Tag: Japan

War Has Changed

March 23, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on War Has Changed

In this episode, we examine some of the many ways in which war during the Sengoku Period had a much different character from previous eras because of technology, economics, and necessity.

The Puppetmasters

March 20, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on The Puppetmasters

After Hosokawa Masamoto’s assassination, power was once again up for grabs and Ashikaga Yoshitane was determined to once more sit upon the shogunal throne. He was the first in a series of puppet shoguns elevated by ambitious daimyo who wielded power in their names.

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 Meio Coup

March 13, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on The Meio Coup
Season 9, Episode 3: The Meio Coup
A painting of Ashikaga Yoshitane, who was removed from power during the Meio Coup. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Hosokawa Masamoto, who instigated the Meio Coup which removed Ashikaga Yoshitane from power. Source: Public Domain
A photograph of Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion in which Ashikaga Yoshimasa spent his final years in retirement. Silver leaf was never added to its exterior in order to preserve the building the way that Yoshimasa himself would have seen it. Source: Oilstreet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An ink painting by Sesshu Toyo which marvelously represents Higashiyama style, being both detailed and having a depth of character thanks to ink wash technique. Source: Public Domain

The Kaga Rebellion

March 9, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on The Kaga Rebellion
Season 9, Episode 2: The Kaga Rebellion
Kaga Province (highlighted in red) was a hotbed of radical Ikko activity in the late 1400s. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A portrait of Rennyo, sitting with mala beads and a fan. Though the Ikko followed his teachings, they continually ignored his calls for peace and cooperation. Source: Public Domain
A statue of Rennyo which currently resides in Osaka. Source: The original uploader was Mind meal at English Wikipedia., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rebuilding Kyoto

March 6, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on Rebuilding Kyoto
Season 9, Episode 1: Rebuilding Kyoto
A painting of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshihisa, artist unknown. Yoshihisa would lead a short but active life as Shogun, but died at the age of 25 in 1489. Source: Public Domain
Yamashiro Province (shown in red) is home to Kyoto and experienced a series of peasant uprisings after the Onin War. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A drawing of Hatakeyama Yoshinari, the elder cousin of Hatakeyama Masanaga who sustained a long-term conflict over leadership of the Hatakeyama Clan as well as the rightful inheritor of the office of Kanrei. Source: Musuketeer.3, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The crest (mon) of the Rokkaku Clan, who rebelled against the Shogunate and then waged a long-term guerilla war against the Hokoshu. Source: Public Domain
Omi Province (shown in red) was the Rokkaku Clan’s home province and it was here that Shogun Ashikaga Yoshihisa died encamped against them. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Onin War Part II: The Fire Spreads

January 9, 2023 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on The Onin War Part II: The Fire Spreads

As the Onin War continued to ravage the capital, it sparked regional conflicts and forced the Shugo-daimyo and peasants to fend for themselves amid the civil war. When the war was over, the political power of the Shogunate reached an all-time low.

The Onin War, Part I – A Family Dispute

December 22, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on The Onin War, Part I – A Family Dispute

Ashikaga Yoshimasa wanted to retire from the office of Shogun, so he chose his brother Yoshimi to be his successor. In 1465, however, his wife gave birth to a son. As two powerful clans each threw their weight behind a different candidate, war became imminent.

The Rising Tide

December 19, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on The Rising Tide

After Yoshimitsu, the Ashikaga Shoguns would all try their hand at keeping the powerful shugo-daimyo clans in line. Ashikaga Yoshinori went to extreme lengths to dominate them, but paid the ultimate price.

The Pax Ashikaga

December 15, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on The Pax Ashikaga

In the closing years of the reign of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the Shogun would continue to reach ever higher for honors and titles which were usually reserved for sovereigns. He would also continue to refine Japan’s aesthetic tastes by patronizing Noh performances.