justin.david.hebert

A Brief History of Buddhism

October 15, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 8: A Brief History of Buddhism

Dharmarajika stupa near Taxila, Pakistan. Originally built circa 300 BCE, it displays a classic semi-hemispherical design typical of Indian stupas. Source: Sasha Isachenko / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Sanchi Stupa, dated to around 125 BCE, is the first known stupa to feature decorative reliefs. It is located in north-central India, in Madhya Pradesh. Source: Kevin Standage (kevinstandage1@googlemail.com) INDIAN TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

The Indo-Greek Buddhists carved their temples out of nearby caves. These pillars mark the entrance to Cave 17 in the Nasik Caves. Source: Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

A standing Buddha carved into the walls of Cave 17 of the Nasik Caves. Source: Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Seated Buddha from the Indo-Greek Kingdom. Note that rather than a more asiatic-style robe, he wears a toga. Source: PHGCOM / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A Statue of Athena recovered from the Indo-Greek Kingdom. Source: Uploadmo / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The many statues of Longmen Grottoes in Henan, China, which began construction during the late 400s and continued, on and off, through the late 600s. As you can hopefully see from the presence of tourists, some of these statues are quite large! Source: WikiLaurent / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda of Xi’an, China. The original was built from rammed earth during the reign of Emperor Gaozong in 652 CE, but it collapsed after fifty years and was rebuilt during the reign of Empress Wu Zitan near the end of Japan’s Asuka Period. Source: Alex Kwok / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The Clans of Yamato

October 12, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 7: The Clans of Yamato

A Map of Japan with the Yamato Region highlighted in red. While it may appear to be a perfect, almost central location, keep in mind that this map does not display the topography, which would complicate things for future rulers. Source: Ash_Crow / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Here is a topographical map of the Nara Basin itself. The mountains around it could make for decent defensive positions if need be, and the broad plain between them was fertile and remains some of the best rice land in Japan. Public Domain.

Mononobe no Okoshi, who served as Omuraji and whose clan served as primarily a military clan. This image of him was painted by Kikuchi Yosai, a famous painter who did many such historical portraits in the 1800s.

Otomo no Kanamura, who served alongside Mononobe no Okoshi at the Yamato Court. It was Otomo no Kanamura who far too often or perhaps too forcefully advocated for an invasion of Silla and was removed from his position at the court when Okoshi refused to support his endeavors. This image was also painted by Kikuchi Yosai in the 1800s. Public Domain.

Kofun Art

October 8, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 6: Kofun Art

An assortment of Haji ware pottery, the unglazed earthenware popularized by indigenous craftspersons in Kofun Japan. Source: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China / CC0

A small Haji ware dish. Up close, you can really see how porous Haji ware was, which could make it difficult to clean. Public Domain.

A Sue ware pot, made using the kiln-firing technique imported from the peninsula. The exterior is visibly smoother and this piece looks like it has held up remarkably well. Source: Ismoon (talk) 19:39, 25 September 2017 (UTC) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A Sue ware flask from the 600s with ash glaze splashed across it. Public Domain.

A leftover haniwa head. The empty eyes and mouth always appear especially haunting to me. Public Domain.

A haniwa statue of a monkey, or what’s left of the poor fellow. Source: Kestrel / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A painting on the wall of the Goroyama Kofun tomb. Can you guess what this image represents? It’s a building with a red door. Public Domain.

Relief painting from the Takehara Kofun Tomb. Public Domain.

Rakan statues from the Kingdom of Kibi. Mysterious and very different from their neighbors. Source: 663highland / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Who Ruled in Kofun Japan?

October 5, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 5: Who Ruled Kofun Japan?

A Haniwa statue of a Kofun Period warrior holding a sword and wearing armor. While later samurai armor would utilize different materials, these statues are interesting for revealing that the actual style of the amor in Japan stayed relatively the same for more than a thousand years. Source: Tokyo National Museum / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Not every Haniwa was a person or animal – this one is a house! Public Domain

A partially-recovered haniwa statue featuring a fellow with a stylish hat! Source: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China / CC0

A Kofun-era crown. Bronze tends to turn green over time, but it probably looked stunning when it was first made. Source: PHGCOM / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The Kofun Way of War

October 1, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 4: The Kofun Way of War

A Kofun Period helm and cuirass, which as you can see would have covered a considerable portion of its user’s vital areas. Public Domain.

Closer view of a Kofun Helm, which was both protective and decorative. Just because you’re charging into battle doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous! Source: PHGCOM / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Kofun Period Shield, which looks quite sufficient for protecting its warrior from swords and arrows and such. Source: PHGCOM / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Hilts of Kofun swords, which as you can see are quite beautiful. Source: No machine-readable author provided. World Imaging assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The Korean States

September 28, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 3: The Korean States

Around 375 CE, the Korean Peninsula would have looked something like this. This would be the boundary of Baekje’s greatest expansion. Public Domain

One hundred years later, Koguryo (here labeled “Goguryeo”) would reach its greatest extent. Source: Myself / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

A relief painting of Koguryo soldiers. Their armor appears to be a kind of llamellar. I was unable to find a date for this work. Public Domain.

Seated Buddhas and standing Bodhisattvas produced by artisans of Koguryo. Though their pigments have worn away, they would have originally been covered in bright, cheerful colors. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidtrowbridge/ / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

A re-creation of a Gaya Confederation Soldier. Note the stylish collar and fashionable helmet flair. Source: dentarg / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

A recreation of Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in all of Baekje. Though this was built in 602, later than the present narrative, I think it nicely displays the capabilities of the Kingdom of Baekje and their culture. Source: Jjw / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A replica of the infamous Shichichido, or seven-branched sword. The real thing lies in a shrine somewhere in Japan and is rarely viewed. Source: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Unification and Collapse in China

September 24, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 2: Unificiation and Collapse in China

The three kingdoms of China in 262 CE. Looks neat and tidy enough here, but the next image should give a better idea of how chaotic this period actually was. Source: SY / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A time-lapse map showing the various warring states during and after the Han Dynasty’s Decline. Source: Three Kingdoms fan / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

The Jin Dynasty at its beginning in 280 CE. This is during what we now call the Western Jin Dynasty. Source: Ian Kiu / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

A Yue ware bowl from the Jin Dynasty period. Source: PHGCOM / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

A type of funerary urn called a Hunping Jar. This one features many Buddhist figures. Public Domain

The Eastern Jin Dynasty Period. Source: Javierfv1212 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

China in 402 CE, the Eastern Jin barely holding onto what they can. Source: SY / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

The Age of Tombs and Kings

September 21, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 1: The Age of Tombs and Kings

Osaka’s own Daisen-Kofun, alleged to be the resting place of Emperor Nintoku. Source: Copyright © National Land Image Information (Color Aerial Photographs), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism / Attribution

Aerial photo of two preserved Kofun located at uekeno Haniwa no Sato park in Takasaki. Source: 国土地理院 (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

The entrance to Himegozen Kofun on Kyushu. Impressive stonework! Source: Peka / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Gishi-Wajinden

September 3, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

The English translation of the Gishi-Wajinden which I used in this episode can be found here. It also has some great maps of Kyushu along with the possible locations of various Yayoi polities on its main page. Enjoy!