Tag: Japan

The Age of Uncertainty

Season 6, Episode 3: The Age of Uncertainty
A view of Hakata Bay from Noko Island, which the Jurchen pirates occupied as they raided northern Kyushu. Minus the large buildings and the modern ships, this is similar to what they would have seen from their base. Source: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Memorial stone marking the former location of Dazaifu Fortress. While it would still be many years before its final destruction, it would be destroyed and rebuilt many times during the Heian Period and beyond. Source: vigorous action, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Age of Hunger

Season 6, Episode 2: The Age of Hunger
The “Tatara” device used to refine iron sands into pig iron. The two bellows on either side needed to be constantly kept in motion for the process to work. Source: Tosaka, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The finished product of the Tatara – Tamahagane, or Pig Iron. As you can probably guess, it still has a long way to go before it is ready for the battlefield. Source: Loulasedna, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The “Mikazuki Munechika,” a tachi sword forged by the Yamashiro School sometime in the late 900s. Source: Sanjō Munechika, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The “Dojikiri Yasutsuna,” allegedly owned by Minamoto Yorimitsu. Source: Yasutsuna, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Age of Entertainment

Season 6, Episode 1: The Age of Entertainment
A miniature model of a Shinden-Zukuri style house. Source: Public Domain
A woman modeling the “Junihitoe” kimono style which was popular among noble ladies in the Heian Period. Source: Public Domain
An illustration by Tosa Mitsuoki from The Tale of Genji, featuring women and men in high court fashion during the Heian Period. Source: Public Domain

The Pirate King

Season 5, Episode 19: The Pirate King
A portrait of Fujiwara Sumitomo by a later artist, creator unknown. Source: Public Domain
The sites of Sumitomo’s various raids and his final battle. Original Map Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

Taira Treason

Season 5, Episode 18: Taira Treason
The final battles of Taira Masakado after his 939 consolidation of Kantō. Original Map Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Taira Masakado’s spooky daughter Takayasha-hime, holding a bell and a sword. The frog in the upper left corner, next to Masakado himself, is a verbal pun as the word KAERU can mean “frog” or “to return.”

Taira Troubles

Season 5, Episode 17: Taira Troubles
A famous painting of Taira Masakado trampling an enemy warrior whose tachi sword broke. Source: Public Domain
Taira Masakado’s battles against his cousin Taira Sadamori. Original Map Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

A Disturbance in Kantō

Season 5, Episode 16: A Disturbance in Kantō
The Kantō Region in Japan, with modern prefectural boundaries. Source: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A portrait of Taira Masakado created long after his time. This painting is a recreation as its original was destroyed in 1945. Source: Public Domain
The Kantō in the time of Taira Masakado. Locations are approximate. Base Map by Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sugawara Michizane’s Revenge

Season 5, Episode 15: Sugawara Michizane’s Revenge
The Dazaifu-Tenmangu Shrine, which features a beautiful cypress thatched roof and delicate decorative inlays. Source: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The “Flying Plum” Tree on the grounds of Dazaifu-Tenmangu Shrine. This is allegedly the plum tree which Sugawara Michizane wrote his famous poem to, and according to legend the tree flew to Dazaifu from Kyoto in order to be with its master. Source: Created by David Chart, 7 March 2004
The local specialty of the Dazaifu-Tenmangu shrine – a baked plum treat called an Umegaemochi! Source: Public Domain
The pagoda standing at Daigo-ji temple, the complex for which Emperor Daigo was posthumously named. Source: Public Domain
Daigo-ji temple’s Golden Hall. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
A path at Daigo-ji temple which is particularly lovely in autumn. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Emperor Daigo by an unknown artist, dated to the later Muromachi Period. Source: Public Domain

New Emperor, Old Rivalries

Season 5, Episode 14: New Emperor, Old Rivalries
A portrait of Sugawara Michizane by Kikuchi Yōsai. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Fujiwara Tokihira by an unknown artist. Source: Public Domain

The Reign of Emperor Uda

Season 5, Episode 13: The Reign of Emperor Uda
Emperor Uda, shown here in his retirement years living as a Buddhist monk. Source: Public Domain
The Golden Hall at Ninna-ji Temple, which is today a national treasure. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Some of the gardens on the temple grounds, which look like a nice tranquil space for contemplation. Source: Feitclub at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
The same garden from a different angle during what looks like early autumn. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
A sand garden on Ninna-ji’s grounds. Source: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Pagoda at Ninna-ji Temple. Source: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons