Rare Earth

Shogun! Not Emperor. You foolish self. Our first video! We're jetlagged and nervous but absolutely thrilled to be getting started on what we hope will be a truly useful series. The first thing we wanted to focus on in Japan is found at Sengakuji, a temple in the south of Tokyo whose graveyard harbours a very important story: the 47 Ronin. In many ways, it is the foundational legend of Japan. If nothing else, it is a testament to sustaining one's duty in the face of hardship, illegality, and fear. We hope you like it!

Welcome to Ogasawara! A thousand kilometres into the Pacific, nestled in a jungle cabin, we are searching out untold history. Our first video from these islands takes place near a set of stones that are nearly impossible to find on Google. An incredibly important moment in history, hidden away on a hillside and seemingly unknown even to those living nearby. Join us as we search for Rare Earth, and learn about the Empire of Japan.

This is the story of Rance Ohira, a descendent of the first people to inhabit the Ogasawara islands. An American with a history all his own. This is the story of finding an old identity in a changing world. It is best viewed after this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAwtd... Thank you, Rance, for letting us hear your story.

In what will probably be our final video from Ogasawara, we wanted to bring you a story that shows just how much change a single decision can have on world history.

This video is about the Lucky Dragon Number Five, the ill-fated ship that spawned Godzilla. Godzilla is more than just a movie about a lizard, it is a way to understand and come to terms with one of the most destructive moments in human history, by the people who were forced to experience it. This aims to capture that story.

We rarely talk about how individual fruits spread around the world, but every time I come across these stories I'm always fascinated to see just how much deeper they go than I'd expected. From the mangoes of Hawaii to the apples of Aomori, the history of fruit horticulture never ceases to amaze me.

Yasukuni shrine is one of the most touristed spots in Tokyo. Next to the Emperor's Palace in the centre of town, it is an easy addition to an otherwise normal walk around. But it is also a major point of contention. It enshrines war criminals, and is owned by a far right nationalist organization who deny fundamental atrocities committed in WW2. We thought it was worth a look. This video isn't scripted, so my apologies for the methodical, slow speed of my speech. This was one I wanted to do from the heart, but that comes with the trade-off of pausing to think.

Over a hundred tried, but just a few dozen succeeded. Living in the mountains, drinking arsenic-laced water, lacquer, and starving nearly to death - the life and death of the sokushinbutsu, the Japanese who mummified themselves.

Dogs! Enough about humans and more about some creatures that matter, you no doubt were saying in your mind. So here's a story on pets. This is the story of Hachiko, who is likely the most famous dog in human history. But what is it about this dog that convinced the world to take notice? We went around Japan to tell the story of the loyal dog who unwittingly saved his breed. Say hello to Hachiko, a very good dog.

Did you know that Jesus wasn't crucified? It was his brother Isukiri, who 'casually' snuck onto the cross in his place. As it turns out, Jesus slipped away through Siberia and spent the rest of his life in Shingo, Japan. He stopped spreading the gospel and set up shop as a rice farmer. At least, that's what a man named Wado would have you believe. A proto-cult, failed in the incubator. Or perhaps just the excitement of an easily fooled mind. It's such a weird and unbelievable story, we knew we had to take a look. If you are offended by this story, please click the like button to show that you're able to turn the other cheek.

In a small temple on Mount Koya, we found a story that has been long passed down (but probably isn't true): Rabbits are birds, and beaver are fish.

Arguably the holiest place to be buried in Japan is at the top of Mount Koya, in a graveyard called Okunoin. But it isn't an ordinary gravesite. It brings back the dead. It's so popular that it sees swarms of tourists from all over the world. And it has some unique advertisements. Rest in Peace, Termites.

Imagine being so popular that people chipped off pieces of your grave for good luck? This is the story of Ratboy, a Robin Hood who doesn't quite live up to his legend.

What would you be willing to do to survive? Would you trade your land, your history - your soul? Today's episode looks at the story of Omura Sumitada, who was forced to make a choice. This is how a traitor accidentally saved Japan.

The item that left the greatest impression on me in Hiroshima was a tricycle. Owned by a three year old boy killed in the nuclear blast, it serves as a symbol for one of the great tragedies of the modern era. And while the story may not be all that it seems, I've come to realize that the truth is less important to me than I'd first believed. Edit: For some reason I said August 11th when I meant 6th. Not sure where that came from. Not that the date is the important part, but still. I've always got to mess up something, as is tradition.

Japan's Burakumin are a people within a people. For hundreds of years, they experienced direct persecution that has kept them from being fully functional members of society. Even though they were released from their caste in the 1800's, the stigma remains to this day. The one thing this video is missing that I wish I'd added is the historic discrimination against Koreans, and how it is interwoven into the Burakumin (and modern day Yakuza). Worth looking into on your own, if you're itching to learn more.

The story behind the Kamikaze, but perhaps not the one most people would expect. Particularly Kublai Khan.

You can never tell what your actions will cause. A Catholic saint's desire to spread Christianity started a series of events that he would have no doubt greatly disapproved of. Yet, here we are. As a point of order, I want to clarify that gambling parlours weren't specifically run by Burakumin. Merely that those who are kept down by general society are more likely to find themselves profiting from 'anti-social' behaviour. I realize upon rewatching that it isn't clear in the video.

Our last video from Japan! Onward to Cambodia! This is a video about freedom of speech, the effect of protest, and the most audacious hotel chain I've ever stayed in. Imagine selling a product that openly degraded 30% of its customers? Welcome to APA.

Video Edit: I heavily understate the UN's role in jailing criminals in the video, and want to clarify. A number of Khmer Rouge leaders have been to jail, including the head of S-21 and Brother Number Two, due to their efforts. Welcome to Season Two of Rare Earth. This is our first video from Cambodia, and as you might have guessed from the thumbnail, it isn't exactly a happy story. But, as it is impossible to understand modern Cambodia without knowing about the genocide, we feel obligated to make this the opener. Hopefully, it helps educate people on the horrors of the recent past, and how the results of instability can sometimes be worse than the war itself. We certainly grew as people while filming it.

We ate spiders (with a few insects), and it went exactly as you'd expect.

Edit (12/15/2018): Local corruption has seen the landmine museum being forced to close, and its operators (Akira and his wife) imprisoned. We live in a crazy world. This is the story of Akira, who has lived a life most of us could never imagine. A child soldier saving children with the very weapons he was forced to use against them. Akira makes life better.

Today's episode is a bit different. As we are trying to expand our skills making these sorts of things, some of our videos are intentionally going to be in various styles as a test. this story was filmed without a script behind the scenes as I talk with my wife about a really cool day. For a few glorious minutes, we discuss what APOPO hero rats do. They've been one of my favourite organizations for a few years now, and it was a huge honour to be able to go see their work in action. Get a hero rat of your own (or as a gift): https://support.apopo.org/en/adopt

Thank you Jemma. Thank you Tyler. Thank you EVP. Not just for letting us interrupt your lives, but also for spending your time on earth working towards positive change. In case it isn't evident in the episode, this is not an ad. We were not paid to visit, EVP had no editorial control, nor did they have a say in what we filmed. The truth is a shield. It just took us seeing them in person to figure it out.

How do you destroy an empire from within? A worthy question, given the current state of our world's empires. Yes, I'm aware I enunciate like a novice in this video. Yes, we tried doing other voiceovers to fix it once we noticed. No, they didn't work. After all, we are novices. So, please enjoy that MY SPEAKING STYLE often goes into a rather UPTEMPO ENDING. All self-deprecation aside, Angkor is amazing. Filming there was amazing. Touring there would no doubt be amazing. I couldn't recommend it enough. One more video until Laos!

Behind the scenes! In the bathtub! Talking about sickness! Today's episode is just for fun. We thought we'd talk about something that had been happening behind the camera, and turn it into a bit of a mini-episode while we transition between countries. Up next, Laos! Saveth's contact info for when you inevitably hire him: vethsa31@gmail.com, (+855)98656543

Kbal Spean, no doubt Cambodia's holiest stream. At its height, it would have purified the water of more than a million people living in the city it fed. I spent a long time debating whether to release this video, meaning to release it last week with rabies coming out swapped. I'm simply not happy with how it turned out. But in the end, I figured it was better to have an off episode than no episode at all. Let me know if you agree/disagree in the comments. We have a few video ideas from Japan that never made the light of day for similar reasons.

Obviously, they aren't extinct. We just thought they were! It just turns out that the best way to find them is as meat. Today's episode is on how scientific discovery is an ongoing process, and there are still plenty of ways to increase the knowledge of this world.

Today's video is a folk legend we came across while filming the market in Thakhek. It wasn't super educational, but far too amusing to pass up. What a cool country Laos is.

In Laos, there's a town with a very seedy reputation. Not long ago, you could buy opium direct from a store menu. The time that earned it the reputation has passed, but not before leaving its mark. This is the story of tourism, and what locals have to give up to obtain it. This is Vang Vieng. The title for this video was chosen by my friend Brad, as he was the inspiration for making the episode.

Is our culture worthwhile? Does our existence matter? This video looks at a society that left behind megalithic tombs to determine if we'll matter once we're gone. Thanks Tey, for taking us around. You're class. Anyone else who happens to be visiting Phonsavan and wants to know what they're seeing, contact him at lasdadatey@gmail.com or +85620 22946979. It's worth it.

Laos is small. But it exists. Thousands of years of invasion later, and Laos exists. But... How?

War lingers in the landscape. The Secret War is one of America's dark chapters. But as the name implies, it is a chapter rarely read. We take a short look at a war that continues to define the country more than a generation later.