41 - Imperial Japan pt. 11 / Spyclopedia #4 - Yoshiko Kawashima pt. 1, or, the Beauty in Men’s Clothing

Part 1 out of 3

You know I had to revisit the life of Yoshiko Kawashima, Japan's gender-nonconforming ethnic Manchu princess and spy. This episode sets the stage, discussing Kawashima's biological and adopted fathers, the circumstances surrounding her childhood, her inspirations, suitors, and the first indications that a legend was being contrived. We follow her life up to her marriage with a Mongol military officer - generally everything before she became famous.

Song:

Numb (Linkin Park cover) by Kuular