History of Japan

Latest Episodes:

Episode 156 - Best of Frenemies, Part 2 Jul 09, 2016

Show notes

This week, Korea encounters the West. We'll introduce the early Western forays into Korea, explain how Japan came to sign the first unequal treaty with its neighbor, and look into the factionalization of the Korean royal court.

Episode 155 - Best of Frenemies, Part 1 Jul 02, 2016

Show notes

This week: we get up to speed on Korean history, so that we can begin exploring the turbulent Korean-Japanese relationship. Pirates, coups, Mongols, poetry battles -- we've got it all!

Episode 154 - Zen at War Jun 25, 2016

Show notes

This week: what happens when Buddhists go to war? We'll explore the relationship between the Japanese Empire and the Zen Buddhist establishment.

Episode 153 - The Birth of the Samurai, Part 8 Jun 11, 2016

Show notes

This week, we conclude our series on the rise of the samurai with murder, intrigue, political reform, and gratuitous Game of Thrones references.

Episode 152 - The Birth of the Samurai, Part 7 Jun 04, 2016

Show notes

The Genpei War comes to a close in this action packed episode! Kyoto will fall! The Taira will burn! Oxen will be deployed as tactical weapons!

Episode 151 - The Birth of the Samurai, Part 6 May 28, 2016

Show notes

This week, we let slip the dogs of war as Japan plunges into a new phase of conflict. Though Prince Mochihito will not make it out of 1180, the rebellion he starts will catch on in eastern Japan. Young Minamoto no Yoritomo, with some prodding from his new father-in-law/captor, will rise up to assume his birthright as leader of the Minamoto (but not without some controversy).

Episode 150 - The Birth of the Samurai, Part 5 May 24, 2016

Show notes

We're live, folks! Sorry for the delay. It's time for the career of Taira no Kiyomori, the man whose talent and ambition was matched only by his temper and his ego.

Episode 149 - The Birth of the Samurai, Part 4 May 14, 2016

Show notes

This week: patricide, rebellions, and royal incest. Oh, also the increasing destabilization of the Heian government as ever more power falls into the hands of Taira no Kiyomori.

Episode 148 - The Birth of the Samurai, Part 3 May 07, 2016

Show notes

This week: the Taira family continue their rise to prominence, the Minamoto get stuck spinning their wheels for a few decades, and warrior violence makes its way to Kyoto.

All that, plus the hottest court gossip of the 1120s, this week.

Episode 147 - The Birth of the Samurai, Part 2 May 01, 2016

Show notes

This week, Minamoto no Yoshiie establishes the power of the Seiwa Minamoto family, upsetting a careful balance of power. Also, he drops the hottest rhymes of

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected