The Republic of China

In this episode we turn our attention to another Buddhist Monk who traveled to China and returned with new Sutras, new rituals, and even founded a new sect. Kūkai brought new esoteric practices to Japan, many of which continue to be performed today. If you'd like to see some very large statues of Kūkai, and maybe want to read the Mahavairocana Sutra for yourself, check out the supplemental post! Support the show on Patreon! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now avai...

5 Juli 202127min

In this episode, we will join Saichō, an important Buddhist reformer in the 800s, as he travels to China, returns to Japan, and proceeds to change the face of Japanese Buddhism forever. For a picture of Saicho, photos of the temple in China where he studied, check out the supplemental post! (You can also find a link to an English translation of the Lotus Sutra if you want to read it for yourself!) Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes &am...

1 Juli 202116min

In 794, Emperor Kammu succeeded in moving the imperial court to the shiny new capital of Heian-Kyō. In this episode, we will explore the consequences of that decision as well as the decisions the Tennō made in the latter part of his reign. For a video describing some of the traditional construction techniques which would have been employed in the construction of the capital, as well as a recreation of the Rajōmon gate, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Cali...

28 Juni 202123min

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!

15 Mars 20212min

In this episode, we'll explore some of the extant folk tales from the Nara Period which come from the Fudoki accounts.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!

8 Mars 202123min

In this special bonus episode, we'll explore the poetic talents of various individuals from the Nara Period, some of whom we know and some who will be new to us today.Check out the supplemental post for links to more Man'yoshu poems!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!

1 Mars 202112min

Emperor Kammu took the throne as the first sovereign of Japan who descended from Baekje stock. He had big plans for the nation - intensifying the war against the Emishi, building a new capital and, when that one failed, building a new capital in a different place. For a beautiful picture of Emperor Kammu, as well as pics of cool scale models of both Nagaoka-kyo and Heian-kyo, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, ...

22 Feb 202122min

The reign of Emperor Kōnin was off to a rocky start when his Empress was accused of practicing witchcraft to subvert the state. Prince Yamabe, originally passed over for the office of Tennō because of his Baekje ancestry, now comes once more to the foreground of succession debates. Meanwhile, in Tōhoku, an imperial army was about to meet with utter disaster at the hands of the Shiwa Emishi. For a map of the Tōhoku region, check out the supplemental post! Support the show My latest novel, "C...

18 Feb 202119min