Tag: Korea

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/)

The Korean States

September 28, 2020 justin-david-hebert Kofun, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Korean States
Season 3, Episode 3: The Korean States
Around 375 CE, the Korean Peninsula would have looked something like this. This would be the boundary of Baekje’s greatest expansion. Public Domain
One hundred years later, Koguryo (here labeled “Goguryeo”) would reach its greatest extent. Source: Myself / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A relief painting of Koguryo soldiers. Their armor appears to be a kind of llamellar. I was unable to find a date for this work. Public Domain.
Seated Buddhas and standing Bodhisattvas produced by artisans of Koguryo. Though their pigments have worn away, they would have originally been covered in bright, cheerful colors. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidtrowbridge/ / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
A re-creation of a Gaya Confederation Soldier. Note the stylish collar and fashionable helmet flair. Source: dentarg / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
A recreation of Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in all of Baekje. Though this was built in 602, later than the present narrative, I think it nicely displays the capabilities of the Kingdom of Baekje and their culture. Source: Jjw / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A replica of the infamous Shichichido, or seven-branched sword. The real thing lies in a shrine somewhere in Japan and is rarely viewed. Source: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

East Asian Trade

August 17, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on East Asian Trade
Season 2, Episode 7: East Asian Trade
Knife Money, objectively the coolest form of legal tender ever created. These knives come from the Yan State. Source: PENG Yanan (Neo-Jay) / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
A map of the silk road, which connected the far east and the far west and encouraged trade and idea exchange. Source: Kelvin Case / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A coin bearing the image of Roman Emperor Constantius II, found in the Xinjiang region of China. Public Domain.

The Kingdoms of Korea

August 13, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on The Kingdoms of Korea
Season 2, Episode 6: The Kingdoms of Korea
Heaven Lake atop Baekdu Mountain, located in modern-day North Korea, where the mythical founder of Gojoseon was born. Source: Bdpmax / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
The Korean Peninsula during the early Han Dynasty. Source: Historiographer at the English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
After the 108 BCE conquest of Gojoseon. The southernmost purple commandery is Lelang, which would later be divided and Daifung Commandery created. Source: Xakyntos / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)