History of Japan

Latest Episodes:

Episode 506 - The Peaceful City Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

This week in the Revised History of Japan: in a bid to strengthen the power of the imperial family, Emperor Kanmu moves the imperial capital one more time to some newfangled place called "Heian-kyo." Plus, the political battle between the imperial family and the Fujiwara clan takes a few more twists.

Show notes here.

Episode 505 - The More Things Change... Oct 22, 2023

Show notes

Apologies for the delayed publication! This week on the podcast: the Nara Period! Japan has a new capital, and surely that means politics are about to change and become more stable, right...?

Show notes here.

Episode 504 - The Great Change Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

Part four of our Revised Introduction to Japanese History is all about the Taika Reforms of 645 CE: what drove them, why do they matter, and why does the more traditional answer to those questions leave some important gaps in our understanding?

Show notes here.

Episode 503 - It Takes a Genius to Write It Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Part 3 of our Revised Introduction to Japanese History: the emergence of recorded history in Japan brings with it some more clarity on what's happening, but also new uncertainties.

Show notes here.

Episode 502 - The Age of Myth and Legend Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

For part 2 of our Revised Introduction to Japanese History: what do we know about the origins of Japan's imperial family? And how does that knowledge line up with the mythology built around the family's rise?

Show notes here.

Episode 501 - In the Beginning Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

We're back at the beginning for Part 1 of a new miniseries: A Revised Introduction to Japanese History.

Show notes here.

Episode 500 - The 500th Episode Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

This week, it's a listener question episode! Let's talk about the topics I'd like to cover, a D&D party made of Japanese prime ministers, the future of the show, and more.

Transcript and show notes at this link

Support the show on Patreon

Episode 499 - A Rocky Relationship Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

This week on the podcast: Why are Japan and South Korea's governments so worked up about some uninhabited rocks in the middle of nowhere? Well, because sometimes those rocks stand for much, much more.

Sources, show notes, and transcript at this link

Support the show on Patreon

Episode 498 - Final Trip Thoughts Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Once again, Isaac underestimates how many episodes it will take to cover something, and so one more time, we're talking travel in Japan!

Show notes here.

Two Tourists in Nara and Osaka Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

This week on the podcast, a trip to two seats of the Imperial government. Also on the agenda: A really big Buddha statue, plenty of sake, and some very hungry deer.

Map and photos at this link

Support the show on Patreon

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected