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Who Ruled in Kofun Japan?

October 5, 2020 justin-david-hebert Kofun, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on Who Ruled in Kofun Japan?
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 Kofun, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Kofun Way of War
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 Kofun, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Korean States
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 Kofun, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on Unification and Collapse in China
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 Kofun, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Age of Tombs and Kings
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 Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on Gishi-Wajinden

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!

Bonus: Excerpts From Chinese Philosophy

August 31, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on Bonus: Excerpts From Chinese Philosophy
Season 2, Episode 11: BONUS – Excerpts from Chinese Philosophy

Analects of Confucius (Kong Fuzi)

The Tao te Ching

The Han Feizi

The Art of War

Special thanks to Professor Anne Kinney for giving permission to use her translation of the Han Feizi.

Queen Himiko of Yamatai

August 27, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on Queen Himiko of Yamatai
A recreation of Queen Himiko from the Museum of Yayoi Culture. Source: Artanisen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mythology, Customs, and Religion

August 24, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on Mythology, Customs, and Religion
Season 2, Episode 9: Mythology, Customs, and Religion
A scale model of what Izumo Shrine may have looked like in ancient times. Source: Blue Lotus / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
The roof styles of this part of the Izumo complex are very reminiscent of Yayoi-style buildings. Source: Blue Lotus / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
No shrine in Japan is complete without massive ropes. This is Izumo Shrine’s Haiden, a building used for worship and prayer. Source: Miya.m / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
This is the Kagura of Ise Shrine, a building used for special prayers and the performance of classical dance. Public Domain.
A portion of the Naiku of Ise Shrine, a building dedicated to the worship of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Source: N yotarou / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Three Philosophies of Ancient China

August 20, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on Three Philosophies of Ancient China
Season 2, Episode 8: Three Philosophies of Ancient China
A depiction of Confucius from the later Tang Dynasty. Public Domain.
Xian’guting taoist temple in Weihai, Shandong province, China. Source: Popolon / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A statue of Shang Yang, famous contributor to the philosophy of Legalism. Source: Taken by Fanghong / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)