The Boxer Rebellion

Fujiwara Yoshifusa sets a new precedent when he angles to have an eight-year old son of the late Emperor Montoku set upon the throne as Emperor Seiwa. Yoshifusa rulled as Sesshō, a regent governing on behalf of a child, and was the first person to obtain this title who was not a member of the royal family. For a portrait of Emperor Seiwa as well as depictions of Hachiman as a Bodhisattva and the Hachiman-zukuri architectural style I mentioned in this episode, check out the supplemental post!...

2 Aug 202117min

Unified Silla ruled the peninsula throughout the 800s but cracks were already beginning to show in the bureaucracy. A series of weak sovereigns, ambitious courtiers, and the re-emergence of regional factions spelled doom for the monarchs of Silla as the country was split in three. To see a map of these factions' territory, a picture of the Cheonghaejin fortress, and the royal flag of the Goryeo Dynasty, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," ...

29 Juli 202126min

Things go from bad to a little bit better to horrifically worse for the Tang Dynasty as the An Lushan Rebellion kicks into high gear and the empire begins to splinter. We'll follow a few charismatic Emperors who came after and nobly attempted to stabilize the nation, and discuss the ultimate fate of the Tang Dynasty. For battle maps and portraits of some of the Emperors we covered in today's episode, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is ...

26 Juli 202126min

As Emperors Junna and Nimmyo take the throne respectively, a powerful Kuge clan takes steps to become the most powerful in all the nation. If you'd like to see the crest of the Fujiwara Clan, as well as portraits of Fujiwara Otsugu and the Emperors Junna and Nimmyo, 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!

22 Juli 202124min

In this episode, we will examine the origins and development of the two samurai clans who would come to dominate the later Heian Period and eventually vie with one another for control of the nation.For pictures of the crests of these clans, as well as a map of the Kantō, 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 Juli 202114min

Emperor Heizei takes the throne and things swiftly take a turn for the worse. After he abdicated and his brother Emperor Saga became Tennō, however, he would decide that he may not have been as ready to retire as he believed... For a portrait of Emperor Saga and a map that highlights Yamato Province, 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 pl...

15 Juli 202115min

In this episode, we will take a short break from the narrative and examine the reign of Confucian problem-solver Emperor Kammu, arguably the most effective sovereign of the Heian Period.To see a few pictures of reconstructions of Kammu-Tennō's new capital, 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 Juli 202111min

In this episode we'll explore the career of Otomo Otomaro, who is believed to be the first Seiitai-Shōgun, as well as Sakanoue Tamuramaro and their subsequent adventures in Tōhoku. We'll also discuss the Emishi and the strategies the Yamato armies used to incorporate them into the emperor's sphere of influence. If you'd like to see an ink drawing of Sakanoue Tamuramaro as well as the grave site of infamous Emishi leader Aterui, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest ...

8 Juli 202118min