Tag: Japan

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

The Regent is Dead, Long Live the Regent!

Season 5, Episode 12: The Regent is Dead, Long Live the Regent!
A drawing of the Regent Fujiwara by Kikuchi Yosai. Source: Public Domain
A drawing by Kikuchi Yosai of Fujiwara Mototsune coyly looking on from behind a pillar. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Emperor Yozei, artist unknown. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Emperor Kōkō by Shunsho Katsukawa. Source: Public Domain

The First Child Emperor

Season 5, Episode 11: The First Child Emperor
A portrait of Emperor Seiwa, the first child Emperor. His ascension marks the first appointment of a regent who was not a member of the Royal family. Fujiwara Yoshifusa served as Sesshō, a regent who governs on behalf of a child. Source: Public Domain
The kami Hachiman, here portrayed sitting upon a lotus blossom in his syncretized form as a Boddhisattva. In his left hand he holds a mala bracelet for keeping track of mantra recitation, and in his right hand he holds a shokujō, a staff wielded by traveling Buddhist priests to protect themselves from wild animals. Source: Public Domain
The Iwashimizu-Hachimangū Shrine in modern-day Kyoto. It probably looked much different in its original construction, and has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. Source: Public Domain
A portion of the Isaniwa Shrine on Shikoku Island, a fine demonostration of the Hachiman-zukuri style I mentioned in today’s episode. While at first glance the object in the center appears to be two buildings, it is actually a single structure with two tandem roofs. Source: Public Domain

The Rise of the Fujiwara

Season 5, Episode 8: The Rise of the Fujiwara
The Fujiwara Clan crest: two hanging Wisteria blossoms (The “Fuji” part of Fujwara literally means Wisteria). Source: Mukai, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fujiwara Otsugu, sitting here with his Koto, a type of floor harp. Source: Kikuchi Yōsai, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A portrait of Emperor Junna. Source: PatrickWhat, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A portrait of Emperor Nimmyo. Source: Unknown authorUnknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Taira and Minamoto Clans

Season 5, Episode 7: The Taira and Minamoto Clans
The crest of the Taira Clan: a butterfly. Source: Júlio Reis and Misogi, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
The crest of the Minamoto Clan: three flowers over bamboo leaves. Source: 百楽兎, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Map of Japan with the Kantō region highlighted. Members of the Taira Clan settled throughout the region early on, though that will change by this season’s end… Source: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Tale of Two Courts

Season 5, Episode 6: A Tale of Two Courts
Emperor Saga, painted much later in the 1400s. Source: 日本語: 不明(伝小野篁)English: Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Map of Japan with Yamato Province highlighted. This is where Emperor Heizei and his allies found themselves isolated as Sakanoue Tamuramaro closed all the paths that led to neighboring provinces. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons