Month: June 2022

The Genkō War, Part II

Season 7, Episode 16: The Genkō War, Part II
A portrait of Emperor Go-Daigo by artist Bunkanbo Koshin. Unlike many of the images we have of famous Japanese leaders, this piece is contemporary: it was painted in 1339, therefore we can surmise that Emperor Go-Daigo probably looked very similar to this. Source: Public Domain
The signature of Emperor Go-Daigo, which would have appeared on official documents. Source: Go-Daigo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A portrait of a samurai believed to be Ashikaga Takauji, artist unknown. Source: Public Domain
A painting by later artist Yoshitoshi of Nitta Yoshisada offering his sword to Amaterasu in exchange for causing the tide to recede. Source: Public Domain
A statue of Kusunoki Masashige which currently sits in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Source: David Moore, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
A painting by Yoshitoshi of Hojo Takatoki fighting Tengu (goblin-like creatures). Source: Public Domain

The Genkō War, Part I

Season 7, Episode 15: The Genkō War, Part I
The memorial stone which marks the location of Akasaka Fortress, which was burned down in 1331. Source: I, KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The memorial stone marking the location of Kami-Akasaka (Upper Akasaka) Fortress, which was destroyed in early 1333 after its water supply was cut off. Source: I, KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A scale model of Chihaya Fortress. The original fortification was destroyed long after the Genko War concluded. Source: Wikiwikiyarou, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A dramatic painting by Utagawa Yoshikazu imagining the siege of Chihaya Fortress, created in the 1800s. The real structure was not a fully-developed stone castle, but a large well-made fort. Note the Hojo clan crest on the banner in the center bottom of the piece. Public Domain

The Twilight of the Kamakura Bakufu

Season 7, Episode 14: The Twilight of the Kamakura Bakufu
A painting of Emperor Go-Uda, who acted as sitting Emperor from 1274-1287
Emperor Fushimi, who reigned as Tenno from 1287-1298. Public Domain
Emperor Go-Fushimi, who reigned as sitting Emperor from 1298-1301. Public Domain
Emperor Go-Nijo, who sat upon the Chrysanthemum Throne from 1301-1308. Public Domain
Emperor Hanezane, who served as Tenno from 1308-1318. Public Domain
Emperor Go-Daigo, whose determination to rule outright as Emperor brought about the Genko War. Public Domain

The Mongols Are Gone… Or Are They?

Season 7, Episode 13: The Mongols Are Gone… Or Are They?
A contemporary portrait of Kublai Khan created by an artist named Araniko. Public Domain
The Yuan Dynasty at its greatest extent under Kublai Khan, in 1294. Source: Yuen_Dynasty_1294.png: Ian Kiuderivative work: Idh0854, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A painting by Kikuchi Yosai of the Kamikaze Typhoon which laid waste to the Yuan Dynasty Fleet. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Nichiren, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, who died in 1282. Artist: Fujiwara-no Chikayasu. Public Domain
A portrait of Hojo Sadatoki drawn by artist Kurihara Nobumitsu. Public Domain
Konponji Temple, where Nichiren taught and worked during his exile on Sado Island. Source: Torbenbrinker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Mongol Invasions of Japan

Season 7, Episode 12: The Mongol Invasions of Japan
A copy of the original letter sent to Japan by Kublai Khan. Remember that Japanese is read from the top down and right-to-left. Public Domain
A portrait of Hojo Tokimune, who was the Shikken (Shogun’s Regent) during both Mongol Invasions. Public Domain
A map illustrating both invasions. Source: Qiushufang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stoneware bombs from the invasions. The lumpy bits on the outside are barnacles. Source: 震天動地, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An illustration of Samurai boarding a Mongol vessel. Public Domain
Another such illustration of Japanese ships hunting for unobservant Mongol craft. Public Domain
A map of Sakhalin Island, which is the central body of land. Directly west is northern Manchuria. Public Domain