A History of Japan

In this bonus episode, we trace the origins of the samurai and their subsequent evolution to the heights of political power.

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Three samurai are credited with significant contributions to the success of the Meiji Revolution and in this episode we explore their backgrounds and experiences during the tumultuous Bakumatsu period.

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Tensions between the Bakufu and the freshly-energized Loyalists came to a head when a shogunate army was refused entry to Kyoto - then promptly fired upon. The ensuing Boshin War was largely one-sided, with Loyalists gaining repeated victories due to superior arms, tactics, and numbers.

Things appeared grim for Choshu Domain after their defeat to western forces at the Battle of Shimonoseki. In a few short years, however, their fortunes would be completely reversed and the Bakufu would find itself politically besieged.

After the assassination of Ii Naosuke, political violence became a new norm. The Shogunate was deeply troubled when a rebellion began in its own backyard of northern Kanto, in Mito Domain.

After the national humiliation and subsequent economic turmoil caused by opening Japan to more foreign trade, the Bakufu desperately tried to regain a position of national authority. This culminated in the Ansei Purge initiated by the chief elder Ii Naosuke. However, the shogunate's tough actions would bring significant unexpected consequences.

In 1853, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry from the United States of America forced Japan to become open to foreign trade. How did he succeed where so many others had failed?

Throughout the 1840s, various groups sought to find solutions to repeated violations of sakoku and questioned the ability of the shogunate to practically defend the country if there was an actual invasion. Many came to very different conclusions.

Throughout the 1700s, after a series of political purges and national instability, the Joseon kingdom experienced a cultural flowering.

As the Qing Dynasty continued to decline in the wake of mass rebellions and longstanding insurgencies, a conflict with the British East India Trade Company would evolve into the disastrous Opium Wars.

The reigns of Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong represented a time of increasing expansion, stabilizing, and solidifying for China in the 1700s. However, some of the tendencies of the Qing Dynasty would ultimately sow the seeds for its own destruction.

The Sakoku isolation policies were meant to keep the Japanese government insulated from dangerous foreign influence. However, its tendency toward restriction and xenophobia could not be easily balanced with the Bakufu's desire to continue governing the nation.

After the expulsion of Matsudaira Sadanobu, the shogun was free to pursue the lavish lifestyle he had always dreamed of. Thanks to a buoyant economy, the rest of the nation joined him in conspicuous consumption. These good times, however, would eventually come to an end.

Newly anointed chief of the roju Matsudaira Sadanobu wanted to set Japan back on course after the devastating Great Tenmei Famine. However, some of his more restrictive policies would prove unpopular.

The forced isolation of the Edo Period was part of a larger strategy by the Bakufu to ensure the removal of any possible rivals. However, Japan greatly benefited from foreign import and foreign learning, in spite of the shogunate's insistence that the nation needed no such outside interference.

The reigns of shoguns Tokugawa Ieshige and Tokugawa Ieharu caused further weakness in the Bakufu at a critical time. Rampant corruption was encouraged by one chief of the Roju named Tanuma Okitsugu. The Great Tenmei Famine, however, would bring all of his schemes crashing down.

All three of Japan's unifiers attempted to merge secular strength with spiritual authority, with varying degrees of success. After his death, however, Tokugawa Ieyasu would continue to be venerated by future shoguns as a shining avatar of Buddha watching over the nation from the heavens.

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Near the beginning of the Edo Period, a samurai from Sendai Domain in Tohoku took a globe-spanning journey which took him across two oceans and included Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, and the Philippines.

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While some Ronin chose to lay aside their swords and take up artisinal crafts, some found new purpose in teaching the way of the warrior to the next generation. Miyamoto Musashi embodied the twilight of the Sengoku samurai in walking the path of dueling, teaching, creating, and ultimately leaving a legacy of strategy, tactics, and wisdom.

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In this episode, we discuss the founder of Kabuki theatre Izumo Okuni, playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon, legendary sculptor Hidari Jingoro, poet Matsuo Basho, and the birth of Ukiyo-e painting.

Here is a link to a short film about Hidari Jingoro (CONTENT WARNING: EPIC STOP-MOTION VIOLENCE): https://youtu.be/DpefYPLH67A?si=qpVZHtEncVs9WnPT

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After the brief reigns of Tokugawa Ienobu and his young son Ietsugu, the Bakufu selected a new shogun from the Kii Branch of the Tokugawa Clan. Tokugawa Yoshimune inherited a national government in the midst of multiple crises and introduced the Kyoho Reforms to try and set the ship of state back on its proper course.

The Early Edo Period was a time of newfound stability for the formerly chaotic Japanese archipelago. Although the samurai were the official ruling class of the nation, however, in many ways they were not the principle beneficiaries of the new national status quo.

The tenure of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was marked by a fervent support of Neo-Confucian reforms, some of which were extremely radical and some of which were downright wacky. It was during his reign that the events surrounding the tale of the forty-seven ronin occurred.

The Kings of Joseon were faced with many difficult decisions throughout the 1600s as their nation faced Manchurian invasion, internal military coups, and a tumultuously factional political class.

As the Ming Dynasty faced utter collapse in the face of famines, plagues, and peasant rebellions, the Qing Dynasty of Manchuria would surge and, eventually, take its place as the ruling dynasty of China.

Under pressure from outside and within, the Ming Dynasty of China gradually lost control after a series of famines, plagues, and peasant rebellions. By the early 1600s, however, the Later Jin Dynasty began to take charge after unifying Manchuria and soon set its sights on claiming the Mandate of Heaven for themselves.

The reign of Tokugawa Iemitsu proved to be a stabilizing force in Japanese politics, as he defined the duties of the various office-holders throughout the Bakufu which helped make the Edo Shogunate the longest-lasting samurai government in Japanese history.

The reign of Tokugawa Iemitsu was marked by a general trend toward increasing the shogunate's power through self-perpetuating bureaucracy. His son Ietsuna's reign would prove to be a test of the Bakufu's machinery.

As the Bakufu continued to persecute Christianity, and certain daimyo continued taxing their subjects at punitive rates, a rebellion broke out in Kyushu in 1637 which would prove to be the end of any remaining tolerance the Shogunate had for foreign elements in Japan.

When conflict erupted at last between Toyotomi Hideyori and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the resulting battles would decide the political future of Japan for hundreds of years to come. However, in spite of the reduction they had experienced at the Shogun's hands, the Toyotomi Clan was still able to raise significant numbers of troops.

Shortly after the foundation of the new shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu gradually makes his fortified city Edo into the new unofficial political capital of Japan. He needed to proceed carefully, however, to avoid offending the powerful daimyo who still supported young Toyotomi Hideyori.

Throughout Japanese history, there were people called "Nonhumans" who specialized in removing spiritual pollution. While their descendants would face discrimination during the Edo Period, in this episode we explore their origins and discuss why they became segregated and oppressed.

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In this special bonus episode, we follow the career of Date Masamune, a daimyo from Tohoku who consolidated power in the north and became one of the most feared warriors and battle leaders in the nation during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period.

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After the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu continued carefully and gradually accumulating his own power and was named Seii-tai-shogun in 1603. This episode also features the adventures of William Adams, the first Englishman to come to Japan.

Ishida Mitsunari gathered the various factions that composed his Western Army, hoping to face off against Tokugawa Ieyasu in Mikawa Province. Ieyasu had other plans, however, and confronted Mitsunari in Mino Province instead. The battle that ensued was legendary, and the winner would gain control over the entire nation.

After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Go-Tairo, or Council of Five Elders, would contend with one another over how best to interpret and execute the Taiko's final commands.

After a few years of uneasy ceasefire, the fighting resumes between the Japanese and the Koreans and their Ming allies. After a massive setback when the new-and-improved Japanese Navy nearly annihilates the Korean fleet at Chilcheollyang, Admiral Yi Sun-sin would once more bring his martial prowess to bear against his foes on the high seas with stunning results.

The Imjin War takes on a new dimension as fully-equipped armies from the Ming Dynasty arrive to take on the Japanese invasion. What began as an easy conquest for Toyotomi Hideyoshi soon became an intractable quagmire and gradually settled into a stalemate.

As the 1592 invasion of Korea continued, the Japanese armies enjoyed a rapid sequence of victories on land, dominating the peninsula in sieges and battles. Their quick success would soon become a liability, however, when the superior Joseon Navy started sinking supply ships and overcoming Japanese battle fleets.

In 1592, the armies of Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea, engaging in wanton slaughter, merciless plundering, and surprisingly rapid success. Because the Joseon Kingdom was almost completely unprepared for this incursion, they would need to rely on the aid of Ming China to win back control of the peninsula.

After campaigning in Shikoku and Kyushu, the only remaining regions still just outside of Hideyoshi's grasp were Kanto and Tohoku, who would both soon be brought into line.

In this episode we explore the many social and economic innovations spearheaded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during his time at the nation's helm.

The islands of Shikoku and Kyushu were both in the process of their own unification when Hideyoshi brought his armies to bear against their major powers and forced their submission.

Hashiba Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu face off in Owari Province with massive armies to determine who would be the official protector of Nobunaga's rightful heir. Although it appeared that a massive, dramatic battle was imminent, the months-long standoff turned into a stalemate in which neither side could gain a significant advantage.

Now that his retainers had successfully avenged his betrayal, one of them would manage to seize power now that the great daimyo was gone. However, the question of who would take up Nobunaga's Mantle would ultimately be decided on the battlefield.

In the wake of Oda Nobunaga's death, Hashiba Hideyoshi rushed to finalize a truce with the Mori Clan before racing back to Kansai with his army to face off against the forces of Akechi Mitsuhide.

By 1582, Oda Nobunaga's efforts at unification were gaining momentum as he increasingly consolidated power for himself. Just when it appeared that he couldn't be stopped, he was betrayed by a subordinate and assassinated.

Oda Nobunaga became the most politically powerful daimyo in all of Japan by the early 1580s. In this episode, we explore his governance, economic management, and personal style.

Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu team up against their mutual enemy the Takeda Clan and Nobunaga wins one of the most decisive victories of his entire career. When facing off against the Uesugi Clan two years later, however,  Nobunaga surprisingly lost a battle against a smaller army.

Oda Nobunaga seized absolute power in the capital in 1573, but he still had many enemies to contend with in Kansai and beyond.

Many centuries before their current pop-culture fame, the Ninja of Japan were quietly performing their subtle arts to both secure their confederations' independence and earn some coin. In this episode, we discuss the people behind the legends and sort fact from fantasy.

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The way of the warrior in an age filled with betrayals, backstabbings, and gekokujo was, to put it mildly, kind of complicated.

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Although Uesugi Kenshin had forged an impressive domain along the north coast of Honshu, he never gave up on his dream of making his title of Kanto Kanrei into an office with real power in Japan's fertile east.

Beleaguered and surrounded by enemies, Oda Nobunaga nearly fell into a deadly trap while seeking battle against the Asakura Clan of northern Omi Province. Then the Takeda Clan started stabbing westward, seeking to liberate the shogun from the grasp of Nobunaga. The drama would end, however, with Yoshiaki's removal and subsequent exile from Kyoto, thus marking the end of the Ashikaga Shogunate.

After conquering Mino Province, Oda Nobunaga needed to not only carve a path to the capital itself, but extend his control over a broad section of the Kansai region. 

After finally conquering his foes in Mino Province, Oda Nobunaga established a new headquarters in the newly-rebuilt Gifu Castle and introduces a new official motto for his regime - Tenka Fubu.

Oda Nobuhide, the famous "Tiger of Owari," passed away unexpectedly in 1551, leaving his branch of the Oda Clan in the hands of his son, a rude young man with little sense of propriety or politics called "The Fool of Owari." Throughout the 1550s, however, Nobunaga would consolidate his rule over the province and even defend it from a terrifying invasion.

Rival daimyo holding long-term grudges and engaging in massive feuds was a common feature of Sengoku Jidai, but there were two daimyo in particular whose rivalry would become the stuff of legend.

The continuing adventures of the ambitious Miyoshi Clan leaders led to a series of destructive conflicts throughout Kansai that eventually left the remnant of the Bakufu wholly dependent upon powerful daimyo to prop up their withering government.

In spite of suffering through the occasional violent coup, cruel tyrant, and political purge, the Joseon Dynasty showed real staying power throughout the 14- and 1500s and would even manage some impressive national accomplishments.

The Ming Dynasty approached its peak, before rapidly declining due to corruption, graft, and a gradual decline in the quality of its burueacucrats.

In the mid-1500s, a Portuguese ship sought safe harbor from Tsukushima Island and thus began a robust, vibrant trade relationship between two distant powers. In addition to guns, silks, and exotic foreign goods, however, these "Southern Barbarians" also brought missionaries preaching a religion heretofore unknown to the Japanese: Roman Catholic Christianity.

In this third installment of the Sengoku States series, we follow the activities of the Shimazu Clan on Kyushu, the Chosokabe Clan on Shikoku, and the Miyoshi Clan on Shikoku and in Kansai during the early-to-mid 1500s.

This episode broadly covers the developments in the Date, Oda, and Mori Clans during the first half of the 1500s.

This episode broadly covers the developments in the Imagawa, Takeda, and Uesugi Clans during the first half of the 1500s.

In this episode, we examine some of the many ways in which war during the Sengoku Period had a much different character from previous eras because of technology, economics, and necessity.

After Hosokawa Masamoto's assassination, power was once again up for grabs and Ashikaga Yoshitane was determined to once more sit upon the shogunal throne. He was the first in a series of puppet shoguns elevated by ambitious daimyo who wielded power in their names.

Somehow, the Hojo have returned. In this episode, we follow the adventures of Nagao Tamekage and Hojo Soun, two samurai who would become a new kind of daimyo for a new age.

Hatakeyama Masanaga continued to use his influence over the young Shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane to settle his ongoing dispute with his elder cousin. While they are busy in Kawachi Province, Hosokawa Masamoto decides the time is right to make his move.

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A succession dispute in Kaga Province leads to a social revolution launched by radical egalitarians --  followers of Rennyo called the Ikko.

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The capital had been utterly destroyed by the Onin War and when the conflict ended, it was time to rebuild. The Bakufu needed to rebuild its image and Shogun Ashikaga Yoshihisa saw an opportunity in neighboring Omi Province, where a Daimyo of the Rokkaku had been seizing lands without permission.

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Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta were two travelers whose journeys to China made them famous. In this episode, we will explore their accounts and examine the criticism of their skeptics.

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Just like the political upheaval during the Muromachi Period, there was also aesthetic upheaval. The world of Japanese poetry would soon be challenged by a new type of cooperative verse known as Renga. The consequences for its champions, however, would sometimes prove extremely dire.

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In this special bonus episode, we will read the entire Kemmu Shikimoku and selections from Kitabatake Chikafusa's Jinno Shotoki.

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As the Onin War continued to ravage the capital, it sparked regional conflicts and forced the Shugo-daimyo  and peasants to fend for themselves amid the civil war. When the war was over, the political power of the Shogunate reached an all-time low.

Ashikaga Yoshimasa wanted to retire from the office of Shogun, so he chose his brother Yoshimi to be his successor. In 1465, however, his wife gave birth to a son. As two powerful clans each threw their weight behind a different candidate, war became imminent.

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After Yoshimitsu, the Ashikaga Shoguns would all try their hand at keeping the powerful shugo-daimyo clans in line. Ashikaga Yoshinori went to extreme lengths to dominate them, but paid the ultimate price.

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In the closing years of the reign of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the Shogun would continue to reach ever higher for honors and titles which were usually reserved for sovereigns. He would also continue to refine Japan's aesthetic tastes by patronizing Noh performances.

As the Yuan Dynasty fled China, two factions emerged in the Korean government - one which supported Yuan restoration and one which acknowledged the new Ming Dynasty. As a result, the Goryeo Dynasty collapsed and in its place arose the Joseon Dynasty.

As the Yuan Dynasty lost ground against rebel uprisings, a leader of the Red Turbans would eliminate his rivals until finally driving the Yuan out of Khanbaliq and founding the Ming Dynasty.

After Kublai Khan's death, the Yuan Dynasty was divided by two rival factions - one who wanted total Mongol traditional rule and one who preferred Confucian government. The economic turmoil caused by these feuding parties gave rise, in part, to the Red Turban Rebellion.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu retires... or does he? The Ouchi clan seizes its moment but faces off against the Shogun's private army - the Hokoshu. We also explore the differences and similarities between the Muromachi Bakufu and the Kamakura Shogunate.

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The reign of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was remarkable for many reasons, including the conclusion of the Nanboku-cho period. As the Southern Court finally capitulates, however, they soon learn that the Bakufu has no intention of enforcing their end of the peace treaty.

Within a decade, Heian-kyo would undergo multiple possessions by both the Northern and Southern Court. As Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is installed as the third Shogun, his regent Hosokawa Yoriyuki solidifies the Bakufu's status as a legitimate funcitoning government.

The rivalry between the Ko brothers and Ashikaga Tadayoshi comes to a head and results in a stunning reversal for the Northern Court. However, Ashikaga Takauji would not be quick to forgive his brother for his betrayal.

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The Southern Court attempts to mount a nationwide uprising against the Ashikaga Shogunate, sending their agents to Tohoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu as the Bakufu struggles with internal dissention and rivalries.

Leaving the fighting of the Nanboku-cho wars aside for the moment, we take some time to examine the economics, aesthetics, and social developments of the early Muromachi period.

After Emperor Go-Daigo's flight to Yoshino, the nation was split in a civil conflict which would last for decades called the Nanboku-Cho Wars.

Although Ashikaga Takauji had been chased out of Honshu for the moment, he was safe among allies in Kyushu where he planned to make a dramatic return. Emperor Go-Daigo, determined to remain in the capital, ordered his loyalists to attack Takauji as he made his return, resulting in a crushing disaster for his cause.

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Having left the capital without permission to quell a pro-Hojo rebellion in Kanto, Ashikaga Takauji compounded the situation by refusing to return to Heian-kyo. The resulting civil war pitted the loyalists of Emperor Go-Daigo against the frustrated samurai who followed the Ashikaga brothers.

Emperor Go-Daigo took the throne and immediately tried to establish himself as the sole ruler of Japan. While his taxation of trade and mercantile approach to imperial governance were very practical, those he appointed to reward the samurai who had fought on his behalf were inexperienced and corrupt.

Apologies for the delay, but check out "Japanese History Hidden in our Screens" until this pod's triumphant return in October.

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The Taiheiki tells the story of the fall of the Kamakura Bakufu in an exciting, dramatized fashion. Enjoy these selections!

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Explore the aesthetics of the Kamakura Period, which is considered a golden age for both painting and sculpting in Japan!

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Selected poems in Japanese (with English translation) from the renowned Kamakura Period anthology "Shin Kokin Wakashu."

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In spite of Emperor Go-Daigo's exile, his partisans continued fighting in Yamato and Kawachi Provinces. Through a series of surprising reversals, the Kamakura Bakufu would soon find itself on the defensive side of this war.

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Although Emperor Go-Daigo's loyalists suffered a terrible setback when he was exiled, they continued fighting against the Bakufu, whose ability to prosecute this war was hindered by corruption and incompetence.

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As the squabble over imperial succession heated up, the Kamakura Shogunate failed to contain the rebellious elements in Kansai and Chugoku who now plotted freely against them.

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Fearing a third invasion from the Yuan Dynasty, the Bakufu continued to pour resources into fortifications and standing guards while the veterans from the first two invasions became increasingly dissatisfied with their rewards.

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After several threatening letters, the Yuan Dynasty would finally send two punitive expeditions to Japan, first in 1274 and then in 1281.

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After the death of Genghis Khan, the Mongols would continue to administer his Empire and expand its borders. Eventually factions would form around his descendants and the Mongol Empire would split into four independent nations.

Temujin was only 9 years old when his father was murdered and his family expelled from their tribe. After overcoming a crushing set of obstacles, he would eventually become the great Khan of all Mongols and build a massive land empire that stretched across nearly the entire Asian continent.

The Kamakura Period saw the founding of many new Buddhist schools throughout Japan, including exclusively Pure Land sects as well as Zen. The traditional schools, however, often collaborated with the court or the Bakufu to suppress these teachings and their leaders.

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After Hojo Yasutoki's death, his sons Tsunetoki and Toriyoki would build upon his legacy and even outdo their father if they hoped to preserve the Hojo Regency.

After Hojo Yoshitoki's unexpected death in 1224, his son Hojo Yasutoki took over as the Shogun's regent. He would guide Japan through some of its most difficult times as the nation was hit with famine, disease, crop failure, and other catastrophes.

A month after Emperor Chukyo was enthroned, Retired Emperor Go-Toba decided that the time was right for a reckoning against Kamakura. The Shogunate would have to fight for its survival in the Jōkyū War.

The Bakufu enjoyed a relatively stable period in the early 1200s thanks largely to the  joint leadership of Hojo Masako and her brother Yoshitoki. Masako earned such a reputation for power brokering that she was given the nickname "Ama Shogun," which means "The Nun Shogun."

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In the wake of Minamoto Yoritomo's death, the Bakufu appointed his son Yoriie as the new Shogun under the watchful eye of the regent Hojo Tokimasa. However, the oldest son of Yoritomo had ideas of his own about how the nation ought to be governed and whom should do the governing.

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We have learned much about Yoritomo's actions as a leader, but in this episode we will start by examining his family life and later years.

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With the Northern Fujiwara gone, Yoritomo continued to consolidate power and was named to the post of Seii-Tai-Shogun.

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After the Gempei War, Minamoto Yoritomo moved toward creating a permanent parallel government in Kamakura. Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, however, continued to interfere until eventually brother was pitted against brother.

A progress report on Season 7, which will begin soon. I promise.

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It's one thing to learn about The Tale of Genji, but in this episode I am reading it to you! Join Genji Hikaru as he seeks out new lovers, deals with being sick, and then sadly is made to endure a staggering loss.

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In this special bonus episode, we explore the life of a famous samurai woman who fought in the Gempei War alongside Kiso Yoshinaka. Tomoe Gozen was known for slaying not only with her fabulous beauty but also with her bow and sword.

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With the Minamoto army now unified under the banners of Yoshitsune and Noriyori, both brothers would seek to bring the war to a close and put an end to the Taira Clan once and for all. At the battle of Dan-no-Ura, the factions would face off for the last time in a dramatic naval battle in the straits of Shimonoseki.

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Kiso Yoshinaka, cousin to Yoritomo, was a rising star of the Minamoto clan who was feared on the battlefield and respected by his peers. So where did it all go wrong for this talented samurai general?

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Minamoto Yoritomo was in a tight spot - the interior of a hollow tree. One month after the battle of Ishibashiyama, however, he would lead a massive army of Kanto samurai against a punitive Taira force and regain his lost honor.

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Frustrated by the Taira clan's monopoly on imperial succession, Prince Mochihito makes an alliance with Minamoto Yorimasa. The two hatch a plot to overthrow Taira Kiyomori and place Mochihito on the throne, but their plans quickly change when Kiyomori learns of their conspiracy.

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By the late Heian Period, the four most influential temples in Japan all fielded their own private armies and frequently clashed with one another and with the government as well. One of the most famous Sohei (Warrior Monk) would become the close companion of a legendary Minamoto warrior.

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In the aftermath of the Heiji Rebellion, the Ise Taira clan were now the de facto rulers of Japan. Their chieftain, Taira Kiyomori, would prove himself not only a brilliant military commander, but an able politician who would receive ranks and offices within the Daijo-daikan which had never before been achieved by a samurai.

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When Taira Kiyomori and his entourage left the capital for a pilgrimage, Minamoto Yoshitomo and Fujiwara Yorinaga launched a coup, kidnapping the sitting Emperor Nijo and the retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and murdering their opponents. What followed was a series of political purges, negligent missteps, and a bloody conclusion that would establish samurai domination over the government.

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When retired Emperor Toba died, jilted Emperor Sutoku would try to rally the samurai to his cause and force Emperor Go-Shirakawa from the throne by force. However, the sitting Emperor would also call upon his own loyal samurai to defend his throne. The ensuing struggle led to the rise of the first samurai-led government in Japanese history.

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With the Insei government in charge, the Daijo-daikan continued to wilt. Some kuge, however, saw opportunity in an impending conflict between two retired Emperors over matters of succession.

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Frustrated by obstruction from the Daijo-daikan, Emperor Shirakawa called it quits... or did he? In this episode, we explore his creation of a new kind of government which gave him the power he needed to effectively overrule the Fujiwara clan.

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The Goryeo Dynasty would lead the Korean Peninsula into a golden age of art, culture, and prosperity, but first it would have to deal with the aggression of the Liao Dynasty.

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In this episode, we will take a closer look at the lives of the people who lived in Manchuria, north of China, and their considerably powerful dynasties.

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After nearly a hundred years of fighting between petty states and half-baked dynasties, the Song Dynasty finally emerged as a unifying force in China. Under their leadership, China would make some impressive technological and cultural gains, forging a renaissance throughout East Asia in the 1000s.

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In this episode, we will follow the further adventures of Minamoto Yoshiie, son of Yoriyoshi, as he is made the governor of Mutsu province and tries to take advantage of a local dispute.

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Fujiwara Michinaga brought his clan to the absolute apex of its power. Unfortunately for his son and heir Yorimichi, the only way to go was down.

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Tendai Buddhism was on the rise during the later Heian Period, and its internal conflicts were growing more intense. Could anyone heal the rifts that grew between Enryakuji and Miidera, or were the two temples doomed to eternal conflict?

For drawings and paintings of Ryogen and Genshin, check out the supplemental post!

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We set court politics aside in this episode to explore the life and work of Murasaki Shikibu, the eleventh-century lady-in-waiting who penned a work which is considered by many scholars to be the world's first novel: The Tale of Genji.

For artistic renditions of Murasaki Shikibut and Sei Shonagon, check out the supplemental post!

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Under the leadership of Fujiwara Michinaga, the Fujiwara clan reached the absolute peak of its political power. In a time of chaos and uncertainty, he ruthlessly brought every potential rival under his authority and established a supremacy which would last long after he was gone.

To see some drawings and paintings of the emperors and kuge featured in this episode, check out the supplemental post!

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The Fujiwara Regents of the late 900s accumulated a vast amount of political power and clout. In this episode, we return to the narrative and follow the misadventures of the Fujiwara leaders as they tightened their grip on power.

For images of the Emperors who reigned and the Regents who governed in this episode, check out the supplemental post!

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We continue our survey episodes this week by taking a closer look at the state of the clergy and the samurai in the later Heian Period. Big changes are coming for both Buddhism and the warrior caste which will eventually change the nation forever.

For pictures of Hakata Bay as well as the monument marking the place where Dazaifu Fortress once stood, check out the supplemental post!

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Life in the later Heian may have been a near-constant party for the aristocratic nobility, but what was it like for those on the bottom rungs of Heian society? In this episode we will explore the lives of the common folk who made the lavish lifestyle of the nobles possible through their backbreaking labor.

For pictures of pig iron, the special bellows used to refine iron sand, and two swords that date to the Heian Period, check out the supplemental post!

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The first of three survey-style episodes describing life in the later Heian Period. In this episode, we will explore the flowering of Japanese culture that occurred among the nobility of the later Heian Period, as well as their relationships with aesthetics, romance, marriage, and architecture.

For pictures of Shinzen-Zukuri architecture and Heian-style kimonos, check out the supplemental post!

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In the final episode of this season, we take a closer look at some of the creative side of the early Heian Period, including poems, visual arts, and the creation of two Japanese alphabets which are still in use today.

You can read selections from the Kokin Wakashu courtesy of the University of Virginia here.

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After the death of Taira Masakado, the court still had to deal with a rebel in the west named Fujiwara Sumitomo. Originally a provincial bureaucrat, Sumitomo abandoned the life of a noble and embraced the life of a pirate king.

For a portrait of Sumitomo as well as maps detailing the inland sea, check out the supplemental post!

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After his warriors looted the Hitachi provincial capital, Taira Masakado marched his army to every other capital in Kantō, placing the east under his control by force. While he attempted to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Heian-kyō, however, his local rivals organized yet another warband to put his rebellion to an end.

For detailed maps and a painting of Masakado's daughter Takiyasha-hime, check out the supplemental post!

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Taira Masakado's ongoing family feud expands as he seeks to avenge himself against his cousin and uncles. When the warriors under his command take things too far, however, he will have to make a difficult decision which eventually sealed his fate.

For a wickedly awesome picture of Masakado trampling some poor enemy warrior underfoot, as well as a map of the various battles in this episode, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode, we follow the early career of a warrior named Taira Masakado, whose various family squabbles help illustrate the day-to-day violence of life in Kantō and whose exploits will earn him the attention of the imperial court in far off Heian-Kyō.

For detailed maps of the Kantō Region as well as a portrait of Masakado, check out the supplemental post!

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As disasters repeatedly harried the reign of Emperor Daigo, many came to believe that Sugawara Michizane's ghost was the cause of many grave misfortunes. But how could they appease the vengeful spirit of the scholar whom the court had wrongfully sent to die in obscurity?

For photos of the Dazaifu-Tenmangu Shrine and Daigo-ji temple, as well as a portrait of Emperor Daigo, check out the supplemental post!

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Emperor Daigo took the throne and immediately set out to heal the rift between Fujiwara Tokihira and Sugawara Michizane. It would soon become clear, however, that the only thing that could stop this feud was choosing a winner.

For portraits of Sugawara Michizane and Fujiwara Tokihira, check out the supplemental post!

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Emperor Uda's reign began with a political crisis that brought the government to a standstill. Fujiwara Mototsune's power continues to grow in spite of the efforts of both the Tennō and kuge scholar Sugawara Michizane. Plus a special guest appearance by Emperor Uda's cat!

For a portait of Emperor Uda as well as several photos of the beautiful gardens and grounds of Ninna-ji temple, check out the supplemental post!

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After the passing of Fujiwara Yoshifusa, his protege and adopted son Fujiwara Mototsune took the reigns of the Fujiwara clan. Emperor Yozei, however, proved an unsuitable candidate for the Chrysanthemum Throne and Mototsune would need to find a way to remove him while preserving the integrity of the office of Tennō.

For portraits of Yoshifusa, Mototsune, Emperor Yozei and Emperor Kōkō, check out the supplemental post!

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Fujiwara Yoshifusa sets a new precedent when he angles to have an eight-year old son of the late Emperor Montoku set upon the throne as Emperor Seiwa. Yoshifusa rulled as Sesshō, a regent governing on behalf of a child, and was the first person to obtain this title who was not a member of the royal family.

For a portrait of Emperor Seiwa as well as depictions of Hachiman as a Bodhisattva and the Hachiman-zukuri architectural style I mentioned in this episode, check out the supplemental post!

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Unified Silla ruled the peninsula throughout the 800s but cracks were already beginning to show in the bureaucracy. A series of weak sovereigns, ambitious courtiers, and the re-emergence of regional factions spelled doom for the monarchs of Silla as the country was split in three.

To see a map of these factions' territory, a picture of the Cheonghaejin fortress, and the royal flag of the Goryeo Dynasty, check out the supplemental post!

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Things go from bad to a little bit better to horrifically worse for the Tang Dynasty as the An Lushan Rebellion kicks into high gear and the empire begins to splinter. We'll follow a few charismatic Emperors who came after and nobly attempted to stabilize the nation, and discuss the ultimate fate of the Tang Dynasty.

For battle maps and portraits of some of the Emperors we covered in today's episode, check out the supplemental post!

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As Emperors Junna and Nimmyo take the throne respectively, a powerful Kuge clan takes steps to become the most powerful in all the nation.

If you'd like to see the crest of the Fujiwara Clan, as well as portraits of Fujiwara Otsugu and the Emperors Junna and Nimmyo, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode, we will examine the origins and development of the two samurai clans who would come to dominate the later Heian Period and eventually vie with one another for control of the nation.

For pictures of the crests of these clans, as well as a map of the Kantō, check out the supplemental post!

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Emperor Heizei takes the throne and things swiftly take a turn for the worse. After he abdicated and his brother Emperor Saga became Tennō, however, he would decide that he may not have been as ready to retire as he believed...

For a portrait of Emperor Saga and a map that highlights Yamato Province, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode, we will take a short break from the narrative and examine the reign of  Confucian problem-solver Emperor Kammu, arguably the most effective sovereign of the Heian Period.

To see a few pictures of reconstructions of Kammu-Tennō's new capital, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode we'll explore the career of Otomo Otomaro, who is believed to be the first Seiitai-Shōgun, as well as Sakanoue Tamuramaro and their subsequent adventures in Tōhoku. We'll also discuss the Emishi and the strategies the Yamato armies used to incorporate them into the emperor's sphere of influence.

If you'd like to see an ink drawing of Sakanoue Tamuramaro as well as the grave site of infamous Emishi leader Aterui, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode we turn our attention to another Buddhist Monk who traveled to China and returned with new Sutras, new rituals, and even founded a new sect. Kūkai brought new esoteric practices to Japan, many of which continue to be performed today.

If you'd like to see some very large statues of Kūkai, and maybe want to read the Mahavairocana Sutra for yourself, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode, we will join Saichō, an important Buddhist reformer in the 800s, as he travels to China, returns to Japan, and proceeds to change the face of Japanese Buddhism forever.

For a picture of Saicho, photos of the temple in China where he studied, check out the supplemental post! (You can also find a link to an English translation of the Lotus Sutra if you want to read it for yourself!)

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In 794, Emperor Kammu succeeded in moving the imperial court to the shiny new capital of Heian-Kyō. In this episode, we will explore the consequences of that decision as well as the decisions the Tennō made in the latter part of his reign.

For a video describing some of the traditional construction techniques which would have been employed in the construction of the capital, as well as a recreation of the Rajōmon gate, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode, we'll explore some of the extant folk tales from the Nara Period which come from the Fudoki accounts.

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In this special bonus episode,  we'll explore the poetic talents of various individuals from the Nara Period, some of whom we know and some who will be new to us today.

Check out the supplemental post for links to more Man'yoshu poems!

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Emperor Kammu took the throne as the first sovereign of Japan who descended from Baekje stock. He had big plans for the nation - intensifying the war against the Emishi, building a new capital and, when that one failed, building a new capital in a different place.

For a beautiful picture of Emperor Kammu, as well as pics of cool scale models of both Nagaoka-kyo and Heian-kyo, check out the supplemental post!

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The reign of Emperor Kōnin was off to a rocky start when his Empress was accused of practicing witchcraft to subvert the state. Prince Yamabe, originally passed over for the office of Tennō because of his Baekje ancestry, now comes once more to the foreground of succession debates. Meanwhile, in Tōhoku, an imperial army was about to meet with utter disaster at the hands of the Shiwa Emishi.

For a map of the Tōhoku region, check out the supplemental post!

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With Empress Shōtoku gone, the court quickly acted to remove Dōkyō and his cronies from power, then turned their eyes toward the critical issue of succession. Their choice for the next Tennō was the elder Prince Shirakabe, whose reign, while more stable than that of Shōtoku-Tennō's, was still fraught with scandal, military catastrophe, and intrigue.

For a picture of Emperor Kōnin, check out the supplemental post!

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New reign, new name. Empress Kōken returns to the Chrysanthemum Throne as Empress Shōtoku and sets about removing potential rival claimants and showing favor to Dōkyō, the priest who had healed her years before. However, Dōkyō was not just a humble clergyman, but an ambitious noble who passed the favors forward to his family members in the Yuge clan and seems to have set his eyes on an office even higher than Daijo-Daijin...

For a picture of a statue of Wake Kiyomaro, as well as a beautiful photo of Usa Hachimangu Shrine, check out the supplemental post!

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The conflict between Fujiwara Nakamaro and retired Empress Kōken comes to a head as both sides make their opening moves in a dangerous game that resulted in open rebellion. Can Fujiwara Nakamaro find a way to maintain his grip on power, or will the retired Empress triumph over this ally-turned-enemy?

For a battle diagram of the conflict, check out the supplemental post!

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With his chosen sovereign now placed securely on the throne, Fujiwara Nakamaro probably thought he was about to enjoy the height of his political influence. There was only one problem: the former sovereign, Empress Kōken, did not believe that her retirement should prevent her from continuing to govern the nation regardless of the Chancellor's wishes.

To see an informative map covering the contemporary An Lushan Rebellion in Tang China, and to see the tomb of Emperor Junnin, check out the supplemental post!

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Dissatisfied with the new status quo, Tachibana Naramaro decides to take matters into his own hands and overthrow his cousin Fujiwara Nakamaro. Will he succeed in this power grab against the increasingly powerful Nakamaro, or will he meet the same fate of so many others who dared to challenge him?

For pictures of Empress Komyo, Empress Koken, and Fujiwara Toyonari, check out the supplemental post!

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Desperate to find a solution to the many troubles which had plagued his realm since he took the throne, Emperor Shōmu commissioned new temples to be constructed across the Kansai region and attempted to move the capital several times. Meanwhile, Empres Kōmyō and Crown Princess Abe increasingly took up the burden of governance with the help of their trusted relative Fujiwara Nakamaro.

For pictures of Todaiji, the Daibutsu statue, and other great projects of Emperor Shōmu, check out the supplemental post!

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The imperial court hoped that Fujiwara Hirotsugu would cool his heels in Kyūshū and stop undermining the Chancellor. Instead, he launched an armed rebellion with the help of the discontented locals of his island, who were still recovering from the lingering effects from the epidemic.

For an artistic depiction of Fujiwara Hirotsugu as well as a helpful battle diagram, check out the supplemental post!

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Prince Nagaya was dead, but the smallpox epidemic of 735-737 ravaged the nation and even took the lives of several high-ranking courtiers. Thus a new concept was born in Japanese history: the vengeful ghosts.

For artistic depictions of the Fujiwara Brothers, as well as the men who rose to power as a result of the epidemic, check out the supplemental post!

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Emperor Shomu's court was filled with rivalries and scandals among the kuge which sometimes took a violent turn. The feud between the Fujiwara Clan and Prince Nagaya would become the stuff of legend.

For a painting of Emperor Shomu and an image of the Emishi people, check out the supplemental post!

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The late 600s and early 700s were a tumultuous time for continental east Asia. From the war between the Tang Dynasty and the Kingdom of Silla to the rise to power of Empress Wu Zetian and the emergence of Balhae as Koguryo's successor state, big things were happening which would come to influence Japan's place in the east.

If you'd like to see some interesting photos of some of the gigantic Buddha statues sponsored by Empress Wu as well as a statue of Balhae's founder, check out the supplemental post!

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The Nara Period began when Empress Genmei moved the court to the new permanent capital of Heijo-kyo in the northern part of the Nara region. During the reigns of Empresses Genmei and Genshō, the Fujiwara Clan continued to grow in power under the leadership of Fujiwara Fuhito.

For a picture of Empress Genmei and the tomb of Empress Genshō, check out the supplemental post!

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An overview of the growth and development of Buddhism in the early Nara Period and the interaction of religious and political authorities.

For pictures of some of the temples in question, and a statue of Gyōki, check out the supplemental post!

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The Nara Period began with the court's relocation to Heijo-kyo during the reign of Empress Genmei. In this episode, we'll explore the recorded mythology from the period as well as the new capital in all of its grandeur as well as the court in all of its pomp. 

For pictures of the reconstructed Heijo Palace as well as a really cool scale model of the ancient capital, check out the supplemental post.

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Learn all about the legendary emperors of Japan leading up to the Asuka Period. The timeline is messy and the content often mythical, but it makes for good storytelling!

Check out the supplemental post for full color images of a few of these mythic sovereigns by the famous nineteenth century woodblock artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年)!

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The 604 Constitution probably wasn't written in 604 and doesn't really qualify as a constitution under modern standards. Still, it represents an important milestone in Japanese statecraft and helps us understand the confucian, legalist, and even daoist influence on Asuka Japan. Hear the words of the constitution for yourself in this bonus episode!

To read the complete text at your liesure, check out the supplemental post!

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Let's explore the artwork that emerged during the Asuka Period, which was heavily influenced by mainland resettlement as well as the rise of Buddhism.

Check out some pictures of these impressive statues and buildings on the supplemental post!

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Let's take a closer look at the reforms introduced by King Tenji and Emperor Tenmu to see what they intended to accomplish, at least on paper.

I put a handy diagram of the newly-organized Yamato State in the supplemental post.

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As Crown Prince Otama takes the throne, he adopts a new title which remains in use in Japan to this day and becomes Emperor Tenmu.

Check out the supplemental post for images of the first and second Tenno, as well as a poem written by Empress Jito.

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In the aftermath of the Isshi Incident, High Prince Naka and his co-conspirators set to work reforming the government to more closely resemble the splendor and grandeur of the courts of Korea and China.

Check out the supplemental post for drawings of Queen Kogyoku and King Tenji!

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Though the Soga Clan's origins are shrouded in mystery, by the 500s they had established themselves as one of the most powerful clans in Yamato. By the 600s they were wielding power even over the sovereigns themselves, going so far as to assassinate the kings who displeased them. In this episode, we'll follow their meteoric career, as well as examine the factors that led to their dramatic collapse.

For paintings and other artwork of the Soga patriarchs, check out the supplemental post!

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Crown Prince Shōtoku cast a long shadow over Japanese history and influenced its society for centuries to come. In this episode, I attempt to separate the man from the myth as best as I possibly can.

For paintings and statues of the Crown Prince, check out the supplemental post!

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Baekje was arguably Japan's most treasured foreign relation on the Korean Peninsula, so naturally the Yamato Court answered the call when Baekje needed them most. Whether they were able to reverse the considerably bad fortune which their ally had suffered in recent years, however, was a different matter.

To see some images of the incredible treasures which Baekje produced, check out the supplemental post!

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The Sui Dynasty came to an end, but unified China did not. The Tang Dynasty solidified the gains made under the Sui and soon turned their eyes toward expansion and conquest. Their actions would eventually change the Korean peninsula forever.

For maps and some pretty cool artwork from the Tang Dynasty, check out the supplemental post!

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We turn our attention to the Korean Peninsula back to the mid-500s, a dramatic time for the kingdoms of Baekje, Silla, and Koguryo. As war engulfed the peninsula, however, a new power was rising to their west which would ultimately upset the balance and change history forever.

For some cool maps and pictures of the various treasures of the three kingdoms of Korea, check out the supplemental post!

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A new religion arrives on Japan's fair shores - but will it be welcomed or ostracized? The Soga and Mononobe clans end up on opposite sides of the issue and must fight one another for the future of their nation.

For pictures of some of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, check out the supplemental post!

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Before we learn how Buddhism changed Japan, I thought it would be useful to learn about its own history. From the tale of Sakyamuni to the halls of power in China and Korea, this religion has been all over the world and continues to inspire even today.

For pictures of the earliest stupas still standing, Indo-Greek statues, and beautiful east Asian temples, check out the supplemental post!

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Now that we understand the general backdrop of the Kofun Period, it's time to learn what we can of the early Yamato Court who claimed authority over the nation. We also explore the seeds of the Soga-Mononobe conflict which would later lead to bloodshed and a dramatic battle for the soul of the nation.

If you'd like to see some maps to better understand where this is all taking place, I've provided some in the supplemental post.

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Let's explore the creative side of the Kofun Period! We'll take a look at haniwa statues, various styles of pottery, and even tomb paintings as we seek to better understand and appreciate the ancient people of Japan.

For lots of cool photos of the items discussed in this episode, check out the supplemental post!

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In this episode, we'll take a closer look at the leaders of Kofun Period Japan and the sources of their political power.

If you want to see detailed photos of haniwa statues, take a look at the supplemental post!

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Let's take a closer look at the weapons, armor, and tactics of the Kofun Period and also take a look at Japan's involvement in the conflicts among the powers of the Korean Peninsula.

For a closer look at the arms and armor we discuss here, check out the supplemental post.

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The development of the Korean States during the 200s-400s had a massive impact on Japan as four major polities emerged on the Peninsula. In this episode, we'll learn about the states of Koguryo, Baekje, Silla, and the Gaya Confederacy, as well as what we think happened regarding Japan's involvment in their inter-peninsular squabbles.

If you'd like to see some sweet maps as well as artifacts from some of these kingdoms, check out the supplemental post!

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The 200s-400s was a busy time in China, full of dramatic rises and falls of many dynasties and conquerors. What effect did this tumultous time have on the Korean peninsula and Japan?

For maps and pictures of artifacts from the Jin Dynasty, check out the supplemental post!

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During Japan's Kofun Period (250-552CE), communities were periodically organized to build massive tomb mounds which still pepper its landscape to this day. What was the purpose of these massive monuments and what can we discover about the society that created them? In this episode, we'll explore the growth of power in Kofun Japan using archaeology, scholarship, and even a few written sources!

If you want a better idea about the size of these tombs, check out the supplemental blog post - they are probably much bigger than you think!

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In this special bonus episode, I will read aloud a translation of the Gishi-Wajinden. This is the portion of the Records of Wei that involves third-century Japan.

You can read a translation of it here.

Supplementary post is here.

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For your listening pleasure, I read excerpts from the Analects, the Tao te Ching, the Han Feizi, and, for good measure, The Art of War.

Check out the supplementary post for links to freely available translations of these works online!

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According to the Records of Wei, a leader emerged at the end of the Yayoi Period who successfully united thirty of Japan's chiefdom under her own leadership. Who was Queen Himiko, and where was her elusive capital of Yamatai located?

Check out the supplemental post for a pretty cool statue of Queen Himiko in modern-day Saga prefecture.

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Ancient East Asia was a rich tapestry of various beliefs, customs, religious rituals, and spirituality. In this episode, we explore the various practices of the Yayoi regarding divination, shamanism, and ocean voyages.

Check out the supplemental post for pictures of the Izumo Shrine and Ise Shrine referred to in this episode!

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Against a backdrop of disunity and warfare, three philosophies would stand the test of time and continue to influence government, religion, and worldviews today. Join me as we explore Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism and the underlying assumptions which supported their adoption in ancient China.

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Global trade is a concept nearly as old as civilization itself. Ancient China utilized trade networks as a means of learning about other cultures, adopting and sharing new ideas, and promoting friendly tributary relations with their neighbors. The Han Dynasty, however, would push trade to its limits, eventually exchanging goods from as far away as western Europe.

Check out the supplemental post for a trade map, a roman coin, and the coolest legal tender ever created - knife money!

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In this episode, we explore the changes that began to occur in the southern and northern regions of the Korean Peninsula during the Yayoi Period, as well as the impact those changes had on Japan and China.

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War rages across Zhou Dynasty as the former states become kingdoms and set their eyes toward national domination. Ultimately the kingdom of Qin would claim the throne for themselves, thanks in part to the reforms of legalist scholar Shang Yang. After the Qin's collapse, the Han Dynasty would rise from their ashes and rule China for four hundred years.

Don't forget to check out the supplemental post for maps, artwork, and a very interesting re-creation of the pigments that originally adorned the terracotta army!

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In this episode, the Shang Dynasty falls and the Zhou Dynasty rises to take its place. But being the faction at the top is harder than it looks, and over time the Zhou suffer a gradual decline. However, the political and philosophical ideas which they nurtured continue to influence East Asian thought today.

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As bronze and iron implements gradually made their way to Japan from China, they began to transform the culture of the Yayoi people in some very interesting ways. In this episode, we'll explore those changes and the larger effects on the emerging Yayoi polities as well as Japan as a whole.

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The early Yayoi period was largely egalitarian, with village leaders being chosen on their own merits. By the end of the period, a strict hierarchy emerged between commoners and a hereditary elite. In this episode, we'll explore the broad strokes of how this change came about, and explore the archaeology that informs our understanding.

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Starting around 1000 BCE, the Yayoi people began emigrating to Japan from the Korean Peninsula. They brought something along with them that would change Japan forever: Rice Agriculture. But did they come as conquerors or friends, and how can we tell?

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Meet the mysterious masked stranger behind the voice, and learn when to expect season 2!

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