S1E10 : The Last of the Samurai - Nakano Takeko and the Jōshitai

Women of War

Episode ten! Thanks to everyone who has listened so far! We will be back in the week of Anzac Day (the week of April 25th for our international friends). Keep up with us on our social medias - twitter, insta and facebook @womenofwarpod, or check out our website womenofwarpod.com.

This week on Women of War we’re back in Japan during the Boshin War (aka the Japanese Civil War), 1868 - 1869, and the last fight of the samurai in an ultimately doomed attempt to protect their way of life. Meet Nakano Takeko, onna-bugeisha (female samurai) and the squad of women warriors she led, the Jōshitai. Just don’t lose your head over the ending.

Featuring cameos from everyone’s least favourite Imperial powers - the French, the Americans, the British and the Dutch. The gang’s all here.

This episode contains references to disembowelment, decapitation, suicide and interfering with corpses. It may not be suitable for all listeners.

All efforts were made to correctly pronounce Japanese words and phrases. We apologise for any mispronunciations. All efforts have also been made to ensure historical accuracy, but as is the nature of historical research, mistakes may have been made.

This podcast is recorded on Wurundjeri Land and we pay our respects to elders past and present, the guardians and caretakers of the land and waters. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com