A Disturbance in Kantō

We turn our attention to the Korean Peninsula back to the mid-500s, a dramatic time for the kingdoms of Baekje, Silla, and Koguryo. As war engulfed the peninsula, however, a new power was rising to their west which would ultimately upset the balance and change history forever. For some cool maps and pictures of the various treasures of the three kingdoms of Korea, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes &...

22 Okt 202022min

A new religion arrives on Japan's fair shores - but will it be welcomed or ostracized? The Soga and Mononobe clans end up on opposite sides of the issue and must fight one another for the future of their nation. For pictures of some of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, 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, and many other online platforms!

19 Okt 202025min

Before we learn how Buddhism changed Japan, I thought it would be useful to learn about its own history. From the tale of Sakyamuni to the halls of power in China and Korea, this religion has been all over the world and continues to inspire even today. For pictures of the earliest stupas still standing, Indo-Greek statues, and beautiful east Asian temples, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ...

15 Okt 202026min

Now that we understand the general backdrop of the Kofun Period, it's time to learn what we can of the early Yamato Court who claimed authority over the nation. We also explore the seeds of the Soga-Mononobe conflict which would later lead to bloodshed and a dramatic battle for the soul of the nation. If you'd like to see some maps to better understand where this is all taking place, I've provided some in the supplemental post. Merch Store open now: https://ahistoryofjapan.threadless.com/ S...

12 Okt 202022min

Let's explore the creative side of the Kofun Period! We'll take a look at haniwa statues, various styles of pottery, and even tomb paintings as we seek to better understand and appreciate the ancient people of Japan. For lots of cool photos of the items discussed in this episode, check out the supplemental post! Merch Store open now: https://ahistoryofjapan.threadless.com/ Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Boo...

8 Okt 202013min

In this episode, we'll take a closer look at the leaders of Kofun Period Japan and the sources of their political power.If you want to see detailed photos of haniwa statues, take a look at the supplemental post!Merch Store open now: https://ahistoryofjapan.threadless.com/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!

5 Okt 202018min

Let's take a closer look at the weapons, armor, and tactics of the Kofun Period and also take a look at Japan's involvement in the conflicts among the powers of the Korean Peninsula. For a closer look at the arms and armor we discuss here, check out the supplemental post. Merch Store open now: https://ahistoryofjapan.threadless.com/ 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...

1 Okt 202015min

The development of the Korean States during the 200s-400s had a massive impact on Japan as four major polities emerged on the Peninsula. In this episode, we'll learn about the states of Koguryo, Baekje, Silla, and the Gaya Confederacy, as well as what we think happened regarding Japan's involvment in their inter-peninsular squabbles. If you'd like to see some sweet maps as well as artifacts from some of these kingdoms, check out the supplemental post! Merch Store open now: https://ahistoryo...

28 Sep 202015min