History of Japan

This week: Miyazaki's time as a politics reporter, the end of his reporting career, and his return to the family business. How did he go, in the span of five years, from a successful reporter to a wanted criminal facing police prosecution? Show notes here.

This week: Miyazaki Manabu's dramatic departure from the Communist Party, as his faith in the revolution wanes. What does a wannabe college revolutionary with no prospects turn to when the revolution fails to materialize? Show notes here.

This week: Miyazaki Manabu goes from the Sodai struggle at Waseda to an active participant in the violent clashes of the late 1960s student movement, as a part of the "action corps" of the Communist Party. We'll take an up close and personal look to see: what was it like to be a radical student in the 1960s? Show notes here.

This week on the podcast: Miyazaki Manabu faces his first battle as a college activist with the administration of his own school at Waseda University. It...does not go well.

Dive into the radical transformation of Miyazaki Manabu, who shifts from yakuza son to a fervent Communist. Explore the clash of organized crime and leftist politics in 1960s Japan during the fierce security treaty protests. Discover the plight of the Burakumin community in Kyoto, facing systemic discrimination and social exclusion. Witness the rise of student activism amidst the tumult of the Vietnam War, revealing a youth awakening and their quest for equality in a rapidly changing society.

Dive into the remarkable life of Miyazaki Manabu, a young scion of a Yakuza family navigating post-war Japan. Explore his struggle between familial expectations and revolutionary ideals taught by his radical tutor. Discover how political unrest and student activism shape his journey, especially during a transformative protest against the U.S. Mutual Security Treaty. This fascinating narrative challenges traditional historical perspectives, revealing the complexities of legacy and change.

Dive into the overlooked roles of women in Edo period riots and their challenges against a male-dominated society. Explore how Neo-Confucianism shaped women's lives and the intriguing story of Sogoro, a peasant martyr whose legacy ignites discussion of vengeance and resistance. Discover the complexities of women's involvement in peasant rebellions and the emotional intricacies of their loyalties. The uniqueness of female leadership in these protests offers a striking contrast to their portrayal in Western revolutions, shedding light on women's political agency.

Explore the gritty world of youth gangs in Edo, where daily life was colored by violence and revelry. Discover the historical significance of Senso-ji Temple, a hub for culture and economy since the 7th century. Light-hearted brawls often erupted during festivals, influenced by alcohol-fueled excitement. Learn about the Sanja Matsuri, a vibrant celebration that uniquely showcases the temple's continuing cultural impact amid the chaos of young men's antics.

This week, we cover the second and third of Edo's three great riots in 1787 and 1866. How did samurai and commoners talk about these acts of mass violence? How was all this a manifestation of a sense of "street justice" among the masses? And what's with the handsome young guy everyone keeps swearing was secretly behind the whole thing? Show notes here.

This week: the first of three episodes on urban rioting in Tokugawa period Japan. This week, we're covering the first two urban riots in the history of the shogun's capital city. What drove the people of Edo to riot, and how did the shogunate respond to those challenges to its authority? Show notes here.