On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about ninjas, the judicial system of 16th century Japan, and more with Susan Spann, author of the Hiro Hattori "shinobi mystery" series of books.

About Susan Spann

Susan Spann is the award-winning author of the Hiro Hattori series of mystery books. The novels follow the adventures of Hiro Hattori, a ninja from the famous Iga clan, and Father Mateo Avila da Silva, a Portuguese Jesuit priest, as they travel through 16th century Japan solving murders and avoiding danger. Though originally from the U.S., Spann now lives in Japan. She practices traditional Japanese calligraphy and used to raise seahorses.

Topics Discussed

• How Susan Spann got the idea to write books about a ninja detective
• What Susan Spann likes about writing the Hiro Hattori books
• The evolving relationship between Hiro Hattori and Father Mateo
• The judicial system of 16th century Japan
• The social caste system of 16th century Japan
• The different types of police seen in 16th century Japan
• The difference between a yoriki and dōshin
• Whether there were lawyers in 1500s Japan
• Jails in 16th century Japan
• Oda Nobunaga and when he will appear in the Hiro Hattori books
• Where actors stood in the social hierarchy of 16th century Japan
• How difficult it is to verify information about ninja
• Whether shuriken were mainly used as "throwing stars" or not
• The city of Iga in Mie Prfecture
• Susan Spann's experience climbing 100 mountains in one year and her upcoming book Climb
• Places in Japan Susan Spann would like to visit in Japan
• The challenges of raising seahorses
• Why male seahorses can seem to be shier than female seahorses
• And much more!

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Images: Courtesy of Susan Spann

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Check out Ichimon Japan

The two latest episodes of the Ichimon Japan podcast can be accessed via the links below.

• Why do Japanese train stations do that? | Ichimon Japan 03
• What's it like being a "fake priest" in Japan? | Ichimon Japan 04