In this episode, “From Samurai to Superpower,” Hope and Brian unpack one of the most astonishing military evolutions in history—the rise of modern Japan. In just a few decades, Japan went from isolated feudalism under the Tokugawa shogunate to becoming a world-class military powerhouse. How did a nation of swordsmen and rice farmers transform into an industrial empire capable of defeating China and even Russia? Through the reforms of the Meiji Restoration, the adoption of Western technology, and the creation of a professional army and navy, Japan reinvented itself—and the world took notice.

From samurai rebellions and Prussian advisors to ironclad warships and imperial ideology, this story has everything: rebellion, modernization, strategy, and the clash of old honor codes with new world realities. Hope brings the spark, Brian brings the precision, and together they reveal how Meiji Japan’s “rich country, strong army” mantra reshaped global power.

Whether you’re a military history buff, a fan of Shōgun, or just love a great transformation story, Mil History Talk will leave you smarter, entertained, and ready to see history in a whole new light.

For more information on the Meiji Reformation and the Japanese military see the article on our Substack page: From Samurai to Superpower - by Louis DiMarco