{"id":19,"date":"2026-07-18T16:25:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T06:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2026-07-26T22:06:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T12:06:04","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"19\" class=\"elementor elementor-19\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca8755e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ca8755e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9050b9 elementor-pagination-type-bullets elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-carousel\" data-id=\"f9050b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;carousel_items&quot;:[{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #1&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;b08a5ce&quot;},{&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;44b9b7b&quot;,&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #2&quot;},{&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;dd76b62&quot;,&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #3&quot;},{&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;9810325&quot;,&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #4&quot;}],&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:20000,&quot;speed&quot;:1000,&quot;slides_to_show_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;offset_sides&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;image_spacing_custom&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-carousel swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"1\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d42274 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6d42274\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1f5d59 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b1f5d59\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db94ca3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"db94ca3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-7b27b27-0b1e20f e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"7b27b27\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7b27b27\">\u5bb6\u306e\u529b<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-b2604a5-69cf019 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"b2604a5\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"b2604a5\">Ie no Chikara<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-dba9b1d-3cb3a1c e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"dba9b1d\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"dba9b1d\">The Strength of the House<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-734f139-595dfe6 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"734f139\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"734f139\">1854-1879<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-c930835-1cf8126 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"c930835\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"c930835\">The Awakening<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"2\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf2c104 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bf2c104\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84b52b1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"84b52b1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-430e6ce e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"430e6ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3bb11e9-6210765 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3bb11e9\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3bb11e9\">\u5bb6\u306e\u529b<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-26badcf-7c5d170 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"26badcf\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"26badcf\">Ie no Chikara<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-33f08c1-4d28e18 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"33f08c1\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"33f08c1\">The Strength of the House<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-8a1ecf1-64c037c e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"8a1ecf1\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"8a1ecf1\">1879-1905<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-456690f-28e4601 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"456690f\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"456690f\">The Growth<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"3\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1f807f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a1f807f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40682f0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"40682f0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ce2b75 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1ce2b75\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-591cd5a-92bbe83 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"591cd5a\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"591cd5a\">\u5bb6\u306e\u529b<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-e6db366-90e2977 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"e6db366\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"e6db366\">Ie no Chikara<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-48c7516-47b26f7 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"48c7516\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"48c7516\">The Strength of the House<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-bedd5ec-618f898 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"bedd5ec\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"bedd5ec\">1905-1930<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6b66da5-0f62fa9 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6b66da5\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6b66da5\">The Expansion<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"4\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-773cefa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"773cefa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c41078 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2c41078\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41d4c34 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"41d4c34\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-cf07ec0-68c66b1 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"cf07ec0\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"cf07ec0\">\u5bb6\u306e\u529b<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6c63c27-148887b e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6c63c27\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6c63c27\">Ie no Chikara<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-a1fdd40-ce2cb9e e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"a1fdd40\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"a1fdd40\">The Strength of the House<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-fcef249-8edce79 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"fcef249\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"fcef249\">1930-1945<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5d4b837-2d9d532 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5d4b837\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5d4b837\">The Turmoil<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-058e07b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"058e07b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f77026f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f77026f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-0a18d40-fa64116\" data-interaction-id=\"0a18d40\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"0a18d40\" id=\"93\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-books-2.png\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-books-2.png 1536w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-books-2-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-books-2-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-books-2-768x512.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c52c685 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c52c685\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-eed6816-7bf43eb e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"eed6816\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"eed6816\">THE STORY<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-86e69e3-b7fd0d0\" data-interaction-id=\"86e69e3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"86e69e3\" id=\"98\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png\" width=\"1364\" height=\"93\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png 1364w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-300x20.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-1024x70.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-768x52.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3d9cc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b3d9cc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In 1854 Japan stood at the edge of profound change. For more than two centuries the House of Iwamoto had endured amongst the mountains, rivers and valleys of western Japan, guided by duty, family and the responsibilities of the House. As foreign ships, new ideas and unfamiliar technologies arrived, the world around them began to transform.<br \/><br \/><em>The Strength of the House<\/em> follows the House and those connected to it across the making of modern Japan, from the arrival of the Black Ships to the closing days of the Second World War. Through generations of craftsmen, merchants, engineers, soldiers, wives, sons and daughters, the story explores how ordinary people lived through extraordinary times.<br \/><br \/>It is a story of family, friendship, craftsmanship, industry and service; of a House learning not merely how to survive change, but how to grow through it whilst remaining true to itself.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fd924ce e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1fd924ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-76da0ae0-5baa8b4\" data-interaction-id=\"76da0ae0\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"76da0ae0\" id=\"53\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png\" width=\"1774\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png 1774w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-300x19.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1024x63.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-768x48.png 768w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1536x95.png 1536w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14c6be9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"14c6be9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67f100e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"67f100e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-17c55f0-f56a506\" data-interaction-id=\"17c55f0\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"17c55f0\" id=\"113\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-5.png\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-5.png 1536w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-5-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-5-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-5-768x512.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2906d4b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2906d4b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-9111734-674b22d e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"9111734\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"9111734\">ABOUT THE BOOK<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-0b0ba0a-b3d37e8\" data-interaction-id=\"0b0ba0a\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"0b0ba0a\" id=\"98\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png\" width=\"1364\" height=\"93\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png 1364w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-300x20.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-1024x70.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-768x52.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9670ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9670ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tony Benci is the author of <em>The Strength of the House<\/em>, an historical saga exploring family, industry, service and change in Japan from the arrival of the Black Ships in 1854 to the closing days of the Second World War.<br \/><br \/>Drawn to the lives of ordinary people living through extraordinary times, his work focuses on the enduring strength of the House: the traditions, relationships, obligations and responsibilities that pass from one generation to the next. Through meticulous research and a deep respect for Japanese history and culture, he seeks to present the past not as a distant world, but as a living present experienced by those who walked it.<br \/><br \/><em>The Strength of the House<\/em> follows the fortunes of the Iwamoto House across the making of modern Japan. As old certainties give way to new possibilities, successive generations must navigate industrialisation, social change, prosperity, conflict and war without losing the values that have sustained the House for centuries. It is a story of continuity and transformation, and of the enduring strength found in family, duty and service.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50aecb92 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"50aecb92\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-5cc971-6f4886a\" data-interaction-id=\"5cc971\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5cc971\" id=\"53\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png\" width=\"1774\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png 1774w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-300x19.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1024x63.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-768x48.png 768w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1536x95.png 1536w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-378a280f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"378a280f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"41b47c25\" class=\"e-41b47c25-532769c e-heading-base\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"41b47c25\">THE LIVES AND TIMES<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20a159c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"20a159c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1854 - 1879 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-526791 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"526791\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"5d097cf3\" class=\"e-5d097cf3-a9c200d e-heading-base\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5d097cf3\">THE AWAKENING<\/h2>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76e22d8d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"76e22d8d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f0966dd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f0966dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-58a7b66f-e98c373 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"58a7b66f\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"58a7b66f\">1854<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-27480b9f-e409dc5 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"27480b9f\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"27480b9f\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6cb60622-bcaa6e7 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6cb60622\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6cb60622\"><em id=\"e-mq2byr21-prbgfby\">THE BLACK SHIPS<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Commodore Perry arrives.<br>Japan's isolation is challenged.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>Masanori is a young man.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3439f137 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3439f137\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-36f2cb32-9cefd76 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"36f2cb32\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"36f2cb32\">1858<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-3e12c388-419a5ea timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3e12c388\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3e12c388\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3a31e327-ba76a7a e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3a31e327\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3a31e327\"><em>THE OPENING OF JAPAN<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Treaty ports expand foreign trade and influence.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House begins hearing reports of increasing foreign activity.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d2bd8a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5d2bd8a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-dbb440c-697f812 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"dbb440c\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"dbb440c\">1868<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-39a88ab3-4a89b14 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"39a88ab3\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"39a88ab3\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-51f907bf-658ab91 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"51f907bf\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"51f907bf\"><em>THE MEIJI RESTORATION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Political authority returns to the Emperor and the Meiji era begins.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House witnesses the first signs of profound national change.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66362252 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"66362252\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-7be7195-365e65f e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"7be7195\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7be7195\">1871<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-feb98aa-9616919 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"feb98aa\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"feb98aa\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-561da9ae-081de4d e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"561da9ae\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"561da9ae\"><em>THE ABOLITION OF THE DOMAINS<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The han system is abolished and prefectures are established.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>New administrative structures reach western Japan.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d6177f7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d6177f7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-747b8280-7c878e0 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"747b8280\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"747b8280\">1873<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-122a498e-9e53fdd timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"122a498e\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"122a498e\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5e9c03d-b5a2662 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5e9c03d\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5e9c03d\"><em id=\"e-mq3zl9qv-x7n8q9i\">MODERNISATION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The government accelerates industrial, military and educational reforms.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The house begins looking beyond agriculture towards new opportunities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-571424a5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"571424a5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-7f019a9d-3fcc55a e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"7f019a9d\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7f019a9d\">1877<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-4050923b-89b5ce0 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4050923b\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4050923b\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-307cd982-14d2104 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"307cd982\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"307cd982\"><em>THE SATSUMA REBELLION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The last major samurai uprising is defeated.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The triumph of the new state appears irreversible.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-361f6b49 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"361f6b49\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-7ee16902-6dc321a e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"7ee16902\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7ee16902\">1878<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-724a9ab7-e95642a timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"724a9ab7\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"724a9ab7\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-52f4f2e7-e14020e e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"52f4f2e7\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"52f4f2e7\"><em>THE FIRST JOURNEY<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Modernisation gathers pace across the nation.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>Jir\u014d undertakes the journey that will change the future of the House.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-565df013 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"565df013\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-106a967-20ccb15 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"106a967\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"106a967\">1879<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-e60666a-ed45e35 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"e60666a\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"e60666a\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6590414d-695068b e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6590414d\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6590414d\"><em id=\"e-mq3zmbmi-tg8yj9y\">THE STRENGTH OF THE HOUSE<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Industry, trade and technology increasingly shape the future of the nation.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House takes its first steps into modern industry.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b28a3ff e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1b28a3ff\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2641113f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2641113f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aef617 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4aef617\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tbenci.com\/tsoth\/book-1\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-image-link-base\" data-interaction-id=\"9847f4\"\n\t><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-9847f4-5e74ce0\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"9847f4\" id=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png 1254w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-768x768.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dec31a9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1dec31a9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-34f964d8-0e090a4 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"34f964d8\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"34f964d8\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/books\/book-one\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base\">\n\t\tclick to visit Book 1 - The Awakening of the House\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad69743 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ad69743\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02e2de6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"02e2de6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tbenci.com\/tsoth\/book-1\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-image-link-base\" data-interaction-id=\"438722d\"\n\t><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-438722d-5ec8602\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"438722d\" id=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png 1254w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-768x768.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5470\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b77b1f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8b77b1f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-d82aa7b-4d0f4b9 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"d82aa7b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"d82aa7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/books\/book-two\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base\">\n\t\tclick to visit Book 2 - The Forging of the House\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1879 - 1905 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13aaec25 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13aaec25\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"258b6855\" class=\"e-258b6855-6bde8c5 e-heading-base\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"258b6855\">THE GROWTH<\/h2>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ee8527a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1ee8527a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6035b147 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6035b147\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-53a61e6-3881e18 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"53a61e6\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"53a61e6\">1879<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-14892149-7b8b8cc timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"14892149\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"14892149\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-35882060-34e717d e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"35882060\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"35882060\"><em>THE JOURNEY BEGINS<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The Meiji Restoration gathers momentum.<br>Modern institutions continue to replace the old order.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>Jir\u014d begins the journey that will change the future of the House<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6679dac0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6679dac0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6b0fa14-d248489 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6b0fa14\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6b0fa14\">1881<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-5ca64fcb-717cc8a timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5ca64fcb\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5ca64fcb\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-1b5f2b3-5a3b149 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1b5f2b3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1b5f2b3\"><em>A NEW DIRECTION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The government promises a national constitution and representative assembly.<br>Debate over Japan's future intensifies.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House begins to look beyond agriculture and trade toward industry.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ae0b334 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ae0b334\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-31127a20-33e5029 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"31127a20\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"31127a20\">1885<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-ac3299-270b8da timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"ac3299\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"ac3299\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-679db065-fb38cbc e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"679db065\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"679db065\"><em>THE MODERN STATE<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>A modern cabinet government is established.<br>Western methods increasingly influence administration and commerce.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>New ideas and new partnerships reshape the ambitions of the House.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c17f1d8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5c17f1d8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-21d48899-2ce1c54 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"21d48899\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"21d48899\">1889<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-4a8bb404-632d3a4 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4a8bb404\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4a8bb404\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-28dccac3-9df98e8 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"28dccac3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"28dccac3\"><em>THE CONSTITUTION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The Meiji Constitution is promulgated.<br>Japan formally enters the age of constitutional government.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House adopts modern methods and prepares for future expansion.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64ebaf5c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"64ebaf5c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-60be12f1-e547853 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"60be12f1\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"60be12f1\">1890<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-7752220a-6c48693 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"7752220a\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7752220a\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-1062cb3-945533d e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1062cb3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1062cb3\"><em>A NATION IN MOTION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The first Imperial Diet convenes.<br>Railways, factories and modern banking spread across the country.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The first fruits of industrialisation begin to appear.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44696e6f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"44696e6f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-9a9ba54-b445c4f e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"9a9ba54\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"9a9ba54\">1895<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-2d9416d8-2b01b5f timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2d9416d8\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2d9416d8\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5b127675-3319ea7 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5b127675\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5b127675\"><em>A NEW POWER<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Victory in the Sino-Japanese War transforms Japan's position in Asia.<br>National confidence grows.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House enters a period of growth and opportunity.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27c9b3a7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27c9b3a7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-73aec047-19151e2 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"73aec047\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"73aec047\">1900<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-429e443-12487a5 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"429e443\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"429e443\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-31a9b5b1-1c19ebc e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"31a9b5b1\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"31a9b5b1\"><em>A NEW GENERATION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Industrialisation reshapes daily life across the nation.<br>Cities expand and new industries emerge.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>A generation raised in the modern era begins to assume responsibility.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b3c43a2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4b3c43a2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5254a006-70ecc55 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5254a006\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5254a006\">1902<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-562b8397-b68cafb timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"562b8397\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"562b8397\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-2648395b-614be1e e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2648395b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2648395b\"><em>THE ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Japan enters a formal alliance with Britain.<br>The nation gains international recognition and influence.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House looks outward with confidence and ambition.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36d5f3d9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"36d5f3d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6a0e1691-8f8255a e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6a0e1691\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6a0e1691\">1904<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-b529d90-737b613 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"b529d90\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"b529d90\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-13715c07-307c2b9 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"13715c07\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"13715c07\"><em>THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>War erupts with Imperial Russia.<br>Japan confronts one of the great powers of the age.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House experiences both the opportunities and uncertainties of a nation at war.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36fdd054 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"36fdd054\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5077a5d-a13d787 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5077a5d\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5077a5d\">1905<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-72dce9c7-4609fdd timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"72dce9c7\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"72dce9c7\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-19508be7-201c8cf e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"19508be7\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"19508be7\"><em>GROWING WITH THE STATE<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Victory in the Russo-Japanese War astonishes the world.<br>Japan emerges as a major international power.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House stands firmly within Japan's industrial future.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2adb2a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2adb2a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02ed0b3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"02ed0b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e633155 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e633155\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tbenci.com\/tsoth\/book-1\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-image-link-base\" data-interaction-id=\"8aaaf68\"\n\t><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-8aaaf68-f7b2dba\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"8aaaf68\" id=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png 1254w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-768x768.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5471\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f43238d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f43238d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-2ec15cc-b4fbd2e e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2ec15cc\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2ec15cc\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/books\/book-three\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base\">\n\t\tclick to visit Book 3 - The Growth of the House\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1905-1930 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3242f329 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3242f329\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"460d94a7\" class=\"e-460d94a7-e86be79 e-heading-base\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"460d94a7\">THE EXPANSION<\/h2>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19b0d5ba e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"19b0d5ba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28510102 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"28510102\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3b5242b7-fc0b2f3 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3b5242b7\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3b5242b7\">1906<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-2b03eded-79d8db4 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2b03eded\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2b03eded\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-4e29d65e-405cb89 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4e29d65e\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4e29d65e\"><em>THE FOREST TAKES ROOT<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Victory over Russia reshapes Japan's confidence.<br>The nation enters a period of industrial expansion and international recognition.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The first generation raised entirely within the ki begins to assume responsibility.<br>The Cooperative Incorporation Method starts to spread beyond the founding enterprises.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a83e4cf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2a83e4cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-55df26cf-125e0c6 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"55df26cf\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"55df26cf\">1910<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-9c4c8ab-3002ad7 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"9c4c8ab\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"9c4c8ab\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-55482f4a-91394f1 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"55482f4a\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"55482f4a\"><em>A NETWORK OF HOUSES<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Industry, transport and communications continue to transform daily life.<br>The modern economy expands rapidly.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House shifts from managing businesses to supporting networks of businesses.<br>Training and knowledge transfer become central priorities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d16ccfd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d16ccfd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-19394f87-9a66a39 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"19394f87\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"19394f87\">1912<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-5ae67735-1f5ec7d timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5ae67735\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5ae67735\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-574d96d2-7852a3e e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"574d96d2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"574d96d2\"><em>THE END OF AN ERA<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Emperor Meiji dies.<br>The Meiji era comes to a close and the Taish\u014d era begins.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The founders reflect on the distance travelled since the Restoration.<br>Attention begins to shift toward succession and continuity.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-229ee98b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"229ee98b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-2a1f7207-2bdfa65 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2a1f7207\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2a1f7207\">1914<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-18e7f7c-86f0cf9 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"18e7f7c\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"18e7f7c\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-20448f78-172b687 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"20448f78\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"20448f78\"><em>A WORLD AT WAR<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The Great War begins in Europe.<br>Japan joins the Allied powers and industrial demand accelerates.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>New opportunities emerge alongside new risks.<br>The House is tested by growth, scarcity and speculation.<br><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ff7e71 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"44ff7e71\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-2212ea95-b9db05d e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2212ea95\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2212ea95\">1918<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-6f062fb5-cdc7045 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6f062fb5\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6f062fb5\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-c9c807-fceed24 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"c9c807\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"c9c807\"><em>PROSPERITY AND UNREST<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The Rice Riots reveal growing social and economic pressures.<br>Rapid change brings both opportunity and instability.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>Mutual support funds and cooperative purchasing demonstrate their value.<br>The House discovers that discipline during prosperity is as important as discipline during hardship.<br><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-390d617f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"390d617f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-32a7919e-b0fd66f e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"32a7919e\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"32a7919e\">1920<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-4d3de97d-24256ad timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4d3de97d\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4d3de97d\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-42e2fd89-994d8ad e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"42e2fd89\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"42e2fd89\"><em>A NEW GENERATION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Modern life increasingly replaces the traditions of the previous century.<br>Urbanisation and industry reshape society.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>A generation with no memory of the old ie enters adulthood.<br>The ki becomes lived experience rather than theory.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bd3751 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9bd3751\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3fbca69-958f2e4 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3fbca69\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3fbca69\">1923<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-31c567e2-530d4f2 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"31c567e2\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"31c567e2\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-1a1b1a9-edbc60d e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1a1b1a9\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1a1b1a9\"><em>THE GREAT KANT\u014c EARTHQUAKE<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Earthquake and fire devastate Tokyo and Yokohama.<br>The nation confronts one of the greatest disasters in its modern history.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The strength of distributed relationships becomes evident.<br>Enterprises support one another as communications, transport and infrastructure fail.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bfff5b4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5bfff5b4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-d43b6a0-df0b0f8 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"d43b6a0\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"d43b6a0\">1925<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-511541da-4347396 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"511541da\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"511541da\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-d63d571-954f2ea e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"d63d571\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"d63d571\"><em>REBUILDING<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Recovery and reconstruction reshape the nation's largest cities.<br>Industrial development continues despite uncertainty.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>Credit, training and shared procurement allow smaller enterprises to modernise without surrendering independence.<br>The forest grows denser.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7230e99a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7230e99a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-53cdd038-8a95ed7 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"53cdd038\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"53cdd038\">1928<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-57c6d357-ef9ed85 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"57c6d357\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"57c6d357\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-33912f52-2a35ff7 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"33912f52\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"33912f52\"><em>A QUIET INFLUENCE<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Economic growth continues, though signs of instability emerge.<br>Japan's influence abroad continues to expand.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The Cooperative Incorporation Method reaches maturity.<br>The House becomes increasingly influential while remaining largely invisible.<br><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ed84ad e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9ed84ad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6b25245e-4f0e2e3 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6b25245e\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6b25245e\">1929<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-668458aa-1fc1a1d timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"668458aa\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"668458aa\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3ca8d1cf-47071f1 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3ca8d1cf\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3ca8d1cf\"><em>GATHERING CLOUDS<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The effects of global financial instability begin to reach Japan.<br>Confidence gives way to uncertainty.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The forest faces its first truly global storm.<br>The resilience of the ki is about to be tested.<br><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dd72f3e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4dd72f3e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-4e48b648-ca5838b e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4e48b648\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4e48b648\">1930<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-7361f9b6-31a79ea timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"7361f9b6\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7361f9b6\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-63baf750-4a02e5c e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"63baf750\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"63baf750\"><em>THE FOREST ENDURES<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Economic pressures deepen as the world enters a period of upheaval.<br>The assumptions of the previous generation are challenged.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House enters a new era.<br>What began as an idea has become a living institution spanning generations, industries and communities.<br><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4c00bb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e4c00bb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84afc99 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"84afc99\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3135eb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c3135eb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-e8f5614-d737f38\" data-interaction-id=\"e8f5614\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"e8f5614\" id=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png 1254w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-768x768.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5472\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3b69d0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c3b69d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-83f575c-3f6e346 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"83f575c\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"83f575c\">the story is unfolding<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1930 - 1945 <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77b2bd8f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"77b2bd8f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"7e139088\" class=\"e-7e139088-e7fa6f2 e-heading-base\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7e139088\">THE TURMOIL<\/h2>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ed610bc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2ed610bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37d2806 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37d2806\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-1420bb2b-61e3570 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1420bb2b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1420bb2b\">1930<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-28f4f10e-745533f timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"28f4f10e\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"28f4f10e\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-54f17f18-5c91d75 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"54f17f18\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"54f17f18\"><em>THE STORM APPROACHES<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Economic pressures deepen as the effects of global instability reach Japan.<br>Political uncertainty begins to challenge assumptions formed during the Taish\u014d era.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The Cooperative Incorporation Method faces its first sustained economic test.<br>The House focuses on stability, employment and continuity rather than expansion.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-321b5b25 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"321b5b25\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-10cc30ea-64cc34f e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"10cc30ea\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"10cc30ea\">1931<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-11cd79b1-9ed6fe2 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"11cd79b1\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"11cd79b1\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-437d91de-1d12a9a e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"437d91de\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"437d91de\"><em>THE MANCHURIAN INCIDENT<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The Kwantung Army acts in Manchuria.<br>Military influence over national policy begins to grow.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House adopts a cautious posture.<br>Long-term resilience becomes a greater priority than short-term opportunity.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50f1c6f5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"50f1c6f5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6fc0258b-f59c108 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6fc0258b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6fc0258b\">1932<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-1eb65522-a307238 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1eb65522\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1eb65522\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-2b3c7178-8568974 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2b3c7178\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2b3c7178\"><em>A CHANGING NATION<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Political violence and instability increase.<br>Public confidence shifts toward military leadership.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House quietly strengthens its welfare and mutual support systems.<br>Member enterprises are encouraged to reduce dependence on external markets.<br><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b72d837 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3b72d837\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-6f3574c4-cdf72c3 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"6f3574c4\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6f3574c4\">1936<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-32b4babb-b275f91 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"32b4babb\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"32b4babb\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-7e860100-7356a52 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"7e860100\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7e860100\"><em>THE FEBRUARY TWENTY-SIX INCIDENT<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>An attempted coup by young military officers shocks the nation.<br>The influence of the military continues to expand.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The founders recognise that politics can no longer be ignored.<br>The House commits itself to remaining useful without becoming political.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57829ddc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"57829ddc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-22027ef9-ff2055b e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"22027ef9\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"22027ef9\">1940<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-438dcad6-63e4224 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"438dcad6\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"438dcad6\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-1625c082-b72bc0c e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1625c082\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1625c082\"><em>THE INVISIBLE FOREST<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>National mobilisation accelerates.<br>The state seeks greater coordination of industry and resources.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House becomes increasingly difficult to define as a single institution.<br>Its strength resides in relationships rather than centralised ownership.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-799ede6a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"799ede6a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-562e03a0-99b58e8 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"562e03a0\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"562e03a0\">1941<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-27d10fc7-87607f4 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"27d10fc7\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"27d10fc7\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-63bab819-bd7ea46 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"63bab819\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"63bab819\"><em>THE PACIFIC WAR<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>War with the United States and Allied powers begins.<br>The nation enters a period of total mobilisation.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The House works to preserve people, skills and enterprises wherever possible.<br>Continuity becomes the overriding objective.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f867926 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f867926\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3f73412c-2ba6626 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3f73412c\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3f73412c\">1943<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-10dd8174-6aa86e3 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"10dd8174\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"10dd8174\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5be1a65-0258248 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5be1a65\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5be1a65\"><em>ENDURANCE<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The demands of war increasingly affect daily life.<br>Resources become scarce and uncertainty grows.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>Mutual support networks sustain member enterprises through hardship.<br>The strength of the forest is measured not by growth but by survival.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d9e2e4a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d9e2e4a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-18e67fd7-fe793f2 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"18e67fd7\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"18e67fd7\">1945<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-5f81d626-ed1b6e2 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5f81d626\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5f81d626\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-21b5e090-d884387 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"21b5e090\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"21b5e090\"><em>THE FOREST REMAINS<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>The war ends.<br>Japan faces devastation, occupation and reconstruction.<br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>Many trees have been damaged.<br>Some have fallen.<br>Yet the forest endures.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2610cbc3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2610cbc3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-739a08fa-a4dc518 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"739a08fa\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"739a08fa\">1945+<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<hr class=\"e-4ec148d-dc2f7e1 timeline-divider e-divider-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4ec148d\"  data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4ec148d\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5d3395bc-2327afa e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5d3395bc\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5d3395bc\"><em>FROM THE ASHES<\/em><br><br>JAPAN<br>Under occupation.<br>Fighting for its existance in the modern world.<br><br><br>HOUSE OF IWAMOTO<br>The Cooperative Incorporation Method proves capable of surviving the greatest crisis in modern Japanese history.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a17e7e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a17e7e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68a75af e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68a75af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-e9f48f2-a7e3e49\" data-interaction-id=\"e9f48f2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"e9f48f2\" id=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png 1254w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-768x768.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-5473\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0298a54 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0298a54\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-842fb16-e4122dd e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"842fb16\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"842fb16\">the story is unfolding<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-654e13a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"654e13a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-9423fbd-e1d336f\" data-interaction-id=\"9423fbd\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"9423fbd\" id=\"53\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png\" width=\"1774\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png 1774w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-300x19.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1024x63.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-768x48.png 768w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1536x95.png 1536w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1d8cfd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a1d8cfd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-972fc81 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"972fc81\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-e484c1b-40449ec\" data-interaction-id=\"e484c1b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"e484c1b\" id=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-6.png\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-6.png 1536w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-6-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-6-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-home-6-768x512.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c244a9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4c244a9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-0a92f2a-328ccf9 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"0a92f2a\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"0a92f2a\">A NATION IN TRANSITION<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-8f90a31-50f10ec\" data-interaction-id=\"8f90a31\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"8f90a31\" id=\"98\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png\" width=\"1364\" height=\"93\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png 1364w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-300x20.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-1024x70.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-768x52.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e8ec7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e8ec7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the span of less than a century, Japan underwent one of the most remarkable transformations in human history. A nation that had lived for generations within familiar rhythms of duty, inheritance and continuity was thrust into a world of foreign ideas, modern industry, global commerce and war.<\/p><p>Some resisted. Some embraced change. Most were forced to navigate a path between the two. For ordinary families, the question was no longer whether the world would change, but whether they could change with it without losing themselves.<\/p><p><em>The Strength of the House<\/em> explores this journey through the lives of those who stood between tradition and modernity, inheritance and ambition, continuity and transformation. Across generations, the House of Iwamoto seeks not merely to survive the making of modern Japan, but to discover what must endure when everything else is changing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e6272b5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6e6272b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-774d4dd1-51a8fd3\" data-interaction-id=\"774d4dd1\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"774d4dd1\" id=\"53\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png\" width=\"1774\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png 1774w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-300x19.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1024x63.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-768x48.png 768w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1536x95.png 1536w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f4fc2e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9f4fc2e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8af08d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d8af08d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-aee9863-86c1267\" data-interaction-id=\"aee9863\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"aee9863\" id=\"135\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-faces.png\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-faces.png 1536w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-faces-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-faces-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-faces-768x512.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-289643ed e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"289643ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-405c406-07f998c e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"405c406\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"405c406\">THEMES<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-a88738a-93925ad\" data-interaction-id=\"a88738a\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"a88738a\" id=\"98\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png\" width=\"1364\" height=\"93\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png 1364w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-300x20.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-1024x70.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-768x52.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1c77ab e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f1c77ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a20284e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3a20284e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-70b0397e-e6260f4 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"70b0397e\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"70b0397e\">\u5bb6<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5134f577-fb3116a e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5134f577\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5134f577\">HOUSE - clan, family line, house, household, lineage<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49838095 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"49838095\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-4f5b676c-dae3407 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4f5b676c\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4f5b676c\">\u7fa9<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-597f23a2-c78a8b8 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"597f23a2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"597f23a2\">DUTY - obligation, moral responsibility, righteousness<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42b8d35f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"42b8d35f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-5a7e332a-ac1b2b8 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"5a7e332a\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5a7e332a\">\u8840<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-1cae1ec-217caa9 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1cae1ec\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1cae1ec\">FAMILY - ancestry, bloodline, kinship<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ee3e66f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1ee3e66f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-447a10a5-859b9be e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"447a10a5\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"447a10a5\">\u5909<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-2844b-e98b92e e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2844b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2844b\">CHANGE - adaption, alteration, evolution, transformation<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d6d11c3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d6d11c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-238c8be3-90ef7a8 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"238c8be3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"238c8be3\">\u7523<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-25f35c68-f5cd6b6 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"25f35c68\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"25f35c68\">INDUSTRY - creation, enterprise, production<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a510708 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a510708\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-39399c22-bce2f91 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"39399c22\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"39399c22\">\u9769<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-2efbe0cf-b686bfe e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"2efbe0cf\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2efbe0cf\">REFORM - innovation, renewal, transformation<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-475ee647 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"475ee647\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-4c7e78c2-3d76227 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"4c7e78c2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4c7e78c2\">\u7d99<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-31bb6af1-7688ac1 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"31bb6af1\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"31bb6af1\">CONTINUITY - carry forward, endurance, inheritance, succession<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-449b80f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"449b80f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-9f7e7a0-df209f1\" data-interaction-id=\"9f7e7a0\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"9f7e7a0\" id=\"53\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png\" width=\"1774\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png 1774w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-300x19.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1024x63.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-768x48.png 768w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1536x95.png 1536w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-387c1e4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"387c1e4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bd24d2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0bd24d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87b1e5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"87b1e5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:6000,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:2000,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-13.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-13\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-12.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-12\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-11.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-11\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-10.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-10\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-9.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-9\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-8.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-8\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-7.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-7\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-6.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-6\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-4.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-4\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"10 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-3.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-3\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"11 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-2.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-2\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"12 of 12\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-spirit-1.png\" alt=\"tsoth-spirit-1\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4963fe e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d4963fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-1ca1d1d-aa19104 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"1ca1d1d\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"1ca1d1d\">THE SPIRIT OF THE HOUSE<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-4fdd2b8-40886d1\" data-interaction-id=\"4fdd2b8\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"4fdd2b8\" id=\"98\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png\" width=\"1364\" height=\"93\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png 1364w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-300x20.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-1024x70.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-768x52.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8ed5b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8ed5b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Through music and imagery, this presentation explores the themes that lie at the heart of <em>The Strength of the House<\/em> \u2014 family, duty, continuity and change. It is intended not as a summary of the novel, but as an introduction to its spirit.<br \/><br \/>Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Japan, the story follows individuals and families as they navigate the tensions between tradition and modernity. The images and music presented here seek to evoke that world and the enduring values that shaped it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d177a94 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2d177a94\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30416171 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"30416171\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/1QYy0n8W9Lk\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"e-image-link-base\" data-interaction-id=\"ce3c575\"\n\t><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-ce3c575-17d3788\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"ce3c575\" id=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png 1254w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-768x768.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-246a15dc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"246a15dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3469bf-607d8ec e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"3469bf\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3469bf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/1QYy0n8W9Lk\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"e-paragraph-link-base\">\n\t\tclick to play <em>The Spirit of the House<\/em>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-646c2c2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"646c2c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-2226732-14c2e85\" data-interaction-id=\"2226732\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2226732\" id=\"53\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png\" width=\"1774\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator.png 1774w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-300x19.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1024x63.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-768x48.png 768w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-separator-1536x95.png 1536w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32127fd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"32127fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e96a7b2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e96a7b2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-a3f8f32-bcbc07d\" data-interaction-id=\"a3f8f32\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"a3f8f32\" id=\"930\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-pinesmokepress.png\" width=\"1259\" height=\"874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-pinesmokepress.png 1259w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-pinesmokepress-300x208.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-pinesmokepress-1024x711.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-pinesmokepress-768x533.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8db3be6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8db3be6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-f58b500-3794302 e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"f58b500\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"f58b500\">PUBLISHED BY PINE SMOKE PRESS<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-087f8e1-fd7466b\" data-interaction-id=\"087f8e1\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"087f8e1\" id=\"98\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png\" width=\"1364\" height=\"93\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule.png 1364w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-300x20.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-1024x70.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-rule-768x52.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3eee5b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3eee5b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em data-start=\"245\" data-end=\"272\">The Strength of the House<\/em> is proudly published by <strong data-start=\"297\" data-end=\"317\">Pine Smoke Press<\/strong>, an independent Australian publisher dedicated to thoughtful historical fiction and stories that celebrate imagination, craftsmanship and human endeavour.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-765edad e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"765edad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33e08b7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"33e08b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/1QYy0n8W9Lk\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"e-image-link-base\" data-interaction-id=\"29f4554\"\n\t><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-29f4554-553add8\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"29f4554\" id=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon.png 1254w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tsoth-mon-768x768.png 768w\" alt=\"\"\/>\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3baca08 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3baca08\" 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[&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-19","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":973,"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19\/revisions\/973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinesmokepress.com\/the-strength-of-the-house\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=19"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}