Tag: Emperor

The Imjin War, Part 1: A Storm From The East

September 4, 2023 justin-david-hebert Azuchi-Momoyama, Season 10 Comments Off on The Imjin War, Part 1: A Storm From The East

In 1592, the armies of Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea, engaging in wanton slaughter, merciless plundering, and surprisingly rapid success. Because the Joseon Kingdom was almost completely unprepared for this incursion, they would need to rely on the aid of Ming China to win back control of the peninsula.

The Reign of Hojo Yasutoki

May 16, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on The Reign of Hojo Yasutoki
Season 7, Episode 7: The Reign of Hojo Yasutoki
The tomb of Hojo Masako at Jufukuji Temple in Kamakura.
A drawing of Hojo Yasutoki, the third Shikken of the Kamakura Shogunate. Artist: Kurihara Nobumitsu. Source: Public Domain
Kujo Yoritsune, the fourth Shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate and the first Shogun not descended from Minamoto Yoritomo. Source: Public Domain
The signature of Kujo Yoritsune, which would have appeared on some official Shogunate documents. Source: Public Domain

The Jōkyū War

May 12, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on The Jōkyū War
Season 7, Episode 6: The Jōkyū War
A portrait of Emperor Tsuchimikado, who stayed out of the plotting that led to the Jōkyū War. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Emperor Juntoku, who arranged his own abdication so that he could be more involved in the plot against Kamakura. Source: Public Domain
The Kondo (Main Hall) of Toji Temple, where the imperial partisan holdouts likely took shelter and prepared to commit ritual suicide. Source: Michael Gunther, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Oki Islands (red), where Retired Emperor Go-Toba was exiled after the Jōkyū War. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sado Island (red), where Retired Emperor Juntoku was exiled after the Jōkyū War. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tosa Province (red) where Retired Emperor Tsuchimikado was exiled after the Jōkyū War. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Minamoto Yoritomo – The Man of the Hour

May 2, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on Minamoto Yoritomo – The Man of the Hour
Season 7, Episode 3: Minamoto Yoritomo – The Man of the Hour
A painting of Hojo Tokimasa. Note the bearskin boots, tachi sword, and bow. Artist: Utagawa Yoshitora Source: Public Domain
The area known as Fujino, where the Fuji no Makigari took place. Note the vast expanse of forest that covers the feet of Mount Fuji looming above. Source: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An illustrated page from the Soga Monogatari (The Tale of the Soga Brothers). In this panel, they are enacting their revenge by killing Kudo Suketsune. Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige. Source: Public Domain
An illustration of the aftermath of the Soga brothers’ assassination. In the background, the base of Mount Fuji can be seen. Artist: Utagawa Yoshitora. Source: Public Domain
Soga Tokimune being held back by Gosho Goromaru. Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. Source: Public Domain
A collage of images from the Fuji no Makigari procession of the Yokkaichi Festival, celebrated in Mie Prefecture. Children dressed as samurai shoot arrows into a papier-mache wild boar. Source: Hamadakko, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Reign of the Regents

October 7, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 6 Comments Off on The Reign of the Regents
Season 6, Episode 4: The Reign of the Regents
A painting of Emperor Murakami, seated in his fine robes and holding a folded fan. Source: Public Domain
A drawing of Fujiwara Saneyori by Kikuchi Yosai. Source: Public Domain
A drawing of Fujiwara Morosuke, also by Kikuchi Yosai. Source: Public Domain
The tomb of Emperor Reizei. Source: Public Domain
A painting of Emperor Kazan seated and holding a mala and a vajra, symbolizing his commitment to Buddhist practice. Source: Public Domain
A painting of Emperor Ichijo, seated. Source: Public Domain

A Tale of Two Courts

July 15, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 5 Comments Off on A Tale of Two Courts
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 Heian, Season 5 Comments Off on The Life and Times of Emperor Kammu
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

Another Fresh Start

June 28, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 5 Comments Off on Another Fresh Start
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

Emperors of Legend – BONUS

November 26, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on Emperors of Legend – BONUS
Season 3, Episode 20: Emperors of Legend – BONUS EPISODE
The legendary Emperor Jimmu, along with the three-legged crow (a common daoist symbol) that guided him. A woodblock print by nineteenth century artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年). Public Domain
Empress Jingu fighting in Korea. Woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年). Public Domain

The First Tenno

November 12, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The First Tenno
Season 3, Episode 16: The First Tenno
The short-lived and ill-fated King Kobun. Source: Public Domain
Emperor Temmu, the first Tenno, who made war against his nephew to secure the throne for himself. Source: Public Domain
Empress Jito, pictured alongside a poem attributed to her. Translation below. Source: Public Domain

The poem in the woodblock printing above, translated into English:
The spring has passed
And the summer come again
For the silk-white robes
So they say, are spread to dry
On Mount Kaguyama

The shared tomb of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jito in Asuka. Source: Takanuka, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons