Nick Kapur
@nickkapur.bsky.social
Historian of Japan and East Asia. I only post extremely interesting things.
Author of "Japan at the Crossroads," out now from Harvard University Press.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674984424
Author of "Japan at the Crossroads," out now from Harvard University Press.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674984424
...post-AI devolution, suddenly almost every student is proposing to write a 5-page essay.
As if it has suddenly become the easiest thing to do in the world. 🤔
3/3
As if it has suddenly become the easiest thing to do in the world. 🤔
3/3
November 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
...post-AI devolution, suddenly almost every student is proposing to write a 5-page essay.
As if it has suddenly become the easiest thing to do in the world. 🤔
3/3
As if it has suddenly become the easiest thing to do in the world. 🤔
3/3
In all previous years (last taught it two years ago), almost zero students chose the 5-page essay, because writing an essay that long is hard!
The vast, overwhelming majority chose to create PowerPoint slide decks.
However this year...
2/3
The vast, overwhelming majority chose to create PowerPoint slide decks.
However this year...
2/3
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 PM
In all previous years (last taught it two years ago), almost zero students chose the 5-page essay, because writing an essay that long is hard!
The vast, overwhelming majority chose to create PowerPoint slide decks.
However this year...
2/3
The vast, overwhelming majority chose to create PowerPoint slide decks.
However this year...
2/3
Lots of drama during Day 4 of the Sengoku Japan simulation!
Most notably, the Ryūzōji clan rose up in rebellion against their erstwhile Shimazu masters at the behest of the Imagawa, shattering the previously united southern alliance
#SengokuSim
Most notably, the Ryūzōji clan rose up in rebellion against their erstwhile Shimazu masters at the behest of the Imagawa, shattering the previously united southern alliance
#SengokuSim
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Lots of drama during Day 4 of the Sengoku Japan simulation!
Most notably, the Ryūzōji clan rose up in rebellion against their erstwhile Shimazu masters at the behest of the Imagawa, shattering the previously united southern alliance
#SengokuSim
Most notably, the Ryūzōji clan rose up in rebellion against their erstwhile Shimazu masters at the behest of the Imagawa, shattering the previously united southern alliance
#SengokuSim
Even amongst the few first-time homebuyers that still exist, most of them are rich, with a majority using personal cash or assets for their down payment for the first time, compared to past years when most borrowed the down payment from friends or relatives.
November 20, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Even amongst the few first-time homebuyers that still exist, most of them are rich, with a majority using personal cash or assets for their down payment for the first time, compared to past years when most borrowed the down payment from friends or relatives.
79% of all homebuyers are repeat homebuyers, and the median age of all homebuyers reached an all-time high of 59 years old.
This is the world that Boomers wanted.
This is the world that Boomers wanted.
November 20, 2025 at 12:04 AM
79% of all homebuyers are repeat homebuyers, and the median age of all homebuyers reached an all-time high of 59 years old.
This is the world that Boomers wanted.
This is the world that Boomers wanted.
November 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Yes! It's so different every time.
Since the material conditions are always more or less the same, it all depends on how the students interact with each other.
As in real history, the human element really matters.
Since the material conditions are always more or less the same, it all depends on how the students interact with each other.
As in real history, the human element really matters.
November 14, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Yes! It's so different every time.
Since the material conditions are always more or less the same, it all depends on how the students interact with each other.
As in real history, the human element really matters.
Since the material conditions are always more or less the same, it all depends on how the students interact with each other.
As in real history, the human element really matters.
Here is the map of Japan after Day 1 of the second simulation, showing an alternate universe Japan as of April 1564:
#SengokuSim
#SengokuSim
November 13, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Here is the map of Japan after Day 1 of the second simulation, showing an alternate universe Japan as of April 1564:
#SengokuSim
#SengokuSim
It's in theatres?
We're going to see the musical version in Philly in a few weeks!
We're going to see the musical version in Philly in a few weeks!
November 11, 2025 at 10:42 PM
It's in theatres?
We're going to see the musical version in Philly in a few weeks!
We're going to see the musical version in Philly in a few weeks!
The first Sengoku Japan simulation of the semester has now concluded!
The Mōri clan emerged victorious, with the Imagawa clinging on to a few scattered provinces and certain to submit if the simulation had continued.
Here is a map of Japan as of April 1588:
#SengokuSim
The Mōri clan emerged victorious, with the Imagawa clinging on to a few scattered provinces and certain to submit if the simulation had continued.
Here is a map of Japan as of April 1588:
#SengokuSim
November 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The first Sengoku Japan simulation of the semester has now concluded!
The Mōri clan emerged victorious, with the Imagawa clinging on to a few scattered provinces and certain to submit if the simulation had continued.
Here is a map of Japan as of April 1588:
#SengokuSim
The Mōri clan emerged victorious, with the Imagawa clinging on to a few scattered provinces and certain to submit if the simulation had continued.
Here is a map of Japan as of April 1588:
#SengokuSim
We're through Day 6 of the Sengoku Japan simulation. Only one more day to go!
Here is an updated map of Japan as of May 1585:
#SengokuSim
Here is an updated map of Japan as of May 1585:
#SengokuSim
November 6, 2025 at 11:18 PM
We're through Day 6 of the Sengoku Japan simulation. Only one more day to go!
Here is an updated map of Japan as of May 1585:
#SengokuSim
Here is an updated map of Japan as of May 1585:
#SengokuSim
We are now through Day 5 of the Sengoku Japan simulation.
Here is a map of Japan as of March 1581:
#SengokuSim
Here is a map of Japan as of March 1581:
#SengokuSim
November 4, 2025 at 11:40 PM
We are now through Day 5 of the Sengoku Japan simulation.
Here is a map of Japan as of March 1581:
#SengokuSim
Here is a map of Japan as of March 1581:
#SengokuSim