
The Life and Times of Miyamoto Musashi -- BONUS
While some Ronin chose to lay aside their swords and take up artisinal crafts, some found new purpose in teaching the way of the warrior to the next generation. Miyamoto Musashi embodied the twilight of the Sengoku samurai in walking the path of dueling, teaching, creating, and ultimately leaving a legacy of strategy, tactics, and wisdom. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other onli...
5 Feb 202421min

Artists of the Early Edo Period -- BONUS
In this episode, we discuss the founder of Kabuki theatre Izumo Okuni, playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon, legendary sculptor Hidari Jingoro, poet Matsuo Basho, and the birth of Ukiyo-e painting. Here is a link to a short film about Hidari Jingoro (CONTENT WARNING: EPIC STOP-MOTION VIOLENCE): https://youtu.be/DpefYPLH67A?si=qpVZHtEncVs9WnPT Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other onli...
29 Jan 202418min

Yoshimune's Gambit
After the brief reigns of Tokugawa Ienobu and his young son Ietsugu, the Bakufu selected a new shogun from the Kii Branch of the Tokugawa Clan. Tokugawa Yoshimune inherited a national government in the midst of multiple crises and introduced the Kyoho Reforms to try and set the ship of state back on its proper course. The Education News Comedy Quiz -- Some of the AbovePlay along with guest contestants from the education world. Laugh some & learn some...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spo...
22 Jan 202429min

The Righteous Reign of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
The tenure of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was marked by a fervent support of Neo-Confucian reforms, some of which were extremely radical and some of which were downright wacky. It was during his reign that the events surrounding the tale of the forty-seven ronin occurred. The Education News Comedy Quiz -- Some of the AbovePlay along with guest contestants from the education world. Laugh some & learn some...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crus...
15 Jan 202426min

Tumult and Turnover in Joseon
The Kings of Joseon were faced with many difficult decisions throughout the 1600s as their nation faced Manchurian invasion, internal military coups, and a tumultuously factional political class. The Education News Comedy Quiz -- Some of the AbovePlay along with guest contestants from the education world. Laugh some & learn some...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Boo...
11 Jan 202432min

The Rise of the Qing Dynasty
As the Ming Dynasty faced utter collapse in the face of famines, plagues, and peasant rebellions, the Qing Dynasty of Manchuria would surge and, eventually, take its place as the ruling dynasty of China. The Education News Comedy Quiz -- Some of the AbovePlay along with guest contestants from the education world. Laugh some & learn some...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, A...
8 Jan 202426min

The Fall of the Ming Dynasty
Under pressure from outside and within, the Ming Dynasty of China gradually lost control after a series of famines, plagues, and peasant rebellions. By the early 1600s, however, the Later Jin Dynasty began to take charge after unifying Manchuria and soon set its sights on claiming the Mandate of Heaven for themselves. The Education News Comedy Quiz -- Some of the AbovePlay along with guest contestants from the education world. Laugh some & learn some...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spo...
21 Des 202326min