Meow Meow Japanese History

In Meow Meow Cat History, learn all about Japan's fascinating history... with cats! The first episode features the legendary Himiko, founder of ancient Yamatai.

In the vicious Sengoku period, there was one cat who stood above others with his ambitions to unite the country: Oda Nobunaga! This episode features an overview of his rise to power and eventual fate.

There's one cat who embodies the spirit of the Bakumatsu, the period of the late 19th century when Japan's long isolation started to come to a close: Sakamoto Ryoma! Learn all about his early days in this episode.

Cats are so hard to organize "herding cats" is often used to refer to tasks that are impossible. So imagine how incredible Prince Shotoku must be when helps the government of Asuka period Japan get it's act together!

The Shinsengumi are arguably the most famous group of Japanese swordscats in the country's entire history. This is the story of how they were formed by the Tokugawa Shogunate to keep order in Kyoto, during the last days of the Edo period.

Oda Nobunaga might have made the first major bid to unite Sengoku Japan, but there was only one cat who managed to unify Japan and actually keep it together: Tokugawa Ieyasu!

Sanada Yukimura was arguably the most famous cat of the illustrious Sanada clan, who were famed warriors even among the battle hardened Sengoku era. And while the Sanadas may have never served on the "winning" side of the period's greatest battles, their ferocity in battle was enough to ensure their name would be passed on into modernity.

The Tale of Genji is the work of 11th century literature considered by some to be the first novel. And it was the work of one talented Heian lady-in-waiting: Murasaki Shikibu!

Minamoto no Yoritomo was a key figure in the struggles between the Genji and Taira that marked the end of the Heian period. From his early days under the supervision of the cats who would become his enemies, to his establishment of the Kamakura shogunate and position as it's leader, this episode will tell you all about him.

Japan's Heian period is arguably known for two things above all else: artistic achievement and political manuevering, both being pasttimes enjoyed by members of the imperial court. And there was one cat in particular who struggled until he was second only to the emperor: Fujiwara no Michizane!

Takeda Shingen might be a cat, but he's still fierce enough to have earned himself the nickname "tiger" even in already-dangerous Sengoku Japan. Find out exactly what makes this legendary predator of the battlefield so famous!

The word "Date" can mean, among other things, stylish in Japanese--and the gentleman general of the Oshu domain from the Sengoku period, Date Masamune! But will his slick fashion sense be enough to help him survive century-long factional wars of the age?

After a life that most people would already consider full of adventure and excitement, Sakamoto Ryoma was only getting started. What comes next? Mediating the rivalry between the domains of Satsuma and Choshu so they can overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate!

The Jomon period lasted a looong time (starting around 14500 BCE to around 300 BCE), but cats from those ancient days definitely had something to show for it. Most visibly is the distinct Jomon pottery, which has gone to become iconic of that early phase of Japan's history.

Sanada Yukimura returns to the battlefield, intent on thwarting the ascendant Tokugawa Ieyasu's bid to unify Japan. And he's got a secret weapon: the impregnable fortification, Sanadamaru!

Tokugawa Ieyasu eventually managed to unite all of Japan, ending the turbulent Sengoku wars and ushering in nearly 300 years of peace with the Edo period. But it was a long road to get there, as this story of his early days explores.

A feud between Emperor Go-Daigo and the Kamakura shogunate sets the stage for a new phase of Japanese government, and a new shogun: Ashikaga Takauji!

With the urban expansion of the Edo period, the bustling streets of Osaka needed magistrates to help keep the peace. But after a career of law enforcement and education, when the Tokugawa shogunate starts squeezing the people dry during a famine, this cat focuses his righteous instincts on rebellion.

Murasaki Shikibu was a literary trailblazer in Heian Japan, but she wasn't the only one! Meet Sei Shonagon, a cat whose musings on the life in the imperial court gave insight into the personal lives of cats from a thousand years ago.

The reign of the Tokugawa was relatively peaceful compared to the constant warfare that preceded it, but that doesn't mean it was quiet! Learn about how Edo literally went to the dogs under the rule of the shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi!

The Shinsengumi are back! This episode explains the origins of the group, showing how a rowdy band of commoner cats ended up as one of Japan's most famous fighting forces.

With the fall of the Genji clan, their remaining heirs were scattered throughout the land. But it takes more than his clan's fall to bring down the legendary cat known as Ushiwakamaru, Minamoto no Yoshitsune!

It's easy to take something like "knowing where anything is" for granted, but somebody had to go out into the world and take note of all those natural and cat-made borders. In the case of Japan, it fell to Ino Tadataka to create the first "complete" map of the nation.

After Asano Naganori is forced to commit seppuku after a quarrel with another daimyo, Ooishi Kuranosuke attempts to re-establish his master's clan... and he's put together a group of 47 ronin to do it!