Meow Meow Japanese History

Rice is a staple food in Japan for a reason, and the ones who helped make that fact a reality are the Yayoi cats from over 2000 years ago. See how they helped cultivate the food that would go on to be the core of the Japanese diet.

Uesugi Kenshin was one of the fiercest cats of the Sengoku period, and regarded as the incarnation of the war god, Bishamonten. Find out how he managed to go from being sent to a temple as his siblings took control of their clan to the ruler of Echigo province in this episode.

The Heian period was marked by the dominance of the imperial court, but Japan is known as the samurai country for a reason. Find out why by watching Taira no Kiyomori improve the standing of the military class.

The peace of the Edo period brought a resurgence of the arts, and among them was the form of poetry known as haiku. This episode shines/ a spotlight on the master / Matsuo Basho.

Japan might be an island, but that doesn't mean they're completely isolated from foreign hostility. This episode features the tale of how Hojo Tokimune managed to fend off Kublai Khan's attempts to reach Japan.

In the twilight of the Tokugawa shogunate, the 13th shogun Iesada had a fragile constitution. In hopes of ensuring a sturdier heir, he ends up marrying the feisty and hearty daughter of the Shimazu clan, Atsuhime!

During the Heian period, the imperial court was on top and the warrior class served as their leisure. But there was one cat who challenged that status quo: Taira no Masakado!

Centuries after they were first introduced to Japan, very few people were left in the country who properly knew how to spread the teachings of Buddha. This episode tells the story of envoys who travelled to Tang China to help restore the legitimacy of Buddhism in Japan.

The Shinsengumi were founded to keep peace in Kyoto, and for a good reason. With the rise of the Sat-Cho Alliance and their efforts to bring down the the shogunate, the fighting force in blue haoris are going to have their hands full.

Japan's Edo period and the European Renaissance were seperated by hundreds of years. But in spite of that, there was a cat in Edo Japan who fit the definition of "renaissance man": the scholar, inventor, and artist known as Hiraga Gennai.

Imagawa Yoshitomo rose to eminence in the days of the Sengoku period, and while he might be most famous for his defeat at the hands of Oda Nobunaga at Okehazama, this episode will explain why exactly it was so impressive that the warlord from Owari was able to take down this highly regarded veteran.

Education is an important part of every revolutionary's development, and prior to the Bakumatsu, there was one cat who teaching the principles that would go on to inspire a generation of rebels: Yoshida Shoin.

The dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin, was considered many things, from the nemesis of Takeda Shingen, the incarnation of the war god Bishamonten. This episode features some of the stories that made him so famous, to the point where even Oda Nobunaga knew to fear him.

It's been said that government is like fire; too much and you burn everything down, too little and you might freeze to death. With Prince Shotoku's passing, the imperial court in Japan has started to get a little fire-y, so it's up to some determined cats to reign it in with the Taika reform.

It's time to head on down to western Honshu to visit the Chugoku region amid the fires of the Sengoku wars. After finding himself in charge of his his clan's domain, Mori Motonari is forced to use wits to overcome his disadvantageous position.

With the arrival of Admiral Perry, Japan's long period of isolationist policy was nearly at an end. Learn all about the diplomatic encounter that eventually resulted in the the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate!

Balance is an important part of maintaining a productive life, even when you're waging a battle against rival daimyo to unite Japan. Find all about the master of the tea ceremony that all the Sengoku era's greatest generals turned to for guidance, Sen no Rikyu.

The Muromachi period was only three decades in, but things weren't looking good. Beef between rivals claimants to the imperial throne and regional daimyo was causing a grim outlook... until Ashikaga Yoshimitsu became shogun and started sorting out their problems!

After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the dissolution of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizo was still ready and willing to fight. This episode features the Shinsengumi's demonic disciplinarian and how he resisted the Meiji government after the war was over.

Saito Dosan was mean enough to be considered a viper, and that's during an era of ceaseless warfare between rival feudal daimyo. But for all his ruthlessness, the viper of Mino would still find himself among even more infamous company... when he became the father-in-law of Oda Nobunaga!

With the country slowly opening up to foreign influence, the study of rangaku--imported knowledge from the Netherlands--provided by be a source of inspiration that would result in major revolutions in Japanese medicine. And at the center of it all was the medicine-minded cat, Sugita Genpaku!

A samurai from Choshu, the musically minded Takasugi Shinsaku found himself opposed to the Tokugawa shogunate's weak stance against foreign intervention, and eventually became a critical part in the rebellion that sought to restore the Emperor to power.

Raised by the fierce lady daimyo Ii Naotora, Ii Naomasa would eventually become famous in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu, helping the commander from Mikawa eventually unify all of Japan

You might love love, but do you love it enough to wear a giant "LOVE" on the helmet you wear into combat? Because that's what the trusted Uesugi commander, Naoe Kanetsugu, was famous for!