Tohoku Mystery

Were ancient lion species found in Aomori Prefecture? Shocking research findings were published in January 2026...

"Japanese fossil tigers were actually lions." In January 2026, a shocking research finding was announced. Furthermore, the research subject was a fossil discovered at Shiriyazaki (Higashidori Village) on the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture...

NORIJUN2026.04.27

[Part 2] What was the "Mogami Yatsudate," a confederation of local lords in Dewa Province? | The Yatsudate...

Other Forces that Allied with the Mogami Eight Shields: We've looked at an overview of the Mogami Eight Shields, a coalition of local lords from Dewa Province, but these weren't the only forces that allied with Mogami Yoshimori and Date Terumune. ...

Korok with a sword2026.04.24

[Part 2] What was the "Mogami Yatsudate," a coalition of local lords in Dewa Province? | Dewa Province...

Representative Local Leaders Who Made Up the Mogami Eight Shields Now, let's take a look at the members who made up the Mogami Eight Shields. During the Tensho Mogami Rebellion, they were Yoshimori, the father of Mogami Yoshiaki, and his...

Korok with a sword2026.04.23

[Part 1] What was the "Mogami Yatsudate," a coalition of local lords in Dewa Province? | Sengoku period...

To begin with, when you think of "warlords of the Tohoku region during the Sengoku period," who comes to mind? While there are countless stories of brave and fierce generals, perhaps the first lord of the Sendai domain, Date Masamune, known as the "One-Eyed Dragon," is the one who comes to mind...

Korok with a sword2026.04.22

I tried to gather information to see if the statement "The bus comes once a day" from the movie "We're Going to Tokyo" is actually true

The hit song "Ore-ra Tokyo sa Ikuda" (We're Going to Tokyo), sung by Ikuzo Yoshi, includes the line, "The bus comes once a day." This raises the question: do buses that only come once a day actually exist...?.

Yuto Ono2026.04.17

Kasha Cat | A legend of a shape-shifting cat and a yokai kokeshi doll from Mishima Town, Oku-Aizu [Fukushima Prefecture]

Mishima Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture. This municipality is located in a region commonly known as Oku-Aizu, very close to the border with Niigata Prefecture. Here, you can find one of the 12 well-known types of kokeshi dolls...

Aoiwa2026.04.13

Aizu Higan Shishi | A folk performance from the Aizu region, danced during the spring equinox [Fukushima Prefecture]

What is Aizu Higan Shishi? Aizu Higan Shishi is a type of lion dance (sanbiki shishimai) widely distributed in eastern Japan, primarily in the Kanto region, consisting of three solo performers working together...

Aoiwa2026.04.08

How do you address people in Tsugaru dialect? We explain dialectal terms like "odo," "oga," and "appa," including family names and first-person pronouns

Tsugaru dialect is often said to be one of those dialects that people say, "I can't understand what they're saying." But if you look at the words actually used, you'll find that they're surprisingly simple and many of them are familiar.

Hana Odagiri2026.04.03

The "Kase-dori," a divine incarnation wearing a straw cloak, is fun to watch with its "Kakkakka!" chant...

What is Kasedori? Kasedori is a folk event held annually on February 11th in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. Originally a "visitation ceremony for the New Year's deity," it was held during the Little New Year (although there are various theories, it is generally considered to be from January 14th to 1...).

Aoiwa2026.04.02

Hote Festival | A fire-prevention ritual with over 300 years of history held at Shiogama Shrine [Miyagi Prefecture...].

The Hote Matsuri (Sailor Festival) is a fire prevention ritual held annually on March 10th at Shiogama Shrine in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture. Due to the vigorous movement of the portable shrine, it is considered one of Japan's "Three Great Wild Portable Shrines"...

Aoiwa2026.03.27