July, 2021 - A History of Japan

The Re-Unification of Korea

July 29, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 10: The Re-Unification of Korea

What remains today of the island fortress of Cheonghaejin, Jang Bogo’s base of operations. While the trees have overgrown the rammed-earth walls, this picture gives some sense of how formidable the structure would have looked to marauding pirates. Source: Public Domain

A Map of the Korean Peninsula in 915 CE. Source: KJS615, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Royal Flag of the Goryeo Dynasty, featuring a Phoenix bird in flight. I think we can all agree that it is a pretty sweet flag. Source: Public Domain

The Fall of the Tang Dynasty

July 26, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 9: The Fall of the Tang Dynasty

A map of the major battles of the An Lushan Rebellion. Note the distances required for the loyal generals to travel in order to engage the rebel An Lushan. Source: SY, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Emperor Wuzong, who led the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution of the 840s. Source: Public Domain

Emperor Zhaozong, the last adult Emperor of Tang China. After he was assassinated, his eight-year old son was put on the throne and then later killed as well. Source: Public Domain

The Rise of the Fujiwara

July 22, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 8: The Rise of the Fujiwara

The Fujiwara Clan crest: two hanging Wisteria blossoms (The “Fuji” part of Fujwara literally means Wisteria). Source: Mukai, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fujiwara Otsugu, sitting here with his Koto, a type of floor harp. Source: Kikuchi Yōsai, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A portrait of Emperor Junna. Source: PatrickWhat, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A portrait of Emperor Nimmyo. Source: Unknown authorUnknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Taira and Minamoto Clans

July 19, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 7: The Taira and Minamoto Clans

The crest of the Taira Clan: a butterfly. Source: Júlio Reis and Misogi, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

The crest of the Minamoto Clan: three flowers over bamboo leaves. Source: 百楽兎, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Map of Japan with the Kantō region highlighted. Members of the Taira Clan settled throughout the region early on, though that will change by this season’s end… Source: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Tale of Two Courts

July 15, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 6: A Tale of Two Courts

Emperor Saga, painted much later in the 1400s. Source: 日本語: 不明（伝小野篁）English: Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Map of Japan with Yamato Province highlighted. This is where Emperor Heizei and his allies found themselves isolated as Sakanoue Tamuramaro closed all the paths that led to neighboring provinces. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

The Life and Times of Emperor Kammu

July 12, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 5: The Life and Times of Emperor Kammu

A reconstruction of the Heian Palace Daigokuden, the Main Hall. Today this rebuilt structure stands at Heian Shrine in Kyoto. Source: Saigen Jiro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A model of Heian-Kyo featuring the Imperial Palace in the north. Source: Wikiwikiyarou, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A close up on the same model of Saiji Temple, one of only three temples allowed to be built in the new capital. Source: Wikiwikiyarou, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A memorial stone marking the location of the old palace, which has long since been lost to the ravages of time. Source: ＋－ at Japanese Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

The First Shōgun

July 8, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 4: The First Shōgun

An ink drawing of Sakanoue Tamuramaro, the Seii-Tai-Shōgun credited with subduing the Emishi of Tōhoku early in the Heian Period. Source: Public Domain

The reputed grave of Emishi leader Aterui, located near Ōsaka. Source: Public Domain

Kūkai’s Big Journey

July 5, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 3: Kūkai’s Big Journey

A wooden statuette of Kūkai (Kobo Daishi) holding a mala in his left hand and a ceremonial vajra in his right. Source: PHGCOM, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A mandala of the Buddha surrounded by four other Buddhas and four Bodhisattvas respectively. Source: Public Domain

A large statue of Kūkai (Kobo Daishi) holding a shakujō staff as well as his mala. This statue can be seen at Shitenno-ji temple in Ōsaka. Source: Zenwort, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can read the Mahavairocana Sutra for yourself by downloading it from the Society for the Promotion of Budhism (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai) by clicking here.