Month: November 2021

The Gempei War Part 1: An Ill-Fated Uprising

November 29, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 19: The Gempei War Part 1: An Ill-Fated Uprising

源平合戦

“Gempei Kassen,” which translates to “The Gempei War.” The first two characters are from Minamoto and Taira respectively.

A painting of Minamoto Yorimasa. Source: Public Domain

A depiction of Prince Mochihito, who initiated the Gempei War. Source: Public Domain

Byodo-In, or “The Phoenix Temple,” which miraculously has survived in its original form to this day. This is where Minamoto Yorimasa fled once the First Battle of Uji was lost. Source: Oilstreet, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A depiction of the First Battle of Uji. Note the warrior monks crossing the bare beams where the planks have been torn out. Source: Public Domain

Minamoto Yorimasa preparing to commit the first known Seppuku. His dagger is drawn and he has removed his armor. Source: Public Domain.

The Monks of War

November 25, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 18: The Monks of War

A depiction of Benkei, whose already considerable height was made more intimidating by the stilt sandals he preferred to wear. Source: Public Domain

Benkei and Yoshitsune enoying the spring sakura (cherry blossoms) together. Benkei is kneeling on the left. Source: Public Domain

A famous painting of Minamoto Yoshitsune and Benkei’s duel on the Goto Bridge in Heian-kyo. Source: Public Domain

A rather cute statue on modern-day Gojo Bridge depicting Benkei and Minamoto Yoshitsune’s duel. Source: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Taira Triumph

November 22, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 17: Taira Triumph

The Taira Clan Crest (Mon) – a stylized butterfly. Source: Júlio Reis and Misogi, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

A painting of Taira Kiyomori completed long after his lifetime. In this image, he is attempting to command the sun to stay in the sky so that construction can continue at Itsukushima Shrine. Source: Public Domain

Itsukushima Shrine, shown at high tide when the temple complex appears to float upon the water. Source: JohnnyOneSpeed, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Honden (Main Hall) of the Itsukushima Shrine, which displays the double-roofed style of Shinden-Zukuri. Source: scarletgreen from Japan, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The bridge which connects the shrine to Miyajima, shown here at low tide. Source: David Ooms from Belgium, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Itsukushima Shrine at low tide. Source: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A drawing depicting Taira Kiyomori in his old age. Source: Public Domain

Minamoto Misgivings

November 18, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 16: Minamoto Misgivings

The night attack on the Sanjo Palace. The Minamoto set fire to the building after securing the Retired Emperor. Public Domain

As the caption says, this is a depiction of retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s abduction at the end of 1159. He can be seen in the sedan wagon looking out very anxiously. Along with the arrest of sitting Emperor Nijo, this would incite the Heiji Rebellion. Public Domain

Emperor Nijo’s escape from Minamoto custody. If you look closely, you can see Nijo-Tenno inside the sedan wagon dressed as a lady-in-waiting. Public Domain

A depiction of the battle at Rokuhara, where the Minamoto samurai were defeated by the Taira. Public Domain

Taira Kiyomori, the man who would emerge from the Heiji Rebellion as the most powerful samurai, and arguably the most powerful person, in all of Japan. Public Domain

Who’s in Charge Here?

November 15, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 15: Who’s in Charge Here?

A painting of Minamoto Yoshitomo, who joined with Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s forces against his father, Minamoto Tameyoshi. Note the broken arrow sticking out of his shoulder pauldron. Public Domain

A screen painting of the Hogen Rebellion, probably painted during the later Edo Period, likely in the1600s. If you right-click–>Open Image in a New Tab, you can zoom in and see the charging Samurai fighting it out around the Shirakawa-den Palace. Public Domain

A portrait of Minamoto Yoshitomo’s brother, Minamoto Tametomo. A legendary archer, his left arm was purposefully crippled after the Hogen Rebellion and he was exiled to a small island. Public Domain

Another depiction of Minamoto Tametomo, this time drawing his bow and displaying a particularly Japanese style of archery, raising the bow above his head and then lowering it as he takes aim and draws the string back. Public Domain

The Party is Over

November 11, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 14: The Party is Over

Emperor Sutoku, depicted in typical Heian court garb. Public Domain

Fujiwara Yorinaga, who was rejected when he applied to tutor the young crown prince. Public Domain

Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who ascended the throne instead of Sutoku-Tenno’s son. Public Domain

Emperor Shirakawa’s Loophole

November 8, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 13: Emperor Shirakawa’s Loophole

A depiction of Emperor Shirakawa in monk’s habit. It would become common to portray retired emperors wearing religious clothing to reflect their status as holy rulers. Public Domain

Emperor Toba, also wearing monk’s habit. Public Domain

The Golden Age of Goryeo

November 4, 2021 justin-david-hebert 2 Comments

Season 6, Episode 12: The Golden Age of Goryeo

The Royal flag of Goryeo, featuring a phoenix. Public Domain

A painting which features depictions of Goryeo nobility. Public Domain

A celedon bowl found in a tomb dating to 1159. Source: National Museum of Korea, KOGL Type 1 http://www.kogl.or.kr/open/info/license_info/by.do, via Wikimedia Commons

A celedon teapot from the Goryeo Dynasty (early 1100s) with exquisite inlaid designs and beautifully crafted textures. Public Domain

A celedon incense burner from the 1100s with cute rabbits for feet. Source: Steve46814, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Dynasties of the North

November 1, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 11: The Dynasties of the North

The Liao Dynasty’s domains at its greatest extent, around 1000 CE. Source: Gabagool, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yelu Bei, older brother of the Liao Emperor, fleeing the Kingdom of Dongdan for asylum in Song China. Source: Public Domain

Khitan hunters using falcons on their hunt. Source: Public Domain

Liao Phoenix and Dragon Crowns. The Khitan had access to truly impressive skilled metalworkers. Source: Aldermanseven, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fudong Temple, made entirely from wood and still standing nearly a thousand years after it was built. Source: Gisling, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Liao Dynasty’s domains in 1111, just before everything goes horribly wrong. Source: SY, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The state of Kara Khitai, situated in Central Asia. It is also called the Western Liao Empire. Source: SY, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Jurchen tribal leader Wanyan Aguda, who became Emperor Taizu of the Jin Dynasty. source: Public Domains

The domains of the Jin Dynasty, comfortably situated between Song china, the state of Western Xia (Xi Xia) and Goryeo. Source: User:Ian Kiu, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Chengling Pagoda, built by the Jin Dynasty between 1161 and 1189. Source: Rolf Müller (User:Rolfmueller), CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons