Tag: Bakufu

Bakumatsu, Part 2: Blood in the Streets

May 30, 2024 justin-david-hebert Later Edo, Season 12 Comments Off on Bakumatsu, Part 2: Blood in the Streets

After the assassination of Ii Naosuke, political violence became a new norm. The Shogunate was deeply troubled when a rebellion began in its own backyard of northern Kanto, in Mito Domain.

The Black Ships

May 23, 2024 justin-david-hebert Later Edo, Season 12 Comments Off on The Black Ships
Season 12, Episode 10: The Black Ships
A photograph of Commodore Matthew C. Perry toward the end of his life, around 1856. Commodore Perry succeeded in forcing Japan to open its nation to foreign trade in 1854. Source: Public Domain
A Japanese illustration of one of Commodore Perry’s Black Ships. Source: Public Domain
A Japanese illustration depicting Perry (center) sitting amid some of his officers. Source: Public Domain
An illustration of the second fleet which Perry brought to Japan when he returned in 1854. Source: Public Domain
This statue of Perry stands in the city of Newport in the state of Rhode Island. Source: Ahodges7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pillars of Resistance

May 20, 2024 justin-david-hebert Later Edo, Season 12 Comments Off on Pillars of Resistance

Throughout the 1840s, various groups sought to find solutions to repeated violations of sakoku and questioned the ability of the shogunate to practically defend the country if there was an actual invasion. Many came to very different conclusions.

The Pax Edo

January 18, 2024 justin-david-hebert Early Edo, Season 11 Comments Off on The Pax Edo

The Early Edo Period was a time of newfound stability for the formerly chaotic Japanese archipelago. Although the samurai were the official ruling class of the nation, however, in many ways they were not the principle beneficiaries of the new national status quo.

The Righteous Reign of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi

January 15, 2024 justin-david-hebert Early Edo, Season 11 Comments Off on The Righteous Reign of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi

The tenure of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was marked by a fervent support of Neo-Confucian reforms, some of which were extremely radical and some of which were downright wacky. It was during his reign that the events surrounding the tale of the forty-seven ronin occurred.

Iemitsu’s Marvelous Machine

December 18, 2023 justin-david-hebert Early Edo, Season 11 Comments Off on Iemitsu’s Marvelous Machine

The reign of Tokugawa Iemitsu proved to be a stabilizing force in Japanese politics, as he defined the duties of the various office-holders throughout the Bakufu which helped make the Edo Shogunate the longest-lasting samurai government in Japanese history.

Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Big Move

December 4, 2023 justin-david-hebert Early Edo, Season 11 2 Comments

Shortly after the foundation of the new shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu gradually makes his fortified city Edo into the new unofficial political capital of Japan. He needed to proceed carefully, however, to avoid offending the powerful daimyo who still supported young Toyotomi Hideyori.

Shikata Ga Nai

December 1, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on Shikata Ga Nai

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu retires… or does he? The Ouchi clan seizes its moment but faces off against the Shogun’s private army – the Hokoshu. We also explore the differences and similarities between the Muromachi Bakufu and the Kamakura Shogunate.

#History #Japan #Podcast #Muromachi #Yoshimitsu #MedievalJapan #Shikataganai

The Genkō War, Part II

June 16, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on 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

June 13, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on 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