ease was because Zhang Xueliang ordered his men to store away their weapons and not put up a fight if the Japanese invaded. Zhang Xueliang and Chiang Kai-shek both in Beijing at the time knew they could not initiate an offensive war against such a strong foreign country. They were hoping the League of Nations would intervene as pertaining to the Kellogg Briand Pact of 1928. But later on Chiang Kai-Shek would find America too wrapped up in its depression at home, Britain indifferent and other nations without enough reason to risk anything in the far east. An hour after the attack, Ishiwara began pressing General Shigeru Honjo, the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Kwantung Army, to send reinforcements to capture all of Mukden. Initially, Honjo hesitated, but Ishiwara convinced him that there was significant provocation from the enemy, prompting Honjo to order additional units into combat to secure the entire city. Historians have since struggled to determine whether Honjo was aware of the invasion plan; it seems likely he had some knowledge, but not the full details, which made him cautious in his actions over the following weeks. In the days that followed, Honjo attempted to confine the incident, but Ishiwara and Itagaki continuously urged all forces to adhere to the secret plan they had trained for. The speed and decisiveness of their actions overwhelmed the Chinese forces and left Honjo unable to change the course of events. Famously when one colleague asked Itagaki what to do in response to cease and desist orders from Honjo, Itagaki responded “Never mind Honjo, it's Ishiwara's war”. Official orders from Tokyo came on the next day, specifically opposing the expansion of hostilities, but Ishiwara and Itagaki had come too far to stop now. They began persuading Honjo to telegram the General Staff to ask for reinforcements and freedom of action “to pursue actively the security and order of all of Manchuria”. Ishiwara and Itagaki clearly aimed to expand their offensive through official channels first, but they also circumvented these channels. One cunning tactic they used was to incite chaos among civilians in Manchurian cities, thereby heightening the demand for improved security for Japanese residents. This strategy would enable the Kwantung Army troops to move beyond their established boundaries. Shortly after what is now known as the "Mukden Incident," military agents were sent to Kirin to stir unrest in the city. Reports of disturbances from Kirin began flooding into the Kwantung Army headquarters, with Ishiwara urging Honjo to send forces to Kirin to safeguard Japanese residents. He also pushed for reinforcements from the Korean Army, but Honjo was reluctant to take that step. It seems Ishiwara feared missing a golden opportunity and chose another course of action. On the night of the 20th, he gathered together a bunch of younger Kwantung officers such as Itagaki's assistant, Captain Katakura Tadashi and told them “I can't do anything more to budge the commander and so i'm giving up my responsibilities for the direction of operations. Katakura, you take over”. Well it seems this little ploy had the intended effect as all the young officers immediately began pressuring Honjo to support Ishiwara's demands to advance to Kirin, many of them threatening to resign. After several hours of the officers nagging, Honjo related and authorized the despatch of troops.  The operation against Kirin was executed with remarkable speed. Ishiwara ordered the majority of the 2nd Division, led by General Tamon Jiro, to swiftly travel to Kirin by train. They entered the city without firing a single shot and compelled the local Chinese commander to declare the province's independence from Zhang Xueliang's regime. Within hours, the Korean army responded to an aid request from the Kwantung Army staff sent on September 21st and began advancing into Manchuria. In just 48 hours, the Japanese military had taken control of Kirin, which was outside the Kwantung operational zone, and the Korean army was invading Manchuria without Tokyo's approval, effectively undermining military discipline. Chief of Staff Kanaya Hanzo had issued specific orders to restrict the Kwantung Army's operations and granted field commanders discretionary authority for certain emergency situations, typically of a local nature. However, the Kirin expedition did not fit within these parameters. Encouraged by their success, Ishiwara and Itagaki pushed for an advance on Harbin. As noted in the previous episode, the strategy for taking Manchuria relied on speed and precision. The Kwantung Army had limited forces compared to the immediate Chinese troops in Manchuria, yet they were constrained by directives from Tokyo HQ that prohibited the movement of Kwantung troops beyond the South Manchuria Railway, where they had previously confined their actions. Ishiwara attempted to frame the situation politically, arguing that Japan should support Manchurian independence and sent this proposal directly to Tokyo central HQ. However, on October 3rd, Tokyo HQ firmly rejected the idea of expanding hostilities. Faced with this outright refusal from Tokyo HQ, the Kwantung radicals believed their only option was to create further chaos to compel a response. Ishiwara took the lead once more, aiming to unsettle Tokyo HQ. On October 8th, he donned military pilot gear and infiltrated one of five Chinese aircraft seized at Mukden airfield. He personally led a raid, although later in life, during the Tokyo War Crimes Trials, he would claim that the flight was intended solely for reconnaissance of enemy activities at Chinchou. He argued that it was only at the last moment that intelligence revealed anti-aircraft guns had been installed at Chinchou, prompting the Kwantung Army Commander to authorize their neutralization if fired upon. Ishiwara maintained that he and the four accompanying aircraft were fired upon, leading them to drop approximately 75 bombs on Chinchou. This series of events was quite dramatic, and contemporary accounts suggest it was a premeditated effort to provoke Tokyo. The raid on Chinchou certainly alarmed Tokyo, leading the staff there to worry that the West would start condemning them. Tokyo's high command found themselves in a difficult position. They felt compelled to publicly support the Kwantung Army by retroactively approving the chaotic attacks, but internally, they were furious. Major Endo Saburo from the intelligence division was dispatched to Manchuria to investigate the situation. When he asked Ishiwara about the events, Ishiwara claimed he acted on the principle of field initiative, which was why he hadn't informed Tokyo beforehand. Saburo also noted that Ishiwara's tone suggested that he and the intelligence division should stay out of the matter. Additionally, Saburo learned that there were whispers in Manchuria indicating that if Tokyo's high command did not align with them, the Kwantung Army was ready to act independently. It appeared that the radical officers of the Kwantung Army were even willing to defy the Imperial Japanese Army command to achieve their goals. Ishiwara went as far as to send this telegram to Tokyo “For the sake of the nation we are doing our very best in Manchuria, but if the Japanese government constantly interferes we cannot complete our great work. Then the Kwantung army will have to come to the point where we will have to break the glorious history of the imperial army and separate ourselves from the empire” If you found this situation quite surprising, there was also a rumor that Ishiwara and Itagaki planned to use an independent Manchuria as a base for a coup d'état against the Japanese government. Their goal was to overthrow the capitalists oppressing the people and establish a national socialist regime centered around the emperor. For those familiar with the history of political assassinations in 1930s Japan, this rumor hints at events that would unfold in 1936. It remains unclear whether Ishiwara and Itagaki genuinely intended to pursue this plan, but they certainly spread the word. On October 18th, War Minister Minami Jiro sent a telegram to the Kwantung Army, instructing them to stop any discussions about making Manchuria independent or attempting to seize control of it. Additionally, they dispatched Colonel Imamura Hitoshi from the operations section to Manchuria to reason with Ishiwara and Itagaki. They all met at a restaurant in Mukden where Imamura began by explaining the purpose of his mission, but before he could even really begin, Ishiwara blurted out “whats the matter? Doesn't central headquarters have any backbone?” A great way to start a meeting to be sure. Imamura tried to explain the situation, but Ishiwara said “if we follow the spineless Tokyo approach we'll never settle the Manchurian problem”. Imamura replied “we can't accomplish anything by following the arbitrary decision of field elements, which may create a crisis that will shake the whole army. In such a problem it is essential for the whole nation to be unified”. To this Ishiwara apparently said really loudly in the restaurant that he was sleepy, rolled over on the tatami and closed his eyes. Imamura furious haha, get up quickly after denouncing his so called hosts for conducting official IJA business at a restaurant and left. The next day they all met again, where Ishiwara and Itagaki kept speaking about the necessity to create an independent state, since there was no hope of the Chinese reforming Manchuria. After Imamura left that meeting, Ishiwara said to Itagaki “Imamura is a fine fellow, but he doesn't understand China”. Despite the chaos and turmoil, the Kwantung Army had been held back from launching any sustained military operations throughout October. As expected, Ishiwara continued to argue for an advance into northern Manchuria. In early November, he found another opportunity when he claimed that more railways had been destroyed. Allegedly, hostile Chinese forces had blown up the rail bridges over the Nonni River, south of Tsitsihar. When Japanese engineering units arrived to repair the damaged tracks, they came under fire from Chinese troops. To the high-ranking officials in Tokyo, this appeared to be a legitimate reason to take defensive action. Additionally, Kwantung intelligence reports were reaching Tokyo, suggesting that Chinese forces in northern Manchuria were planning a southward offensive. Ishiwara had also provided exaggerated reports to the Japanese public, manipulating media narratives to pressure Tokyo into supporting an advance into northern Manchuria. Tokyo approved a defensive operation, restricted in time and scope, aimed at protecting Japanese positions at the Nonni River bridges. Kwantung Army forces began moving north and soon engaged in intense fighting around the railway area of Tahsing. Ishiwara personally led troops during this engagement, marking the only time in his military career that he did so. General Honjo, rightly concerned that the Kwantung forces were becoming uncontrollable, sent a cable on November 5th announcing that under the “rinsan inmei / provisional mandate,” the general staff would assume direct command authority in Manchuria. Unsurprisingly, Ishiwara and his like-minded colleagues in the Kwantung Army were furious. Honjo followed this up by stating he would resign if they did not comply, but Ishiwara brushed off the provisional mandate stating “that the directive from the chief of staff is just a personal, not an imperial order. No matter how many we get of those we shouldn't' care. We'll just go ahead with our plans”. On november 17, the Kwantung army began advancing upon the city of Tsitsihar seizing it 2 days later.  Confronted with yet another dire situation, the IJA high command permitted the Kwantung Army to advance toward Tsitsihar. However, international outcry soon erupted, compelling them to order the evacuation of the city. Ishiwara sparked a significant debate among the staff, arguing that the evacuation was unacceptable given the sacrifices already made by the troops. Nevertheless, Honjo remained resolute. A few days later, Chinese forces began to gather at Chinchou, and tensions escalated with skirmishes occurring between Japanese and Chinese troops in Tientsin. In response, Ishiwara urgently called for Honjo to initiate an offensive at Chinchou as a way to better position their forces closer to Tientsin in case they faced overwhelming opposition. To support this advance, they also requested assistance from the Korean army. Once again, the burden fell to Tokyo. The high command in Tokyo ordered an immediate halt to the offensive and a withdrawal east of the Liao River. The Kwantung Army hesitated, not solely due to the order but also because the Korean army refused to join the offensive against Chinchou, which was crucial for their success. Ishiwara found himself in a predicament; without reinforcements, the entire offensive could fail. Then, on December 11th, a significant change occurred when Premier Wakatsuki was ousted. War Minister Minami and Chief of Staff Kanaya, who had attempted to moderate the Kwantung Army's aggressiveness, were replaced by Araki Sadao, a leader of the Kodoha faction known for its aggressive stance. To provide some context, the Japanese military was divided into factions, similar to warlord cliques, vying to influence the future operations of the IJA and, to some extent, the IJN. Two primary factions shaped the military landscape in the 1930s: the Kodoha and the Toseiha (Control Faction). The Kodoha was not an organized political party nor did it hold an official position within the IJA, but it wielded considerable influence. Its members were typically younger officers, particularly from the Kwantung Army. General Sadao Araki was a founding member of the Kodoha, which was heavily influenced by Bushido, Fascism, and the Kokutai ideology. They aimed to restore Japan to its perceived former glory, viewing liberal democracy as a detrimental force. They blamed the capitalists, industrialists, and elites—politicians, bureaucrats, and Zaibatsu leaders—for the nation's decline. Their goal was to see the Emperor reclaim full power in what they termed a "Showa Restoration." The Kodoha's primary adversary, as perceived by much of the Japanese military at the time, was the USSR and communism in general. Consequently, they supported the Hokushin-ron (Northern Strike Policy), which was Japan's theoretical plan to invade the USSR. While I don't want to delve too deeply into the details, it's important to note that the Kodoha was counterbalanced by the more moderate Toseiha faction, led by Hideki Tojo. The Toseiha opposed the Kodoha on several fronts, notably their desire to avoid a violent revolution to restore imperial dominance. Although they shared many principles with the Kodoha, the Toseiha rejected the Hokushin-ron strategy in favor of the Nanshin-ron (Southern Strike) strategy, which aimed at expanding into Southeast Asia and the resource-rich Dutch East Indies. The Toseiha faction also maintained better relations with the IJN. To contextualize this narrative within the political landscape, these two factions began to fiercely compete for dominance starting in 1931. With the influence of Araki Sadao and support from Prince Kan'in, a Kodoha sympathizer, significant changes occurred in Tokyo's command. Suddenly, offensive operations against Chinese forces in Manchuria were rebranded as “bandit suppression” campaigns. The Kwantung Army, fully backed by Tokyo, swiftly pursued all military objectives established by Ishiwara and Itagaki since September. Chinchou and Shanhaikwan were captured in early January 1932, followed by Tsitsihar in February. By spring 1932, Ishiwara urged the staff to complete the full occupation of Manchuria, both north and south. In April of that year, he presented the “Manshu haiti heiryaku,” or the program for the pacification of Manchuria. This new plan called for the seizure of Hailar in the north because “it was pivotal to the defense against the USSR”. It also called for seizing Jehol province because “it was an important condition to the independence of Manchuria”. By the end of the year Hailar was taken and in 1933 the Kwantung army was marching upon Jehol. It is clear that Ishiwara played a crucial role in the conquest of Manchuria. The Kwantung Army and the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) had various strategies available to address the Manchurian issue, but Ishiwara focused primarily on achieving complete control over the region for its resources, strategic advantages, and to establish a continental base for a potential war against the United States. For Ishiwara, securing all of Manchuria was essential in preparation for the Final War. While it's likely that conflict between Japan and China would have occurred in Manchuria without Ishiwara's influence, it's uncertain whether Japan would have outright taken the province. Ishiwara dedicated years to planning and pushing boundaries, but when the operation commenced, it became evident that he and his associates lacked a definitive timeline for conquest and had several missing contingency plans. Despite the chaotic circumstances, the conquest of Manchuria proved to be a remarkable success. So much so, Ishiwara said to a friend of his, Satomi Kishio in 1932 “Even if Japan has to face the entire world, she can't be beaten”. Ironically as many of you know, Japan's actions in Manchuria cost her greatly. Japan was now hated by the Chinese, well much more so. The west condemned Japan's actions, alongside the USSR. As my professor first taught me in a class about the Pacific War when I was a wee lad in his early 20's “It all was about Manchuria, everything started with Manchuria, and it ended with Manchuria in 1945”. The Manchuria incident set Japan on an unavoidable path toward the China War, which ultimately led to conflict with the West. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy. This situation also raises questions about military discipline. Many cite the concept of Gekokujo as a reason why individuals like Ishiwara and Itagaki were able to act as they did. These militaristic junior officers seemingly ran rampant, engaging in rebellious actions that defied their superiors, which forced those higher up to become complicit. While Gekokujo certainly played a role, especially in Ishiwara's case, it does not negate the fact that there was a significant level of indiscipline within the Japanese army. Ishiwara was undoubtedly aware of the potential consequences of his actions. A prime example is Colonel Komoto Daisaku, who had previously seen his career ruined after being exiled due to the Huanggutun incident. However, Ishiwara's focus extended beyond Manchuria; he was closely monitoring the political landscape in Tokyo. He recognized that the 1931 cabinet was unstable and that certain high-ranking officials, like Araki Sadao, were rapidly advancing in their careers and sympathized with his agenda. Ishiwara was betting that supporters from factions like Kodoha would gain the necessary power to further his cause. His gamble paid off handsomely, as all the key players in the Manchurian affair were rewarded for their efforts. Ishiwara received the Order of the Golden Kite, 3rd class, and returned to Japan as a celebrated hero, captivating younger officers in the Imperial Japanese Army. Ironically, the indiscipline he had nurtured within the army would later come back to haunt him as he climbed the ranks and became part of the Tokyo staff. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. As Ron Burgundy once said “Boy, that escalated quickly... I mean, that really got out of hand fast.” While perhaps Ishiwara did not plan for an all out war to break out against China, he certainly was the culprit to it happening. There was no going back, 15 years of blood, sweat and tears would be shed.

Injuries come in all shapes and forms, but no one expected them to be this bizarre. Simon Miller presents the 10 Most Bizarre WWE Superstar Injuries Ever...ENJOY!Follow us on Twitter:@SimonMiller316@WhatCultureWWEFor more awesome content, check out: whatculture.com/wwe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

35-year old GM Alex Lenderman was a World Youth Champion and has won the World Open among many other  chess accomplishments, but he had never previously had the chance to play in the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz. Since it took place in his hometown this year, Alex looked at the opportunity to compete in it as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.”  But since Alex is no longer a professional player and has been losing rating points in recent years he worried about how he would perform. In this interview, Alex takes us behind the scenes of his preparation (or lack thereof), how he adjusted his mindset as an amateur player, what he thought of the venue, and how he dealt with the inevitable ups and downs of two exhausting tournaments. This particular story has a happy ending, as after a decent showing in the World Rapid Alex performed even better in the World Blitz, beating GMs Sam Shankland, Le Quang Liem and others en route to shared 14th place! Not bad for “an adult decliner” as Alex called himself. Of course, Alex also touched on some of the recent controversies in the chess world, and discussed how much players knew about sagas like “jeans gate as they unfolded” It was a real treat to hear a top players perspective on this dram-filled tournament. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  Mentioned: A LiChess study containing Alex's games is here: https://lichess.org/study/dcY6zUKo/5k02uMvC And as always,  you can download all of the tournament's games from Mark Crowther's The Week in Chess: https://theweekinchess.com/chessnews/events/world-rapid-blitz-championship-2024 0:02- GM Alex Lenderman joins! When did he know he would play these events, how did he prepare?  0:06- Patreon mailbag questions: What mindset did Alex take when playing higher-rated opponents like Nakamura and Abdusattorov? Is there any lesson amateur players might be able to take from this? Mentioned: Alex also shares his take on the key to recent guest GM-elect Mark Heimann's recent breakthrough. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-415-gm-elect-mark-heimann-on-his-unexpected-road/id1185023674?i=1000682215973 21:00- What were the conditions like for players? What was the atmosphere like in the waiting room in between rounds?  24:00- We transition to discussing the World Blitz.  41:00- How aware was Alex of controversy's like “jeansgate” while playing in the tournament? Mentioned: More information about Ivanchuk's heartbreaking reaction to a tough loss vs. Naroditsky here: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1hq2dfz/ivanchuk_crying_out_loud_after_he_lost_his_game/?rdt=54420 55:00- Why does Alex think accuracy scores aren't a great benchmark for identifying possible cheaters?  1:10:00- We return to the topic of the recent controversies around Magnus.  Mentioned: Dojo Talks with GM Jon Ludwig Hammer: https://youtu.be/XDhXhCqVQzM?si=lBvuieUlsOJ9WAdx 1:15:00- Thanks to Alex for joining me! You can reach him via email at: AlexLenderman33 at gmail dot com  If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SmackDown Review: WWE's New Three-Hour Experiment Falls FlatJoin Anthony 'Missionary' Thomas, Andrew Karluk, and Jeff Lippman as they dive into the post-SmackDown Wrestling Soup review. This episode covers WWE's first attempt at a three-hour SmackDown broadcast from Portland and the various wrestling storylines and matches that took place. From Paul Heyman's segment with Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens to the controversial main event featuring Cody Rhodes and Jimmy vs. the new bloodline members, there's a lot to unpack. The team also shares their thoughts on Mercedes Moné's claims about elevating women's wrestling, critiques the current state of WWE's tag team and commentary dynamics, and discusses the potential impact of the new show's format on the wrestling industry. Don't miss this comprehensive breakdown and analysis of an underwhelming WWE SmackDown premiere on the USA network.00:00 Post SmackDown Review Kickoff00:28 Paul Heyman and Cody Rhodes Segment01:33 Bloodline Drama and Kevin Owens02:36 Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu's Involvement06:08 SmackDown's Three-Hour Format Concerns07:27 Chelsea Green vs. Mia Yim Match Analysis14:48 Los Garza's vs. Pretty Deadly Match17:59 Nakamura vs. LA Knight Interrupted23:08 Commentary Team and Production Quality27:28 Commentary and Announcers in Wrestling29:30 Motor City Machine Guns vs. A Town Down Under31:18 Women's Four-Way Match Analysis34:13 Main Event: Fatu and Tonga vs. Jimmy and Cody Rhodes42:46 Mercedes Monet's Impact on Women's Wrestling51:30 Vince McMahon's Legal Troubles54:21 Closing Thoughts and FarewellBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.