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-Shirakawa and murdering their opponents. What followed was a series of political purges, negligent missteps, and a bloody conclusion that would establish samurai domination over the government. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo,...
18 Nov 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 upon his own loyal samurai to defend his throne. The ensuing struggle led to the rise of the first samurai-led government in Japanese history. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other on...
15 Nov 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 the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!
11 Nov 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 to effectively overrule the Fujiwara clan.Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!
8 Nov 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 latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!
4 Nov 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 Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!
1 Nov 202123min
The Splendor of the Song Dynasty
After nearly a hundred years of fighting between petty states and half-baked dynasties, the Song Dynasty finally emerged as a unifying force in China. Under their leadership, China would make some impressive technological and cultural gains, forging a renaissance throughout East Asia in the 1000s. Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!
28 Okt 202126min
Another Fujiwara Clan?
In this episode, we will follow the further adventures of Minamoto Yoshiie, son of Yoriyoshi, as he is made the governor of Mutsu province and tries to take advantage of a local dispute.Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms!
25 Okt 202120min
