Tag: History

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!

Queen Himiko of Yamatai

August 27, 2020 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

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 Comments Off

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 Comments Off

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 Comments Off

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/)