Tag Archives: Japan

Kouki and the Strong No

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Dr. J.H. Watson

  Gather round, everyone, it’s story time.  You might remember I used to teach English in Japan. Well, that brought me into contact with a wide variety of students, among them several dozen pre-schoolers. And it is here that our … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Bad and Wrong History Lessons: Pirates vs. Samurai

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Dr. J.H. Watson

There’s nothing complicated about the system I have here: I write articles based on what I feel like talking about. If I’ve been thinking about writing, you get an article on that; if I’ve been watching anime that’s what I … Continue reading →

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

Nanami and the Five Whys

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Dr. J.H. Watson

One of the best things about teaching in Japan was that most of my students were quite young. Most of them hadn’t developed the reserve that Japanese people are known for, and once they got to know you they were … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Japan | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Guns of the Samurai

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Dr. J.H. Watson

When people think about historical Japan, samurai and their swords come immediately to mind. Perhaps we have images of masterless ronin wandering the lands and getting into thrilling adventures, or maybe we envision the noble families and their loyal retainers. … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Japan, Military | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Katana

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Dr. J.H. Watson

If there’s one thing everyone knows about Japanese history, it’s the katana. Samurai and their swords are perhaps the most iconic image of Edo-period Japan in our mass media consciousness, and they get used whenever a piece of fiction wants … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Japan, Military | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Japanese Castles

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Dr. J.H. Watson

Ever since I arrived in Japan I was interested in Japanese castles. They look quite different to the stone fortifications my Euro-centric upbringing made me consider normal, and it took me a while to realise that it was because they … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Japan, Military | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Top 3 in Japan

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Dr. J.H. Watson

My time in Japan will soon be at an end, so I thought it would be appropriate to look back on some of the places I’ve been and talk about the things Japan has to offer. It’s been a difficult … Continue reading →

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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

Tastes of Japan Pt 2

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Dr. J.H. Watson

Having talked previously about convenience-store foods in Japan, now it’s time to turn to the drinks that accompany them. No, I’m not talking about alcohol (although you can get that at the konbini easily enough). These are the drinks you … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The Watermelon Watchers

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Dr. J.H. Watson

Summer is now well underway here in Japan, and I’ve had a chance to see what it’s like. Before we get too much further through it, I thought I’d talk about some of the more idiosyncratic experiences you get in … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged , , | 9 Comments