A History of Japan

The Kamakura Period saw the founding of many new Buddhist schools throughout Japan, including exclusively Pure Land sects as well as Zen. The traditional schools, however, often collaborated with the court or the Bakufu to suppress these teachings and their leaders. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple...

After Hojo Yasutoki's death, his sons Tsunetoki and Toriyoki would build upon his legacy and even outdo their father if they hoped to preserve the Hojo Regency. 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 Hojo Yoshitoki's unexpected death in 1224, his son Hojo Yasutoki took over as the Shogun's regent. He would guide Japan through some of its most difficult times as the nation was hit with famine, disease, crop failure, and other catastrophes. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books ,...

A month after Emperor Chukyo was enthroned, Retired Emperor Go-Toba decided that the time was right for a reckoning against Kamakura. The Shogunate would have to fight for its survival in the Jōkyū 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 online platforms! 

The Bakufu enjoyed a relatively stable period in the early 1200s thanks largely to the  joint leadership of Hojo Masako and her brother Yoshitoki. Masako earned such a reputation for power brokering that she was given the nickname "Ama Shogun," which means "The Nun Shogun." Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barne...

In the wake of Minamoto Yoritomo's death, the Bakufu appointed his son Yoriie as the new Shogun under the watchful eye of the regent Hojo Tokimasa. However, the oldest son of Yoritomo had ideas of his own about how the nation ought to be governed and whom should do the governing. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & N...

We have learned much about Yoritomo's actions as a leader, but in this episode we will start by examining his family life and later years. 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! 

With the Northern Fujiwara gone, Yoritomo continued to consolidate power and was named to the post of Seii-Tai-Shogun. 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 Gempei War, Minamoto Yoritomo moved toward creating a permanent parallel government in Kamakura. Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, however, continued to interfere until eventually brother was pitted against brother. 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...

A progress report on Season 7, which will begin soon. I promise. 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! 

It's one thing to learn about The Tale of Genji, but in this episode I am reading it to you! Join Genji Hikaru as he seeks out new lovers, deals with being sick, and then sadly is made to endure a staggering loss. 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 pl...

In this special bonus episode, we explore the life of a famous samurai woman who fought in the Gempei War alongside Kiso Yoshinaka. Tomoe Gozen was known for slaying not only with her fabulous beauty but also with her bow and sword. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many o...

With the Minamoto army now unified under the banners of Yoshitsune and Noriyori, both brothers would seek to bring the war to a close and put an end to the Taira Clan once and for all. At the battle of Dan-no-Ura, the factions would face off for the last time in a dramatic naval battle in the straits of Shimonoseki. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now avai...

Kiso Yoshinaka, cousin to Yoritomo, was a rising star of the Minamoto clan who was feared on the battlefield and respected by his peers. So where did it all go wrong for this talented samurai general? 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! 

Minamoto Yoritomo was in a tight spot - the interior of a hollow tree. One month after the battle of Ishibashiyama, however, he would lead a massive army of Kanto samurai against a punitive Taira force and regain his lost honor. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org , and many other...

Frustrated by the Taira clan's monopoly on imperial succession, Prince Mochihito makes an alliance with Minamoto Yorimasa. The two hatch a plot to overthrow Taira Kiyomori and place Mochihito on the throne, but their plans quickly change when Kiyomori learns of their conspiracy. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & No...

By the late Heian Period, the four most influential temples in Japan all fielded their own private armies and frequently clashed with one another and with the government as well. One of the most famous Sohei (Warrior Monk) would become the close companion of a legendary Minamoto warrior. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes &amp...

In the aftermath of the Heiji Rebellion, the Ise Taira clan were now the de facto rulers of Japan. Their chieftain, Taira Kiyomori, would prove himself not only a brilliant military commander, but an able politician who would receive ranks and offices within the Daijo-daikan which had never before been achieved by a samurai. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is...

When Taira Kiyomori and his entourage left the capital for a pilgrimage, Minamoto Yoshitomo and Fujiwara Yorinaga launched a coup, kidnapping the sitting Emperor Nijo and the retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and murdering their opponents. What followed was a series of political purges, negligent missteps, and a bloody conclusion that would establish samurai domination over the government. Support the...

When retired Emperor Toba died, jilted Emperor Sutoku would try to rally the samurai to his cause and force Emperor Go-Shirakawa from the throne by force. However, the sitting Emperor would also call upon his own loyal samurai to defend his throne. The ensuing struggle led to the rise of the first samurai-led government in Japanese history. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's C...

With the Insei government in charge, the Daijo-daikan continued to wilt. Some kuge, however, saw opportunity in an impending conflict between two retired Emperors over matters of succession. 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! 

Frustrated by obstruction from the Daijo-daikan, Emperor Shirakawa called it quits... or did he? In this episode, we explore his creation of a new kind of government which gave him the power he needed to effectively overrule the Fujiwara clan. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , Bookshop.org ,...

The Goryeo Dynasty would lead the Korean Peninsula into a golden age of art, culture, and prosperity, but first it would have to deal with the aggression of the Liao 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! 

In this episode, we will take a closer look at the lives of the people who lived in Manchuria, north of China, and their considerably powerful dynasties. 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 nearly a hundred years of fighting between petty states and half-baked dynasties, the Song Dynasty finally emerged as a unifying force in China. Under their leadership, China would make some impressive technological and cultural gains, forging a renaissance throughout East Asia in the 1000s. Support the show  My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon , B...