Podcasts about Tsushima

This episode we cover the first silver mine in Japan, as well as the way that this sovereign is approaching offerings to the kami and handling family matters. For more check out: https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-138   Rough Transcript: Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua and this is Episode 138: Offerings and Covenants   A gentle summer breeze blew through the cherry-tree-covered hills of Yoshino valley.  The royal residence, a kind of summer home for the royal family, normally somewhat quiet, was suddenly abuzz with activity.  The regular groundskeepers and those who tended the site throughout the year mingled with servants sent from the capital to make it ready for a royal visit.  Rooms were aired out and swept. Metal fixtures were polished.  The kitchen was stocked and ready to go. It had been some years since the prince—now sovereign—had resided in the valley as an attempt to proclaim he had retired from the world.  Now he was sitting at the top of the state government, but as such, he was more often than not living in the grand palace in Asuka, which he had renovated at the start of his reign. This, the Yoshino palace, was left as more of a vacation home—though "home" hardly did it justice given its majesty compared to the meager dwellings that otherwise surrounded it. And now there was a massive royal procession on their way.  Sure, it was the sovereign and his queen, and only a handful of princes, but they would each need their own quarters and likely have their own household staff that would no doubt need to be fed and housed.  In such a way a "simple" outing for the royal family was so often anything but for those who had to make it happen. And yet, such labor was much preferred to toiling in the fields, especially as the heat of the day started to rise, and the height of summer loomed large in the all-too-immediate future.   Alright, so we are in the midst of the reign of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tennou, the brother of Naka no Ohoe, who came to power through the use of military force—purportedly used in self-defense—and the sovereign who would have a profound effect on solidifying the Ritsuryo state, as well as the Chronicles and the history of the archipelago as we know it.  We've talked about Ohoama's ascension to the throne, and even his first year.  We mentioned how, during his reign, he rewarded those who helped him, tweaked the rank system, and we talked a bit about what we know of the clothing and the material culture of the period. This episode, we continue looking at what occurred during Ohoama's reign.  Specifically we'll be covering some of the ways in which Ohoama and his court were shaping the government and the structures of power to serve him and his family.  This includes everything from ritual, such as making offerings to various kami, to the way that he seems to have centralized power to himself and his family, which would have lasting impacts through the Asuka and Nara periods. First, though, a tiny little digression about silver.  We start in the 3rd lunar month of the second year since Ohoama ascended the throne, or the year 674 by the western calendar.  We are told that Woshiumi no Miyatsuko no Ohokuni, the governor of Tsushima, the island that formed the main border between the archipelago and the mainland, reported that silver had been produced there for the first time, and sent in some as tribute.  This is the first recorded instance of silver being produced in Japan. At this time, silver mining was mostly limited to finding a vein of silver on the surface and digging it out as far as one could possibly go into the rock and stone.  Still, silver would eventually become an important resource for the archipelago.  Tsushima would continue to produce silver through modern times.  Granted, production was limited until new refining techniques were introduced from Joseon Korea in the 16th century.  This was just as Ming dynasty deposits were declining, and as such, silver would become a major export from the archipelago to the mainland.  Indeed, by the 17th century, it is said that Japan accounted for one quarter to one third of the entire world's silver production. For now, however, the discovery of native silver was certainly a good start, but the Yamato court wasn't switching to a silver coin currency just yet—rice and cloth were still the major currencies for tax and trade purposes.  Still this find seems not insignificant, and clearly the chroniclers thought so as well -- as did the court.  They granted Ohokuni, the governor of Tsushima, the rank of Lower Shoukin.  The silver produced by the mine was offered to the various kami of heaven and earth, and presents were made to the high ministers and others of the rank of Shoukin and above. Now back to the Chronicles, and to the meat of what I'll be talking about this episode. On the 3rd day of the 8th lunar month of 674, we are told that the Royal Prince Wosakabe was sent to Isonokami shrine to polish up the divine treasures, at which point the sovereign made a rather spectacular decree:  he declared that all of the precious things originally deposited in the sacred treasuries by the various houses should be returned to their descendants. This appears to be a reference to the long-standing practice by Yamato of demanding that those they had gained some level of hegemony over turn over their sacred objects for Yamato's keeping.    We talked about this back in episodes 19 and 29, for example, when we talked about how Mimaki Iribiko, aka Sujin Tenno, and Ikume Iribiko, aka Suinin Tenno, had both requested treasures from Izumo and elsewhere, to be stored in the treasure house of Isonokami. We aren't told what all of these treasures were, but we can deduce that these were sacred treasures of the different houses and localities, much as the mirror, jewel, and sword were sacred treasures of Yamato.  These were items that early on distinguished the elite class in the archipelago, and had come to be gathered in the divine store houses.  You may recall how, early on, we saw mentions in the Chroncles that ships sent out to meet with others from different lands would place such treasures on a makeshift tree on the deck as a way of depicting who they were—who they represented. It would seem that these sacred objects came to represent the divine ancestors of the elites, and so eventually were associated with the idea of power and authority.  As Yamato spread its influence, possibly as much through the spiritual authority of Mt. Miwa as through its economic and military capability, it seems to have demanded that the various lands that came under its sway place their sacred treasures in Yamato's storehouse—a powerful image of Yamato's authority.  In a sense, this was a kind of hostage situation: recognize our authority, or your most sacred treasures, representing your ancestors, will be at risk .  One wonders if this isn't part of the reason that we find buried caches of bronze ritual items, including weapons, bells, and other such things, perhaps as a means of keeping them safe from those who would steal them away. However, in the new era of the Ritsuryo system, those objects, while still considered divine and sacred, did not hold the same value as they once had.  Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but this really seems to me to be particularly illustrative of the idea that the cultural imaginary of state power and authority had shifted.  Yamato's power and authority was no longer based on its role as a spiritual powerhouse as much as it was centered on the continental framework of a heavenly mandate and a system of laws and punishments.   And so, the sovereign could return the sacred items back to their descendants, because to do so did not cost him anything, and at the same time would no doubt earn him goodwill.  He could appear magnanimous and, in so doing, solidify his position as the supreme hegemon of this new state.  In many ways this acknowledged the importance of the divine treasures to the people and to the kami while also no doubt reinforcing Confucian stereotypes of the benevolent ruler. More importantly, this shows how Ohoama was restructuring the rituals of the state.  After all, he had the Jingikan, an entire governmental department dedicated to administering the various shrines and sacred rituals; so even if the sacred treasures were returned, they were still technically under the control of the state apparatus.  We've already talked about the Daijosai, the Feast of First Fruits for a new reign, a central ritual to which Ohoama had added further pomp and circumstance.  But as no less a scholar than Herman Ooms has written about, Ohoama also initiated the practice of ordering regular centralized offerings to not just one particular kami, but to several or even a number of kami, or shrines, at any given time.  We see this in the following year, on the 23rd day of the first lunar month of 675, in an almost off-hand remark. Later, in the 10th month of 676 offerings were made to all of the "Ahimbe" kami of Heaven and Earth—that is all of kami that were part of the festival of first fruits held on the first day of the rabbit on the 11th lunar month.  Offerings were also made to all of the Heavenly and Earthly kami on the second day of the year in 681. Of course, these offerings would not just be enriching the shrines of these various kami, but it would also reflect on the various uji connected to each of those shrines, as well. Another example of the court's involvement in these ritual innovations appears to be the worship of the deities at Tatsuta and Hirose.  The first example of that is also in 675, in the 4th month of that year.  Prince Mino and Saheki no Muraji no Hirotari were sent to the Wind-gods at Tateno, in Tatsuta.  Aston notes that there is a litany to the Wind-gods mentioned in the Engishiki, a 10th century collection of information on various rituals of the time, so this practice seems to have taken hold, at least enough to persist over 3 centuries later.  Also in the 4th month of 675, Hashibito no Muraji no Ohobuta and Sone no Muraji no Karainu were sent to worship the Oho-imi deity at Kahawa, in Hirose. The Oho-imi appears to be a "big abstinence" deity, whom Aston identifies with Waka'ukahime, responsible for food.  Worship is again paid twice in the year 676, once in 677, then twice again in 679, continuing twice a year, almost exclusively in the 4th and 7th lunar months, through the end of the reign.  Why were these particular deities chosen for special worship by the court?  Ooms notes that these shrines were built downstream along the Yamato river, which, along with its tributaries, was responsible for the irrigation of the crops in the Nara basin.  This mirrors, in some ways, the responsibility of rulers in the Yellow River and Yangzi river regions to help ensure the flow of the rivers while preventing devastating flooding – a very continental idea of the responsibilities of the sovereign, though expressed here with a particularly Japanese style. Indeed, Aston associates the deity at Hirose, with the deity of food.   Likewise, the Wind-deities at Tatsuta were also related to helping to grow crops.  After all, Tatsuta would have been situated near the break in the mountains that surrounds the Nara basin, where the Yamato River flows out towards the Kawachi plain.  As anyone who lives near a mountain gap is no doubt familiar, those areas are notorious for channeling weather phenomena, including storms, which can bring rain, but could also bring terrible winds.  So it does seem a natural point to pray for good weather for your harvest or otherwise, given the geography that made up the sovereign's world. We also have, in this reign, considerably more discussion of Ise than we've seen, previously.  In 673 we have the Royal Princess Ohoku no Himemiko entering the Saigu, the Abstinence, or Purification, Palace, where she was to be purified before going to Ise, which she did in the 10th lunar month of 674.  Ohoku is said to have been the first official Saiou, the unmarried royal princess sent to oversee shrine operations, of Ise Shrine.  This is a practice we see at multiple shrines, although it's most prominent at Ise. The term for the position in general is Saiou, although at Ise the royal princess would also be known as the Saiguu, after the purification palace.  Although Ohoku is said to have been the first Saiguu at Ise, this is muddied somewhat by some earlier mentions in the Chronicles.  There are those who are said to have been sent as Shrine Princesses to Ise back in the time of Mimaki Iribiko and Ikume Iribiko, but the process was largely discontinued—or at least rarely mentioned—until this period.  There are certainly several named individuals who are said to have served the Deity of Ise previously, starting with the presumably mythical Yamato Hime, who is credited with founding the shrine.  There are also various royal princesses are noted as either having served or as having been made ineligible due to their indiscretions. However, those earlier mentions rarely go into the detail we see here —starting with the abstinence hall, where the would-be Shrine Princess must purify herself prior to approaching the shrine, a process that took some time.  Certainly we first really see this put into action with Ohoku, and from that time the position of Saiguu or Saiou at Ise does appear to have been regularly filled.  That Ohoku was actually the first "Saiguu" shrine princess appears to be confirmed by the "Fusou Ryakki", which states that the first Saiou was appointed when then Prince Ohoama, in the midst of the Jinshin war, made a prayer to Ise and offered the royal princess Ohoku no Himemiko in exchange for victory.  In fact, a lot of the focus on Ise seems to stem from its apparent involvement, at the behest of either Ohoama or his consort, Uno no Sarara Hime, in the conflict. The following year we are told that the Royal Princesses Towochi and Abe proceeded to Ise Shrine as well, though presumably just for a brief visit.  Towochi, you may recall, was Ohoama's daughter who had been married to Ohotomo, aka Koubun Tennou, whom Ohoama had defeated to take the throne.  Abe was a daughter of Naka no Oe, half-sister to Ohoama's queen, Uno, and would eventually go on to marry the Crown Prince, Kusakabe.  That gives you some idea of the position of those were going to the shrine. Princess Towochi herself would fall ill a few years later in 678.  In fact, it was just as the sovereign himself was preparing to go pay a visit to the abstinence palace, perhaps so that he could also head out to Ise.  The court had a divination to figure out when he would leave, officers had cleared the roads, and the public functionaries were in a line of procession when word came that Princess Towochi, suddenly took ill and died within the palace.  This stopped everything in its tracks, and in that year there was no sacrifice made to the kami of heaven and earth.  I suspect that this was in part due to mourning and in part due to the pollution more generally associated with death. Two weeks later, she was buried at Akaho, and Ohoama raised a lament for her. Later, in 686, we are told that the Royal Princess Taki, the Princess Yamashiro no Hime, and the Lady Ishikawa were all sent to Ise Shrine, though Princess Taki returned in less than a fortnight. Why all this focus on Ise?  Remember that the Chronicles were begun in this era, and so the "truth" they would tell would be the truth that Ohoama and his immediate successors orchestrated. The focus on Amaterasu, her shrine at Ise, and the role of the sovereign as Heavenly Descendant was thus part of the overarching narrative that the Chroniclers tried to promote.  Still, hints that the focus on Ise shrine may have been something largely created in this era, however, are scattered throughout the existing literature, despite the Chroniclers' best efforts. For one thing, it is fairly clear that early on, the focus in the Chronicles is on  Mt. Miwa and the deity  Ohomononushi, rather than Amaterasu.  We also see the fingerprints of deities like Takami no Musubi, who in one story is the one who is actually responsible for sending the Heavenly Grandchild down to earth in the first place. It also seems telling that Amaterasu is not mentioned in earlier court rituals.  Worship of Amaterasu by the royal family takes place at Ise shrine.  Meanwhile, there are various rituals preserved within the traditions of the palace that include many other, seemingly older deities. I have also noted in the past how Ise shrine isn't even the primary shrine of Ise no Kuni.  In fact, that is claimed by Tsubaki shrine, the shrine to Saruta Hiko no Ohokami, with a separate shrine to Ame no Uzume, who are both said to have met the heavenly grandchild on his descent. None of this is to say that Ise Jingu was brand new at the time of the Chronicles' writing —there does seem to have been a shrine on that spot for some time, though even the Chronicles suggest that it might have been moved from a shrine originally housed in the Nara basin.  It is also possible, and even likely, that the rise of Ise and Amaterasu coincided with other trends at the time.  Even if the Sun Goddess had not always been centered in Yamato ritual, she was not a new deity, and it may have been the case that her prominence, and that of her shrine in Ise had been growing in prominence before this time, and so the court was now adopting that popularity for themselves.  Of course, Ohoama and Uno don't exactly spell out what they were attempting to achieve, beyond the unification of the archipelago, more broadly.  How, exactly, their focus on Ise Shrine was meant to play into that I don't know that I could fully state, but it certainly seems to have allowed the sovereign to create a new cultic focus for kami worship with a story that touched on regions from Kyushu all the way to the eastern shore of the Kii peninsula. Given the decentralized nature of kami worship, I don't believe it was possible to completely rewrite all of the stories—hence the numerous and conflicting accounts given in the Chronicles.  However, that is also what would have made it easier to hide newly fabricated—or perhaps simply exaggerated—stories in the mix.  And of course, it wasn't necessarily that the Chroniclers were creating things out of whole cloth, but they were able to choose those things that people would remember and what would be lost and forgotten over time.  They had to make the decision, for instance, which story they told was the "main" storyline, and which were listed as coming from "other books", implying a degree of separation from the truth. Through all of this, it certainly seems that propping up the royal family and its lineage was a central focus—even if that lineage was largely something that had recently been created.  As a reminder, we see a lot heavier reliance at this point on royal princes as opposed to other elite families, and an actual or implied reliance, in particular, on the royal family, as that is where Ohoama was consolidating most of the power and authority. Kitayama Shigeo coined the term "Koushin Seiji" to refer to this idea of a consolidated royal—or imperial—family managing the affairs of state.  Literally it is something like "Imperial Family Government".   In Shigeo's concept this was specifically an autocratic authority executed by the sovereign, and those of his immediate family.  Of course, writing in the post-war era, it is more than a little likely that Shigeo and others were looking at the concept of Tennou in the 20th century compared with many other world monarchs.  In that vein, the Asuka and Nara periods do seem to have been one of the rare times—perhaps even the last time—that the sovereigns had such a direct hand in the government and the making and establishment of law and tradition. That said, not everyone ascribes entirely to the idea that Ohoama was a completely autocratic despot—after all, it was clear that there were still plenty of powerful families in the archipelago, and the Ritsuryo state itself was also being strengthened.  Still, it does seem that Ohoama had brought his queen, Uno no Sarara, and his descendants into government.  And they would not only assist him, but continue his work for the next generations, such that even though the histories would not be finished until well after Ohoama's death, they would still show his influence on events. The dedication of the royal family to work as one is perhaps most clearly demonstrated in the events of the 5th lunar month of 679.  It was then that the sovereign, and his family, proceeded to the Yoshino Palace.  Now Ohoama had plenty of offspring—among them 10 sons.  And as long as he was around, there would be a certain amount of civility, but he knew all too well how things could break down after a sovereign's death.  And so he brought them together and he made them enter into a pact, which we know as the Yoshino Covenant, or Yoshino no Meiyaku.  Besides Ohoama himself, there were several others in attendance, presumably those who might stand to one day inherit the realm.  These included his partner and queen, Uno no Sarara Hime, as well as her son, Prince Kusakabe, who would be named Crown Prince, only a couple of years later.  It also included the Royal princes Ohotsu, Takechi, Kawashima, Osakabe, and Shiki.  All of these individuals were made to swear an oath to support each other, even though they were all from different mothers, and they agreed. But so what?  Why does it matter?  It is all well and good that Ohoama brought them together for a bit of kumbaya in his old digs away from the capital, but was there anything really to this covenant. This covenant is significant in several ways.  First off, it is clear that Ohoama was pulling in his family and trying to ensure they were onboard with what he was doing and what was planned.  Furthermore, it set out a clear line of succession, something that had not really been done up to this point. We have ideas on what would have made a candidate eligible, but other than naming a particular crown prince there hasn't exactly been any clear process or rules of precedence for who would assume the throne.  Here, though, we have a list that appears to be in order of precedence, since it otherwise may not seem to make sense, at least from a modern perspective. A key clue in the Chronicles is often the order of the names.  The most important or highest ranking person is usually given first, and then names are typically given in descending order of precedence.  There are clues that this is the case, but it becomes even more stark when we actually see reference to an individual's court rank or the size of their fief.  Since this period brings about court rank even for royal princes, we have some of that, at least in later records.  As such, there is the idea that this order was actually providing for a line of succession.   As I mentioned, up to this point, the contest for the throne was a toss up with each monarch's death.  Claims from competing princes were often considered equally valid until one proved their claim through a political or military victory.  Ohoama appears to have been trying to add greater structure to this.  Specifically, we see that Uno no Sarara's son, Kusakabe, is given pride of place.  In fact, throughout the Chronicle it is typical that we see the Chroniclers designate a queen—a Kougou—that is considered the primary wife.  This queen is almost always found to be the descendant of previous royalty, granting their child a doubly royal lineage, through both the maternal and paternal lines.   There has been plenty of reason to doubt that this was actually the case, and it often seems like the Chroniclers stretched things more than a bit to make it all work out.  However, now we are almost more concerned with the very *truth* that the Chroniclers were attempting to burn into the social consciousness rather than the historical facts, because that gives us direct insight into how the court of the day viewed succession and legitimacy.And that does lead to another possible thought:  since the Chroniclers knew how things turned out it is possible that they were the ones ensuring that the order was as we have it.  So we cannot definitively say that this exactly mirrors's Ohoama's idea, but it certainly seems in line with his history and intentions and helps set the stage for us, at least, regarding what would later transpire in regards to succession.. Getting back to the covenant, as I noted, the first person listed, after Ohoama and Uno no Sarara Hime, is Prince Kusakabe.  He would be about 17 or 18 years old at this time, which is probably why he wasn't formally named Crown Prince until a couple of years later.  He isn't the eldest son, however.  Rather he was the second son.  Ohoama's eldest son, Prince Takechi, was actually third in line. Takechihad been with his father helping to lead the troops during the Jinshin War. While he was some 8 years senior to Kusakabe, he was nonetheless a son of Amago no Musume, one of Ohoama's consorts from a powerful clan, but not a royal princess like Uno no Sarara, Kusakabe's mother. Between Kusakabe and Takechi, in the second place spot for succession, was actually Prince Ohotsu, whom we also mentioned during the Jinshin War.  Ohotsu was likely 16-17 years old around this time.  While he was the third eldest child, he, like Kusakabe, was the son of a Royal Princess, Princess Ota, daughter of Naka no Oe, giving him greater bonafides than Takechi, apparently. So, in the top three slots, we have: Ohoama's eldest son by a royal mother, Ohoama's second eldest son by a royal mother, and finally Ohoama's eldest son by a non-royal mother. Fourth in line, and the 4th eldest, presumably, though I don't know that we have an actual age for him, is Prince Wosakabe.  He likely wasn't too young, however, as he had been given the task, previously, to polish the divine treasures in Isonokami's storehouse. It would appear that six of Ohoama's other sons didn't even get a mention.  That includes Princes Naga and Yuge, born to another daughter of Naka no Ohoe, Ohoye no Himemiko.  Then there is Prince Toneri, son of Royal Princess Nittabe, not to be confused with Royal Prince Nittabe, Ohoama's son by way of a daughter of Fujiwara no Kamatari.  Finally there was Royal Prince Hodzumi, a maternal grandson of Soga no Akaye, and Prince Shiki, a full brother to Prince Wosakabe. Prince Toneri is particularly conspicuous in his absence.  We know that he held the 5th rank, and two positions in government—that of Nagon, or Councillor, as well as the Minister of the Household, our Kunaikyou.  This may be because he was not doing so well.  We aren't told the story until the following year, on the 2nd day of the 7th lunar month of 680, when we are told that Prince Toneri took ill and was on the point of death.  His half-brother, Prince Takechi, went to check on him, and a day later Toneri passed away.  The way these are written it would be easy to believe that it all happened in a pretty short timeframe, but it is also just as likely that illness lingered, especially without modern medicine.  So it is possible that Prince Toneri was too sick at the time of the original covenant, though there could be some other reason we weren't told. This doesn't necessarily hold for all of the others, though.  For instance, we have the Princes Naga and Yuge mentioned in 693, well over a decade later, being granted the 2nd Broader Pure Rank at the same time that Prince Takechi is granted the 1st Broader Pure Rank.  So we can at least see that they were ranked below Takechi.   Similarly we see Prince Hodzumi likewise attained 2nd Broader Pure Rank at some point, and was still around to have his own fief and to receive houses to it in the following reign.  Hozumi even ranked above some of the others were in Yoshino, and yet was not present. It is possible that the princes not mentioned, assuming they had not met with an untimely end that was not mentioned in the record somewhere, could have been too young or too junior at the time of the meeting.  After all, when we look at the known ages of those who were there, we see that Prince Takechi may have been 25 years old, but Prince Kusakabe and Prince Otsu were just under 20, and it is unclear if others were older or younger than they were. There are two other princes who were part of the covenant who were not, perhaps surprisingly, sons of Ohoama.  Rather they were his nephews, sons of Ohoama's brother, Naka no Ohoe.  They were the princes Kawashima and Shiki. Kawashima is mentioned several times throughout the record.  Kawashima's mother was from a high ranking noble family, but given that Kawashima was married to his cousin, one of Ohoama's daughters, that may have brought him closer to the family.  He was about 22 years old at the time, too.  We see him often teaming up with Prince Osakabe on various projects, including the project to compile together the history of the royal household.  In fact, Prince Kawashima always precedes Prince Osakabe when they are mentioned together.  That said, we have evidence of Kawashima only being awarded up to 3rd Greater Pure rank, below even that of some who were not present, such as Prince Hodzumi.  His importance and impact, however, is noted through his numerous appearances in the record. In contrast, Prince Shiki has almost no mentions in the record.  It doesn't help that there are two Princes Shiki, one born to Naka no Ohoye and one born to Ohoama.  Their names are spelled differently, however, and although the first character of "Shiki" used in the Yoshino record matches neither name, the second character suggests that this was the son of Naka no Ohoye and not the Shiki that was brother to Prince Osakabe—though given that one followed the other in the record, there may have been some confusion on this point. And with all of that we have our apparent line of succession, as well as an idea of who the movers and shakers might be within the royal family.  From Ohoama and Uno no Sarara, we have Princes Kusakabe, Ohotsu, Takechi, Kawashima, Osakabe, and Shiki.  Six princes, four directly descended from the current sovereign, Ohoama, and two from the Naka no Ohoe lineage. Obviously, promoting the idea of a strictly patrilineal succession of father to son would have caused some problems for Ohoama's own legitimacy, not that anyone was going to gainsay him while he was on the throne.  However, with Kusakabe they seem to have established that in a de facto format, at least.  Furthermore it provided a blueprint for succession might fall to the other lines should the main line not work out.  This put Prince Ohotsu as next in line, should anything happen to Kusakabe, followed by Takechi.  That Kawashima may have had a shot over Osakabe and then Shiki is interesting as it suggests that it wasn't strictly about who descended from whom. We'll have to wait for Ohoama's death before we can fully appreciate how well this worked, of course.  Throughout history, agreements and covenants amongst powerful interests are often only as permanent as long as all of the interests remain aligned with one another, whether through mutual benefit or threat of consequences.  Once the power shifts, as it always does, those promises and treaties are almost always up for renegotiation, unless they are supported by some higher authority, whatever that might be. Following the royal family's off-site, they returned to the palace in Asuka.  There they had a formal ceremony in the Great Hall, the Ohodono, where the six princes all demonstrated their allegiance and paid respects to Ohoama.  Given the timing of this event, one can likely assume that it was a kind of public acknowledgement of the covenant and the agreement that they would all be working together as a united front on the project of the government. And with that, I think we can bring it to  a close for now.  There is plenty more about this reign to discuss before we move on, but we'll get there. Until then, if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  

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On this episode Matt and Jon discuss Predator: Badlands, Plur1bus (Spoilers until 26:31), The Chair Company and IT: Welcome to Derry, while Jon watched The Witcher and Death By Lightning and matt plays Ghost of Tsushima and Stray, continues Gilmore Girls and saw Back to the Future on the big screen! Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jonwahizzle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/damnthattelevision/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damntvpod Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattlovestv.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/jonwahizzle.bsky.social Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mattlovestv/ https://letterboxd.com/jonwahizzle/ Jon on AIPT: https://aiptcomics.com/author/jonathanw/ Matt's show The Drop: A Pop Culture Mix Tape: wscafm.org Sundays 6-8 PM: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedropwsca/

GamingPodden är, precis som namnet föreslår, en gamingpodcast! Varje vecka går vi igenom gamingnyheter och annat smått och gott från gamingvärlden. Denna vecka pratar vi bland annat Lex Fridmans intervju med Dan Houser, om Nintendo Eshop och om ryktena kring dynamisk prissättning.(00:00) Hur mår vi?(03:29) Lite löpning(10:45) Hur mår vi? Fortsättning.(14:53) Vad vi har spelat & Eshop Batman(55:32) Lyssnarinteraktioner. Yotei sämre än Tsushima?(58:20) Nyheter! Dan Houser på Lex Fridman(01:19:38) Dynamisk prissättning på PSN?

The Blerds are back bringing you all of their thoughts on everything happening in nerd culture. This week, Shannon, Jaja and James discuss a variety of topics including the biggest news of the delay of GTA 6 yet again. They also discuss Nintendo's upcoming titles for the Switch 2, the restructuring and layoffs at Square Enix, and the impact of AI on game development. They also touch on issues surrounding digital game ownership, the ongoing console wars between Xbox and PlayStation, and the announcement of a new animated spin-off of Stranger Things. Additionally, they discuss the upcoming season of Jujutsu Kaisen, casting news for One Piece, and the future of Funko Pops in the collectibles market. 00:00-Introduction to Nerd Culture 02:47-Anime Discussions: Gachiyakuta and More 05:46-Gaming Adventures: Ninja Gaiden 4 and Astro Bot 08:13-Stranger Things and Manga Updates 11:04-Anime and Gaming: One Punch Man and Ghost of Tsushima 13:51-Weather Talk and Comic Book Collecting 16:43-Reading Adventures: Hunger Games and Chainsaw Man 19:32-Video Game News: GTA 6 Delayed Again 22:20-The Impact of Game Delays 27:58-The Future of Marvel Games 29:57-Cloud Gaming on the Portal 32:12-Nintendo's Upcoming Releases 36:42-Square Enix Layoffs and AI Integration 42:24-The Debate on Game Ownership and Accessibility 44:24-Console Wars: The PlayStation Portal vs. ROG Ally 48:58-Fanboy Wars and Community Dynamics 49:52-Stranger Things: Animation and Spin-Offs 53:47-Anime News: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 56:55-Live Action Adaptations: One Piece Casting 58:03-The Decline of Funko Pops 01:05:39-The Future of Collectibles   Make sure to subscribe to us on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your podcast app of choice!   Follow Us!  https://linktr.ee/blerdsnerds National Resources List https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK56I-TNUnhKhcWLZxoUTaw Email us: Blerdsnerds@gmail.com Follow Our Social: https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/ https://twitter.com/BlerdsNerds https://www.facebook.com/blerdsnerds https://tiktok.com/blerdsnerds_pod Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans James: https://www.instagram.com/llsuavej  Jaja: https://www.instagram.com/jajasmith3 

In today's Daily Fix:Sony has made it known publicly that their investment in Destiny 2 developer Bungie is not paying off they way the Sony had hoped. In a recenty financial report, the studio has failed to meet sales and user engagement expectations, about four years after Sony had acquired Bungie. The studios is currently in development in the long-delayed shooter, Marathon, as well as continuing to support Destiny 2. In more positive Sony news, Ghost of Yōtei has sold more than 3 million units in its first month, roughly on par with its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima, which sold through 5 million units in four months back in 2020. And finally, Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition has been hit with controversy over its price and technical issues since being launched yesterday.

Last time we spoke about the Changsha fire. Chiang Kai-shek faced a brutal choice: defend Wuhan to the last man or flood the land to slow the invaders. He chose both, pushing rivers and rallying a fractured army as Japanese forces pressed along the Yangtze. Fortresses at Madang held long, but the cost was high—troops lost, civilians displaced, a city's heart burning in the night. Wuhan fell after months of brutal fighting, yet the battle did not break China's will. Mao Zedong urged strategy over martyrdom, preferring to drain the enemy and buy time for a broader struggle. The Japanese, though victorious tactically, found their strength ebbing, resource strains, supply gaps, and a war that felt endless. In the wake of Wuhan, Changsha stood next in the Japanese crosshairs, its evacuation and a devastating fire leaving ash and memory in its wake. Behind these prices, political currents swirled. Wang Jingwei defected again, seeking power beyond Chiang's grasp, while Chongqing rose as a western bastion of resistance. The war hardened into a protracted stalemate, turning Japan from an aggressive assailant into a wary occupier, and leaving China to endure, persist, and fight on.   #175  The Soviet-Japanese Border Conflicts 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. So based on the title of this one, you probably can see we are taking a bit of a detour. For quite some time we have focused on the Japanese campaigns into China proper 1937-1938. Now the way the second sino-japanese war is traditionally broken down is in phases. 1937-1938, 1939-1942 and 1942-1945. However there is actually even more going on in China aside from the war with Japan. In Xinjiang province a large full blown Islamic revolution breaks out in 1937. We will be covering that story at a later date, but another significant event is escalating border skirmishes in Manchukuo. Now these border skirmishes had been raging ever since the USSR consolidated its hold over the far east. We talked about some of those skirmishes prior to the Sino-Soviet war in 1929. However when Japan created the puppet government of Manchukuo, this was a significant escalation in tensions with the reds. Today we are going to talk about the escalating border conflicts between the Soviets and Japan. A tongue of poorly demarcated land extends southeast from Hunchun, hugging the east bank of the Tumen River between Lake Khasan to the east and Korea to the west. Within this tongue stands Changkufeng Hill, one of a long chain of highlands sweeping from upstream along the rivers and moors toward the sea. The twin-peaked hill sits at the confluence area several miles northwest of the point where Manchuria, Korea, and the Russian Far East meet. The hill's shape reminded Koreans of their changgo, which is a long snare drum constricted at the center and tapped with the hands at each end. When the Manchus came to the Tumen, they rendered the phonetic sounds into three ideographic characters meaning "taut drum peaks" or Chang-ku-feng. The Japanese admired the imagery and preserved the Chinese readings, which they pronounce Cho-ko-ho. From their eastern vantage, the Russians called it Zaozernaya, "hill behind the lake." Soviet troops referred to it as a sugar-loaf hill. For many years, natives and a handful of officials in the region cultivated a relaxed attitude toward borders and sovereignty. Even after the Japanese seized Manchuria in 1931, the issue did not immediately come to a head. With the expansion of Manchukuo and the Soviet Far East under Stalin's Five-Year plans, both sides began to attend more closely to frontier delimitation. Whenever either party acted aggressively, force majeure was invoked to justify the unexpected and disruptive events recognized in international law. Most often, these incidents erupted along the eastern Manchurian borders with the USSR or along the 350-mile frontier south of Lake Khanka, each skirmish carrying the seeds of all-out warfare. Now we need to talk a little bit about border history. The borders in question essentially dated to pacts concluded by the Qing dynasty and the Tsardom. Between the first Sino-Russian Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689 and the Mukden Agreement of 1924, there were over a dozen accords governing the borders. Relevant to Changkufeng were the basic 15-article Convention of Peking, supplementing the Tientsin Treaties of November 1860, some maps made in 1861, and the eight-article Hunchun Border Protocol of 1886. By the 1860 treaty, the Qing ceded to Tsarist Russia the entire maritime province of Siberia, but the meaning of "lands south of Lake Khanka" remained rather vague. Consequently, a further border agreement was negotiated in June 1861 known as "the Lake Khanka Border Pact", by which demarcations were drawn on maps and eight wooden markers erected. The border was to run from Khanka along ridgelines between the Hunchun River and the sea, past Suifenho and Tungning, terminating about 6 miles from the mouth of the Tumen. Then a Russo-Chinese commission established in 1886 drew up the Hunchun Border Pact, proposing new or modified markers along the 1860–1861 lines and arranging a Russian resurvey. However, for the Japanese, in 1938, the Chinese or Manchu texts of the 1886 Hunchun agreement were considered controlling. The Soviets argued the border ran along every summit west of Khasan, thereby granting them jurisdiction over at least the eastern slopes of all elevations, including Changkufeng and Shachaofeng.  Since the Qing dynasty and the house of Romanov were already defunct, the new sovereignties publicly appealed to opposing texts, and the Soviet side would not concede that the Russian-language version had never been deemed binding by the Qing commissioners. Yet, even in 1938, the Japanese knew that only the Chinese text had survived or could be located.    Now both the Chinese and Russian military maps generally drew the frontier along the watershed east of Khasan; this aligned with the 1861 readings based on the Khanka agreement. The Chinese Republican Army conducted new surveys sometime between 1915 and 1920. The latest Chinese military map of the Changkufeng area drew the border considerably closer to the old "red line" of 1886, running west of Khasan but near the shore rather than traversing the highland crests. None of the military delimitations of the border was sanctified by an official agreement. Hence, the Hunchun Protocol, whether well known or not, invaluable or worthless, remained the only government-to-government pact dealing with the frontiers.  Before we jump into it, how about a little summary of what became known as the Soviet-Japanese border conflicts. The first major conflict would obviously be the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. Following years of conflict between the Russian Empire and Japan culminating in the costly Battle of Tsushima, Tsar Nicholas II's government sought peace, recognizing Japan's claims to Korea and agreeing to evacuate Manchuria.  From 1918 to 1920, the Imperial Japanese Army, under Emperor Taishō after the death of Meiji, assisted the White Army and Alexander Kerensky against the Bolshevik Red Army. They also aided the Czechoslovak Legion in Siberia to facilitate its return to Europe after an Austrian-Hungarian armoured train purportedly went astray. By 1920, with Austria-Hungary dissolved and Czechoslovakia established two years earlier, the Czechoslovak Legion reached Europe. Japan withdrew from the Russian Revolution and the Civil War in 1922. Following Japan's 1919-1920 occupations and the Soviet intervention in Mongolia in 1921, the Republic of China also withdrew from Outer Mongolia in 1921. In 1922, after capturing Vladivostok in 1918 to halt Bolshevik advances, Japanese forces retreated to Japan as Bolshevik power grew and the postwar fatigue among combatants increased. After Hirohito's invasion of Manchuria in 1931–1932, following Taishō's death in 1926, border disputes between Manchukuo, the Mongolian People's Republic, and the Soviet Union increased. Many clashes stemmed from poorly defined borders, though some involved espionage. Between 1932 and 1934, the Imperial Japanese Army reported 152 border disputes, largely tied to Soviet intelligence activity in Manchuria, while the Soviets accused Japan of 15 border violations, six air intrusions, and 20 cases of "spy smuggling" in 1933 alone. Numerous additional violations followed in the ensuing years. By the mid-1930s, Soviet-Japanese diplomacy and trust had deteriorated further, with the Japanese being openly labeled "fascist enemies" at the Seventh Comintern Congress in July 1935. Beginning in 1935, conflicts significantly escalated. On 8 January 1935, the first armed clash, known as the Halhamiao incident, took place on the border between Mongolia and Manchukuo. Several dozen cavalrymen of the Mongolian People's Army crossed into Manchuria near disputed fishing grounds and engaged an 11‑man Manchukuo Imperial Army patrol near the Buddhist temple at Halhamiao, led by a Japanese military advisor. The Manchukuo Army sustained 6 wounded and 2 dead, including the Japanese officer; the Mongols suffered no casualties and withdrew after the Japanese sent a punitive expedition to reclaim the area. Two motorized cavalry companies, a machine‑gun company, and a tankette platoon occupied the position for three weeks without resistance. In June 1935, the first direct exchange of fire between the Japanese and Soviets occurred when an 11‑man Japanese patrol west of Lake Khanka was attacked by six Soviet horsemen, reportedly inside Manchukuo territory. In the firefight, one Soviet soldier was killed and two horses were captured. The Japanese requested a joint investigation, but the Soviets rejected the proposal. In October 1935, nine Japanese and 32 Manchukuoan border guards were establishing a post about 20 kilometers north of Suifenho when they were attacked by 50 Soviet soldiers. The Soviets opened fire with rifles and five heavy machine guns. Two Japanese and four Manchukuoan soldiers were killed, and another five were wounded. The Manchukuoan foreign affairs representative lodged a verbal protest with the Soviet consul at Suifenho. The Kwantung Army of Japan also sent an intelligence officer to investigate the clash. On 19 December 1935, a Manchukuoan unit reconnoitering southwest of Buir Lake clashed with a Mongolian party, reportedly capturing 10 soldiers. Five days later, 60 truck‑borne Mongolian troops assaulted the Manchukuoans and were repulsed, at the cost of three Manchukuoan dead. On the same day, at Brunders, Mongolian forces attempted three times to drive out Manchukuoan outposts, and again at night, but all attempts failed. Further small attempts occurred in January, with Mongolians using airplanes for reconnaissance. The arrival of a small Japanese force in three trucks helped foil these attempts; casualties occurred on both sides, though Mongolian casualties are unknown aside from 10 prisoners taken. In February 1936, Lieutenant-Colonel Sugimoto Yasuo was ordered to form a detachment from the 14th Cavalry Regiment to "drive the Outer Mongol intruders from the Olankhuduk region," a directive attributed to Lieutenant-General Kasai Heijuro. Sugimoto's detachment included cavalry guns, heavy machine guns, and tankettes. They faced a force of about 140 Mongolians equipped with heavy machine guns and light artillery. On February 12, Sugimoto's men drove the Mongolians south, at the cost of eight Japanese killed, four wounded, and one tankette destroyed. The Japanese began to withdraw, but were attacked by 5–6 Mongolian armored cars and two bombers, which briefly disrupted the column. The situation was stabilized when the Japanese unit received artillery support, allowing them to destroy or repel the armored cars. In March 1936, the Tauran incident occurred. In this clash, both the Japanese Army and the Mongolian Army deployed a small number of armored fighting vehicles and aircraft. The incident began when 100 Mongolian and six Soviet troops attacked and occupied the disputed village of Tauran, Mongolia, driving off the small Manchurian garrison. They were supported by light bombers and armored cars, though the bombing sorties failed to inflict damage on the Japanese, and three bombers were shot down by Japanese heavy machine guns. Local Japanese forces counter-attacked, conducting dozens of bombing sorties and finally assaulting Tauran with 400 men and 10 tankettes. The result was a Mongolian rout, with 56 Mongolian soldiers killed, including three Soviet advisors, and an unknown number wounded. Japanese losses were 27 killed and 9 wounded. Later in March 1936, another border clash occurred between Japanese and Soviet forces. Reports of border violations prompted the Japanese Korean Army to send ten men by truck to investigate, but the patrol was ambushed by 20 Soviet NKVD soldiers deployed about 300 meters inside territory claimed by Japan. After suffering several casualties, the Japanese patrol withdrew and was reinforced with 100 men, who then drove off the Soviets. Fighting resumed later that day when the NKVD brought reinforcements. By nightfall, the fighting had ceased and both sides had pulled back. The Soviets agreed to return the bodies of two Japanese soldiers who had died in the fighting, a development viewed by the Japanese government as encouraging. In early April 1936, three Japanese soldiers were killed near Suifenho in another minor affray. This incident was notable because the Soviets again returned the bodies of the fallen servicemen. In June 1937, the Kanchazu Island incident occurred on the Amur River along the Soviet–Manchukuo border. Three Soviet gunboats crossed the river's center line, disembarked troops, and occupied Kanchazu Island. Japanese forces from the IJA 1st Division, equipped with two horse-drawn 37 mm artillery pieces, quickly established improvised firing positions and loaded their guns with both high-explosive and armor-piercing shells. They shelled the Soviet vessels, sinking the lead gunboat, crippling the second, and driving off the third. Japanese troops subsequently fired on the swimming crewmen from the sunken ships using machine guns. Thirty-seven Soviet soldiers were killed, while Japanese casualties were zero. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested and demanded the Soviet forces withdraw from the island. The Soviet leadership, apparently shocked by the incident and reluctant to escalate, agreed to evacuate their troops. By 1938 the border situation had deteriorated. The tangled terrain features, mountain, bog, stream, forest, and valley, would have complicated even careful observers' discernment of the old red line drawn in 1886. Fifty years later, the markers themselves had undergone a metamorphosis. Japanese investigators could find, at most, only 14 to 17 markers standing fairly intact between the Tumen estuary and Khanka—roughly one every 25 miles at best. The remainder were missing or ruined; five were found in new locations. Marker "K," for example, was 40 meters deeper inside Manchuria, away from Khanka. Japanese military experts noted that of the 20 markers originally set along the boundaries of Hunchun Prefecture alone, only four could be found by the summer of 1938. The rest had either been wrecked or arbitrarily moved and discarded by Russian or Chinese officials and inhabitants. It is even said that one missing marker could be seen on display in Khabarovsk. The Chinese had generally interpreted the boundary as the road line just west of Khasan, at least in practice. Free road movement, however, had become a problem even 20 years before the Japanese overran Manchuria in 1931–1932 during the so-called Manchurian Incident. The Japanese adopted, or inherited, the Chinese interpretation, which was based on the 1886 agreement on border roads; the key clause held that the frontier west of Khasan would be the road along the lake. Japanese sources emphasize that local residents' anger toward gradual Soviet oppression and penetrations westward into Manchurian territory fueled the conflict. Many natives believed the original boundaries lay east of the lake, but the Soviets adjusted the situation to suit their own convenience. In practice, the Russians were restricting road use just west of Khasan by Manchurian and Korean residents. There was speculation that this was a prelude to taking over the ridgelines, depending on the reaction of the Manchukuoan–Japanese side. Villagers who went to streams or the lake to launder clothing found themselves subjected to sniper fire. Along a 25-mile stretch of road near Shachaofeng, farmers reported coming under fire from new Soviet positions as early as November 1935. Nevertheless, Japanese and Koreans familiar with the Tumen area noted agrarian, seasonal Korean religious rites atop Changkufeng Hill, including fattened pigs sacrificed and changgo drums beaten. Village elders told Japanese visitors in 1938 that, until early the preceding year, no Russians had come as far as Changkufeng Hill. Looking only at the border sector around Changkufeng, the easy days were clearly behind us. In the summer of 1938, Gaimusho "Foreign Ministry" observers described the explosive situation along the Korea–Manchuria–USSR borders as a matter of de facto frontiers. Both sides pressed against each other, and their trigger-happy posture was summed up in the colloquial refrain: "Take another step and we'll let you have it." Near dawn on 13 June 1938, a Manchurian patrol detected a suspicious figure in the fog swirling over Changlingtzu Hill on the Siberian–Manchurian frontier. Challenged at 15 feet, the suspect hurled two pistols to the ground and raised his hands in surrender. At headquarters, the police soon realized this was no routine border-trespassing case. The man was a defector and he was a Russian general, in fact he was the director of all NKVD forces in the Soviet Far East. Beneath a mufti of spring coat and hunting cap, he wore a full uniform with medals. His identification card No. 83 designated him as G. S. Lyushkov, Commissar 3rd Class, countersigned by Nikolai Yezhov, NKVD head in Moscow. Lyushkov was promptly turned over to the Japanese military authorities, who transferred him to Seoul and then to Tokyo under close escort. On 1 July, the Japanese press was permitted to disclose that Lyushkov had sought refuge in Japan. Ten days later, to capitalize on the commissar's notoriety and to confound skeptics, the Japanese produced Lyushkov at a press conference in Tokyo. For the Japanese and foreign correspondents, who met separately with him, Lyushkov described Soviet Far East strength and the turmoil wracking the USSR, because for those of you unfamiliar this was during the Stalinist purges. Clearly, the Japanese had gained a unique reservoir of high-level intelligence and a wealth of materials, including notes scratched in blood by suspects incarcerated at Khabarovsk. A general tightening of Russian frontier security had recently been reported. Natives of Fangchuanting asserted that a Soviet cavalry patrol appeared in June, seemingly for the first time. Contact with Yangkuanping, northwest of Khasan, was severed. More importantly, Japanese Army Signal Corps intelligence detected a surge of Soviet message traffic from the Posyet Bay district. After Lyushkov's defection, a drastic reshuffle in the local Russian command apparently occurred, and responsibility for border surveillance seems to have been reallocated. Japanese records indicate that the Novokievsk security force commander was relieved and the sector garrison replaced by troops from Vladivostok. Gaimusho intelligence also received reports that a border garrison unit had been transferred from Khabarovsk or Chita to the Tumen sector. The Kwantung Army signal monitors also intercepted two significant frontline messages on 6 July from the new Russian local commander in the Posyet region, addressed to Lieutenant General Sokolov in Khabarovsk. Decoded, the messages suggested (1) that ammunition for infantry mortars amounted to less than half the required supply; and  (2) a recommendation that higher headquarters authorize Russian elements to secure certain unoccupied high ground west of Khasan.  The commander noted terrain advantages and the contemplated construction of emplacements that would command Najin and the Korean railway. As a start, at least one Russian platoon should be authorized to dig in on the highest ground (presumably Changkufeng) and deploy four tons of entanglements to stake out the Soviet claim. Korea Army Headquarters received a telegram from the Kwantung Army on 7 July conveying the deciphered messages. On the same day, the 19th Division in North Korea telephoned Seoul that, on 6 July, three or four Soviet horsemen had been observed reconnoitering Manchurian territory from atop a hill called Changkufeng. The alarming intelligence from the Kwantung Army and the front warranted immediate attention by the Korea Army. Some Kwantung Army officers doubted the significance of the developments, with one intelligence official even suggesting the Russian messages might be a deliberate ploy designed to entrap the Japanese at Changkufeng. On 7–8 July, all staff officers in Seoul convened at army headquarters. The name of Changkufeng Hill was not well known, but maps and other data suggested that neither the Japanese nor the Russians had previously stationed border units in the ridge complex west of Khasan. As early as March 1936, Army Commander Koiso Kuniaki had distributed maps to subordinate units, indicating which sectors were in dispute. No patrol was to enter zones lacking definitive demarcation. Until then, the only Japanese element east of the Tumen was a Manchurian policeman at Fangchuanting. Ownership of the high ground emerged as an early issue. A number of other points were raised by  the Kwantung Army: At present, Soviet elements in the area were negligible. The intrusion must not be overlooked. The Russians could be expected to exploit any weakness, and half-measures would not suffice, especially regarding the Japanese defense mission along a 125-mile frontier. In Japanese hands, Changkufeng Hill would be useful, but two excellent observation posts already existed in the neighboring sector of the Manchurian tongue. With dissidence and purges underway, the Russians may have judged it necessary to seal border gaps, particularly after Lyushkov's defection. They may also have sought to control Changkufeng to offset Japanese dominance of the high ground to the north. Soviet seizure of Changkufeng would upset the delicate status quo and could provoke a contest for equivalent observation posts. In broader terms, it mattered little whether the Russians sought a permanent observation post on Changkufeng Hill, which was of relatively minor strategic value. Japan's primary concern lay in the China theater; Changkufeng was peripheral. The Japanese should not expend limited resources or become distracted. The matter required consultation with the high command in Tokyo. In the absence of more comprehensive intelligence, the assembled staff officers concluded that the Korea Army should, at a minimum, ignore or disregard Soviet actions for the time being, while maintaining vigilant observation of the area. The consensus was communicated to Major General Kitano Kenzo, the Korea Army chief of staff, who concurred, and to Koiso. Upon learning that the recommendation advocated a low posture, Koiso inquired only whether the opinion reflected the unanimous view of the staff. Having been assured that it did, he approved the policy. Koiso, then 58, was at the threshold of the routine personnel changes occurring around 15 July. He had just been informed that he would retire and that General Nakamura Kotaro would succeed him. Those acquainted with Koiso perceived him as treating the border difficulties as a minor anticlimax in the course of his command tour. He appeared unemphatic or relaxed as he prepared to depart from a post he had held for twenty-one years. Although neither Koiso nor his staff welcomed the Soviet activities that appeared under way, his reaction likely reflected a reluctance to make decisions that could constrain his soon-to-arrive successor. On 8 July Koiso authorized the dispatch of warnings to the 19th Division at Nanam, to the Hunchun garrison, and to the intelligence branch at Hunchun. These units were instructed to exercise maximum precautions and to tighten frontier security north of Shuiliufeng. In response to the initial appearance of Soviet horsemen at Changkufeng, the Kucheng Border Garrison Unit of the 76th Infantry Regiment maintained close surveillance across the Tumen. By about noon on 9 July, patrols detected approximately a dozen Russian troops commencing construction atop Changkufeng. Between 11 and 13 July, the number of soldiers on the slopes increased to forty; there were also thirty horses and eleven camouflaged tents. Operating in shifts on the western side, thirty meters from the crest, the Russians erected barbed wire and firing trenches; fifty meters forward, they excavated observation trenches. In addition to existing telephone lines between Changkufeng, Lake Khasan, and Kozando, the Russians installed a portable telephone net. Logistical support was provided by three boats on the lake. Approximately twenty kilometers to the east, well within Soviet territory, large forces were being mobilized, and steamship traffic into Posyet Bay intensified. Upon learning of the "intrusion" at Changkufeng on 9 July, Lt. General Suetaka Kamezo, the commander of the 19th Division, dispatched staff officers to the front and prepared to send elements to reinforce border units.  The special significance of Suetaka and his division stemmed from a series of unusual circumstances. Chientao Province, the same zone into which Lyushkov had fled and the sector where Soviet horsemen had appeared, fell within Manchukuo geographically and administratively. Yet, in terms of defense, the configuration of the frontier, the terrain, and the transportation network more closely connected the region with North Korea than with southeastern Manchuria. Approximately 80% of the population was of Korean origin, which implied Japanese rather than Manchukuoan allegiance. Consequently, the Korea Army had been made operationally responsible for the defense of Chientao and controlled not only the three-battalion garrison at Hunchun but also the intelligence detachment located there. In the event of war, the Korea Army's mission was defined as mobilization and execution of subsidiary operational tasks against the USSR, under the control and in support of the Kwantung Army.  The Korea Army ordinarily possessed two infantry divisions, the 19th in North Korea and the 20th stationed at Seoul, but the 20th Division had already departed for China, leaving only the 20th Depot Division in the capital. Beyond sparse ground units, devoid of armor and with weak heavy artillery, there were only two air regiments in Korea, the nearest being the unit at Hoeryong. The Korea Army was designed to maintain public security within Korea as well as fulfill minimal defensive responsibilities. Such an army did not require a full-time operations officer, and none was maintained. When needed, as in mid-1938, the task fell to the senior staff officer, in this case Colonel Iwasaki Tamio. In peacetime, training constituted the primary focus.  Thus, the 19th Division was entrusted with defending northeastern Korea. Its commander, Suetaka, a seasoned infantryman, resented the fact that his elite force had never engaged in combat in China. He intensified training with zeal, emphasizing strict discipline, bravery, aggressiveness, and thorough preparation. Japanese veterans characterized him as severe, bullish, short-tempered, hot-blooded, highly strung, unbending, and stubborn. Nonetheless, there was widespread respect for his realistic training program, maintained under firm, even violent, personal supervision. His men regarded Suetaka as a professional, a modern samurai who forged the division into superb condition. Privately, he was reputed for sensitivity and warmth; a Japanese phrase "yakamashii oyaji" captures the dual sense of stern father and martinet in his character. At the outset, however, Suetaka displayed little aggression. Although not widely known, he did not welcome the orders from army headquarters to deploy to the Tumen. Until late July, he remained somewhat opposed to the notion of dislodging the Soviets from the crest, a proposition arising from neither the division staff nor, initially, Suetaka himself. Colonel Sato noted that, for a week after reports of Soviet excavation at Changkufeng, the division's response was limited to preparations for a possible emergency, as they perceived the matter as a local issue best settled through diplomacy. Korea Army officers acknowledged that, around the time the Soviets consolidated their outpost strength at Changkufeng, an informal and personal telegram arrived in Seoul from a Kwantung Army Intelligence field-grade officer who specialized in Soviet affairs. If the Korea Army hesitated, the Kwantung Army would be obliged to eject the Russians; the matter could not be ignored. While the telegram did not demand a reply and struck several officers as presumptuous and implausible, the message was promptly shown to Koiso. Koiso was driven to immediate action, he wired Tokyo asserting that only the Korea Army could and would handle the incident. One staff officer recalled "We felt we had to act, out of a sense of responsibility. But we resented the Kwantung Army's interference." The Korea Army staff convened shortly after receipt of the unofficial telegram from Hsinking. Based on the latest intelligence from the division dated 13 July, the officers prepared an assessment for submission to the army commander. The hypotheses were distilled into three scenarios: The USSR, or the Far East authorities, desires hostilities. Conclusion: Slightly possible. The USSR seeks to restrain Japan on the eve of the pivotal operations in China: the major Japanese offensive to seize Hankow. Conclusion: Highly probable. The Posyet district commander is new in his post; by occupying the Changkufeng ridges, he would demonstrate loyalty, impress superiors, and seek glory. Conclusion: Possible. Late on 13 July or early on 14 July, Koiso approved the dispatch of a message to the vice minister of war, and the Kwantung Army chief of staff:  "Lake Khasan area lies in troublesome sector USSR has been claiming . . . in accordance with treaties [said Secret Message No. 913], but we interpret it to be Manchukuoan territory, evident even from maps published by Soviet side. Russian actions are patently illegal, but, considering that area does not exert major or immediate influence on operations [Japan] is intending and that China Incident is in full swing, we are not going to conduct counterattack measures immediately. This army is thinking of reasoning with Soviets and requesting pullback, directly on spot. . . . In case Russians do not accede in long run, we have intention to drive Soviet soldiers out of area east of Khasan firmly by use of force."  The message concluded with a request that the Tokyo authorities lodge a formal protest with the USSR, on behalf of Manchukuo and Japan, and guide matters so that the Russians would withdraw quickly. Dominant in Japanese high command thinking in 1938 was the China theater; the Changkufeng episode constituted a mere digression. A sequence of Japanese tactical victories had preceded the summer: Tsingtao fell in January; the Yellow River was reached in March; a "reformed government of the Republic of China" was installed at Nanking several weeks later; Amoy fell in early May; Suchow fell on the 20th. With these gains, northern and central fronts could be linked by the Japanese. Yet Chinese resistance persisted, and while public statements anticipated imminent Chinese dissension, private admissions acknowledged that the partial effects of Suchow's fall were ominous: control might pass from Chiang Kai-shek to the Communists, Chinese defiance might intensify, and Soviet involvement could ensue. A Hankow drive appeared desirable to symbolize the conclusion of the military phase of hostilities. The Japanese and their adversaries were in accord regarding the importance of the summer and autumn campaigns. Even after Suchow's fall, the government discouraged public insinuations that enemy resistance was collapsing; when Chiang addressed the nation on the first anniversary of hostilities, Premier Konoe prophetically proclaimed, "The war has just begun." Colonel Inada Masazum served as the Army General Staff's principal figure for the Changkufeng affair, occupying the position of chief of the 2nd Operations Section within the Operations Bureau in March 1938. A distinguished graduate of the Military Academy, Inada completed the War College program and held a combination of line, instructional, and staff assignments at the War College, the Army General Staff, and the War Ministry. He was recognized as a sharp, highly capable, and driveful personality, though some regarded him as enigmatic. Following the capture of Suchow, Imperial General Headquarters on 18 June ordered field forces to undertake operational preparations for a drive to seize the Wuhan complex. Inada favored a decisive move aimed at achieving a rapid political settlement. He acknowledged that Soviet intervention in 1938, during Japan's involvement in China, would have been critical. Although Japanese forces could still defeat the Chinese, an overextended Japanese Army might be fatally compromised against the Russians. Soviet assistance to China was already pronouncedly unwelcome. The Soviets were reported to possess roughly 20 rifle divisions, four to five cavalry divisions, 1,500 tanks, and 1,560 aircraft, including 300 bombers with a range of approximately 3,000 kilometers, enabling reach from Vladivostok to Tokyo. Soviet manpower in Siberia was likely near 370,000. In response, Japanese central authorities stressed a no-trouble policy toward the USSR while seeking to "wall off" the border and bolster the Kwantung Army as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, the envisaged correction of the strategic imbalance could not occur before 1943, given shortages in ammunition, manpower, and materiel across existing theaters in China. By the end of 1937 Japan had committed 16 of its 24 divisions to China, bringing the standing force to roughly 700,000. Army General Staff planners reallocated three ground divisions, intended for a northern contingency, from north to central China, even as the Kwantung Army operated from a less favorable posture. Attitudes toward the northern problem varied within senior military circles. While concern persisted, it was not universal. As campaigns in China widened, planning at the high command level deteriorated, propagating confusion and anxiety to field armies in China. The Japanese Navy suspected that the Army general staff was invoking the USSR as a pretext for broader strategic aims—namely, to provoke a more consequential confrontation with the USSR while the Navy contended with its own strategic rivalries with the Army, centered on the United States and Britain. Army leaders, however, denied aggressive intent against the USSR at that time. The Hankow plan encountered substantial internal opposition at high levels. Private assessments among army planners suggested that a two-front war would be premature given operational readiness and troop strength. Not only were new War Ministry officials cautious, but many high-ranking Army general staff officers and court circles shared doubts.  Aggressive tendencies, influenced by subordinates and the Kwantung Army, were evident in Inada, who repeatedly pressed Tada Shun, the deputy army chief of staff, to endorse the Wuhan drive as both necessary and feasible, arguing that the USSR would gain from Japan's weakening without incurring substantial losses. Inada contended that Stalin was rational and that time favored the USSR in the Far East, where industrial buildup and military modernization were ongoing. He argued that the Soviet purges impeded opportunistic ventures with Japan. He posited that Nazi Germany posed a growing threat on the western front, and thus the USSR should be avoided by both Japan, due to China and Russia, due to Germany. While most of the army remained engaged in China, Tada did not initially share Inada's views; only after inspecting the Manchurian borders in April 1938 did he finally align with Inada's broader vision, which encompassed both northern and Chinese considerations. During this period, Inada studied daily intelligence from the Kwantung Army, and after Lyushkov's defection in June, reports suggested the Soviets were following their sector commander's recommendations. Russian troops appeared at Changkufeng, seemingly prepared to dig in. Inada recollects his reaction: "That's nice, my chance has come." 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. The simmering Soviet–Japanese border clashes centered on Changkufeng Hill near Lake Khanka, set within a broader history of contested frontiers dating to Qing and Tsarist treaties. Japan, prioritizing China, considered Changkufeng peripheral but ready to confront Soviet encroachment; Moscow aimed to consolidate border gains, with high-level war planning overlaying regional skirmishes. Conflict loomed over Manchuria.

On this episode Matt and Jon discuss Bugonia, I Love LA, the finale for The Lowdown, South Park, It: Welcome to Derry and The Chair Company while Jon ran the Predator series, started Death by Lightning and read King Sorrow by Joe Hill and Matt is almost done with season six of Gilmore Girls and nearly completed Ghost of Tsushima! Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jonwahizzle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/damnthattelevision/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damntvpod Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattlovestv.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/jonwahizzle.bsky.social Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mattlovestv/ https://letterboxd.com/jonwahizzle/ Jon on AIPT: https://aiptcomics.com/author/jonathanw/ Matt's show The Drop: A Pop Culture Mix Tape: wscafm.org Sundays 6-8 PM: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedropwsca/

Cenno storico per crush a cui mancano le Caporetto degli altri: donna da sposare subito. Aspettando la nuova stagione del suddetto podcast, che non arriverà mai, raccontale della Battaglia di Tsushima, il primo caso nella storia in cui uno Stato orientale fa le scarpe ad uno occidentale. E non stiamo parlando di sneakers (amara questa...).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Konnichiwa! Dōme ist zurück aus Japan – und hat viele spannende Eindrücke im Gepäck: Vom Japanisch-Unterricht über Besuche bei Nintendo und im Pokémon Center bis zu Multiplayer-Sessions in den Arcades von Kyoto.Außerdem sprechen die Jungs ausführlich über Pokémon Legenden Z-A inklusive ihrer High- und Lowlights des neuesten Pokémon-Abenteuers.In den News gibt es ein großes Update für den PlayStation Portal Remote Player, der jetzt auch ohne PS5 funktioniert. Außerdem: Die Switch 2 verkauft sich schneller als Adventskalender im November – mit über 10 Millionen verkauften Einheiten seit Launch!Zum Abschluss gibt es noch eine emotionale Diskussion um die bevorstehende Veröffentlichung von Halo: Campaign Evolved auf der PS5 und was das für Xbox und Microsoft bedeutet.Viel Spaß beim Hören!Pixelburg Savegame auf Instagram, YouTube und TikTokDominik Ollmann auf InstagramRené Deutschmann auf Instagram (00:00) - In dieser Folge... (00:24) - Rückkehr aus Japan (16:59) - Dragon Quest und die Switch 2 (21:14) - Pokémon Center und Sammlerstücke (24:09) - Sprache lernen in Japan (31:34) - Platin in skate. (39:58) - Die Flut an neuen Spielen (43:12) - Pokémon Z-A (56:12) - Pokémon Side Missions und das Fangen von Pokémon (01:13:46) - Mega-Evolutionen und die Zukunft von Pokémon (01:25:06) - Battlefield 6 (01:28:50) - Ghost of Tsushima (01:34:39) - PlayStation Portal und mobile Gaming-Trends (01:49:42) - Die Erfolge der Switch 2 und ihre Verkaufszahlen (01:57:02) - Halo auf PlayStation: Ein Wendepunkt für Xbox (02:03:20) - Microsofts Hardware-Strategie und die Zukunft der Xbox (02:08:41) - Die Relevanz von Exklusivspielen und die Xbox-Identität

#ghostofyōtei #ghostoftsushima #gamingpodcast In this week's Episode Kris & Eric are Back in the Room to share their Spoiler-Filled thoughts on Ghost of Yotei, one of 2025's Biggest Games of the Year and one of the Most Anticipated for each Brother! But.... did it live up to the hype or did it surpass it? Check out our Take on Sucker Punch's latest outing and find out whether we prefer it to Ghost of Tsushima!Chapters;0:00 Intro2:09 Shoutout to  ⁨@LastCallProductionz⁩  3:20 Overall Thoughts / Review of the Game27:34 Hunting the Yotei Six!1:01:47 Our Favourite Mythic Quests1:10:18 Our Favourite Weapons in the Game1:12:15 The Bounties Rule!1:13:36 What do we want from the Future of Ghost of Yotei?1:16:26 Final Thoughts1:18:25 OutroBe sure to let us know your own Take down in the Comments and Follow our Podcast for Future Content!Follow Our Podcast ;Link Tree : https://linktr.ee/TheBrothersTakeFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherstakeInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/TheBrothersTake/X : https://twitter.com/TheBrothersTake?s=07You should also check out Last Call Gaming (They're Awesome!); https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@LastCallProductionz⁩  Thanks for Listening!

In episode 19 of (Pop) Cultural Marxism, Isi and Ajay are joined by fellow BISR faculty Joseph Earl Thomas to discuss Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch Productions' much-anticipated sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. To kick off the episode, Isi and Ajay chat about recent cultural news and highlights, from the Japanese government calling on OpenAI to refrain from using anime and manga as training data, to the #SwiftiesAgainstAI campaign, to Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another (2025). Turning to Ghost of Yotei, Isi, Ajay, and Joseph consider where the game succeeds (its strong start, visual beauty, sharp soundtrack, and the satisfying chunkiness and texture of its combat scenes) and where it doesn't (its loadout system, simplistic puzzles, dearth of opportunities for stealth mode, and social and political quandaries its narrative and design raise). They explore the films and television shows that influenced Yotei—from Lady Snowblood and Samurai Champloo to the films of Takashi Miike, Akira Kurosawa, and Sergio Leone) and ask whether and where the game successfully incorporates cinematic techniques and conventions into its storyline. Along the way, they discuss the game's dicey depiction of the Ainu and the colonization of Hokkaido, consider whether the pleasure of open-world gaming has diminished or transformed in the years between Yotei and Tsushima, and interrogate the shape of the game's revenge plot. (Pop) Cultural Marxism is produced by Ryan Lentini. Learn more about upcoming courses on our website. Follow Brooklyn Institute for Social Research on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky. Show notes On Japan and OpenAI: https://www.ign.com/articles/japanese-government-calls-on-sora-2-maker-openai-to-refrain-from-copyright-infringement-says-characters-from-manga-and-anime-are-irreplaceable-treasures-that-japan-boasts-to-the-world One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (2025) Other Paul Thomas Anderson films mentioned: Phantom Thread (2017), Inherent Vice (2014), The Master (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007) Ghost of Yotei (Sucker Punch Productions, 2025) Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions, 2020) Way of the Samurai (Acquire, 2002) Tenchu (Acquire/K2/FromSoftware, 1998-2009) Samurai Champloo (2004) Forspoken (Luminous Productions, 2023) South of Midnight (Compulsion Games, 2025) Infamous (Sucker Punch Productions, 2009-2014) Blue Eye Samurai (2023) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo, 1998) Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) Parul Sehgal, "The Case Against the Trauma Plot" (2021): https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/01/03/the-case-against-the-trauma-plot Kuroneko, directed by Kaneto Shindo (1968) Lady Snowblood, directed by Toshiya Fujita (1973) Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance, directed by Toshiya Fujita (1974) The Samurai Trilogy, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki (1954-1956)

Bonus Episode #56 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle dive deep into Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch's chilling follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima. Set amid the wilderness of Ezo, this cinematic action-adventure blends folklore, myth, and breathtaking visuals into one of the year's most atmospheric experiences. The guys share their impressions of how the game feels to play right from the opening hours, covering its sound design, pacing, and artistic direction while discussing how the world and mood are established. From there, the conversation moves into combat flow, exploration, progression, and how alive the world feels as you climb the shadowed slopes of Mount Yotei. We wrap up with thoughts on the soundtrack's tone and speculate about what might come next for the Ghost series. This is a laid-back, spoiler-light discussion for anyone curious about how Yotei builds on the legacy of Tsushima while forging a spirit all its own. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS Ghost of Yotei from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] The Yotei Six from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Atsu's Theme from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa feat. Clare Uchima, 2025] Oyuki's Theme from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] The Way of the Shamisen from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Wanderer from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Clan Matsumae from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Mother's Song from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa feat. Clare Uchima, 2025] Onryo from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Upon the Wind from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Ishikari Plain from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] The Call of Revenge from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Shogun of the North from Ghost of Yotei [Toma Otowa, 2025] Rei and Retribution from Ghost of Yotei [Mark De Clive-Lowe/Shinichiro Watanabe, 2025] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

On this episode Matt and Jon discuss Black Phone 2, the Gen V Finale, The Chair Company & The Lowdown, while Jon saw Death Rider in the House of the Vampires, Task and read Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne and Matt rewatched One Battle After Another (still awesome), Picnic at Hanging Rock, continues playing Ghost of Tsushima and watching Gilmore Girls! Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jonwahizzle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/damnthattelevision/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damntvpod Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattlovestv.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/jonwahizzle.bsky.social Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mattlovestv/ https://letterboxd.com/jonwahizzle/ Jon on AIPT: https://aiptcomics.com/author/jonathanw/ Matt's show The Drop: A Pop Culture Mix Tape: wscafm.org Sundays 6-8 PM: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedropwsca/

Fünf Jahre nach „Ghost of Tsushima“ serviert uns Sucker Punch Productions mit „Ghost of Yotei“ im Grunde genommen das gleiche Spiel, nur hier und da verfeinert. Reicht das aus? Macht das Spaß? Und welche fantastischen Wortwitze hat sich André für diese Sendung ausgedacht? Spitzt die Ohren, drückt den Play-Button und findet es heraus. Viel Spaß bei dieser Sendung! Timecodes: 00:00:00 - Alles beim Alten? 00:22:00 - Spielwelt und Design und Quests 00:47:15 - Ausrüstung, Kämpfe, Progression und Schwierigkeitsgrad 01:09:02 - Technik und Spielmodi 01:24:47 - Story, Sprecher und ein tolles Minispiel 01:40:25 - Fazit Jetzt Abonnent werden: https://www.gamespodcast.de In dieser Folge zu hören: Andre Peschke & Sebastian Stange

Sorry to say, no Alex today. We that remain will do our best.Chamberlain hates what he thought he would like, tolerates but eventually abandons what he thought he would hate, gets emotionally involved with a 4 legged lighthouse, then settles in with Ninja Gaiden 4, a game so difficult he can only play it sober. And Chance can't find a place to be comfortable, stating at least two play throughs of Resident Evil 4, one of Baldur's Gate 3 and even a multiplayer session of Ghost of Tsushima before giving up and just watching movies. 2025 may have peaked.

Technieuws Microsoft beëindigde vorige week officieel de ondersteuning voor Windows 10 | TPM 2.0 omzeilen voor Windows 11 11de lancering van Starship werd een succes | SLS vs. Starship voor Artemis Wet die politieke advertenties sterk beperkt is vanaf vrijdag actief. California keurt wet goed die AI-companions reguleert. Apple kondigt nieuwe iPad, instap MacBook Pro 14” en Vision Pro met M5 aan | Apple levert geen oplader meer bij Macbook Pro M5 | Qualcomm’s mobiele en laptop chips zijn veelbelovend Europa verplicht minimaal één USB-C-poort op opladers. Sony bevestigd komst van Horizon Zero Dawn film | Amazon bestelt twee seizoenen rondom God of War | Ghost of Tsushima anime-serie op Crunchyroll Reportage: De link tussen bordspellen en video games (2/4): Pac-Man Deep dive(s) Nederlandse regering zet topman van chipfabrikant Nexperia op non actief vanwege wanbestuur | NFC chip in de iPhones | Een reconstructie van de ‘nationalisering’ | Hoe nu verder | De Amerikaanse regering nam in augustus 10% van de aandelen van Intel over Sinds 9 oktober moeten SEPA-transfers in de Eurozone instant uitgevoerd worden zonder meerprijs t.o.v. een gewone overschrijving.

Met Floris op vakantie zit Erwin deze week aan de knoppen voor een chaotische aflevering van de Bright Podcast. Niet minder belangrijk overigens, want Samsung kondigde zijn Vision Pro-concurrent aan, Apple brengt de nieuwe M5 MacBook Pro en iPad Pro uit en we gingen al even aan de slag met de nieuwe line-up van Philips Hue. Luister op Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Omny of kijk (of luister) via YouTube . Of in je favoriete podcast-app natuurlijk! Verder in deze aflevering: Uitgevers komen in actie tegen de AI-samenvattingen van Google, Netflix gaat steeds meer op AI leunen, de Prolo Ring is een opvallend alternatief voor de computermuis, Elon Musk dreigt met een vertrek bij Tesla en zet een opvallend verdienmodel op voor X, en Apple brengt met iOS 26.1 een opvallende instelling naar je iPhone. Luister hier de Bright Podcast. Sponsor:Wil je weten hoe IT professionals bij Rabobank stappen maken richting duurzamer IT gebruik? Bekijk meer op rabobank.jobs/IT Tips uit deze aflevering: Gadget: Secrid Magsafe. Secrid, het Nederlandse merk dat al jaren kaarthouders maakt, heeft nu ook een MagSafe-variant. Kijk, zo klik je ’m gewoon achter op je telefoon. De kaarthouder van Apple biedt plek aan maximaal drie kaarten, maar in die van Secrid passen er tot wel zes. Hij is iets groter en past daardoor wat lastiger in je broekzak, maar verder is het echt een top ding. iPhone-tip: Liquid Glass nu al uit te zetten. Voordat iOS 26.1 verschijnt kun je het glazige uiterlijk van je iPhone al beperken. Dat doe je via Instellingen -> Toegankelijkheid -> Weergave en tekstgrootte -> Maak minder doorzichtig + Verhoog contrast. Game: Ghost of Yotei. Deze game voor de PlayStation 5 is de opvolger van Ghost of Tsushima. Dit keer kruip je in de huid van een vrouwelijke krijgen die niet bang is om menig vijand aan haar katana te rijgen. Een heerlijke game die je Japan ook weer op bijzondere wijze laat zien. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Note: We had audio issues with this podcast. You may hear a low buzzing sound. We had a card reader interfering with our camera and therefore the audio is not our normal quality. We will check more closely next time!---Battlefield 6 is back! We are thrilled that Battlefield is back and that it seems to be delivering a quality experience out of the box. We're having a blast with multiplayer finding the game truly delivers on those Battlefield moments, while tightening gameplay fixing a lot of the issues people had with Battlefield 2042. We also try the campaign and talk about our limited time with Battlefield Portal.Austin beats Borderlands 4 and talks about the ending (no spoilers) as well as what happens in the end game. Is it worth playing through to the end to grind at the end or does it leave much to be desired?Jason beats Ghost of Yōtei after 60 hours of game time. He loved the game and enjoyed playing through but the question remains...does it outshine Ghost of Tsushima or does it fail to hit the mark? Listen to find out!Brett jumps into the server slam for Arc Raiders. Arc Raiders is a new extraction shooter from Embark Studios, creators of The Finals. This game feels very different but has the same level of polish The Finals had that has Brett excited to visit this world. The game is very challenging but this time jumping in with random people made it a bit more approachable. The game releases Oct 30th and Brett will definitely be diving in!Lastly, we have a unique conversation about credit card companies. News has recently cropped up about Visa and Mastercard stepping into the moderation game by blocking usage of their platform for certain platforms basically if they don't comply with their rules. We don't think credit card companies should turn to moderation, that's not their responsibility. It's happening and we fear this is a slippery slope for them being able to block more things if it doesn't align with them. Show Notes:1:13 - Housekeeping3:35 - Battlefield 6 Early Review: Campaign, Multiplayer and Portal44:53 - Borderlands 4 Endgame1:06:13 - Ghost of Yōtei Full Review1:23:49 - Arc Raiders: The Next Big Extraction Shooter?1:53:36 - Can Credit Card Companies Moderate Our Games?2:18:34 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Time sure is moving, but has a sufficient amount of it passed for us to start considering the next generation of PlayStation console? According to two reliable leakers, the answer is yes: Sony is very much aiming to get PS6 out in 2027. This makes sense by historical standards -- seven years between consoles is fairly normal, if not even a little slow -- but it really doesn't feel like we need this thing. Or do we? By 2027, who knows what our ecosystem might look like. Let's discuss! Plus: Legendary Tecmo director and producer Tomonobu Itagakai has sadly passed away, Sony-owned studio Bluepoint is hiring for a mysterious third-person action project, San Diego Studio appears primed to finally bring its smash-hit MLB: The Show series to PC, Ghost of Yotei is selling at parity with Ghost of Tsushima, we could have very easily gotten a mobile The Last of Us game, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Do we like to partake in New Game+, when applicable? With Xbox's displacement as a hardware competitor, is Sony and Nintendo's long-standing rivalry primed to be reignited? Why don't we talk more about the fighting scene? Will Dustin regale us with some of his Japanese language skills? Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:38:55 - Shoutout Saxon0:43:38 - Eloping in Vegas0:54:26 - Dagster check in?0:55:44 - 今週何個の瓶を埋めたか教えてください0:57:31 - RIP Tomonobu Itagaki1:07:17 - PlayStation 6 in 20271:44:10 - Bluepoint hiring for a 3rd person melee action game1:53:40 - Ghost of Yotei sales similar to Tsushima , Suckerpunch can only do one game at a time2:05:41 - MLB: The Show coming to PC?2:12:13 - Tencent pitched a mobile Last of Us2:24:34 - PSVR2 controller for sale2:32:23 - Fans revive ModNation Racers2:36:49 - Quantic Dream reveals multiplayer game2:48:20 - Remedy's FBC Firebreak is in the red2:57:15 - Build A Rocket Boy in trouble3:01:13 - New PS+ games3:08:23 - What We're Playing (Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei, Battlefield 6, Lumines Arise)3:53:35 - Why is New Game+ late?3:58:58 - Why isn't Nintendo competition?4:06:34 - Video game betting4:14:01 - What do we want from a PlayStation handheld?4:19:03 - Why aren't we into fighting games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Jeff out on vacation, Christian welcomes developers and friends, Alex Sulman and Daanish Syed to the show this week to discuss Quantic Dream's upcoming multiplayer game, the Horizon: Zero Dawn movie coming in 2027, the passing of an industry legend, and more! The Playlist: Alex: Keeper, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Ghost of Tsushima, Lego Voyagers Daanish: Ghost of Yōtei, The Midnight Walk, Slots and Daggers Christian: Ghost of Yōtei,  Pokémon Legends: Z-A Parting Gifts!

The long awaited sequel to Ghosts of Tsushima just dropped last week and the question is simple... is Ghost of Yotei worth watching? Check out John and Dallas' initial thoughts! Stay Connected with Geek Devotions! Website: www.geekdevotions.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/geekdevotions  Instagram: www.instagram.com/geekdevotions  Special thank you to our Devoted Patreon Supporters! Ruiz Family • Adam Arciniega • Lady Lommax • Paul Turner • Jacob Russell • Mike Alderman • Nerd Chapel • Monster Island Film Vault • PaulJPowers.com • Michael Manacci • The Cel Cast • Savie Wilson • John Harju • Kevin Lovelace • Branson Boykin ...and many more! How can you help support the mission of Geek Devotions?   Join Patreon for exclusive perks: www.patreon.com/GeekDevotions   Make a one-time gift via PayPal: www.paypal.me/geekdevotions   Check out our Amazon Wishlist: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1OA5D71138PDO?ref_=wl_share 

Follow The Trophy Room Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pstrophyroom Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/2PglU1a Discord: https://discord.gg/wPNp3kC -------- TimeStamps! Intro - 00:00 - 16:14 Ghost Sales - 19:00 Bluepoint's Next Game - 39:43 PS6 set to Release in 2027 - 48:25 The Outer Worlds 2 Interview - 01:05:35 -------- This week on the show, we break down the latest PlayStation and industry headlines — starting with Ghost of Yotei's massive debut across Europe, matching the launch success of Ghost of Tsushima and becoming Sony's biggest first-party hit since Spider-Man 2. We then dive into Sucker Punch's future as a single-project studio, Bluepoint's new third-person action game (is it Bloodborne Remake or God of War-related?), and fresh reports that the PlayStation 6 could launch in 2027. Plus, Silent Hill 2, Until Dawn (PS5), and Yakuza: Like a Dragon join the PlayStation Plus lineup, while Halo remake leaks and The Outer Worlds 2 devs drop fresh insights. All that and more on this week's deep dive into the world of PlayStation and beyond!  

Det är avsnitt 500! Vi firar med bubbel och en massa spelsnack. Avsnitt 500 är inte ett liveavsnitt - men det kommer! I väntan på det dricker vi lite bubbel och pratar spelnyheter: bland annat om ett Assassin's Creed-spel som lagts ned, att fler spel än någonsin släpps men färre personer köper många spel och att Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 har sålt över 5 miljoner exemplar. Vi snackar också om den nya Star Trek-serien, Starfleet Academy, den kommande Game of Throne-serien A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, att Sigourney Weaver verkar återvända till Alien-universumet och att DC Comics meddelar att de aldrig kommer att använda generativ AI för att skapa serietidningar. Vidare har Tove spelat lite Ghost of Yotei, uppföljaren till Ghost of Tsushima, medan Niklas har sett ett par avsnitt av den fjärde kampanjen i Critical Role samt thriller-skräck-komedin Death of a Unicorn. Tack & Förlåt! Puss Hej!

In this one, Eddie and Jerry talk knowing when you were in trouble as a kid, Jerry loves Ghost of Tsushima, why could it not be a Star Wars game?, Eddie has some dope Marvel Legends figures and so much more... Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerrett has begun Atsu's journey in Ghost of Yotei and shares his initial thoughts as well as how he thinks Yotei compares to the great Ghost of Tsushima. 0:00 - Intro 3:20 - Moment with Mogan 15:32 - Ghost of Yotei First Impressions Subscribe to watch new episodes every week: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi14dFb-OyPcOS2pt4ZKP7g?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe on podcast services: https://teamchatpodcast.com/where-to-listen/ Buy Team Chat Merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/team-chat-podcast Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/jkh48jk Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/teamchatpodcast teamchatpodcast #videogames #ghostofyotei

En proposant un monde ouvert à l'interface dépouillée mais rempli de petites histoires qui rythment l'exploration, Ghost of Yōtei, sans révolutionner le genre, propose sa propre vision d'un des formats préférés des superproductions actuelles. Nous avons eu l'occasion de rencontrer Nate Fox, directeur créatif chez Sucker Punch, pour évoquer les choix de design et les ambitions de la suite de Ghost of Tsushima.Pour commenter cette émission, donner votre avis ou simplement discuter avec notre communauté, connectez-vous au serveur Discord de Silence on joue!Soutenez Silence on joue en vous abonnant à Libération avec notre offre spéciale à 5€ par mois : https://offre.liberation.fr/soj/CRÉDITSSilence on joue ! est un podcast de Libération animé par Erwan Cario. Cet entretien a été enregistrée le 24 septembre 2025. Réalisation : Erwan Cario. Musique : The Yōtei Six · Toma Otowa Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

If you're a regular purchaser of games, you're a stark minority within the very industry you know and love. We've known all about the revenue-related trends directing games as of late, but recent data indicates things are far more dire than they seem, particularly if you're a single player purist. For instance, a third of gaming consumers purchase less than one game a year; 12% buy one game a year; 18% buy two games a year. Only 14% of players buy at least one game a month! Yet, there's more money flowing than ever. Like, lots more. What gives? A migration of customers and their habits, of course! We discuss. Other news this week includes a brief Mark Cerny video celebrating Sony's collaboration with AMD for PlayStation 6, the reemergence of Marathon with invites to an NDA'd closed test, the bluest DualSense controller you could possibly imagine, rumors of a cancelled Reconstruction-era Assassin's Creed, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Could Sony be on the precipice of adding to its family of first party studios? Is there a potential unfilled niche for medical-themed titles? Does PlayStation need to spin-up a new loyalty program? Forget about your favorite color. What's your favorite shape? Download the PrizePicks app and use code SACRED to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:37:16 - Strange places to listen to Sacred0:41:27 - Ben Debate0:52:43 - Favorite shape0:58:31 - Mark Cerny appears!1:09:26 - New player purchasing data1:29:11 - New Marathon technical test coming1:49:59 - New early PlayStation lore1:58:37 - New blue Dualsense2:03:38 - PlayStation Concert cancelled2:10:25 - Cancelled Assassin's creed leaked2:33:10 - Expedition 33 sells over 5 million, new content coming2:35:40 - New Circana data2:43:33 - Top PSN downloads2:47:34 - PowerWash Simulator 2 release date and Mina the Hollower delayed2:54:28 - What We're Playing (Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei, Baby Steps, Mario Galaxy)3:27:58 - SIE and Sword of the Sea?3:31:39 - Will Rockstar innovate gameplay in GTA VI3:37:38 - What's the end point of live service?3:42:44 - What do "fans" want?3:55:38 - PlayStation Stars still floating around3:59:19 - Where are the medical games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 113: Games discussed: Ghost of Tsushima published by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2020 and developed by Sucker Punch Productions and Nixxes Software. A huge thank you to my dear friend Larry Cruz for joining me for this episode. Larry's PlayStation gamer tag is lcruz_94 Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/vG2PgRpY55 Sticky Buttons Blog: https://stickybuttonsblog.pika.page/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJvGgcb44cEp6nQrMxCz1g TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thestickybuttonspod?_t=ZT-8yMoXlJRAsQ&_r=1 Blake can be found on Instagram, Bluesky and Twitch @ handheldblake   Please consider subscribing to the Patreon, any support goes a long way to helping the show grow! https://www.patreon.com/thestickybuttonspod This show was founded in 2019 by Blake McKean and Brandon Prenz

Summer 2025 Anime Awards — Best, Worst & Hidden GemsNow that the seasons are changing, Cole, Mike, and Jay look back at what was Summer 2025's best anime, and give out their awards!Also, Mike's playing Donkey Kong Bonanza, Jay and Cole become samurai in Ghost of Yotei, and more!Topics & Timestamps:00:00:00 - AniProPod 201 Intro 00:03:56 - Donkey Kong Bonanza Discussion & Gaming Tangent00:10:37 - Ghost of Yotei Impressions (vs. Ghost of Tsushima)00:28:41 - Biggest Flop of the Summer 2025 Anime Season00:34:00 - Best Anime Openings (OP) of Summer 202500:43:17 - Best Anime Endings (ED) of Summer 202500:48:08 - Best Directed Anime of the Season00:54:59 - Best Animation & Visuals01:01:29 - Anime Studio of the Season 01:09:32 - Best Girl of the Season01:13:26 - Best Boy of the Season01:18:32 - Best Duo / Character Partnership01:24:06 - Most Fun Anime of the Season01:30:16 - Most Underrated Anime of Summer 202501:38:09 - Best Continuing Anime01:45:14 - Best New Anime of the Season01:51:46 - Wrap Up & Next Time on AniProPodSupport AniPro:Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/AniProPodMailbag – https://anipropod.com/mailbagTokyoTreat ($5 off) – Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/AniProFollow & Subscribe:X (Twitter) – https://twitter.com/AniProPodInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/anipropodDiscord – https://discord.gg/dV5tMCWvM7Next Reviews:Anime – Buddy DaddiesManga – Journey Home After School → Ichi the Witch → Black Torch Music & Credits:Opening Theme – “Shibuya”Bumper Track – "Starts With You" by "Klaatu Verada Necktie"Music licensed via – slip.streamEnjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

This week's big release is Ghost of Yotei, which brings back one of our favorite features from its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima: the adorable foxes that lead you to Inari Shrines. These furry friends are essentially collectibles, which got us thinking about other games that let you collect animals. After that, we give our impressions of Ghost of Yotei and other big new releases, including The Super Mario Galaxy Collection, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, and Digimon Story: Time Stranger. Then we talk about that Nintendo teaser animation and other news of the week.  Question of the Week: What is a spin-off game that got you into the main series? Break Song is "Animal" by Pearl Jam Vidjagame Apocalypse theme by Matthew Joseph Payne.

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠Join Analytic Dreamz on Notorious Mass Effect for a deep dive into Ghost of Yōtei, the PS5-exclusive samurai epic. Analytic Dreamz unpacks its 2M+ copies sold in days, generating $140M+ revenue, outpacing Ghost of Tsushima digitally. Explore Atsu's revenge in 1603 Hokkaido, blending yōkai folklore, dynamic combat, and open-world exploration. With an 87 Metacritic, haptic haikus, and Ainu-inspired design, it's a cultural and critical hit despite “woke” backlash and minor bugs. Tune in for key stats, controversies, and why Yōtei is a 2025 standout. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Where's everyone going? Space? This week, some opening thoughts on Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch's follow-up to one of the best games ever made, Ghost of Tsushima. This time, the player takes the role of Atsu, who sets out to find the Yotei Six in 1600s Ezo. We've got spoiler-free thoughts on the first few hours, including mission and world design, combat mechanics, and the interesting flow of the game. We've got more Borderlands 4, with both of us having finished the campaign at this point. And yes, more Silent Hill f with Hinako's treacherous journey continuing. The Dark Souls of Silent Hill keeps getting more and more interesting as time goes on. Check out the show on BlueSky @MarkersOnTheMap.

This week on The Inner Gamer, Brett and Jason share their first impressions of Ghost of Yōtei — the long-awaited follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima. You now play as Atsu, a warrior on a brutal quest for revenge against the Yōtei Six who murdered her family. The tone is darker, the world more open, and the storytelling more grounded. It's a different kind of Ghost game, but so far, we're loving the shift in direction.Brett also dives into the full 1.0 release of Hades II on the Switch 2. This sequel from Supergiant Games expands everything fans loved about the original — deeper combat, gorgeous art, and another gripping mythic story. If you're a roguelike fan, this is a must-play; if you're not, its repetition may still test your patience.Finally, we break down some major industry news. With rising game and console prices — including another Game Pass increase — gaming is getting more expensive than ever. And in a stunning move, Electronic Arts was acquired by Saudi Arabia for $55 billion, the largest deal in gaming history. We discuss what this could mean for players, studios, and the future of the industry as costs climb higher than ever.Show Notes:1:05 - Housekeeping3:09 - Ghost of Yōtei First Look: Hunting the Yōtei Six46:26 - Hades 2 First Look: Is It Worth the Loop?1:08:36 - Console Gaming Is Too Expensive — The Beginning of the End?1:37:25 - Inside the $55B EA Takeover — Risks, Opportunities, and What's Next1:59:37 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Ben, Matt James, and Justin Charity break down the bombshell news about Electronic Arts being sold for $55 billion, Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass price hike, and the showdown between ‘Battlefield' and ‘Call of Duty.' Then Ben, Matt, and Daniel Chin share their spoiler-free reviews of the new spiritual sequel to ‘Ghost of Tsushima,' the PlayStation 5 exclusive ‘Ghost of Yotei.' EA is being acquired (01:43) Microsoft Xbox Game Pass price increase (14:04) 'Call of Duty' vs. 'Battlefield' (28:29) 'Ghost of Yotei' reactions (35:58) Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Matt James, Justin Charity, and Daniel Chin Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Besties were mixed on 2020's Ghost of Tsushima, but have found a lot to love in its new sequel, Ghost of Yotei. What makes this open-world Sony-exclusive stand out? Plus, Griffin updates the group on the brilliant remake of Final Fantasy Tactics. And we make some time to pick through the mailbag! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

On this episode of The Movie Podcast, Daniel and Shahbaz are joined by Creative Director Jason Connell of Sucker Punch Productions for an in-depth discussion on the making GHOST OF YŌTEI and the cinematic influences behind it. Set in 1603 in Ezo, Japan, the story follows Atsu, an onryō seeking vengeance against the “Yōtei Six” for slaughtering her family sixteen years earlier. Ghost of Yōtei is out now exclusively on the PlayStation 5 family of systems. Jason Connell is a Creative Director on Ghost of Yōtei and was Creative Director and Art Director on Ghost of Tsushima, leading lighting, cinematography, and concept direction. He has more than 20 years of game development experience, over half of which have been with Sucker Punch. Alaska bred, he loves adventuring with his wife and two children. Jason lives in a beanie 99% of the time and abuses the word awesome. Watch and listen to The Movie Podcast now on all podcast platforms, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheMoviePodcast.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@themoviepodcast.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FOLLOW US⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Daniel on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shahbaz on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Anthony on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Movie Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rotten Tomatoes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a one-two move with Sucker Punch's Chris Zimmerman and Brian Fleming. Now shipping Ghost of Yotei, they tell us about leaving Microsoft for Sony and becoming a gamedev powerhouse. Tales of exact pitches and being great instead of good - this week!Episode Highlights[00:00:00] Intro: Chris Zimmerman & Brian Fleming of Sucker Punch ProductionsAn introduction to Chris and Brian, co-founders of Sucker Punch Productions (Sly Cooper, Infamous, Ghost of Tsushima).[00:08:23] “Name it Anything But Sucker Punch”Brian and Chris talk about the founding of Sucker Punch and how the studio got its name. [00:14:06] Early Days at MicrosoftBrian and Chris reminisce on learning how to run a business, trial and error, and early days at Microsoft.[00:21:04] Growing Up in the “Right” PlaceBrian and Chris trade stories of growing up and working in tech in the early 90s. [00:27:54] Leaving Microsoft and Starting Sucker PunchChris and Brian talk about leaving Microsoft, building a team from scratch, making their first games, and landing a deal with Ubisoft.[00:37:17] The Silver LiningAfter a release riddled with mistakes, the team lands a first party deal for their next game series, Sly Cooper. [00:47:28] Was Sony the Right Choice?Chris and Brian discuss the advantage of having a stable, long-term relationship with your publisher and building trust.[00:51:19] How Ghost of Tsushima StartedFrom an alpha that never got approval, to developing one of the fastest-selling first-party PlayStation titles and a BAFTA-winning game.[01:01:50] The Studio Now vs. Then and COVID's ImpactReleasing 3 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris and Brian review how they adjusted their plans and how the studio has evolved over time.[1:10:27] Outro: Closing RemarksSupport the showThank you for listening to our podcast all about videogames and the amazing people who bring them to life!Hosted by Alexander Seropian and Aaron MarroquinFind us at www.thefourthcurtain.com Join our Patreon for early, ad-free episodes plus bonus content at https://patreon.com/FourthCurtain Come join the conversation at https://discord.gg/KWeGE4xHfeVideos available at https://www.youtube.com/@thefourthcurtainFollow us on Twitter: @fourthcurtainEdited and mastered at https://noise-floor.com Audio Editor: Bryen HensleyVideo Editor: Sarkis GrigorianProducer: Kimya TaheriArt: Paul RusselCommunity Manager: Doug ZartmanFeaturing Liberation by 505

Today in the #MikeJonesMinuteCon, we're talking about Ghost of Yotei and Axl Rose, comic book hero! 

Was für eine volle Games-Packung! Wir besprechen GHOST OF YŌTEI, zeigen euch das dazugehörige Interview mit Game Director Nate Fox. Außerdem gibt's SONIC RACING: CROSSWORLDS und das Klassiker-Comeback FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE IVALICE CHRONICLESf. Gregor bringt von einem SEGA-EVENT allerlei – Überraschung! – YAKUZA-News mit, außerdem diskutiert die Runde Ankündigungen rund um WOVERINE, FORZA HORIZON 6 und mehr. Ach ja, natürlich muss es auch um die EA-ÜBERNAHME gehen, krasse Sache! DIGIMON STORY TIME STRANGER, SIMON THE SORCERER ORIGINS, HADES II und mehr runden diesen geilen GAME TALK ab. Und vielen Dank und ganz viel Liebe an Viet! Rocket Beans wird unterstützt von Peugeot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode Matt and Jon discuss the season (series?) finale of Alien: Earth, Peacemaker, Gen V, South Park and Beavis and Butt-Head, while Jon rewatched All the President's Men and continued on The Paper and reread Absolute Batman: The Zoo, while Matt finished season four of Gilmore Girls and started playing Ghost of Tsushima! Twitter, or X or whatever (For Now): https://twitter.com/Jonwahizzle Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jonwahizzle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/damnthattelevision/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damntvpod Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattlovestv.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/jonwahizzle.bsky.social Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mattlovestv/ https://letterboxd.com/jonwahizzle/ Jon on AIPT: https://aiptcomics.com/author/jonathanw/ Matt's show The Drop: A Pop Culture Mix Tape: wscafm.org Sundays 6-8 PM: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedropwsca/

Ghost of Yotei has been called everything from “the wokest samurai game ever” to a next-gen masterpiece. After spending 50+ hours with the game, here's my spoiler-free review.In this episode, I'll cover:The story setup of Atsu and her path as the Ghost of Yotei (without spoilers)How the game explores themes of vengeance, justice, and consequenceErika Ishii's powerful performance and why it elevates the experienceGameplay evolution from Ghost of Tsushima (stances, weapons, stealth, fear mechanics)Visuals, worldbuilding, and why this might be Sucker Punch's best game yetAnd yes — I'll dig into the controversy: Is Ghost of Yotei really “woke,” or is that just noise? Let me know what YOU think in the comments.This is a spoiler-free review — no major story reveals, just my honest impressions on gameplay, themes, and presentation.If you enjoyed this, please like, subscribe, and check out more gaming coverage here on the channel.

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Sony held its latest State of Play showcase to detail what's coming next for the platform, including a first look at gameplay for the much-anticipated Wolverine game. --> If you got Ghost of Tsushima's platinum trophy, congratulations – PlayStation's Franchise Rewards program would now like $70 for your commemorative merch.-->  The adaptation you've been waiting for since 1996 is finally here – Bop It! is now a videogame.--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, TriviaWe love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com- Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378Hosts: retrogamebrews, wrytersview, donniegretroOpening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli TakanenPatron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretroClosing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli TakanenSupport the show

What up, jeeks?

What if the keys to becoming a better CEO were hiding in the way you show up as a father? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill shift from strategy to storytelling and get personal. From showing up as mystery readers in their daughter's classroom to rewatching KPop Demon Hunters on repeat, Michael shares how fatherhood has shaped his values, his leadership, and the legacy he wants to leave. He also talks about the video games that shaped his mindset and reveals the surprising ways he uses AI in his personal life to improve his health, habits, and decision-making. Here's what you'll learn: Why choosing presence over productivity can create more impact in the long run What Michael's favorite video games say about how he thinks, leads, and solves problems How AI helps him stay sharp, build better routines, and prepare for his next triathlon A straightforward look at how Michael approaches parenting, hobbies, and personal development. ---- 01:45 – Why reading to a first-grade class was more nerve-wracking than speaking at a Summit 03:37 – The books Michael and Jessica chose, and what they taught the kids about mindset and choices 04:27 – Why being a mystery reader matters more than missing a meeting 06:03 – What Michael has learned from being a girl dad 12:22 – Michael's top video games of all time and what they reveal about how he thinks 19:54 – Why hobbies like gaming are critical for high performers 20:15 – How Michael uses AI to improve decisions, habits, and health 24:45 – The key ingredient that makes AI actually valuable in your personal life Links & Resources: The Power to Choose Amelia Bedelia American Kingpin by Nick Bilton  The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow The Road by Cormac McCarthy Video Games Chrono Trigger The Last of Us  Half-Life Cyberpunk 2077 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Red Dead Redemption 2 Death Stranding 2 Expedition 33 Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Ghost of Tsushima 2 Call of Duty TV & Film Mr. Robot  Children of Men The Road (film adaptation) Blade Runner AI Tools & Technology ChatGPT (OpenAI) Gemini (Google) Grok (xAI) Claude (Anthropic) ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 394. How to Grow Without Losing Culture (Or Your Sanity) with Varghese Summersett 389. AMMA — Stop Fixing $5 Problems and Start Solving $1M Ones 332. Cliff Bleszinski — What the Legal Industry Can Learn From the Gaming Industry

Ghost of Yotei Art Director Joanna Wang joins Steve and Bobby on Creature Cast this week to discuss the game's ambition, innovations in developing for the PlayStation 5, and how art direction helps when considering scope during development. If you're curious how Tsushima differentiates from mainland Japan, how much work goes into the Director Modes, how the seamless open-world transition between biomes works, and the subtle changes made in Ghost of Tsushima, check out the complete interview!Like and follow us on Social Media:Bluesky: @consolecreatures.comYouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@ConsoleCreaturesTwitter: @ConsoleCreature⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @RealConsoleCreatureInstagram: @ConsoleCreaturesThreads: ⁠ @Consolecreatures ⁠Intro music provided by Mad Seedling. Check his work on Spotify!#ghostofyōtei #ghostoftsushima #suckerpunchproductions #playstation

¡Apoya Reconectados, decide y participa en todos los sorteos! ✅ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reconectados (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:01) - Ghost of Yotei (01:00:51) - Silent Hill f (01:14:13) - Sonic Racing Crossworlds (01:24:34) - Kojima Productions: Beyond the Strand (01:44:01) - State of Play (02:03:27) - 02:07:10 - Despedida Algo más de 5 años después del lanzamiento de Ghost of Tsushima analizamos ahora la nueva entrega de la saga, Ghost of Yotei, y te contamos todo lo que nos ha parecido. ¿Resuelve los problemas del primer juego? ¿Cómo funciona su mundo abierto y su exploración? ¿El combate a katana sigue siendo igual de desafiante? Respondemos a todas las preguntas en este completo análisis, pero hacemos lo propio con Silent Hill f, que ha acaparado titulares estos últimos días. Además, debatimos sobre el evento de Beyond the Strand, donde Kojima nos ha enseñado sus planes con Overdose y Physint. Y, por supuesto, llegamos para contaros todas las novedades del State of Play, entre ellas la aparición de Marvel's Wolverine al final del evento. ¡Gracias por seguir con nosotros una semana más! Compra más barato en nuestro enlace de Instant Gaming: https://www.instant-gaming.com/es/?igr=reconectados ¡Sigue nuestro canal de Twitch! ✅ Suscríbete a Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/reconectados ¡Únete a nuestro grupo de Telegram de ofertas! ✅ Canal de ofertas: https://t.me/ofertasvideojuegosreco ¡Escucha Reconectados cada semana: Jueves 07:00am! Ivoox: https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-reconectados-videojuegos_sq_f1467878_1.html Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TzgUfUZppavUlKeRreIXL Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/reconectados-videojuegos/id1304330116 ¡Síguenos en redes sociales! Twitter: @ReconectadosPod Jabote: @Jabote22 Manu: @ManuGmn Paula: @paulacroft02 Borja: @borjaruete Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReconectadosPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reconectadospod/

This episode has embraced the forbidden tactic of FUN! Today writer Edgar Momplaisir returns to the podcast to antagonize his buddy Conner and discuss his time with Sucker Punch Productions' epic action-adventure Ghost of Tsushima (2020). Show Notes Edgar Momplaisir - Instagram Conner McCabe – Bluesky Produced, Edited, and Original music by Jeremy Schmidt – Video Games: a Comedy Show Call Me By Your Game – Instagram - Bluesky – YouTube - TikTok Super NPC Radio – Patreon - Discord-  Bluesky – Instagram – Twitch Episode Citations Ghost of Tsushima: the Road to Launch - PlayStation blog by Brian Fleming

Gaming & fatherhood are the main topics this week with the amazing Dan Belgrave! Dan & Mike have collaborated in the past on GCC, the podcast Superheroes For Dummies and more, but this week they're honing-in on two incredibly important aspects of Dan's life; being a dad and video games! In their discussion, they talk about the challenges of fatherhood and the balancing of time one must adhere to, while also talking about the many incredible things that come along with it. After talking about Dan's son, the duo move into video-game-territory in more detail, including early memories of gaming, why they love it, Ghosts of Tsushima, and so much more – this is one for the gamers and the dads! Find Dan on IG @dark_ronin84 and @black_blur84 or on TikTok @manlikedan84. Dan is involved in a new collaborative podcast project, which will be launching very soon, so keep your eyes & ears peeled! Dan was last on GCC all the way back on episode 115, so dive into the back catalogue to listen! Previous episodes of GCC have included Tony (A.R.) Farina talking about his Sense & Sensibility adaptation, Seth Singleton talking about Comics Lit, celebrating Where I'm From 200 with Alyson Shelton, interviews & reviews from the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival and discussing The Intergalactic Empire Of Wakanda novel with its author, Suyi Davies Okungbowa! All Patreon supporters have been receiving bonus episodes, including reviews on A Clockwork Orange, Thunderbolts, Venom 3 and more, as well as early access! Support at www.patreon.com/GenuineChitChat or https://ko-fi.com/GenuineChitChat If you're a Star Wars fan, check out Star Wars Chit-Chat for Mike's in-depth reviews, breakdowns & things you missed episodes for Andor, The Clone Wars and more, on any podcast app or on YouTube: https://podfollow.com/starwarschitchat & https://youtube.com/@starwarschitchat Guest Spots: Talking Child's Play, after watching it for the first time, on the 20th Century Geek: https://pod.fo/e/32462c Another episode of Disney Discussions is out where Mike & Dan spoke about Lilo & Stitch 1 & 2 with Megan, Ria & guest Natalie! https://tinyurl.com/2bs7kker Mike has been on the 20th Century Geek podcast, reviewing Superman '78, Superman II, the Super/Man documentary and Superman 2025! https://pod.fo/e/2bea07 Find all of Mike's social media & other links at https://linktr.ee/GenuineChitChat Please review/rate, subscribe and share – it helps the show out an incredible amount!

We're back after our summer holidays and kicking off the second half of season 3 by looking at a particular Washington-based developer that we've looked at many times before, Sucker Punch Productions. After chatting about two-thirds of their raccoon trilogy on this very podcast, we're taking a look at something that is much more recent, much more grown-up, much more samurai. We're going back to 2020 to take a look at an open-world, action-adventure game set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. We're talking Ghost of Tsushima.On this episode of Stealth Boom Boom, we chat a little bit about tourism, whether Akira Kurosawa mode is just a black and white filter and nothing more, and there's what some people are calling “a surprising amount of Infamous chat”, too. We also look at how they tried to balance authenticity with audience expectation, finishing a game during a global pandemic, and there's a heated discussion about wind.Here are some of the things you're gonna hear us chat about in our review: outrageously quick load times; stealth that encourages speed over patience; some very enjoyable, very familiar outpost-clearing; the power of Focused Hearing; loads of tall grass; the feeling of a sequel to Assassin's Creed 2; being hated by samurai as you fling kunai, wind chimes, and sticky bombs about; undercover Batman; sword-fighting that feels like accessible Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, whilst also engaging the player with a number of different things to consider; no lock on; announcing your arrival at the beginning of a fight; taking on one other opponent in a duel; running after foxes, slicing bamboo, and one or two other things that are absolutely everywhere on this very large map; an uninspired grappling hook; an island that is too big for some and the right size for others; Samuel Taylor Coleridge; Ishikawa's student; a plot that would've worked better in a more linear game; using Ghost tactics and feeling completely fine; and our clothing choices.After all that, we take you through what some of the critics were saying about the game around the time it came out, and then we give you our final verdicts on whether Ghost of Tsushima is a Pass, a Play, or an Espionage Explosion.For those who would like to play along at home, we'll be discussing, reviewing and dissecting Amnesia: The Dark Descent on the next episode of Stealth Boom Boom.IMPORTANT LINKS TO THINGS