A History of Japan

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...

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 po...

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!)...

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 recreatio...

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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. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other online platforms! 

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! Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org...

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 supplem...

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...

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 t...

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...

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! Support the show  My latest...

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 con...

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!...

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...

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 pos...

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! Support the show  My latest novel, "C...

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! Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amaz...

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...

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 ! Support the show  My late...

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 ! Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org...

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 supplem...

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)! Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Cr...

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 liesur...

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! Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.o...