Edo, 1691 n. Chr. (WBG Sommerurlaub 2026)
Summary
This episode explores daily life in 17th-century Edo through the eyes of German physician Engelbert Kämpfer. The hosts discuss Japan’s isolationist policies, the Shogun’s military rule, and Kämpfer’s detailed observations of the city’s infrastructure, street food, and social order. They highlight his unique perspective on a society that was highly organized yet culturally distinct from Europe, culminating in his influential travelogue.
Topics discussed
Intro: Historical city trips and Edo's isolation policy
Engelbert Kämpfer: The German doctor in Japan
The journey from Dejima to the outskirts of Edo
Edo's size, wooden architecture, and city management
Street food culture: Soba, Tempura, and Eel
The Shogun's Castle and the humiliating audience ritual
Performing for the elite and Kämpfer's positive view
Nightlife, entertainment, and social interactions
Departure, legacy, and the end of the Shogunate
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