History - A History of Japan

The Rise of the Tang Dynasty

October 26, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 11: The Rise of the Tang Dynasty

Sui Dynasty Provinces circa 610 CE. Note that the Liaodong peninsula in the northeast is still under Koguryo’s control and that the Xiyu States in the west are still not under Chinese suzerainty. Source: Yug / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The Tang dynasty campaign to subjugate the Xiyu States in the mid 600s. This map is especially helpful because of its inclusion of the Silk road routes. Source: Yug / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

A 1920 Illustration of an embassy from the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) visiting the court of the Tang Dynasty in 643 CE. Source: Public Domain

Expand to see the Tang Dynasty in 700 CE – HISTORY SPOILER WARNING

The Tang Dynasty in 700. If you don’t want spoilers, don’t look too closely! Source: Ian Kiu / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Peninsular Entanglements

October 22, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 10: Peninsular Entanglements

A decorative roof tile from Koguryo, time period unknown. Source: Public Domain

A mural from a Koguryo tomb. Note that the bird at the center has three legs- this is a common spiritual symbol in Taoism which shows that Koguryo was adopting some aspects of Chinese culture. Source: Public Domain

A diagram from the First Koguryo-Sui War, which ended in a draw between the nations. Source: Qiushufang / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A map of the second Koguryo-Sui War, which ended in a dramatic defeat for the Sui Dynasty but also a costly victory for Koguryo. Source: Qiushufang / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Buddhism Comes to Japan

October 19, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 9: Buddhism Comes to Japan

The front of Asuka-dera temple’s main hall. Though originally built in Asuka, it was later moved to Heijo-kyo (Nara City), where it stands today. It is believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, possibly **the** oldest. Source: 663highland / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The Daibutsu (large Buddha) statue which resides in Asuka-dera. Made in 609 CE by Kuratsukuri no Tori, the son of a Korean immigrant. Source: Chris 73 / Wikimedia Commons

The Pagoda of Shitenno-ji temple in modern-day Osaka. This temple, dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings or Four Guardians, was built in 593 CE under the alleged patronage of Crown Prince Shotoku. Source: Chris Gladis from Kyoto, Japan / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

The Main Hall of Shitenno-ji, with the pagoda visible behind it. Source: 663highland / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

A Brief History of Buddhism

October 15, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 3, Episode 8: A Brief History of Buddhism

Dharmarajika stupa near Taxila, Pakistan. Originally built circa 300 BCE, it displays a classic semi-hemispherical design typical of Indian stupas. Source: Sasha Isachenko / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Sanchi Stupa, dated to around 125 BCE, is the first known stupa to feature decorative reliefs. It is located in north-central India, in Madhya Pradesh. Source: Kevin Standage (kevinstandage1@googlemail.com) INDIAN TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

The Indo-Greek Buddhists carved their temples out of nearby caves. These pillars mark the entrance to Cave 17 in the Nasik Caves. Source: Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

A standing Buddha carved into the walls of Cave 17 of the Nasik Caves. Source: Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Seated Buddha from the Indo-Greek Kingdom. Note that rather than a more asiatic-style robe, he wears a toga. Source: PHGCOM / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A Statue of Athena recovered from the Indo-Greek Kingdom. Source: Uploadmo / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The many statues of Longmen Grottoes in Henan, China, which began construction during the late 400s and continued, on and off, through the late 600s. As you can hopefully see from the presence of tourists, some of these statues are quite large! Source: WikiLaurent / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda of Xi’an, China. The original was built from rammed earth during the reign of Emperor Gaozong in 652 CE, but it collapsed after fifty years and was rebuilt during the reign of Empress Wu Zitan near the end of Japan’s Asuka Period. Source: Alex Kwok / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Who Ruled in Kofun Japan?

October 5, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

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/)

Unification and Collapse in China

September 24, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

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 Comments Off

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 Comments Off

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!