I was a podcast guest!
Last month I had a great talk with Kyle Wood from Who ArtEd podcast. Now the episode is finally released and I’m inviting you to check it out to learn about contemporary Japanese artist Takashi…
Perry in Japan Explained
Hi guys! The time has come for my first collaboration with a fellow podcaster. Please welcome Garret McCorkle from the “No Country for History” podcast. And we have a great topic to discuss. In 1853…
Q&A. My first time answering your questions
You asked me about Japan Explained, my life in Japan and a lot of other things, so I did my best to answer all your questions. Check out this Patron-exclusive Q&A session on Patreon.
Yokai Explained
We all love something cooling during the summer heat. And what can be more refreshing than a spooky story that makes you shiver.
Nabe Hotpot Explained
You voted for it, so today I’ll look into a long history of nabe hot pot cuisine in Japan, millions of its seasonal and regional varieties and give you a few tips on picking the best pot for your nabe (spoiler alert: you can use pretty much anything).
Sugawara Michizane Explained
Today I want to tell you about a man of humble origin who became a renowned scholar and poet, kept the imperial court in fear long after his death, turned into a wrathful spirit, a deity and a bodhisattva (all at once), got thousands of shrines dedicated to him all around the country and is respected by Zen monks, praised by Confucian scholars and loved by high-schoolers. He got it all. He is Sugawara no Michizane, and let me explain his life to you.
The Golden Pavilion Explained
This time I want to tell you the story of the most glamorous building in Japan – the Golden Pavilion.
Deer of Nara Explained
In this episode, I’m going to talk about the sacred deer of Nara. Because they are cute and all, but there is so much more to their story.
Shoyu Explained
This time I’ll look deep into the history of Japanese soy sauce, walk you through the process of making traditional Japanese shoyu and tell you all you need to know to pick the perfect bottle.
Geisha Explained
In the very first episode of Japan Explained I will address the biggest misconception about Japanese culture. You guessed it right, Geisha.