Scary. But you can't look away. The abyss of unknown history emerges! Historian Kazuto Hongo reveals the true identity of that 'scariness' in 'Kowai Nihonshi' (Scary Japanese History), releasing on May 7.

"Kowai Nihonshi" (Scary Japanese History)

Cruel, sorrowful, and sometimes funny--
What is the true identity of the 'scariness' of history revealed by a historian?

In Japanese history, there are many events that send shivers down your spine, such as people being murdered in gruesome ways or fearing vengeful spirits. However, the "scariness" we want to consider in this book is not just that.

While following the incidents and events that occurred in each era from ancient to modern times, we will consider the true identity of the "scariness" that changes along with social changes.

It's not only cruel events that make us feel history is scary.

Rather, it is the assumption that the values of our own era are absolute and the ease with which we judge people of the past. Human sensibilities change with the times. If we forget that, history quickly becomes a simple story of good and evil.

The "scariness" of history might unexpectedly lurk in such places. --From the text

[Table of Contents]

■ Chapter 1: Ancient Times ~Heian Period~ What is scary are the curses of vengeful spirits and defilement
The reality of Heian-kyo is in "Rashomon" / The "infection of defilement" feared by nobles / The mystery of the "Fujiwara clan's grave" whose reality no one knows / The famous poet who wrote "I can't stand the stench of death" / The God of Examinations was actually the scariest vengeful spirit of the Heian period / "Another vengeful spirit" enshrined in the office district of Tokyo / Onmyoji were not psychics, but lifestyle advisors / The "lucky direction" that even Fujiwara no Michinaga cared about, etc.

The God of Examinations was actually the scariest vengeful spirit of the Heian period

■ Chapter 2: Middle Ages 1 ~Kamakura/Muromachi Period~ What is scary is the obsession over heads
The Minamoto family who killed each other, parents and children / Men on the losing side are killed even if they are children / The family precept is "Don't kill people even if you get angry" / Taking a head is the greatest achievement for a samurai / A bizarre and scary ceremony in samurai society called "Kubijikken" (Head Inspection) / A mysterious torture of making them step on an ally's head / Confiscation of territory just for laughing! The reign of terror of the "Lottery Shogun," etc.

A bizarre and scary ceremony in samurai society called "Kubijikken"

■ Chapter 3: Middle Ages 2 ~Sengoku Period~ What is scary is a daily life filled with a certain kind of madness
Did people really die in such large numbers during the Sengoku period? / The mysterious cleanup of the battlefield / The truth behind the story of Nobunaga drinking sake from his brother-in-law's skull / Humiliating even after death! The "post-mortem cruelty" done by Hideyoshi / Lynched over a handful of "warabi flour." The "scary justice" spreading in villages / A witness was needed for a "head" on the battlefield / "Sasa no Saizo" who made a severed head bite a bamboo leaf / Individuality even in how to cut one's belly / A samurai who hung his intestines on a clothesline, etc.

A samurai who hung his intestines on a clothesline

■ Chapter 4: Early Modern Period ~Edo Period~ What is scary are political disputes and absurdity
Becoming poor due to Sankin-kotai? Ieyasu's bullying / 5,000 people lose their jobs if the lord dies / Was the Dog Shogun really a tyrant? / Abandoning children was normal. The Edo period, an era where life was cheap / An urban legend associated with the toilet in the Ooku / When the Shogunate runs out of money, they confiscate merchants' property / The "Four Great Manslayers" who shook Japan / Yoshida Shoin's body bought back with money / Executions in the Edo period were a "freak show" / Making enemies eat poop in prison, etc.

When the Shogunate runs out of money, they confiscate merchants' property

■ Chapter 5: End of Edo ~Meiji Period~ What is scary is a dangerous government
Did the founding fathers of Meiji also commit many murders? / Saigo Takamori whose death was confirmed by his testicles / Scary stories related to Abashiri Prison / Eto Shimpei's severed head exposed even in modern times / The psychology of "head exposure" remaining even in modern Japan, etc.

Saigo Takamori whose death was confirmed by his testicles

[Author Profile]

Kazuto Hongo

Born in Tokyo in 1960. After serving as a professor at the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo, he is currently a Specially Appointed Professor and Director of the Center for Liberal Arts at Fujita Health University. His specialties are the political history of the Japanese Middle Ages and diplomatics. He is the author of numerous books, including "Blank Japanese History," "The IF of History," "Japanese History of Arguments" (Fusosha Bunko), "Japanese History of Last Moments," "Japanese History of Love and Hate," "Japanese History of Religion," "Bloodlines of Japanese History" (Fusosha Shinsho), "Shin Japanese History Taught by a University of Tokyo Professor" (Fusosha), "The Core of Japanese History," "The Jokyu War" (Bunshun Shinsho), "Military Japanese History" (Asahi Shinsho), "Japanese History of Rebellions and Incidents" (Shodensha Shinsho), "Thinking Japanese History" (Kawade Shinsho), and "The Disease Called Historian" (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho).

[Bibliographic Information]

Title: 'Kowai Nihonshi' (Scary Japanese History)
Price: 1,760 JPY (Tax included)
Publisher: Fusosha
Release date: May 7, 2026 (Thursday)
ISBN: 978-4594102548

■ Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594102549

■ Rakuten Books
https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18601882/

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