In the 4th century AD, the brother of the Japanese emperor Nintoku gave him a gift of ice from a mountain. The Emperor was so happy with the gift that he named the first of June as the “Day of Ice” and ceremoniously gave blocks of ice to his officials.
history of Japan
In feudal Japan, merchants were…
In feudal Japan, merchants were at/near the bottom of the social hierarchy because they didn’t produce goods. Artisans were a step above them because they produced non-essential goods and peasants were above artisans because they produced food.
The Kublai Khan invaded Japan…
The Kublai Khan invaded Japan in 1274 with 33,000 troops but failed due to weather. Kublai Khan again invaded Japan in 1279 with 140,000 troops & made it 15 km away from the city of Fukuoka but again failed due to a typhoon. It was here the term kamikaze (divine wind) was born.
Ancient Japan had female warriors…
Ancient Japan had female warriors called Onna-bugeisha, who would fight alongside Samurai in times of war. They started to lose their importance by the 17th century, when roaring ideals of fearless devotion and selflessness were gradually replaced by quiet, passive, civil obedience.
Yasuke, a 16th century African who traveled to Japan…
Yasuke, a 16th century African who traveled to Japan as a slave, caused such a sensation that a powerful warlord wished to see him. He thought his black skin was paint and ordered it to be scrubbed. However, they became friends and Yasuke was later given the prestigious rank of Samurai.
In the 16th century, Ishikawa Goemon was sentenced to death…
In the 16th century, Ishikawa Goemon was sentenced to death by being boiled alive in an iron cauldron along with his very young son, but was able to save his son by holding him above his head. His son was then forgiven.
In 1949, India sent the Tokyo Zoo two elephants…
In 1949, India sent the Tokyo Zoo two elephants to cheer the spirits of the defeated Japanese empire.
In feudal Japan merchants were the lowest class…
In feudal Japan, merchants were the lowest class because unlike farmers and artisans, they don’t actually produce anything.
Unless one counts the occupation of Japa …
Unless one counts the occupation of Japan by Allied forces, the four main Japanese islands have never been successfully invaded in human history.