It's almost March 14th or White Day, Japan's other day meant for giving presents to the person you want to bang! Listen as Stephen (resident Japanese history non-expert) unpacks his sentiments on a "holiday" that only came into existence in the late 1970s!

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Nick and Stephen, two hombres with little expertise but lots of passion, are back and recording remotely to bring you the tale of the Matagi Bear Hunters, a quickly vanishing group of Japanese woodsmen in the rural north!

"Red spots of blood flower in the virgin snow as the bear's dead body is dragged to a nearby plain to be gutted and dismembered using a traditional Matagi knife. Part of the bear's intestines are left as an offering to the mountain goddess.". They cut off the bear's paws before gutting and skinning the rest of its body.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2017/11/matagi-hunting-tradition-japan/

Currently there are still some Matagi communities in the Tōhoku region (Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Niigata and Nagano). There are no more full time Matagi hunters anymore because of hunting restrictions so most of the remaining Matagi are elderly farmers or foresters in the offseason.

There is a Matagi museum in Akita. https://visitakita.com/en/sightseeing/history-culture/213/

Matagi Documentary on NHK WORLD: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/3016051/

In this slightly different from normal episode, Stephen brings you the story of a rather recent figure in Japanese (pop culture) history: the great Shimura Ken, who unfortunately passed away due to COVID-19 on March 29th, 2020.

Remember we aren't experts but we do like to talk like we are!

Let me google that for you!

https://blog.gaijinpot.com/remembering-ken-shimura-through-his-best-comedy-sketches/

In this coronavirus-era episode of the show, a solo Stephen, definitely not an expert, brings you the badly told story of Count Nogi Maresuke, an important figure in Meiji-era Japan and the man most responsible for Nogizaka46 (possibly).

Let me Google that for you:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nogi_Maresuke

Patreon:

http://patreon.com/smallinjapan

Nick and Stephen, two Americans who are definitely not history experts, have trouble remembering basic sayings and facts and are recording next to the busiest train station in the world but that won't stop them from talking about shoguns, this week primarily Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, also known as the Dog Shogun, a controversial figure in Japanese history.

Let me Google that for you:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_Tsunayoshi

(Note: This was recorded in early March before the COVID-19 epidemic rendered face-to-face recording sessions impossible)

Esteban and El Chupacabra, two cabrons who aren't experts but like talking about Japanese history, are back at it again, this time talking about a lesser known protest movement in Japanese history! Block parties, orgies, and incredibly wrong dates given by Japan! It's all good!

Let me Google that for ya!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ee_ja_nai_ka

Nick and Stephen, two jabronies who aren't experts, bring you the long tale of the legendary ancient Japanese warrior('s head) that has allegedly played a huge role in shaping Tokyo as we know it today! Then Nick gets distracted and shares a tale of his band's bass player's experience with a ghost! It's a whole quarantine-safe grab bag of ghoulish delights on this episode of the world's 37th best podcast about Japanese history!

Let me google that for you!

https://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Taira_no_Masakado

Nick's got a historic mancrush and his name is Hiraga Gennai! A true renaissance man, Hiraga Gennai was a writer, an inventor, an entrepreneur, and painter who lived a fascinating life before dying in prison after committing a murder. Nick might not know much but he does know about Hiraga Gennai and, by jove, he wants to share that knowledge with you!