Tag: Tenno

The Kemmu “Restoration”

October 24, 2022 justin-david-hebert Early Muromachi, Season 8 Comments Off on The Kemmu “Restoration”
Season 8, Episode 1: The Kemmu “Restoration”
A portrait of Emperor Go-Daigo, which depicts him as an enlightened ruler (the items in his hands are vajras, which are used in Shingon Buddhist rituals). Public Domain.
A statue of Prince Moriyoshi (also called Prince Morinaga) at a shrine in modern-day Kamakura. Public Domain.
A portrait of Kusunoki Masashige, a samurai who would later become a symbol of loyalty and martial virtue. Public Domain.
A portrait believed to depict Nawa Nagatoshi (top and bottom figures), who befriended Prince Moriyoshi in order to oppose Ashikaga Takauji. Public Domain.
A portrait believed to depict Ashikaga Takauji, shown here in his courtly garb but with a sword still on his hip. His act of disobedience would have vast repercussions for all of Japan. Public Domain.

The Reign of the Regents

October 7, 2021 justin-david-hebert Heian, Season 6 Comments Off on The Reign of the Regents
Season 6, Episode 4: The Reign of the Regents
A painting of Emperor Murakami, seated in his fine robes and holding a folded fan. Source: Public Domain
A drawing of Fujiwara Saneyori by Kikuchi Yosai. Source: Public Domain
A drawing of Fujiwara Morosuke, also by Kikuchi Yosai. Source: Public Domain
The tomb of Emperor Reizei. Source: Public Domain
A painting of Emperor Kazan seated and holding a mala and a vajra, symbolizing his commitment to Buddhist practice. Source: Public Domain
A painting of Emperor Ichijo, seated. Source: Public Domain

The First Tenno

November 12, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The First Tenno
Season 3, Episode 16: The First Tenno
The short-lived and ill-fated King Kobun. Source: Public Domain
Emperor Temmu, the first Tenno, who made war against his nephew to secure the throne for himself. Source: Public Domain
Empress Jito, pictured alongside a poem attributed to her. Translation below. Source: Public Domain

The poem in the woodblock printing above, translated into English:
The spring has passed
And the summer come again
For the silk-white robes
So they say, are spread to dry
On Mount Kaguyama

The shared tomb of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jito in Asuka. Source: Takanuka, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons