The Monks of War
By the late Heian Period, the four most influential temples in Japan all fielded their own private armies and frequently clashed with one another and with the government as well. One of the most famou...
25 Marras 202117min
Taira Triumph
In the aftermath of the Heiji Rebellion, the Ise Taira clan were now the de facto rulers of Japan. Their chieftain, Taira Kiyomori, would prove himself not only a brilliant military commander, but an ...
22 Marras 202121min
Minamoto Misgivings
When Taira Kiyomori and his entourage left the capital for a pilgrimage, Minamoto Yoshitomo and Fujiwara Yorinaga launched a coup, kidnapping the sitting Emperor Nijo and the retired Emperor Go-Shirak...
18 Marras 202120min
Who's in Charge Here?
When retired Emperor Toba died, jilted Emperor Sutoku would try to rally the samurai to his cause and force Emperor Go-Shirakawa from the throne by force. However, the sitting Emperor would also call ...
15 Marras 202119min
The Party Is Over
With the Insei government in charge, the Daijo-daikan continued to wilt. Some kuge, however, saw opportunity in an impending conflict between two retired Emperors over matters of succession.Support th...
11 Marras 202117min
Emperor Shirakawa's Loophole
Frustrated by obstruction from the Daijo-daikan, Emperor Shirakawa called it quits... or did he? In this episode, we explore his creation of a new kind of government which gave him the power he needed...
8 Marras 202118min
The Golden Age of Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty would lead the Korean Peninsula into a golden age of art, culture, and prosperity, but first it would have to deal with the aggression of the Liao Dynasty. Support the show My late...
4 Marras 202125min
The Dynasties of the North
In this episode, we will take a closer look at the lives of the people who lived in Manchuria, north of China, and their considerably powerful dynasties.Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Cr...
1 Marras 202123min
