meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Even The Royals

Yoshiko Kawashina Part 2: Her Royal Spyness | 78

Even The Royals

Wondery

Society & Culture

4.4844 Ratings

🗓️ 19 May 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In Part 1, Yoshiko Kawashima moved to Japan and worked to reclaim her home by supporting the push for an independent Manchuria. But her growing fame as a Japanese spy gets her into hot water when she tries to switch sides during World War II. After fleeing to China, Yoshiko is arrested and put on trial for treason – where her own exaggerated stories are used as evidence against her. Her trial will determine whether history remembers her as a cunning spy, a shameless traitor….or revolutionary who dared to defy the expectations of her era.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-royals/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Wonderie Plus subscribers can listen to Even the Royals early and ad-free right now.

0:04.1

Join Wondery Plus in the Wondry app or on Apple Podcasts.

0:08.0

A quick note about our show.

0:09.5

We do a lot of research for our stories, but we also aren't your high school history class.

0:14.3

So some details and scenes are dramatized.

0:17.0

And today's episode contains language that could earn you a burn notice.

0:29.6

It's 1933 in Raha, a small Chinese province on Manchuria's southwest border.

0:36.4

25-year-old Yoshiko Kawashima is riding her horse through the steep, snow-covered mountains.

0:42.6

Yoshiko shivers in the blisteringly cold wind.

0:45.7

She's wearing a Manchurian officer's uniform made of thick wool, but it's not built for

0:50.2

a blizzard.

0:51.5

She anxiously turns in her saddle and orders her generals to halt the thousands

0:55.3

of men following her. The soldiers trailing behind her are a rag-tag group of Japanese fighters,

1:01.2

carrying makeshift weapons. Many of them are missing a few fingers or an ear. Oh my God. And Yoshiko

1:07.9

was about to lead them into battle. Oof. Yeah, it's a massive switchup for our girl. She went from club dancing and high-speed

1:15.7

chases to riding a horse through the mountains in a literal snowstorm. With homemade weapons,

1:20.9

you don't want those. So one thing you don't want homemade. Cookies, yes, weapons, no. Right.

1:26.8

But here's the backstory.

1:27.9

A few months ago, a Japanese troop lost their general and needed a replacement, and they

1:33.0

chose Yoshiko.

1:34.3

Now, I know what you're thinking.

1:36.3

It's got to be a little unconventional to choose a woman with no military experience.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.