Samurai Archives Japanese History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP18 Intro to Japanese History P9 - The Mongol Invasions in Brief Sep 12, 2011

Show notes

Part nine of our Introduction to Japanese History series gives a brief overview of the two attempted Mongol Invasions of Japan during the 13th century, and the effect it had on the country in general, and the Hojo regents and Bakufu specifically.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Conlan, Thomas. In Little Need of Divine Intervention: Takezaki Suenaga's Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan Cornell Univ East Asia Program (August 2002) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/188544513X

Sansom, George. A History of Japan to 1334 Stanford University Press; 1 edition (June 1, 1958) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804705232 Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan, from Bowdoin College: http://www.bowdoin.edu/mongol-scrolls/

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EP17 Intro to Japanese History P8 - The Kamakura Period Sep 06, 2011

Show notes

In part 8 of our Introduction to Japanese History podcast, we examine the early Kamakura period. Once Minamoto Yoritomo became Shogun, he began using the authority given to him by the emperor to solidify his power. Over the course of the next 20 years the Minamoto would usurp much of the power of the imperial court, only to be replaced completely by a line of puppet shoguns controlled by the Hojo Regents.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Brownlee, John. Crisis as Reinforcement of the Imperial Institution. The Case of the Jokyu Incident, 1221 Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Summer, 1975), pp. 193-201 http://www.jstor.org/pss/2383842

Mass, Jeffrey (Ed). Court and Bakufu in Japan: Essays in Kamakura History Stanford University Press (January 1, 1995) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804724733

Mass, Jeffrey. Yoritomo and the Founding of the First Bakufu: The Origins of Dual Government in Japan Stanford University Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2000) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804735913

Mass, Jeffrey. Lordship and Inheritance in Early Medieval Japan: A Study of the Kamakura Soryo System ACLS Humanities E-Book (August 1, 2008) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1597405981

Thomas D. Conlan, Karl F. Friday. Currents in Medieval Japanese History: Essays in Honor of Jeffrey P. Mass Figueroa Press (September 1, 2009) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1932800522

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EP16 Intro to Japanese History P7 - The Minamoto and Taira Aug 29, 2011

Show notes

An important development in the history of Japan and the Heian period, was the rise of the warrior class, which would eventually bring about a true feudal system run by warriors. As more and more military responsibility was delegated to provincial warlords who were out of the sphere of influence of the capital, these warrior houses grew in power. The transition from a central government run by the Heian court to the rise of the warrior class as the controlling group began with the Taira clan, led by Taira Kiyomori, who usurped the power of the Fujiwara clan. Eventually, the only alternative for people who were at odds with the Taira clan, was to throw in their lot with the Minamoto clan of Eastern warriors, which would eventually lead to civil war.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Friday, Karl. Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan (Warfare and History) Routledge; New edition edition (December 29, 2003) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0415329639

Hall, John W. Government and Local Power in Japan 500-1700: A Study Based on Bizen Province ACLS Humanities E-Book, August 1, 2008 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1597405957

McCullough, Helen. The Tale of the Heike Stanford University Press; 1st edition (March 1, 1990) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804718032

Sansom, George. A History of Japan to 1334 Stanford University Press, 1958 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804705232

Support this podcast:

Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j

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Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives

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Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

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EP15 Intro to Japanese History P6 - The Rise of the Warrior Aug 21, 2011

Show notes

In this episode of our Introduction to Japanese history series, we examine the rise of the warrior class during the Heian period. As the Heian period began, there was not a distinct warrior class, but armies were raised on an ad hoc basis when needed by the court to put down rebellions, bandits, and pirates. As the Heian period went on, provincial lords began to maintain professional warrior bands to protect their lands and legitimacy, and to go to war on behalf of the court. The court would continue to give these provincial lords legitimacy through bestowing titles and lands. But, as the Heian period went on, court control of these provincial lords and their armies began to weaken.

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Mentioned in this podcast: Friday, Karl. Hired Swords: The Rise of Private Warrior Power in Early Japan Stanford University Press, March 1, 1996 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804726965

Friday, Karl. Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan (Warfare and History) Routledge; New edition edition (December 29, 2003) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0415329639

Friday, Karl. Teeth and Claws. Provincial Warriors and the Heian Court Monumenta Nipponica Vol. 43, No. 2 (Summer, 1988), pp. 153-185 http://www.jstor.org/pss/2384742

Hall, John W. Government and Local Power in Japan 500-1700: A Study Based on Bizen Province ACLS Humanities E-Book, August 1, 2008 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1597405957

McCullough, Helen. The Tale of the Heike Stanford University Press; 1st edition (March 1, 1990) http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804718032

Sansom, George. A History of Japan to 1334 Stanford University Press, 1958 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804705232

Support this podcast:

Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j

Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20

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Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives

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Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

EP14 Intro to Japanese History P5 - The Heian Period Aug 16, 2011

Show notes

Part five of our Introduction to Japanese History series covers the Heian period. The Heian period (794AD-1185AD) is named after Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto). The Heian period is known for it's art, literature, and poetry, as well as the spread of Tendai and Shingon Buddhism.

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Mentioned in this podcast: Mason, Penelope. History of Japanese Art Published jointly by Prentice Hall and Harry N. Abrams, Inc. October 4, 2004 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0131176013

Ooms, Herman. Imperial Politics and Symbolics in Ancient Japan: The Tenmu Dynasty, 650-800 Univ of Hawaii Press, October 2008 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824832353

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Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives

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Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

EP13 Intro to Japanese History P4 - Asuka-Nara Part 2 Aug 07, 2011

Show notes

Continuing our Introduction to Japanese History series is part 2 of our Asuka-Nara podcast. The Asuka-Nara period (538AD-794AD) is known for it's classic art and architecture, the introduction of Buddhism, and the Taika reforms and Ritsuryo system. Japan adopted many Chinese style institutions, began to form a national government, and started to assert itself internationally in East Asia.

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Mentioned in this podcast: Brown, Delmer (Editor). The Cambridge History of Japan, Vol. 1: Ancient Japan Cambridge University Press, July 30, 1993 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0521223520

Farris, William Wayne. Heavenly Warriors: The Evolution of Japan's Military, 500-1300 Harvard University Asia Center, April 15, 1996 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/067438704X

Friday, Karl. Hired Swords: The Rise of Private Warrior Power in Early Japan Stanford University Press, March 1, 1996 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804726965

Hall, John W. Government and Local Power in Japan 500-1700: A Study Based on Bizen Province ACLS Humanities E-Book, August 1, 2008 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1597405957

Ooms, Herman. Imperial Politics and Symbolics in Ancient Japan: The Tenmu Dynasty, 650-800 Univ of Hawaii Press, October 2008 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824832353

Sansom, George. A History of Japan to 1334 Stanford University Press, 1958 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0804705232

Support this podcast:

Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j

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Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives

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Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

EP12 Intro to Japanese History P3 - Asuka-Nara Part 1 Aug 04, 2011

Show notes

Continuing our Introduction to Japanese History podcast series, we will examine the Asuka-Nara period over two episodes. The Asuka-Nara period (538AD-794AD) is known for it's classic art and architecture, the introduction of Buddhism, and the Taika reforms and Ritsuryo system. Japan adopted many Chinese style institutions, began to form a national government, and started to assert itself internationally in East Asia.

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/samuraiarchives

Mentioned in this Podcast:

Hall, John W. Government and Local Power in Japan 500-1700: A Study Based on Bizen Province ACLS Humanities E-Book, August 1, 2008 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1597405957

Support this podcast:

Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j

Samurai Archives Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20

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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samurai-Archives/104533213984

Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

EP11 Intro to Japanese History P2 - Yayoi and Kofun Periods Jul 25, 2011

Show notes

For part two of our Introduction to Japanese History series, we'll be covering the Yayoi period which was a sharp change from the culture of the Jomon period, where there was a massive influx of NE Asians into the Japanese archipelago. This was followed by the Kofun period, where Japan began to slowly consolidate and unify into a confederacy. The name of the Kofun period comes from the huge keyhole shaped burial mounds known as "Kofun".

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Mentioned in this podcast:

Edwards, Walter. Event and Process in the Founding of Japan: The Horserider Theory in Archeological Perspective Journal of Japanese Studies, Vol. 9, No. 2 (Summer, 1983), pp. 265-295 http://www.jstor.org/pss/132294

Farris, William Wayne. Heavenly Warriors: The Evolution of Japan's Military, 500-1300 Harvard University Asia Center, April 15, 1996 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/067438704X

Hudson, Mark. Ruins of Identity: Ethnogenesis in the Japanese Islands Univ of Hawaii Press, March 2006 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824821564

Ikegami, Eiko. Bonds of Civility: Aesthetic Networks and the Political Origins of Japanese Culture Cambridge University Press, February 28, 2005 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0521601150

Imamura, Keiji. Prehistoric Japan: New Perspectives On Insular East Asia Routledge, October 24, 1996 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1857286170

Support this podcast:

Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j

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Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives

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Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

EP10 Intro to Japanese History P1 - Prehistory Jul 18, 2011

Show notes

For part one of our Introduction to Japanese History series, we’ll be starting at the beginning of the earliest history of the Japanese archipelago and the changes that took place in culture and technology from the Paleolithic period to the Jomon period, which takes us from prehistory to approximately 300BC.

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Mentioned in this podcast:

http://japanesearchaeology.com/

Aikens, C. Prehistory of Japan (Studies in Archaeology) Academic Pr, September 1982 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0120452804

Barnes, Gina. The Rise of Civilization in East Asia Thames & Hudson, July 1, 1999 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0500279748

Batten, Bruce. Gateway to Japan: Hakata in War And Peace, 500-1300 Univ of Hawaii Press, March 2006 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824830296

Hudson, Mark. Ruins of Identity: Ethnogenesis in the Japanese Islands Univ of Hawaii Press, March 2006 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/0824821564

Imamura, Keiji. Prehistoric Japan: New Perspectives On Insular East Asia Routledge, October 24, 1996 http://astore.amazon.com/samurai-20/detail/1857286170

Support this podcast:

Shop Amazon.com, suport the podcast: http://amzn.to/wnDX2j

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Twitter @SamuraiArchives https://twitter.com/#!/samuraiarchives

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Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com

EP09 Maritime Defense of Nagasaki During the Edo Period Jun 28, 2011

Show notes

After Japan closed its borders and kicked the Christian missionaries out of Japan, it was forced to undertake a national maritime defense to protect against any potential foreign threats. In this podcast, we examine the defense of the port of Nagasaki, from the political and military structure to the actual defenses constructed at the port. We also examine the successes and failures that occurred in Nagasaki, starting with the torching of a Portuguese ship and execution of most of its sailors in 1640, to the drastic failure to defend the port against the British Navy ship Phaeton in 1808.

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Mentioned in this podcast:

Arima, Seiho. The Western Influence on Japanese Military Science, Shipbuilding, and Navigation Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 19 No. 3/4 Sophia University, 1964 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2383177

Wilson, Noell. Tokugawa Defense Redux: Organizational Failure in the Phaeton Incident of 1808 Journal of Japanese Studies, Vol. 36 No. 1, Society for Japanese Studies, 2010 http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/journal_of_japanese_studies/summary/v036/36.1.wilson.html

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Samurai Archives podcast blog: http://www.samuraipodcast.com

Samurai Archives Forum: http://www.japanhistoryforum.com