A History of Japan - Podcast

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.

Saichō’s Big Journey

July 1, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 2: Saichō’s Big Journey

Saichō depicted with some green tea leaves. Source: Yoshiaki Utagawa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Guoqing Temple Monastery atop Tiantai Mountain. It has been rebuilt and rennovated many times since Saichō studied Buddhism here in 804. Source: Siyuwj, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Lecture Hall at Enryaku-ji Temple, which has been rebuilt many times over the years. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ordination Hall at Enryaku-ji. The ability to ordain their own monks was critical in ensuring the denomiation’s independence from the Nara Schools. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

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

Another Fresh Start

June 28, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 5, Episode 1: Another Fresh Start

A good video featuring many of Japan’s traditional construction techniques. Some of these methods would have been used to construct the new capital, Heian-kyō

Part of the Kamo Shrine, which was built to the northeast of Heian-kyō to protect the city from demons. Source: Bariston, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A miniature model that recreates the Rajōmon – the main city gate for Heian-kyō. It is the basis of this season’s logo. Note the moat that borders the city outside of the wall. Source: Wikiwikiyarou, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

Nara Folk Tales – BONUS

March 8, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 4, Episode 17: Nara Folk Tales – BONUS

Visit the Japanese Historical Text Initiative!

Special thanks to the Association for Asian Studies for granting permission for me read aloud from Tales of Earth and Wind: A Translation of Fudoki, with Introduction and Commentaries!