Tag: Samurai

The Meiji Revolution

October 31, 2024 justin-david-hebert Meiji, Season 13 0 Comments
Season 13, Episode 2: The Meiji Revolution
A photograph of Emperor Meiji in traditional dress. 1872. Source: Public Domain
A photograph of Emperor Meiji in a military uniform, 1872. Source: Public Domain
A photograph of Emperor Meiji (center, in white court dress) surrounded by various advisors and attendants at the official inauguration of the Yokosuka arsenal in 1872. Source: Public Domain
A map featuring Japan’s Prefectures, which were created in 1871 to replace the abolished feudal domains. Colors indicate regions: gray is Kyushu, light purple is Shikoku, orange is Chugoku, purple is Kansai, teal is Chubu, green is Kanto, yellow is Tohoku, red is Hokkaido. Source: Public Domain
A 50 Sen coin which was issued in 1870. 100 Sen was equivalent to 1 Yen. Source: As6673, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A 5 Yen coin issued in 1870. Although today the Yen is relatively low in individual value (worth about one single US penny), its value was initially high enough to require two subdivision coins – the sen(1/100) and the rin (1/1,000). Source: As6673, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Dragon of Echigo and The Tiger of Kai

April 20, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on The Dragon of Echigo and The Tiger of Kai

Rival daimyo holding long-term grudges and engaging in massive feuds was a common feature of Sengoku Jidai, but there were two daimyo in particular whose rivalry would become the stuff of legend.

Sengoku “States” Part III

April 3, 2023 justin-david-hebert Season 9, Sengoku Jidai Comments Off on Sengoku “States” Part III

In this third installment of the Sengoku States series, we follow the activities of the Shimazu Clan on Kyushu, the Chosokabe Clan on Shikoku, and the Miyoshi Clan on Shikoku and in Kansai during the early-to-mid 1500s.

Taira Triumph

November 22, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 6 Comments Off on Taira Triumph
Season 6, Episode 17: Taira Triumph
The Taira Clan Crest (Mon) – a stylized butterfly. Source: Júlio Reis and Misogi, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
A painting of Taira Kiyomori completed long after his lifetime. In this image, he is attempting to command the sun to stay in the sky so that construction can continue at Itsukushima Shrine. Source: Public Domain
Itsukushima Shrine, shown at high tide when the temple complex appears to float upon the water. Source: JohnnyOneSpeed, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Honden (Main Hall) of the Itsukushima Shrine, which displays the double-roofed style of Shinden-Zukuri. Source: scarletgreen from Japan, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The bridge which connects the shrine to Miyajima, shown here at low tide. Source: David Ooms from Belgium, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Itsukushima Shrine at low tide. Source: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A drawing depicting Taira Kiyomori in his old age. Source: Public Domain

Another Fujiwara Clan?

October 25, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 6 Comments Off on Another Fujiwara Clan?
Season 6, Episode 9: Another Fujiwara Clan?
Minamoto Yoshiie holding a war fan with an attendant. Public Domain
An illustrated scroll portraying the Later Three Years War, or Gosannen War. Public Domain
Fujiwara Kiyohira, the founder of the Northern Fujiwara Clan. Public Domain

The Age of Uncertainty

October 4, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 6 Comments Off on 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 Taira and Minamoto Clans

July 19, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 5 Comments Off on 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