Unfolding Japan

In this episode we shift the format somewhat and dig deep into the life (and a little of the times!) of a legendary historical figure from the end of the Warring States period through to the beginning of the Edo period, Date Masamune. Known as the 'one-eyed-dragon' for reasons you will find out, his life is a great snapshot into this chaotic time period, and contains all kinds of crazy adventures. In part one of this multipart deep dive, we examine Masamune's birth and his rise to becoming a warrior, including an unfortunate incident involving his father.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon:patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]

To mark the second annual Unfolding Japan road trip, we take a (literal) deep dive into Japan's (and one of the world's) largest lakes, lake Biwa. Listen on to find out about it's immense age, it's surprisingly mobile nature, and the joys of swimming in a sea, that's, well, actually a lake! We also explore the old houses of the area which have streams running through their kitchens, some unique fish, and a spirited attack (and subsequent defence) of the ancient Japanese literary art of Haiku.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]

In this series Mat and Devin continue their voyeuristic journey into the houses and, a little smidgen, the minds of the Japanese people. We pick up from last episode with the beginning of modernity brought on by the Meiji restoration, continue on to the tabla rasa created by the destruction of WWII and the mad building rush that created the somewhat acquired taste of the modern eclectic residential areas found throughout Japan that continues to this day. Listen on if you want to discover about the shocking price differences between Japan and much of the West, have some of your preconceptions burst, and hear first hand about the joys of Japanese bathrooms.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon:patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail:[email protected]

In this series Mat and Devin sneak a peak under the stylish eaves of the Japanese house. If you've ever wondered 'how the other half live' in historic Japan, we have you covered in part one of the series. We travel all the way back into the mists of history to the ubiquitous pit houses, smattered here and there with stone age skyscrapers, and all the way to luxury palaces and street design that possibly inspired the modern supermarket! Listen on to hear about houses in Japan from pre-history to the mid 19th century.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon:patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail:[email protected]

In this episode Mat and Devin continue the deep dive into the long connection between the Netherlands and Japan. We reveal what exactly it was that made the dutch willing to sail around the world and endure the tiny claustrophobic prison island of Dejima. We also explore the unraveling of this relationship once Japan opened up, even to the point of open hostilities, and the more wholesome relationship they maintain to this day.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]

In this episode Mat and Devin , fresh from the disappointment of Japan's tragic loss in the world cup, bury themselves in the past, and explore the unique relationship between another unlucky team this year, the Netherlands. We detail the fateful early tragedy that first brought the Dutch to Japan, and how they eventually became the last men standing. Listen on to find out how, as Japan was famously closing their door to the Western world, they left that door ever so slightly ajar...As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]

In this episode Mat and Devin lace up their football boots and seek the origins of the beautiful game in the land of the rising sun. From early signs of success to the doldrums of large company teams, we trace the revival under the suspiciously high salary of Gary Lineker, and recent near misses of the Samurai Blue.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]

In this episode Mat and Devin keep riding the true crime band wagon, although this one is more of a mystery, you can decide if a crime was committed or not! For part two we explore the mystifying case of the giant SOS sign from the 80's which has a whole host of unanswered questions for you to ponder. Listen on to find out about one of Japan's most famous mysteries, involving missing persons, superhuman building skills, and some very strange goings on in the mountains of Northern Japan!As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]

In this episode Mat and Devin jump on the true crime band wagon, if it ain't broke don't fix it as they say! Part 1 we delve into a mysterious unsolved robbery from the 60's which leaves people scratching their heads to this day. This story has it all, fake cops, cyanide, getaway cars and bucket loads of cash! listen on to find out about one of Japan's most famous heists.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]

In this episode Mat and Devin continue on their whistle-stop tour of the regional specialities to be found in Japan. This time we veer off the comforting main island of Honshu and plunge into the icy waters of Hokkaido for King crab, take a peek at the prefecture with a frankly ludicrous love of Udon noodles, and head south, where you'll learn about the incongruous love of tiny shortbread cookies in Okinawa.As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our Patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapanEmail: [email protected]