Before we get into this week's episode, two quick programming notes.

First, I just want to note, as a few observant folks have already pointed out to me,

that there were some numbering errors in the previous episodes, and actually that this episode is episode 489,

last week was 488, and I'd been saying them wrong for a little while. I've updated the feeds to match the correct

episode numbers, but I'm not going to go re-record the episodes themselves because that

takes a lot of work even just to cut out a segment and replace it to make sure the sound

matches up with the original and all that stuff. So just be aware of that. Sorry for the

confusion. With 500 episodes and with me occasionally moving things

around on the schedule, it can get a little messy from time to time.

Second, I wanted to give you a heads up that after this week's episode, I am going to be taking

a one week break. I'll be headed out to the East Coast to visit my family. So after this

week, we'll have one week off and then

we'll be back for semi-regularly scheduled programming. I do have some family stuff planned

for the summer, so I reserve the right to mess with the schedule a little bit as appropriate.

But just wanted to give you a heads up after this week, one week off, and then we'll be back.

That said, there will be something in the feed next week. I have a very exciting announcement

to make in terms of a project I've been working on for a little while now, and there will

be a feed drop on Tuesday the 20th talking a little bit about that. So keep an eye out for that.

And with that said,

hello, and welcome to the History of Japan podcast, episode 489, The Nation's Kitchen, Part 3.

I've been thinking for a while now about how I would introduce Osaka in its Edo period glory days and I've

decided to bring back an old format that I really enjoyed from the distant past.

...