The question of equal rights for women was extremely divisive in Japan during the Taisho Period. A determined group of feminists would try to punch through the controversy through fiction, editorials, debates, and rhetoric. Some would successfully lobby for change; others would pay the ultimate price for challenging the patriarchy. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online pla...
Jun 09, 2025•20 min•Season 14Ep. 12
The Taisho Period witnessed the coming-of-age for many political parties and movements. This episode focuses on the fringe left during the Taisho Period, who grew and organized in spite of government repression and social stigma. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Jun 02, 2025•17 min•Season 14Ep. 11
Japan saw its fair share of progress during the Taisho Period but it also saw an increase in the raw cruelty which its armed forces were willing to use in order to preserve their empire. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many othe...
May 29, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 10
Toward the end of the Taisho Period, the Imperial Diet finally passed a law which established universal suffrage for men 25 and older regardless of tax assessment. Shortly before, however, they also passed a law which would allow law enforcement entities far greater powers of surveillance, harassment, and repression. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My la...
May 26, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 9
Japan signed a treaty with their fellow Entente Powers which slowed construction on the ever-increasing navies of many nations. In 1923, a terrible earthquake struck the Kanto Region resulting in massive damage and an incredible number of casualties. The atrocity that soon followed, however, only served to increase the tragedy. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the...
May 22, 2025•28 min•Season 14Ep. 8
Japan emerges as a major player among world powers as their ambassadors helped finalize the postwar treaties and create a new international body meant to stop large-scale wars before they began: The League of Nations. However, trouble continued brewing on the Korean Peninsula as a new mass movement for national liberation took to the streets. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spot...
May 19, 2025•26 min•Season 14Ep. 7
The new international status quo that emerged after the first World War was very different than what came before, and Japan was poised to become a major new power in this new world. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other onl...
May 15, 2025•26 min•Season 14Ep. 6
The eastern front of the first world war was much busier than its western counterpart and the stakes for one nation were much higher. When the war finally ended with the Entente triumphant, Japan was poised to enjoy the advantages of supporting the winning side. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Ama...
May 12, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 5
The assassination of an Austrian Archduke sparks a chain reaction which would ignite a global conflict on a scale never seen before. If you'd like to read the complete "Literary Digest History of the World War," all ten volumes are available for free on the internet archive here. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is no...
May 08, 2025•24 min•Season 14Ep. 4
In early 1912, the Qing Dynasty officially transferred its right to rule to the Republic of China, who named Yuan Shikai as their president in exchange for ending the civil war. Shikai, however, would soon prove just as power-hungry and authoritarian as the imperial system he sought to replace. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
May 05, 2025•23 min•Season 14Ep. 3
The first decade of the 1900s witnessed a final attempt by the Qing Dynasty to reform its outmoded systems of governance and forge a new Chinese nation state. Those attempts eventually failed in the wake of a massive revolution against the last dynasty of China, which succeeded in 1912. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade,...
May 01, 2025•28 min•Season 14Ep. 2
The Taisho Period began with a political crisis that threatened to upend the stability established by the Meiji Period as the people of Japan took to the streets to express their displeasure by rioting. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org...
Apr 28, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 1
This episode follows the lives and adventures of Basil Hall Chamberlain and Lafcadio Hearn, two of the most famous foreign residents who lived in Japan during the Meiji Period. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Feb 03, 2025•13 min•Season 13Ep. 23
The Meiji Period witnessed a radical expansion of the Japanese palate as the people began consuming foreign foods like beer and the government encouraged the populace to eat meat. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Jan 27, 2025•15 min•Season 13Ep. 22
Writers of the Meiji Period included some of the most influential Japanese authors of all time, many of whom are still regularly included in reading curriculum today. Soseki Project Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Jan 20, 2025•21 min•Season 13Ep. 21
The Meiji period saw sweeping transformation in nearly every aspect of Japanese society. The political status quo which it established, however, paved the way for future infighting and the imperial government's tendency toward repression cast a dark shadow. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon ,...
Jan 16, 2025•30 min•Season 13Ep. 20
After the Russo-Japanese War, the Meiji government moved quickly to solidify their control of Korea, gradually chipping away at the sovereignty of its government until annexation became the only logical next step. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , B...
Jan 13, 2025•28 min•Season 13Ep. 19
Both Russia and Japan were desperate to end the Russo-Japanese War by the summer of 1905. However, the conditions of that peace would not bring an end to domestic turmoil in Russia, and would inaugurate entirely fresh domestic turmoil in Japan. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes &...
Dec 26, 2024•25 min•Season 13Ep. 18
After securing the southern portion of Liaodong Province, the Imperial Japanese Army proceeded to besiege Port Arthur while simultaneously fighting Russian forces to their north in increasingly costly and difficult battles. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple...
Dec 23, 2024•27 min•Season 13Ep. 17
In February of 1904, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on Port Arthur and initiate the Russo-Japanese War. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Dec 19, 2024•30 min•Season 13Ep. 16
We examine the development Russian Empire of the 1800s and see what factors set them on a collision course with Japan in 1904. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Dec 16, 2024•26 min•Season 13Ep. 15
When a militant anti-imperial movement spreads China, an allied army of eight nations moved quickly to suppress the rebels, leading to a reactionary swing from the Qing Dynasty's government. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many ...
Dec 12, 2024•29 min•Season 13Ep. 14
Although Japan had seemingly won influence over Korea as a war prize from the Chinese, Joseon itself was still an independent state. Because of the actions of one inexperienced Japanese diplomat, that independence was about to be asserted in an undeniable way. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazo...
Dec 09, 2024•27 min•Season 13Ep. 13
Mounting tensions over the future of Korea turned violent after the end of the Donghak Rebellion, resulting in a war between Japan and China. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Dec 05, 2024•31 min•Season 13Ep. 12
With its new constitutional structure in place, the Japanese government began to take on a more permanent political shape. However, war with China over the future of Korea lurked on the horizon. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and m...
Dec 02, 2024•25 min•Season 13Ep. 11
In light of its repeated defeats and humiliations at the hands of imperial powers, the Qing Dynasty attempted to modernize its military, economy, and society through a series of reforms known as the "Self-Strengthening Movement." Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo ,...
Nov 28, 2024•33 min•Season 13Ep. 10
By the mid-1800s, the Joseon Kingdom had become an isolated polity which was famously hostile to unwelcome visitors. Nevertheless, imperial powers vied to force the nation to open to international trade, offer paths toward modernization, and jealously eyed the strategic and economic value of Korea's many ports. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest n...
Nov 25, 2024•36 min•Season 13Ep. 9
As pressure mounted from grass roots organizations like the Freedom Party, the Meiji government decided to finally draft a constitution. The process which brought it about, and the language which it employed, would determine the course of Japan's political future. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at A...
Nov 21, 2024•29 min•Season 13Ep. 8
The early years of the Meiji period saw an explosion of economic growth as Edo Period merchant houses transformed into conglomerates called Zaibatsu. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms!...
Nov 18, 2024•27 min•Season 13Ep. 7
The Meiji Revolution very rapidly changed nearly every aspect of public life in Japan. Such rapid progress led, inevitably, to counter-revolutions among various groups who felt discarded by the march of modernization, including a large body of samurai in the land formerly known as Satsuma Domain. Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia'...
Nov 14, 2024•31 min•Season 13Ep. 6
