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Washi Castle
Washi Castle (鷲城 Washijō) was constructed approximately 1.5 kilometres southwest of Gion Castle (祇園城 Gionjō), along the Omoi River (思川). For the Oyama clan (小山氏), which held power in the former...
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Imagawa Clan
The Imagawa akatori (今川赤鳥紋) depicts a red bird with six feathers or "teeth" and a hole at the top through which a cord could be passed. It served as the battle standard (馬印) of the Imagawa, but was...
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Imagawa Yoshimoto (1519–1560)
Portrait of Imagawa Yoshimoto at Kotoku-in (高徳院), Aichi)Imagawa Yoshimoto (今川義元, 1519–1560) was a prominent daimyō of the Sengoku period, renowned for both his military campaigns and internal...
View ArticleEchigo Beer - Japan’s First Microbrewery
While it's common knowledge that Japan's national drink is sake with the highest concentration of individual sake breweries located in Niigata, what to sip on if you're not a fan? Why, a cold frothy...
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Japanese Castles
Himeji CastleMilitary fortifications, initially constructed to defend against enemy incursions, gradually evolved with the rise of feudalism into distinctive architectural structures that functioned...
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Nambokuchō Period
The flag of the southern Imperial CourtThe Northern and Southern Courts (南北朝 Nambokuchō) refer to the two competing imperial courts that coexisted in Japan between 1336 and 1392, each asserting its...
View ArticleKemmu Restoration
The Kemmu Restoration (建武の中興), a brief and ambitious attempt to revive direct imperial rule in Japan, was initiated by Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇, 1288–1339) in the aftermath of the fall of the Kamakura...
View ArticleThe Ōnin War (1467-1477)
The Ōnin War (応仁の乱), which broke out in Kyōto in 1467 and continued until 1477, was named after the Ōnin era (応仁, 1467–69) during which it began. This conflict effectively marked the end of the fragile...
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Abandoned and Empty: Niigata’s Aki-ya Problem
Perhaps you've driven by them, walked past them or even lived next to one without realizing it, but they're there: one of the many aki-ya, or empty-houses, that silently sit and pose a worry to...
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Hosokawa Clan
The Hosokawa (細川) were a distinguished and influential samurai family whose influence spanned from the Muromachi period (1333-1568) into the Edo period (1600-1868). Originating as a cadet branch of the...
View ArticleHosokawa Tadaoki (1563-1646)
Hosokawa Tadaoki (細川忠興, 1563–1646), also known by his artistic name Hosokawa Sansai, was a prominent daimyō of the late Sengoku and early Edo periods, distinguished not only for his military service...
View ArticleHosokawa Katsumoto (1430-1473)
Hosokawa Katsumoto (細川勝元, 1430–1473) was a prominent general of the Muromachi period (室町時代, 1333–1568) and an influential figure within the military and political hierarchy of the Ashikaga shogunate....
View ArticleHosokawa Fujitaka (1534-1610)
Hosokawa Yūsai (細川幽斎, 1534-1610), also known by his earlier name Hosokawa Fujitaka (細川藤孝), was a prominent daimyō (大名) and literary figure of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (安土桃山時代, 1568–1600). Born the...
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Hosokawa Gracia (1563-1600)
Study for "Garasha Hosokawa", Wall Painting in Tamatsukuri Cathedral, Ōsaka, by Domoto Insho (1962).Hosokawa Gracia (細川ガラシャ, 1563–1600), born as Akechi Tama (明智たま), was a Christian convert of the late...
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The Legacy of Jade: Unearthing Itoigawa’s Green Heart
Niigata is a prefecture known for its cultural depth, natural beauty—and as it turns out—precious stones that lie waiting to be discovered on its shores. In particular, jade. This beautifully lustrous...
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Japanese Swords
Kamakura-era tachi (Yushindō)The origins of the Japanese sword (日本刀 nihontō) and related bladed weapons can be traced back to the 8th century, coinciding with the initial stages of steel production in...
View ArticleGenpei War (1180-1185)
The Taira–Minamoto War, also known as the Genpei no Sōran (源平の騒乱) or Genpei Kassen (源平合戦), was a nationwide conflict that engulfed Japan between 1180 and 1185. Superficially, it appeared to be a clash...
View ArticleTaira Clan
Among the four great families that dominated the court politics of the Heian period (794-1185)—alongside the Minamoto (源), Fujiwara (藤原), and Tachibana (橘) families—the Taira (平) clan traced its...
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Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181)
Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛, 1118-1181) was a prominent political figure in the late Heian period (平安時代, 794-1185), rising from warrior origins to dominate court affairs and ultimately seeing his grandson...
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Furumachi’s Flower: The Last of Niigata’s Geisha
Nestled along the banks of the Shinano River, Niigata City was the biggest port of call from the Edo Period through the Meiji Period, stuffed to the brim with rice, sake and snow. Yet, beyond those...
View ArticleMinamoto Clan
The Minamoto family (源氏), one of the four major aristocratic houses alongside the Taira (平), Fujiwara (藤原), and Tachibana (橘) families, held significant sway over court politics during the Heian period...
View ArticleMinamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199)
Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝, 1147-1199) was the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, which became Japan's first warrior-led government and ruled from 1192 to 1333. He was the third son of Minamoto no...
View ArticleMinamoto no Yoriie (1182-1204)
Minamoto no Yoriie (源頼家, 1182–1204), eldest son of Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝, 1147–1199), the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, and Hōjō Masako (北条政子, 1157–1225), was born in Kamakura and raised as...
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Minagawa Castle
Minagawa Castle (皆川城 Minagawa-jō) is a yamajiro (山城, mountain castle) constructed in what is now Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture. As seen in the photograph above, due to the distinctive shape of the...
View ArticleMinamoto no Sanetomo (1192-1219)
Minamoto no Sanetomo (源実朝, 1192-1219), the third shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate and a notable waka (和歌) poet, was the second son of Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝, 1147-1199), the founder of the...
View ArticleMinamoto no Yoshinaka (1154-1184)
Better known as Kiso Yoshinaka (木曾義仲, 1154-1184), Minamoto no Yoshinaka (源義仲) was a prominent warrior of the late Heian period (平安時代, 794–1185). Following the death of his father, Minamoto no Yoshikata...
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Niigata’s Five Great Ramens: A Culinary Journey Through Japan’s Snowy North
While cities like Tokyo, Sapporo, and Fukuoka often steal the spotlight when it comes to ramen, Niigata Prefecture quietly holds its own with an impressive and distinctive ramen culture. Located along...
View ArticleHōjō Masako (1157-1225)
Hōjō Masako (北条政子, 1157-1225), the eldest daughter of Hōjō Tokimasa (北条時政, 1138-1215), was the wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝, 1147-1199), founder of the Kamakura shogunate (鎌倉幕府, 1192-1333), and...
View ArticleHōjō Clan
The Hōjō family (北条氏) was a prominent warrior lineage that held de facto control over Japan for more than a century during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), serving as hereditary regents (執権 shikken) to...
View ArticleHōjō Tokimasa (1138-1215)
Hōjō Tokimasa (北条時政, 1138–1215) was the first shikken (執権), or regent, of the Kamakura shogunate, which governed Japan from 1192 until 1333. Originally a provincial government official in Izu Province...
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