Shimazu Tadahisa
Shimazu Tadahisa, the first of the Shimazu clan lords, was the son of the Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and was…
Ukai: Traditional Japanese Cormorant Fishing
If the sport of Kings is horse racing, then the sport of the Daimyo was UKAI. Mentioned in Japan’s legendary Kojiki…
Nara Period（AD 710 to 794)
In 710, the Imperial Government moved the nation’s capital to Nara, and the city of Heijo-Kyo was established, it’s design…
Azuchi-Momoyama Period（1568 – 1603)
The Azuchi Momoyama, or simply Momoyama Period spans the years 1573 to 1603 when political unification under Oda Nobunaga and…
Hosokawa Tadaoki
Hosokawa Tadaoki was a veteran warrior and daimyo of the Warring States period. He fought his first battle under Oda…
Sen no Rikyu, the Tea Ceremony Master
Sen no Rikyu was an influential master of the Tea Ceremony. Famed for his having developed the Way of Tea…
How To Visit The Site Of The Battle of Sekigahara
The best way to see the old battlefield is to start at the Sekigahara Town History and Folklore Museum, (350…
Samurai and traditional formal Men’s Attire, Hakama
Hakama are a part of traditional Japanese clothing worn primarily by samurai, men of position and rank, and during ceremonies….
Traditional Japanese roof tiles, Kawara
Traditional Japanese roof tiles, Kawara are a highly visible and elaborate component of Japanese architecture. They display a technical and…
The floating festival floats of the Tsushima Tenno Matsuri
The 500 year old Tsushima Tenno Festival is one of Japan’s three major river festivals and is one of the…
Komaki’s Giant Phallus Festival
Just north of Nagoya city in Aichi Prefecture is the industrial city of Komaki, where Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi…
Toyokawa Inari, the Fox Gods of Success
Of the three major Inari Shrines dedicated to the Fox Gods, Toyokawa Inari is one of the most famous. Believed…
Samurai Ceremonial Wear, Kamishimo
Kamishimo were a two piece formal ceremonial dress worn by Edo period samurai of rank at court and during ceremonies….
Oda Nobunaga (June 23 1534-June 21 1582)
The first of the three Unifiers of Japan, Oda Nobunaga was born in 1534 during the height of the civil strife…