The Age of Entertainment
The first of three survey-style episodes describing life in the later Heian Period. In this episode, we will explore the flowering of Japanese culture that occurred among the nobility of the later Heian Period, as well as their relationships with aesthetics, romance, marriage, and architecture. For pictures of Shinzen-Zukuri architecture and Heian-style kimonos, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & N...
27 Sep 202118min
The Art and Poetry of the Early Heian Period - BONUS
In the final episode of this season, we take a closer look at some of the creative side of the early Heian Period, including poems, visual arts, and the creation of two Japanese alphabets which are still in use today.You can read selections from the Kokin Wakashu courtesy of the University of Virginia here.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!
2 Sep 202121min
The Pirate King
After the death of Taira Masakado, the court still had to deal with a rebel in the west named Fujiwara Sumitomo. Originally a provincial bureaucrat, Sumitomo abandoned the life of a noble and embraced the life of a pirate king. For a portrait of Sumitomo as well as maps detailing the inland sea, 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 platfor...
30 Aug 202114min
Taira Treason
After his warriors looted the Hitachi provincial capital, Taira Masakado marched his army to every other capital in Kantō, placing the east under his control by force. While he attempted to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Heian-kyō, however, his local rivals organized yet another warband to put his rebellion to an end. For detailed maps and a painting of Masakado's daughter Takiyasha-hime, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now av...
26 Aug 202118min
Taira Troubles
Taira Masakado's ongoing family feud expands as he seeks to avenge himself against his cousin and uncles. When the warriors under his command take things too far, however, he will have to make a difficult decision which eventually sealed his fate. For a wickedly awesome picture of Masakado trampling some poor enemy warrior underfoot, as well as a map of the various battles in this episode, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now availab...
23 Aug 202120min
A Disturbance in Kantō
In this episode, we follow the early career of a warrior named Taira Masakado, whose various family squabbles help illustrate the day-to-day violence of life in Kantō and whose exploits will earn him the attention of the imperial court in far off Heian-Kyō. For detailed maps of the Kantō Region as well as a portrait of Masakado, 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....
19 Aug 202120min
Sugawara Michizane's Revenge
As disasters repeatedly harried the reign of Emperor Daigo, many came to believe that Sugawara Michizane's ghost was the cause of many grave misfortunes. But how could they appease the vengeful spirit of the scholar whom the court had wrongfully sent to die in obscurity? For photos of the Dazaifu-Tenmangu Shrine and Daigo-ji temple, as well as a portrait of Emperor Daigo, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon,...
16 Aug 202113min
New Emperor, Old Rivalries
Emperor Daigo took the throne and immediately set out to heal the rift between Fujiwara Tokihira and Sugawara Michizane. It would soon become clear, however, that the only thing that could stop this feud was choosing a winner.For portraits of Sugawara Michizane and Fujiwara Tokihira, 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!
12 Aug 202116min
