The War with China, Part 2

In this episode we turn our attention to another Buddhist Monk who traveled to China and returned with new Sutras, new rituals, and even founded a new sect. Kūkai brought new esoteric practices to Jap...

5 Jul 202127min

In this episode, we will join Saichō, an important Buddhist reformer in the 800s, as he travels to China, returns to Japan, and proceeds to change the face of Japanese Buddhism forever. For a pictur...

1 Jul 202116min

In 794, Emperor Kammu succeeded in moving the imperial court to the shiny new capital of Heian-Kyō. In this episode, we will explore the consequences of that decision as well as the decisions the Tenn...

28 Jun 202123min

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!

15 Mar 20212min

In this episode, we'll explore some of the extant folk tales from the Nara Period which come from the Fudoki accounts.Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon,...

8 Mar 202123min

In this special bonus episode, we'll explore the poetic talents of various individuals from the Nara Period, some of whom we know and some who will be new to us today.Check out the supplemental post ...

1 Mar 202112min

Emperor Kammu took the throne as the first sovereign of Japan who descended from Baekje stock. He had big plans for the nation - intensifying the war against the Emishi, building a new capital and, wh...

22 Feb 202122min

The reign of Emperor Kōnin was off to a rocky start when his Empress was accused of practicing witchcraft to subvert the state. Prince Yamabe, originally passed over for the office of Tennō because of...

18 Feb 202119min