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Tony Boccia

@tonyboccia.bsky.social
510 followers 907 following 1.3K posts

Husband and Father. Active duty U.S. Navy Sailor of 23 years. Historian focused on Imperial Japan and her Navy. Creator of PacificHistoryGuide.com Based in Iwakuni, Japan. Let’s Go Mets!

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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Kanrin Maru, and the embassy she carried along with USS Powhatan, was the Tokugawa Shogunate's best attempt at joining the international order on its own terms. This is a fascinating time in Japanese history, enjoy! #pacifichistoryguide
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I'm very happy to announce that I've been given special consideration to post on r/Navy as the unofficial Pacific Fleet AOR historian on behalf of #PacificHistoryGuide. Big shout out the Mod team over there for carving out a space for us, it's truly appreciated!
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
At one time or another, MCAS Iwakuni was home to the #IJN, #RAAF and #USAF. It is now home to the #USMC, #USN, and #JMSDF. Iwakuni City is in a unique part of #Japan with a rich history, often overshadowed by nearby #Hiroshima #広島 and #Miyajima #宮島. Take the time to visit here! #PacificHistoryGuide
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Dave Long @axe99.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
[Pinned] Welcome to the Naval History Feed 😊 This feed aims to bring together posts about naval history (anything from 20 years or so ago and older). To have your posts or replies show up in the feed, just tag them with #NavalHistory. For more on this feed and feeds in general, read on 😊 (1/8)
A black-and-white photo of the aircraft carrier Argus in dazzle camouflage.
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hush @hush-ndb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
This film was produced in 1944 to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the outbreak of the war, featuring special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. Location filming took place on an aircraft carrier in Sep. 1944; IJN Zuihou was used for interior shots,
youtube.com
雷撃隊出動 (1944) [カラー化 映画 フル] 山本嘉次郎
YouTube video by なつかしの映画をカラーで Japanese Nostalgic Cinemas
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The history of the Second World War in the Philippines is full of hope, sadness, and loss. The shipwrecks of Subic Bay help tell this story. #pacifichistoryguide
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U.S. Naval Institute @usni.org · 18/09/2026
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor those who endured captivity and remember the American service members who never returned home. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A sad loss. Celebrate this woman’s life, she will be missed.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I'll play this game! @amelieintokyo.bsky.social Child: forgets name of close family friend, confuses them with someone else, awkward moment at dinner Same Child: 150 dinosaur names memorized, speaks two languages fluently, favorite video game currently being played with eyes closed
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Jon Mitchell 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 ジョン・ミッチェル @jonmitchell.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"Mitchell makes one thing certain: military occupation has caused tangible, devastating harm to the residents of Okinawa." Big thanks to @tokyovice.bsky.social for his write-up of my Okinawa history in the run-up to this weekend's election. The full read: tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/in-okinawa...
tokyopaladin.substack.com
In Okinawa’s gubernatorial elections this Sunday, history matters
If you want to understand what’s happening in the elections to determine the governor of Okinawa, read Jon Mitchell’s timely book “Why Are We in Okinawa? A History of Violence”
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Konrad Lawson @kml.muninn.net · 12/09/2026
Saturday night additions to interactive map of Japanese empire: Admin boundaries for Dutch East Indies (drawing from @robertcribb.bsky.social Historical Atlas of Indonesia) & Burma divisions/districts from 1931 census w/ pop. data on info cards. froginawell.net/reference/ja...
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I've been playing with this map for over an hour. Simply amazing. @alexrkonrad.bsky.social thank you!
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
On the list of places to go, the next time I'm in #korea! #pacifichistoryguide
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
25 years ago. Never forget.
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The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History @jich.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Just released and #OpenAccess, read 'A ‘Boy’s Own’ Adventure: Australian War Writings from the Boxer Rebellion, 1900–1901' by Simon Antony Merry: doi.org/10.1080/0308...
doi.org
A ‘Boy’s Own’ Adventure: Australian War Writings from the Boxer Rebellion, 1900–1901
This article examines the experiences of Australian sailors and marines who travelled to China to fight in the Boxer Rebellion between 1900 and 1901. It analyses their diaries and correspondence to...
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PacificHistoryGuide.com @pacifichistoryguide.com · 09/09/2026
The #pacifichistoryguide reading list now has over 150 titles! If you're looking to learn something new, find a new perspective, or expand your research, check it out! #booksky www.pacifichistoryguide.com/reading-list
pacifichistoryguide.com
Reading List | PacificHistoryGuide
This reading list reflects titles that have been used in our research and writing.
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 09/09/2026
“Stars and Stripes” has served the American military and remained editorially independent for generations. Now that the Pentagon has fired the paper’s top leaders, the push for independence must continue, former Editor in Chief Erik Slavin writes. theatln.tc/kiCL88a3
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
#pacifichistoryguide is here to help get you connected to local and regional history, where you are. I hope you all check out the reading list soon!
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
👏👏👏👏👏
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Photography by Alfie Goodrich @alfie.photography · 06/09/2026
There’s something soothing about going to sleep with the sound of rain against the walls and windows. But, boy, it hasn’t let up all day and tomorrow is as bad if not worse. Take care out there, folks. Wishing you all a good start to the week. 🙌❤️🙏🏻
Screenshot of current rain situation from the NERV weather app. Screenshot of current rain and weather warnings situation from the NERV weather app.
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Gaijin Mommy @gaijinmommy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
We are gathered here today to commemorate the two year anniversary of that time I dropped my phone in the Sumida River. Thank you for all your support during this difficult time.
Skytree almost reflected in the Sumida River under the weird clouds today. Komagata bashi, the beer building and the golden turd in the distance. This is not the exact spot my phone went into the river, and I don’t think this is the exact date of the anniversary either. Still, thank you for your support.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
The three pillars of #PacificHistoryGuide are the location pages, blog, and Google Maps. These are set firmly on the foundation of the reading and resource lists. With all of this working in concert, we can more easily help you discover local and regional history, where they are. Enjoy!
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PacificHistoryGuide.com @pacifichistoryguide.com · 03/09/2026
Just added to the #PacificHistoryGuide resources page, check it out! encykorea.aks.ac.kr
encykorea.aks.ac.kr
한국민족문화대백과사전
한국학 최고의 전문 사전으로서 신뢰를 받는 한국민족문화대백과사전은 한국 최초로 한국 역사와 문화를 집대성한 대백과사전입니다.
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Modern Japan History Association @modernjapanhist.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
On September 10! Thomas Conlan (Princeton) on his new book “Kinkakuji and Kitayama: Space, Place, Monuments and Memory in Japan 1222-1994”, in conversation with Mimi Yiengpruksawan (Yale) and Nick Kapur (Rutgers U Camden). Register for Zoom here: mjha.org/event-6756506
A screenshot of the webpage featuring the event details, showing a book cover that features a daytime photograph of Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, over a clear pond where it is also reflected.
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PacificHistoryGuide.com @pacifichistoryguide.com · 02/09/2026
I’m sure the people who were there to see this event had a hard time putting it all into words. On this day in 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies.
Plaque onboard USS Missouri marking the spot where the surrender document was signed.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Looking for some help on a future #PacificHistoryGuide post, if you've been to the National Iksan Museum in #Korea I'd love some local knowledge!
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Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 31/08/2026
Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency counted 61 shrine and temple fires in 2019 and 58 in 2024. That works out to roughly five a month; 2024 was the quietest year. There's no spike in fires, and only one current case is suspected arson.
unseen-japan.com
Fact Check: No, Muslims Aren't Burning Down Japan's Temples and Shrines
A common right-wing trope on Japanese social media alleges a Muslim-led arson wave in Japan that doesn't exist.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Beyond excited to get these locations on the page, and I'm very much looking forward to some critical feedback. If you've been to #Malaysia, #SanFrancisco, the #MarshallIslands, or #FederatedStatesofMicronesia, let me know! I'm always looking to add local knowledge and wisdom to #PacificHistoryGuide
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JR1SSP @jr1ssp.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
IJN Battleship Haruna Date: August 28, 1934 Location: Outside Sukumo Bay, between the posts on Okinoshima Island Photo: Kure Arsenal Shipbuilding Department Situation: Under full-scale public testing after the second renovation buff.ly/JtQacuW buff.ly/hY0D1AK buff.ly/yr1X8TH
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Densho @denshoproject.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
For this month’s installment of Densho Staff’s 30 Favorite Objects, Archivist Micah Merryman chose this archival photograph of marionettes set against a backdrop for a puppet show.
Black-and-white archival photo of a lineup of marionette puppets on a stage, strings visible overhead. From left to right: a turtle or tortoise, a girl in a dark skirt, a figure in a striped shirt with cat-like features, a coiled snake, and a fluffy rabbit with large upright ears. A painted desert backdrop with a sun and cacti sits behind them, and bare ground is visible in the foreground.
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GD's Tales @tanktales.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Mladic was a horrid person. He was protected by horrid people. He is being venerated by horrid people. I smiled 15 yrs ago when he was captured. I smiled 9 yrs ago when he was convicted. But I'm struggling to smile today. Because he never acknowledged his crimes. He never showed remorse.
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Alice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The fallout from the collapse of this glacier - a torrent of mud surging down the valley - killed hundreds of people. Gone, in a flash. Those people were wiped out by anthropogenic climate change. Our governments are simply not responding quickly enough to this disaster which is already upon us.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Just became aware of this; will add to @pacifichistoryguide.com resource list! @kfullagar.bsky.social New collection on Oceania katefullagar.com/new-collecti...
katefullagar.com
New collection on Oceania
Really excited to announce this new six-volume series on the history of Australia and the Pacific, The Bloomsbury Cultural History of Oceania. I will serve as a General Editor with Katerina Teaiwa;…
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PacificHistoryGuide.com @pacifichistoryguide.com · 27/08/2026
The Nippon Rikukaigun database built by @eugenpinak.bsky.social (and others) is listed on the #PacificHistoryGuide resources page, why haven't you checked it out yet? rikukaigun.org
rikukaigun.org
Nippon Rikukaigun - Imperial Japanese Army and Navy research... not just by Eugen Pinak
Nippon Rikukaigun - Imperial Japanese Army and Navy research... not just by Eugen Pinak
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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 27/08/2026
Residents in Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures had been urged to evacuate amid flooding due to heavy rain, to ensure their safety, before warnings issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency were downgraded later Thursday.
ebx.sh
Heavy rain ongoing in Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures as warnings downgraded
The weather agency had urged residents in Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures to evacuate earlier Thursday in order to ensure their safety.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The first seaborne airstrikes took place during the siege of Tsingtao. #PacificHistoryGuide www.pacifichistoryguide.com/post/first-s...
pacifichistoryguide.com
First Seaborne Airstrikes in History
This week we mark the anniversary of the very first seaborne airstrikes in history, which took place near Tsingtao, China, during the opening stages of the First World War. It has been claimed elsewhe...
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The loss of Hong Kong affected me very deeply on a personal level. It was a home away from home for me during a formative time in my life. Here’s another stellar interview from @katiestallard.bsky.social with Mark Clifford of the Freedom for Hong Kong Foundation. youtu.be/WOy7PW7WIvs?...
youtu.be
The crackdown on Hong Kong bookstores | World Politics | The New Statesman
YouTube video by The New Statesman
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
AI slop in your advertisement? That’s an unfollow. Support local artists or just do it yourself. It’s particularly depressing to see people in the humanities use an AI image for their page.
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
The sinking of the Tsushima Maru is not the worst maritime disaster in American or Japanese history. It's not the largest loss of life at sea in the Second World War. The losses here pale in comparison to those of the battle of Okinawa, which the people aboard the ship were trying to avoid. 1/2
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PacificHistoryGuide.com @pacifichistoryguide.com · 21/08/2026
Friends going through #darwin #australia soon, why not check out #pacifichistoryguide ? #NorthernTerritory www.pacifichistoryguide.com/northernterr...
pacifichistoryguide.com
Northern Territory | PacificHistoryGuide
The Northern Territory, locally called 'The Territory' is Australia's third-largest federal division. It is bordered by Western Australia to the west, South Australia to the south, and Queensland to t...
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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 21/08/2026
"Girl with a Pearl Earring" will go on show in Osaka this week, on a rare trip abroad for the 17th-century Johannes Vermeer masterpiece and potentially its last to Japan. 👉 ebx.sh/kTQven
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Chris Sams @jerijerod14.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This week’s free to read is on the fast cruisers of the Austro-Hungarian navy. The Spauna and the Novara’s and their involvement in #ww1 jerijerod14.substack.com/p/austrias-l... #navalhistory #history
jerijerod14.substack.com
Austria's light cruisers
The Admiral Spauna and the Novaras
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PacificHistoryGuide.com @pacifichistoryguide.com · 20/08/2026
Have you visited the location pages of #PacificHistoryGuide? We've got 10 countries and states, ready for you to check out! We're always looking for feedback, don't hesitate to let us know what you think. Happy discovering! www.pacifichistoryguide.com/locations
pacifichistoryguide.com
Locations | PacificHistoryGuide
You can find the history of your specific location on this page and dive into the country and region where you are.
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Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 19/08/2026
Sawara in Chiba Prefecture was home to Inou Tadataka, the first cartographer to map Japan using Western surveying techniques. He ran his adopted family's businesses until moving to Edo at the age of 50 to study astronomy.
unseen-japan.com
The Old Edo Towns of Japan - Unseen Japan
Want to experience Edo-era Japan? Check out the Koedo areas of Japan that strive to preserve a moment in time.
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Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
All hail the local historians! 📚 Also there are a few spaces left at Hatchards next week with self, Kate Vigurs and Peter Caddick Adams www.hatchards.co.uk/events/kate-...
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Anoosh Chakelian @anooshc.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
My sketch for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social summer special on Count Binface's quiet victory in Clacton, and Nigel Farage versus the "nobodies" - illustration by the great @andrecarrilho.bsky.social:
newstatesman.com
Count Binface's endgame
At the Clacton count, I came face to face with Nigel Farage's challenger
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Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Today’s #Koshien games were all blowouts (7-0, 11-3, 6-0) until the last one. #Gunma and #Kumamoto took a blank scoreboard to the 10th inning. Gunma won on a walkoff single. The only truly exciting contest of the day and a classic Japanese baseball game.
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Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Today’s substack is up - it’s a tale of ludicrous guts from a British submarine commander in 1915… achurchill.substack.com/p/article-ma...
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Unseen Japan @unseenjapan.com · 18/08/2026
NEW: A Japanese social media user asked how people in Korea and China, where many people have the same surname, address one another at work. But why does Japan, unlike those countries, have so many surnames? The answer dates back to a Meiji-era law.
unseen-japan.com
Why Does Japan Have So Many Last Names Compared to China and Korea?
Why does Japan have hundreds of thousands of surnames while China and Korea rely on a handful? The answer lies in a Meiji-era law.
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