KotobaInteractive
Journal

The Kotoba Interactive journal.

Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.

Glossary
2 articles
Détail d’un paravent nanban montrant l’arrivée des marchands portugais au Japon au XVIe siècle, dans le sillage desquels Yasuke gagna le pays.
JapaneseHistoire11 min

Yasuke: The African Samurai Who Served Nobunaga

The documented story of Yasuke (弥助), the African man who entered Oda Nobunaga's service in 1581. Sources, debates and the legacy of a legend.

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Estampe ukiyo-e d’Utagawa Kuniyoshi représentant l’attaque nocturne des 47 rōnin contre la résidence de Kira.
JapaneseHistoire13 min

The 47 Rōnin: history and legend of a revenge

The true story of the 47 rōnin and its legend, the Chūshingura. From the 1701 Akō incident to the seppuku at Sengaku-ji: facts, dates and the myth of samurai Japan.

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