A map of Japan with the Tohoku region highlighted. While today it is composed of six prefectures, in the Nara Period it had only two administrative divisions: Dewa and Mutsu. Source: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Season 4, Episode 12: The Reign of Empress Shōtoku
A statue of Wake Kiyomaro, the man who was sent to verify the gods’ message at Usa Hachimangu and instead risked his life by refusing to distort the oracle he was given. This statue is fairly historically accurate, right down to the Jian-style straight-bladed sword which was still common during the Nara Period. Source: by Reggaeman, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Season 4, Episode 10: The Short But Eventful Reign of Emperor Junnin
We didn’t cover the An Lushan Rebellion in depth this episode, but you can see its massive scale on this battle map. It’s not surprising, given the huge areas of land involved, that such massive casualties resulted from this affair. Source: SY, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Because his reign was so short, and because he was prevented from accomplishing much during what little time he had, Emperor Junnin was not a popular figure among Japanese artists. Thus, all I have to show you is his tomb. Source: Public Domain
Todaiji as it exists today. You can get an idea of its sheer mass by comparing its size with the people in the foreground. Source: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A scale model of Todaiji as it existed in Emperor Shōmu’s time. It was actually larger than the massive structure that exists today. Source: 名古屋太郎, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Daibutsu statue at Todaiji. This monument has also suffered its share of tragedy throughout history, as the original head fell off in 855 and had to be remade. Source: Public Domain
The ruins of Kuni-kyō, one of many capitals which Emperor Shōmu attempted to construct. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Fujiwara Hirotsugu riding a horse into battle. Artist: Kikuchi Yōsai, Source: Public Domain
A relief map of Kyūshū, which I include so that you can see the many mountainous regions of its interior and how easy it would be for an army to be delayed passing through there. Source: Flappiefh, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fujiwara Umakai, the third son of Fuhito. Notice the sword at his hip, indicating his status as a military leader. Artist: Kikuchi Yōsai, Source: Public Domain
Tachibana Moroe, being carried on a palanquin by his servants. Artist: Kikuchi Yōsai, Source: Public Domain
Statue of Genbō displayed in Kofukuji Monastery. Originally scuplted in the late 1180s by Kōkei. Source: Public Domain
Kibi Makibi peaks out from behind a pillar. Artist: Kikuchi Yōsai, Source: Public Domain
A later ink painting of two Emishi, on the right.. Although this work originates in 1069, it still gives a good impression of the Yamato court’s impression of their northern neighbors. Author unknown, image public domain.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Tachibanano_Moroe.jpg/1200px-Tachibanano_Moroe.jpg" alt="Tachibanano Moroe.jpg)
