Monthly Archives: November 2015

The Koku System

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Dr. J.H. Watson

If you’ve read anything about Shogunate-era Japan you’ve probably come across the term koku. It is mostly used to describe the wealth of an individual and measured in bales of rice. But this description significantly oversimplifies the implications of the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Japan | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Misadventures in Shopping

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Dr. J.H. Watson

Going food shopping in Japan can be an adventure, especially if you don’t speak the language. You’re reduced to looking at the pictures on the packaging and using that, along with the context provided by other nearby goods, to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged | 9 Comments