Welcome back to the home of the oxymoron. Evil genius. He asked the newspaper to print his obituary early so he'd enjoy it. That's like hiding at your own funeral. Yeah, it's a big, great gig. I'm Russell Kane. Join me to weigh in on whether the biggest players in history are more evil or genius. Becoming that rich, I'd say that at some level of genius. It also helps that it's a long time ago, right?

It's like the podcast version of telling your kids

the ice cream van plays music when it's out of ice cream.

Listen to evil genius on BBC Sounds.

This is a special download from the BBC Free Thinking Festival.

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go to BBC.com.ukuk slash Radio 3. Springtime in Osaka, and the smell of charred wood, smoke and brick dust is in the air.

A young Japanese businessman paces the floors of his little company with a broad smile on his face.

Not just because those floors are still there to be paced, despite the best efforts last night of American B-29s and their firebombs.

More than that, all around him, employees' fears, grumbles and gripes have all but evaporated

in recent months, replaced by an almost suspiciously warm cooperative spirit.

The plan, it seems, is working. No pay rise, no change in working hours, no

improvement in the canteen food. What Yoshimoto Ishin has done is teach his staff to pray.

Back before the war, Yoshimoto was a member of Japan's largest Buddhist sect, known for the hope when a person dies of rebirth in the pure land.

While for many such hope was enough, a few sought reassurance, and they developed a prayer practice called Mishirabe, which means to search oneself.

This was no ordinary prayer. Preparation wasn't a matter of comfortable

clothing, kneeling down or sitting on a cushion. You prepared for prayer by updating your will.

By having taken away from you any belts or sharp objects, such was the risk of death,

possibly at your own hand. You'd also need rest,

a good meal, a drink, because until the prayer's end was achieved, or you gave up, there was no food,

no water, no sleep. No company either in this little room for up to a week, just the occasional

visit by an experienced practitioner

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