Tag: Hojo

Kanto and Tohoku

August 31, 2023 justin-david-hebert Azuchi-Momoyama, Season 10 Comments Off on Kanto and Tohoku

After campaigning in Shikoku and Kyushu, the only remaining regions still just outside of Hideyoshi’s grasp were Kanto and Tohoku, who would both soon be brought into line.

The Rise of Hojo

March 16, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on The Rise of Hojo
Season 9, Episode 4: The Rise of Hojo
Suruga Province (in red) was the primary domain of the Imagawa Clan, whom Ise Shinkuro fought for and won his early influence. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Izu Province (in red), where Hojo Soun installed himself as shugo during the succession troubles of the Kanto Kubo. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sagami Province (in red), where Hojo Soun would gradually conquer until both it and Izu to its south were both part of the Hojo domain. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Musashi Province (in red), where the ongoing struggles of the Uesugi clan made for a tempting expansion target for Hojo Soun. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A statue commemorating Hojo Soun’s conquest of Odawara Castle by attaching torches to cattle horns to mimic the sight of a huge army. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Hojo Soun inhis later years in the habit of a Buddhist monk. Source: Public Domain

The Kemmu “Restoration”

October 24, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on The Kemmu “Restoration”
Season 8, Episode 1: The Kemmu “Restoration”
A portrait of Emperor Go-Daigo, which depicts him as an enlightened ruler (the items in his hands are vajras, which are used in Shingon Buddhist rituals). Public Domain.
A statue of Prince Moriyoshi (also called Prince Morinaga) at a shrine in modern-day Kamakura. Public Domain.
A portrait of Kusunoki Masashige, a samurai who would later become a symbol of loyalty and martial virtue. Public Domain.
A portrait believed to depict Nawa Nagatoshi (top and bottom figures), who befriended Prince Moriyoshi in order to oppose Ashikaga Takauji. Public Domain.
A portrait believed to depict Ashikaga Takauji, shown here in his courtly garb but with a sword still on his hip. His act of disobedience would have vast repercussions for all of Japan. Public Domain.

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

The Twilight of the Kamakura Bakufu

June 9, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on The Twilight of the Kamakura Bakufu
Season 7, Episode 14: The Twilight of the Kamakura Bakufu
A painting of Emperor Go-Uda, who acted as sitting Emperor from 1274-1287
Emperor Fushimi, who reigned as Tenno from 1287-1298. Public Domain
Emperor Go-Fushimi, who reigned as sitting Emperor from 1298-1301. Public Domain
Emperor Go-Nijo, who sat upon the Chrysanthemum Throne from 1301-1308. Public Domain
Emperor Hanezane, who served as Tenno from 1308-1318. Public Domain
Emperor Go-Daigo, whose determination to rule outright as Emperor brought about the Genko War. Public Domain

The Mongols Are Gone… Or Are They?

June 6, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on The Mongols Are Gone… Or Are They?
Season 7, Episode 13: The Mongols Are Gone… Or Are They?
A contemporary portrait of Kublai Khan created by an artist named Araniko. Public Domain
The Yuan Dynasty at its greatest extent under Kublai Khan, in 1294. Source: Yuen_Dynasty_1294.png: Ian Kiuderivative work: Idh0854, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A painting by Kikuchi Yosai of the Kamikaze Typhoon which laid waste to the Yuan Dynasty Fleet. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Nichiren, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, who died in 1282. Artist: Fujiwara-no Chikayasu. Public Domain
A portrait of Hojo Sadatoki drawn by artist Kurihara Nobumitsu. Public Domain
Konponji Temple, where Nichiren taught and worked during his exile on Sado Island. Source: Torbenbrinker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Mongol Invasions of Japan

June 2, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on The Mongol Invasions of Japan
Season 7, Episode 12: The Mongol Invasions of Japan
A copy of the original letter sent to Japan by Kublai Khan. Remember that Japanese is read from the top down and right-to-left. Public Domain
A portrait of Hojo Tokimune, who was the Shikken (Shogun’s Regent) during both Mongol Invasions. Public Domain
A map illustrating both invasions. Source: Qiushufang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stoneware bombs from the invasions. The lumpy bits on the outside are barnacles. Source: 震天動地, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An illustration of Samurai boarding a Mongol vessel. Public Domain
Another such illustration of Japanese ships hunting for unobservant Mongol craft. Public Domain
A map of Sakhalin Island, which is the central body of land. Directly west is northern Manchuria. Public Domain

Pax Kamakura

May 19, 2022 justin-david-hebert Kamakura, Season 7 Comments Off on Pax Kamakura
A portrait of Hojo Tsunetoki, author unknown. Source: Public Domain
A painting of Hojo Tokiyori, who is remembered as one of the most brilliant of the Hojo Regents. Source: Public Domain
The signature of Hojo Tokiyori, which would have appeared on official documents. Source: Public Domain
A drawing of Hojo Nagatoki, who ruled in the shadow of the retired Tokiyori. Source: Public Domain
Hojo Masamura, who served as the Shogun’s Regent after Nagatoki retired. He was the half-brother of Hojo Yasutoki. Source: Public Domain

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