A History of Japan

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

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

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. 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! 

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. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kob...

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

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

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

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. 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 p...

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. 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! 

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. 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! 

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. 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! 

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. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now avail...

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

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

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

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

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

Selected poems in Japanese (with English translation) from the renowned Kamakura Period anthology "Shin Kokin Wakashu." 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 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. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other...

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. 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 platf...

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. 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! 

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

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

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

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. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes &...