Tag: Korea

The Imjin War, Part 2: Hideyoshi’s Crusade

September 7, 2023 justin-david-hebert Azuchi-Momoyama, Season 10 Comments Off on The Imjin War, Part 2: Hideyoshi’s Crusade

As the 1592 invasion of Korea continued, the Japanese armies enjoyed a rapid sequence of victories on land, dominating the peninsula in sieges and battles. Their quick success would soon become a liability, however, when the superior Joseon Navy started sinking supply ships and overcoming Japanese battle fleets.

The Imjin War, Part 1: A Storm From The East

September 4, 2023 justin-david-hebert Azuchi-Momoyama, Season 10 Comments Off on The Imjin War, Part 1: A Storm From The East

In 1592, the armies of Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea, engaging in wanton slaughter, merciless plundering, and surprisingly rapid success. Because the Joseon Kingdom was almost completely unprepared for this incursion, they would need to rely on the aid of Ming China to win back control of the peninsula.

The Perseverance of Joseon

April 13, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on The Perseverance of Joseon

In spite of suffering through the occasional violent coup, cruel tyrant, and political purge, the Joseon Dynasty showed real staying power throughout the 14- and 1500s and would even manage some impressive national accomplishments.

The Joseon Dynasty

December 12, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on The Joseon Dynasty

As the Yuan Dynasty fled China, two factions emerged in the Korean government – one which supported Yuan restoration and one which acknowledged the new Ming Dynasty. As a result, the Goryeo Dynasty collapsed and in its place arose the Joseon Dynasty.

Revenues and Expenditures

November 7, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on Revenues and Expenditures

Season 8, Episode 5: Revenues and Expenditures
The Toji Temple complex as it appears today in Kyoto, Japan. The Ashikaga heavily patronized the establishment in their day to enhance their reputation as rulers. Source: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Golden Pavilion, called “Kinkaku-ji” in Japanese. Source: User:Fbjon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A closer view of Kinkaku-ji. Source: Ondraness, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A closer view of the roof ornament, the Hoo bird, which symbolized imperial authority. Source: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Golden Age of Goryeo

November 4, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 6 2 Comments
Season 6, Episode 12: The Golden Age of Goryeo
The Royal flag of Goryeo, featuring a phoenix. Public Domain
A painting which features depictions of Goryeo nobility. Public Domain
A celedon bowl found in a tomb dating to 1159. Source: National Museum of Korea, KOGL Type 1 http://www.kogl.or.kr/open/info/license_info/by.do, via Wikimedia Commons
A celedon teapot from the Goryeo Dynasty (early 1100s) with exquisite inlaid designs and beautifully crafted textures. Public Domain
A celedon incense burner from the 1100s with cute rabbits for feet. Source: Steve46814, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Re-Unification of Korea

July 29, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 5 Comments Off on The Re-Unification of Korea
Season 5, Episode 10: The Re-Unification of Korea
What remains today of the island fortress of Cheonghaejin, Jang Bogo’s base of operations. While the trees have overgrown the rammed-earth walls, this picture gives some sense of how formidable the structure would have looked to marauding pirates. Source: Public Domain
A Map of the Korean Peninsula in 915 CE. Source: KJS615, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Royal Flag of the Goryeo Dynasty, featuring a Phoenix bird in flight. I think we can all agree that it is a pretty sweet flag. Source: Public Domain

Tang, Silla, and Balhae

January 14, 2021 justin-david-hebert Nara, Season 4 Comments Off on Tang, Silla, and Balhae
Season 4, Episode 4: Tang, Silla, and Balhae
A painting of Empress Wu Zetian from the 1700s, creator unknown. Public domain
Some of the statues of Fengxian Cave, part of the Longmen Grottos which Empress Wu commissioned and supported. Source: G41rn8, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dae Joyeong, also remembered as King Go of Balhae. Public domain
A Stele from Balhae. Source: pressapochista (a flickr user), CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Peninsular Entanglements

October 22, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on Peninsular Entanglements
Season 3, Episode 10: Peninsular Entanglements
A decorative roof tile from Koguryo, time period unknown. Source: Public Domain
A mural from a Koguryo tomb. Note that the bird at the center has three legs- this is a common spiritual symbol in Taoism which shows that Koguryo was adopting some aspects of Chinese culture. Source: Public Domain
A diagram from the First Koguryo-Sui War, which ended in a draw between the nations. Source: Qiushufang / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A map of the second Koguryo-Sui War, which ended in a dramatic defeat for the Sui Dynasty but also a costly victory for Koguryo. Source: Qiushufang / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

A Brief History of Buddhism

October 15, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on A Brief History of Buddhism
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/)