Japan’s imperial succession and the invention of tradition
What the new Imperial House Law reveals about the politics of historical memory
Osaka Castle Walks with Edward
History Beyond the Postcard
Essays on the people, places, and political struggles that shaped Japan.
Japan's history is more complicated—and more interesting—than the version most visitors encounter. I write about the people, places, power struggles, and forgotten histories that shaped Japan, with a particular focus on Osaka and the formation of the Japanese state.
Featured Stories
Stories about power, politics, and the historical forces that shaped Japan.
Capital Redundancy: Japan's 1,300-Year Instinct
An exploration of why the Japanese state historically maintained backup capitals, and how this architectural and political strategy insured the imperial court against disaster and usurpation.
Journalism
Commentary and analysis published in established news organizations.
Japan’s imperial succession and the invention of tradition
An op-ed on the 2026 Imperial House Law and how modern succession rules reflect long-standing strategies for managing legitimacy.
Essays & Research
Some stories don't fit neatly into a newspaper article. These are the longer considerations, following a question from the historical record to the landscape where it unfolded.
Capital Redundancy: Japan's 1,300-Year Instinct
An exploration of why the Japanese state historically maintained backup capitals, and how this architectural and political strategy insured the imperial court against disaster and usurpation.
From the Page to the Landscape
History changes when you stand where it happened. My Osaka Castle walks explore the archaeological and historical layers beneath one of Japan's most familiar landmarks — from the ancient settlements of Naniwa to imperial palaces, warrior fortresses, and the political struggles that shaped medieval and early modern Japan.
These aren't tours built around a list of dates and monuments. They're stories told on the ground where they happened.
Osaka Castle: Before Japan Had a Name
Most Osaka Castle tours start in the 1500s. This one starts before Japan had a name — because the castle only makes sense once you've stood where it all began.
Osaka Castle: Warrior Monks, a Peasant, and a Shogun
Warrior monks fortified it. A peasant rebuilt it. A shogun buried it. Walk the remains of three fortresses, each one burying the last. Discover why Osaka became home to Japan’s most powerful castle.
Osaka Castle: A Lord, a Concubine, and a Shogun's Lie
Hideyori is dead. His mother too. The Shogun says it was suicide — the evidence disagrees. Investigate the scene with a Resident Historian and leave knowing the real reason Osaka Castle had to fall.
Goddess, Queen, Empress, Concubine
Five women. Two thousand years. Each rises to absolute power—divine, political, or cultural. Walk the ground where their stories unfolded and discover Japan from an untold perspective.
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