Tag: History

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/)

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!

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/)

The Kingdoms of Korea

August 13, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on The Kingdoms of Korea
Season 2, Episode 6: The Kingdoms of Korea
Heaven Lake atop Baekdu Mountain, located in modern-day North Korea, where the mythical founder of Gojoseon was born. Source: Bdpmax / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
The Korean Peninsula during the early Han Dynasty. Source: Historiographer at the English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
After the 108 BCE conquest of Gojoseon. The southernmost purple commandery is Lelang, which would later be divided and Daifung Commandery created. Source: Xakyntos / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The Mandate of Heaven, Part 1

August 6, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on The Mandate of Heaven, Part 1
A jade ornament of a plumed bird dating to around 1200 BCE, near the end of Shang Dynasty rule. Source: Vassil / CC0
A Map of the approximate territory claimed by the Zhou Dynasty. Note the general proximity to the Korean Peninsula. Source: Territories_of_Dynasties_in_China.gif: Ian Kiu / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
A map of the Zhou states around the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Period. Source: SY / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A Temple of Confucius in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, originally built in 1684 CE, reconstructed in 1976 CE. Though many temples and statues are dedicated to the person of Kong-fuzi, none were built in his lifetime. Source: Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Bronze, Iron, Metallurgy, and Bells

August 3, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on Bronze, Iron, Metallurgy, and Bells
Han Dynasty Era bronze scale armor. Source: Gary Lee Todd / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A bronze mirror from the Eastern Han Dynasty Period. The mirror’s face is polished and reflective, while the back displays this impressive pattern. Public Domain.
Close-up of a Han ceramic model featuring crossbow-wielding soldiers in the guard tower. Source: PericlesofAthens / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A Dotaku bell from the Yayoi. I love this image because you can clearly see some of the artwork in the panels of the bell. Animals, birds, and other images probably had distinct meaning for the Yayoi people which is lost to us today. Public Domain.
A Dotaku featuring some stylish swirls on its outer edge. Source: I, Sailko / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)