The Story of Japan: Samurai, Isolation, and Modern Superpower — Fexingo History — Подкаст

Japan’s Silent War: The Burmese Campaign of 1592 20.09.2026 5мин

While the Meiji Restoration and Tokugawa isolation dominate our archive, Episode 241 uncovers a much earlier, violent ambition: Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s invasion of Korea in 1592. We trace how the unifier of Japan turned his gaze south, driven by legends of conquering Ming China but bogged down by Korean resistance and logistical nightmares. You’ll meet Admiral Yi Sun-sin, whose ironclad ships and tactical genius shattered Japanese naval supremacy, and explore the cultural devastation that left lasting scars on both nations. This episode examines the Battle of Myeongnyang, the role of samurai warriors far from home, and why this failed campaign ultimately forced Japan back into isolation. We also look at the capture of Korean potters, which forever changed Japanese ceramics, linking military failure to unexpected artistic legacy. Join us as we peel back the layers of Hideyoshi’s final gamble. #ToyotomiHideyoshi #ImjinWar #YiSunsin #JapaneseInvasionOfKorea #1592 #BattleOfMyeongnyang #TurtleShip #SamuraiHistory #KoreanCeramics #RiceFieldSoldiers #AdmiralYi #MingDynasty #ErasOfJapan #EastAsianHistory #NavalBattles #HideyoshisGambit #KimIkmun #PorcelainLegacy #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Edo Era's Secret Police and the Art of Silence 19.09.2026 6мин

We often think of Japan’s Tokugawa period as a time of peaceful isolation, but beneath the surface of Edo’s cherry blossoms lay a sophisticated apparatus of control. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the metsuke, the shogunate’s elite inspectors who served as both detectives and spies. We explore how these men navigated the complex web of loyalty and fear, monitoring everything from the movements of powerful daimyō to the whispers in tea houses. You’ll meet figures like Matsudaira Sadanobu, whose strict reforms aimed to restore moral order by cracking down on corruption and luxury. We examine the legal framework of the Rokugo Shohatto, which governed the conduct of warriors and commoners alike, and discuss how the bakufu maintained stability through surveillance rather than just military force. This is a look at the quiet, invisible machinery that held together one of history’s most enduring peace treaties, revealing the human cost of such rigid social engineering. #EdoPeriod #TokugawaShogunate #Metsuke #Bakufu #JapaneseHistory #Samurai #Daimyo #RokugoShohatto #Edo #SurveillanceState #MatsudairaSadanobu #Bushido #FeudalJapan #JapaneseCulture #HistoricalEspionage #SocialControl #FexingoHistory #EastAsianHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Shogun's Shadow: How Tokugawa Hid Power in Plain Sight 18.09.2026 8мин

While previous episodes have traced the violent end of the feudal era through the Satsuma Rebellion and the Meiji Constitution, this episode looks backward to the mechanism that held Japan together for over two centuries. We explore the Sankin-kōtai system, the policy of alternate attendance that turned daimyō into hostages without them realizing it. Lucas and Luna discuss how Tokugawa Ieyasu and his successors used bureaucracy, not just swords, to centralize power. You will hear about the role of the metsuke inspectors, the financial drain of maintaining parallel households in Edo, and how this system inadvertently created a national highway network that later aided modernization. We also examine the cultural side effects, including the rise of ukiyo-e prints documenting the procession and the subtle erosion of regional loyalty. This is a deep dive into the quiet, administrative genius of the bakufu that kept Japan isolated yet internally connected, setting the stage for the rapid changes that would follow. #TokugawaShogunate #SankinKotai #EdoPeriod #Bakufu #DaimyoSystem #JapaneseHistory #SamuraiCulture #AlternateAttendance #TokugawaIeyasu #MetzukeInspectors #UkiyoE #NakasendoRoad #FeudalJapan #Centralization #HostagePolitics #EdoCastle #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Japan's Silk Road: The Maritime Trade That Built Edo 17.09.2026 10мин

Before the Black Ships arrived and forced Japan open, a quiet but vital network of maritime trade had already connected the Japanese archipelago to China and Southeast Asia for centuries. This episode explores the vibrant world of Wokou pirates, who were often more merchant than bandit, navigating the treacherous waters between Hakata and Ming Dynasty ports. We examine how figures like Wang Zhi bridged the gap between illegality and state-sanctioned commerce, fueling the economic boom of the Genroku era. Through the lens of these sea-faring entrepreneurs, we see how Japan integrated into a broader Asian trade network long before Western imperialism reshaped the region. You will hear about the strategic importance of Dejima, the cultural exchange of porcelain and silk, and the delicate diplomatic dance that kept the Tokugawa shogunate’s isolation policy from collapsing under its own weight. #Wokou #MingDynasty #TokugawaShogunate #EdoPeriod #MaritimeTrade #WangZhi #Hakata #Dejima #GenrokuEra #Sakoku #JapaneseHistory #EastAsia #Piracy #SilkRoad #FexingoHistory #History #AsianTrade #SamuraiEconomy #Nagasaki Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Tale of the Forty-Seven Ronin: Loyalty and Revenge 16.09.2026 5мин

In 1701, a low-ranking samurai named Asano Naganori drew his sword inside the Edo castle grounds, violating strict Tokugawa shogunate law. Stripped of his status and ordered to commit seppuku, his forty-seven retainers became ronin—masterless warriors. For two years, they lay in wait, disguising themselves as merchants and monks, before storming the mansion of Kira Yoshinaka, the court noble who had goaded Asano into violence. This is not just a story of revenge; it is a complex examination of bushido, legal justice, and state power. Lucas and Luna explore how the Tokugawa government manipulated this event to reinforce social order, forcing the ronin to die by their own hands despite public adoration. We look at the historical reality behind The Chūshingura, the role of the metsuke inspectors, and why this tale became the ultimate symbol of Japanese loyalty. #Chushingura #FortySevenRonin #AsanoNaganori #KiraYoshinaka #EdoPeriod #Bushido #TokugawaShogunate #Seppuku #Ronin #Akebono #Sakai #Metsuke #JapaneseHistory #SamuraiCode #RevengeStory #FexingoHistory #EastAsianHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Meiji Constitution and Japan's Legal Revolution 15.09.2026 8мин

We explore the creation of the Meiji Constitution, Japan’s first written constitution, drafted by Ito Hirobumi in the late 1880s. This episode examines how Japan rushed to build a modern state while balancing imperial authority with emerging parliamentary systems. We look at the influence of the Prussian model, the role of the Genro oligarchs, and the tension between autocratic rule and popular rights movements. You’ll hear about key figures like Ito Hirobumi, Mutsuhito, and the architects of the new legal framework. The discussion covers the Genroku era legacy, the Boshin War aftermath, and how the Han system was dismantled. We also touch on the Freedom and Popular Rights Movement and the Ashio Copper Mine strikes as context for societal changes. This is not just about laws but about identity, power, and the human cost of rapid modernization in East Asia during the 19th century. #MeijiConstitution #ItoHirobumi #Genro #Prussia #ImperialDiet #Mutsuhito #Tokugawa #RokugoShohatto #BoshinWar #Satsuma #Choshu #HanSystem #FukokuKyohei #WaseiEigo #Zaibatsu #AshioCopperMine #FreedomAndPopularRightsMovement #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Black Ships and Japan's Forced Opening 14.09.2026 9мин

While previous episodes explored the Edo period’s isolation and the Meiji Restoration’s rapid modernization, this episode zooms in on the precise moment those two worlds collided: Commodore Matthew Perry’s arrival in Edo Bay in 1853. We examine how the Tokugawa Shogunate, having maintained sakoku for over two centuries, reacted to the sight of steam-powered warships that defied their understanding of naval power. Lucas walks us through the diplomatic shockwaves, the internal debate within the bakufu, and the immediate military preparations that followed. Luna asks about the specific terms of the subsequent Convention of Kanagawa and how it shattered the illusion of Japanese invulnerability. Together, they trace the path from the black ships’ cannon fire to the fall of the shogunate, highlighting the human cost of a nation forced to wake up to the modern world overnight. #MatthewPerry #BlackShips #TokugawaShogunate #Sakoku #EdoPeriod #ConventionOfKanagawa #KanagawaTreaty #CommodorePerry #USSConstitution #JapaneseHistory #EastAsia #Imperialism #Rangaku #Bakufu #Daimyo #ShogunIeyoshi #KatsuRoshu #WatanabeJosei #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Shimazu Clan: Japan's Southern Swords 13.09.2026 5мин

While previous episodes have touched on the Satsuma Rebellion and the broader Meiji Restoration, this episode zooms in on the Shimazu clan’s remarkable endurance from the Sengoku period through the Edo era. We explore how they navigated complex diplomacy with the Ming and Qing dynasties via the Ryukyu Kingdom, maintained independence under Tokugawa pressure, and produced visionary leaders like Shimazu Nariakira who bridged traditional warfare and modern technology. The narrative highlights key figures such as Shimazu Yoshihiro, known for his ferocity at Sekigahara, and Sho Tai, the last king of Ryukyu, illustrating the geopolitical tightrope walked by Japan’s southernmost domain. Listeners will encounter specific details about Kagoshima’s strategic position, the influence of the Shimazu family on local culture and military innovation, and the nuanced relationships that defined their survival against both internal shogunate control and external imperial powers. #ShimazuClan #SatsumaDomain #KagoshimaHistory #SengokuPeriod #EdoPeriod #TokugawaShogunate #RyukyuKingdom #ShimazuYoshihiro #ShimazuNariakira #SekigaharaBattle #JapaneseDaimyo #EastAsianTrade #MingDynasty #QingDynasty #JapaneseMilitaryHistory #BushidoEthics #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Meiji Constitution: Japan's Legal Revolution 12.09.2026 11мин

In this episode, we step away from the battlefield and into the quiet, intense rooms where modern Japan was legally forged. While previous episodes covered the violent end of the samurai era and the industrial boom, we focus on the intellectual architects behind the Meiji Constitution of 1889. Lucas and Luna explore how Ito Hirobumi and his team studied European legal systems—specifically looking at Prussia—to create a document that balanced imperial authority with emerging civil rights. We discuss the role of the Genro, or elder statesmen, who guided this transition, and the surprising influence of Western political thought on Japanese governance. The conversation also touches on the Oligarchs' internal debates, the creation of the Imperial Diet, and how this single document allowed Japan to renegotiate unequal treaties with Western powers. It’s a story about how a nation transformed its social contract overnight, moving from feudal loyalty to constitutional rule without losing its distinct cultural identity. #MeijiConstitution #ItoHirobumi #Genro #ImperialDiet #PrussianLaw #Oligarchs #MeijiEra #JapaneseHistory #ConstitutionalLaw #TokugawaShogunate #UnequalTreaties #EastAsia #PoliticalHistory #LegalReform #EmperorMutsuhito #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #Japan Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Genroku Golden Age and Edo's Cultural Boom 11.09.2026 6мин

While we have explored the political machinations of the Tokugawa shogunate, the brutal conflicts of the Sengoku period, and the rapid industrialization of the Meiji era, Episode 232 turns its gaze to the cultural zenith that defined peace: the Genroku period. Between 1688 and 1704, Edo transformed from a military stronghold into the world’s largest city, fueled by the immense wealth of the daimyō and the rising power of the merchant class. We will examine how this unprecedented prosperity birthed distinct aesthetic movements like ukiyo-e and kabuki, and why the very success of this golden age sowed the seeds for economic instability. Through the lives of figures like Matsuo Bashō and Chikamatsu Monzaemon, we uncover how art became a mirror for a society caught between rigid Confucian ideals and the vibrant, often chaotic reality of urban life. #Genroku #EdoPeriod #MatsuoBasho #ChikamatsuMonzaemon #UkiyoE #KabukiTheater #TokugawaShogunate #MerchantClass #HaikuPoetry #NohTheater #UkiyoZoshi #KawarazakiGonnai #Yoshiwara #Rangaku #SankinKotai #Daimyo #History #FexingoHistory #JapaneseCulture Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Kaitai Shinsho: Japan’s Medical Revolution 10.09.2026 7мин

While earlier episodes explored the political isolation of the Tokugawa shogunate and the martial traditions of the samurai, Episode 231 turns to a quieter but equally profound transformation: the birth of modern Japanese science through translation. In 1774, a young physician named Sugita Genpaku risked his reputation by co-translating the Dutch anatomy text Kaitai Shinsho, or 'New Book of Anatomy.' This episode traces how a small circle of scholars in Edo, including Maeno Ryotaku and Nakagawa Jun'an, navigated the dangers of rangaku, or Dutch learning, to challenge centuries of traditional Chinese medical theory. Through their meticulous work at execution sites and their study of forbidden texts, they introduced Western concepts like circulation, muscles, and nerves to Japan, effectively bridging the gap between East and West long before Commodore Perry arrived. We follow their intellectual journey from skepticism to evidence-based observation, revealing how this single book laid the groundwork for Japan's rapid modernization and scientific adoption in the Meiji era. #KaitaiShinsho #SugitaGenpaku #Rangaku #DutchLearning #EdoPeriod #JapaneseMedicine #AnatomyHistory #MaenoRyotaku #NakagawaJunan #TokugawaIsolation #ScientificRevolution #EastAsianHistory #MedicalHistory #TranslationHistory #HumanBody #WesternScience #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Japan's Hidden Christians and the Shimabara Rebellion 09.09.2026 6мин

While most history episodes focus on shoguns and samurai, Episode 230 explores the hidden world of Japan’s early modern religious minorities. We examine the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637–1638, a massive uprising driven by both feudal oppression and the desperate survival of Kakure Kirishitan, or hidden Christians. Lucas and Luna trace how the Portuguese introduction of firearms and Catholicism initially flourished under Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, only to be crushed by Tokugawa Iemitsu’s paranoid consolidation of power. The episode details the siege of Hara Castle, where thousands of peasants, led by Amakusa Shirō, held off the largest army in Japanese history for months. We discuss the brutal aftermath, including the execution of the young leader and the implementation of Sakoku, the national isolation policy that would seal Japan’s borders for over two centuries. This is not just a story of war, but of faith, silence, and the human cost of political control. #ShimabaraRebellion #AmakusaShiro #HaraCastle #KakureKirishitan #TokugawaIemitsu #Sakoku #JapaneseHistory #ChristianityInJapan #EdoPeriod #SamuraiWarfare #FexingoHistory #AsianHistory #HiddenChristians #MeijiEra #RyukyuKingdom #Nagasaki #MatsumotoCastle #Bushido #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Ryukyu Kingdom: Japan's Double-Bound Diplomacy 08.09.2026 9мин

While earlier episodes explored the rigid isolation of Tokugawa Japan, we turn to the vibrant, complex history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Situated between the Japanese archipelago and the Chinese mainland, this island chain mastered a dual-submission strategy that allowed it to thrive for centuries. We examine how Ryukyuan kings paid tribute to both the Ming and Qing courts in Beijing while simultaneously serving as vassals to the Satsuma domain in Edo. This delicate balancing act brought immense wealth through trade networks that connected Southeast Asia, Korea, and China to Japan itself. However, the arrival of Western powers in the mid-nineteenth century shattered this equilibrium. We trace the secret annexation by Japan in 1879, the abolition of the kingdom, and the creation of Okinawa Prefecture. Listen to discover how the Ryukyuans preserved their unique culture, language, and religious practices despite being squeezed between two great empires, and why their story challenges our understanding of Japanese imperial expansion. #RyukyuKingdom #OkinawaHistory #SatsumaDomain #MingDynasty #QingDynasty #ShoShin #Sakoku #NahaHarbor #Kumemura #BoYuan #ChineseTributary #JapaneseVassal #RyukyuTrade #KingShoTai #RyukyuAnomaly #EastAsianDiplomacy #OkinawanCulture #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Samurai's Last Stand: Saigo Takamori and the Meiji Betrayal 07.09.2026 7мин

While earlier episodes traced Japan’s path from the Heian aristocracy through the Tokugawa shogunate to the rapid industrialization of the Meiji era, this episode focuses on the human cost of that transformation. We explore the life of Saigo Takamori, the Satsuma samurai who helped overthrow the shogun but then turned against his own government. When the new Meiji oligarchs abolished the samurai class, stripping them of their stipends and swords, Saigo felt betrayed. This led to the Seinan War in 1877, a civil conflict that pitted traditional warriors against a modernized imperial army equipped with Gatling guns and telegraphs. We examine the Battle of Shiroyama, where Saigo made his final stand, not as a rebel seeking power, but as a man trying to preserve a way of life he believed was dying. By looking at his letters, his relationships with rivals like Ito Hirobumi, and the public’s romanticized view of his death, we uncover why the last samurai became the ultimate symbol of Japanese honor, even as the nation rushed headlong into the modern world. #SaigoTakamori #SeinanWar #SatsumaClan #MeijiRestoration #Shiroyama #SamuraiHistory #JapaneseCivilWar #ItoHirobumi #OkuboToshimichi #BushidoCode #Kagoshima #GatlingGun #ImperialArmy #Ronin #TokugawaShogunate #EastAsianHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Meiji Restoration's Human Cost: Industrialization and Rebellion 06.09.2026 9мин

While the Meiji Restoration is often celebrated as Japan’s miraculous leap from feudal isolation to global power, this episode pulls back the curtain on the brutal human toll of that modernization. We explore how the new government’s aggressive industrial policies, particularly in mining and textiles, created a class of exploited laborers who fought back. The narrative focuses on the Hakodate War’s aftermath and the rise of early socialist thought through figures like Kotoku Shusui, contrasting the state’s nationalist fervor with the growing unrest of workers in places like Ashio and Miike. We examine the 1874-1875 uprisings, the suppression of freedom and popular rights movements, and the paradoxical nature of a constitution that granted rights while simultaneously cracking down on dissent. Through the lens of specific rebellions and the lives of ordinary citizens caught in the gears of progress, we uncover the complex reality behind the polished image of the Empire of Japan. #MeijiRestoration #JapanHistory #AshioCopperMine #MiikeStrike #KotokuShusui #FreedomAndPopularRightsMovement #HakodateWar #JapaneseIndustrialization #EarlySocialism #SamuraiRebellions #SatsumaRebellion #BoshinWarAftermath #LaborUnrest #ConstitutionalMonarchy #EastAsianHistory #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #ModernJapan Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Meiji Restoration's Forgotten Architects 05.09.2026 10мин

While we often credit Emperor Meiji with Japan’s rapid modernization, the real engine of change was a small group of samurai from the southern domains of Satsuma and Chōshū. These men, many of whom had once been enemies in the Boshin War, orchestrated the dismantling of the Tokugawa shogunate not out of loyalty to the crown alone, but through a pragmatic blend of Western military science and diplomatic maneuvering. This episode explores how figures like Ito Hirobumi and Okubo Toshimichi navigated the treacherous waters of international relations during the 1860s, securing crucial alliances and borrowing technology that would transform Japan from a feudal society into an industrial power within a single generation. We look at the specific policies they implemented, the internal betrayals they survived, and the ideological battles fought over whether to adopt Western institutions wholesale or adapt them to Japanese tradition. #MeijiRestoration #ItoHirobumi #OkuboToshimichi #SatsumaDomain #ChoshuDomain #BoshinWar #TokugawaShogunate #JapaneseHistory #SamuraiReform #EastAsianHistory #ImperialJapan #Westernization #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #ModernJapan #PoliticalIntrigue #Diplomacy #MilitaryReform Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Meiji Restoration: Japan's Rapid Modernization 04.09.2026 10мин

In this episode of The Story of Japan, Lucas and Luna explore the Meiji Restoration, the pivotal moment when Japan transformed from a feudal society into an industrial power in just a few decades. We look at key figures like Emperor Meiji, Ito Hirobumi, and Saigo Takamori, whose conflicting visions shaped the nation's future. The conversation covers the Boshin War, the abolition of the samurai class, and the policy of Fukoku Kyohei, which meant enriching the country and strengthening the military. You will hear about the creation of a modern constitution, the rise of zaibatsu conglomerates, and the cultural shifts that defined the era. This episode connects the dots between the Tokugawa shogunate's isolation and Japan's emergence as a global superpower, offering a deep dive into one of history's most dramatic national transformations. #MeijiRestoration #EmperorMeiji #ItoHirobumi #SaigoTakamori #BoshinWar #FukokuKyohei #SamuraiAbolition #JapaneseHistory #EastAsia #TokugawaShogunate #ModernJapan #MilitaryReform #ConstitutionalMonarchy #Zaibatsu #WaseiEigo #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #AsianHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Shogun's Shadow: How Tokugawa Hid Power in Plain Sight 03.09.2026 9мин

While previous episodes explored the dramatic fall of the Ashikaga and the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate, this episode examines the quiet machinery that kept Japan stable for over two centuries. We look at the Sankin-kōtai system, where daimyos were forced to alternate residence between their domains and Edo, effectively becoming hostages without chains. Lucas walks us through the logistical nightmare of these processions, the economic drain they placed on the feudal lords, and how the shogunate used architecture, law, and social hierarchy to cement control. We also touch on the role of the rōnin, displaced warriors who became a destabilizing force when the rigid class structure hardened, and the secret police network known as the metsuke. This is a story not of battlefields, but of bureaucracy, surveillance, and the subtle art of maintaining power through exhaustion and observation. #TokugawaShogunate #Sankinkotai #EdoPeriod #JapaneseHistory #Daimyo #Ronin #Metsuke #FexingoHistory #SamuraiCulture #EdoCastle #Kamikaze #FeudalJapan #JapanesePolitics #HistoricalBureaucracy #AizuDomain #SatsumaClan #ClassSystem #HistoryPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Japan's First Photographers: The Shogunate's Secret Lens 02.09.2026 8мин

While the Tokugawa shogunate enforced strict isolation, a small group of Dutch traders and Japanese interpreters were secretly experimenting with photography in Nagasaki. This episode explores how early daguerreotypes captured the face of a closed empire, from the mysterious 'Nagasaki View' to the controversial portraits of high-ranking officials. We trace the journey of pioneers like Kusakabe Kimbei and the hidden networks that brought chemical supplies into Japan. Discover how the camera became both a tool of diplomatic power and a source of internal fear for the ruling samurai class, revealing the cracks in Japan's hermetic seal before the Meiji Restoration. #KusakabeKimbei #Daguerreotype #NagasakiHistory #TokugawaShogunate #SakokuPolicy #JapanesePhotography #DutchTradingPost #DejimaIsland #MeijiRestoration #EarlyCameraTechnology #EastAsianHistory #HistoricalPortraits #ForeignTradeJapan #19thCenturyJapan #ChemicalSupplies #SamuraiFear #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

The Meiji Restoration: How Japan Modernized Overnight 01.09.2026 8мин

This episode explores the rapid transformation of Japan from a feudal shogunate to an industrial empire during the Meiji era. We examine the political maneuvering that toppled the Tokugawa shogunate, the abolition of the samurai class, and the sweeping social reforms that reshaped Japanese society. Lucas and Luna discuss key figures like Emperor Meiji, Saigo Takamori, and Ito Hirobumi, alongside specific policies such as the Charter Oath and the conscription law. The conversation also touches on the cultural shock of adopting Western technology while maintaining traditional values, including the introduction of railroads, telegraphs, and a modern education system. By the end of this episode, listeners will understand how Japan avoided colonization and became a global power in just a few decades, balancing tradition with radical modernization. #MeijiRestoration #TokugawaShogunate #EmperorMeiji #SaigoTakamori #ItoHirobumi #Chushingura #Bushido #SamuraiAbolition #ConscriptionLaw #RailroadsInJapan #EdoPeriod #MatsudairaKatamori #BoshinWar #WaseiEigo #FukokuKyohei #Genro #EastAsianHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo