What does TennÅzu Isle mean?
A rags to riches story. From sandbar to waterfront boardwalk. What does Tennoze Isle mean? Continue reading What does TennÅzu Isle mean?
Search Results for: Perry
What does Shimbamba mean?
Let’s explore the old TÅkaidÅ road on the outskirts of Edo. Continue reading What does Shimbamba mean?
What does Tachiaigawa mean?
A neighborhood in TÅkyÅ forgotten by time, but cool af. Continue reading What does Tachiaigawa mean?
Where is Gotenâyama today?
Gotenyama was the premiere hanami spot in Edo. Not much remains today. Continue reading Where is Gotenâyama today?
Yamanote Line: Akihabara and Kanda
New Article!
I somehow made a light piece about Akihabara and Kanda.
#SettingTheStage #Japan #Edo #Tokyo Continue reading Yamanote Line: Akihabara and Kanda
What does NagatachÅ mean?
Nagata-chÅ is to Japan what Washington DC or Downing Street are to the US and UK. Go #metonym power! Continue reading What does NagatachÅ mean?
Book Review – Hiroshige: 100 Famous Views of Edo
This beautiful book let’s the art speak for itself but provides print-by-print commentary. It’s a coffee table book that I find irresistible. Of course, I’m biased. Hiroshige is my favorite Japanese artist. Continue reading Book Review – Hiroshige: 100 Famous Views of Edo
What does Gotenyama mean?
Goten’yama was one of Edo’s most famous spots for cherry blossom viewing… until it wasn’t. Continue reading What does Gotenyama mean?
What does YÅ«rei-zaka mean?
Halloween is right around the corner, so I thought we’d look at a haunted hill in Mita – YÅ«rei-zaka! (Ghost Hill) Continue reading What does YÅ«rei-zaka mean?
10 Famous People From Honjo
Today we’ll look at the biographies of a few people who called TÅkyÅ’s Honjo area home. Continue reading 10 Famous People From Honjo
What does Shiogama mean?
In the spring, I happened upon a shrine that was almost in ruins. I finally got around to researching and it found it the shrine has a fascinating history! Continue reading What does Shiogama mean?
Kiyokawa HachirÅ and the Mystery Graves Nobody Cares About
Kiyokawa HachirÅ was a duplicitous terrorist whose final days Continue reading Kiyokawa HachirÅ and the Mystery Graves Nobody Cares About
What does Odaiba mean?
There’s a mall called Venus Fort in O-daiba. Today you’re gonna learn why… whether you like it or not. Continue reading What does Odaiba mean?
10 Ways to Learn Japanese History
Today, I’d like to answer a few readers questions in one post. In short, how can I get an overview of Japanese History? I’m also going to recommend a few online sources that will help you broaden your understanding of Japanese history and culture. Continue reading 10 Ways to Learn Japanese History
Onkyo-in
Onkyo-in is the grave of the 14th shogun Tokugawa Iesada and his wife Atsu-hime. He was incapable when foreigners knocked on Japan’s door. Continue reading Onkyo-in
Shintoku-inã»the Grave of Tokugawa Ieyoshi
Tokugawa Ieyoshi was a pretty much a brown paper bag shogun. There is nothing notable about his rule… until the last year. In the last year, Commodore Perry arrived in Japan with his “Black Ships” and demanded that Japan end its isolationist policy. That’s when the shit hit the proverbial fan. Continue reading Shintoku-inã»the Grave of Tokugawa Ieyoshi
Tour of an Edo Period House in Kyoto
This came to my attention via Japan Probe, and as a lover of Japanese history, it immediately caught my attention. The Japan of the past that we might see in movies and read about in books is quickly disappearing. Here in Tokyo it sometimes seems like only the shrines and temples have survived the earthquakes, fires, carpet bombings and construction booms over the centuries. The Tokyo of today would be utterly unrecognizable to an inhabitant of the Edo Period (we’re talking as late as 1868, folks). Kyoto was luckily spared most of destruction of the American bombings during WWII and … Continue reading Tour of an Edo Period House in Kyoto
