Episode 10: Blowhards, the Kamikaze Story
Did the Mongols get beaten by typhoons sent by the gods?
3 Feb 201134min
Episode 9: The Kamakura Dominance
2 Feb 201119min
Episode 8: Power Moves East
The names of Yoshitsune and Yoritomo of the Minamoto clan are legendary in Japanese history. But how did they seize power from the Taira? And how and why did they move the de facto capital to Kamaku...
1 Feb 201123min
Episode 7: Rule by the Sword
Taira Kiyomori spared the lives of Yoritomo and Yoshitsune - two young children at the time - in order, allegedly, to sleep with their mother. Ewwwww. But this is a cracking tale of revenge, bravery...
1 Jan 201121min
Episode 6 The Rise of the Warrior Class
In this episode we discuss the near-irrevocable usurpation of power by the warrior class; the samurai. For anyone thinking about going to Kyoto and Nara, lots of the places and names in this episode ...
1 Nov 201022min
Episode 4: Kyoto, Spooky Princes and Oppressed Peasants
Emperor Kammu builds Kyoto, gets pressured by a dead guy and the peasants do what they do best, get oppressed. Here is the script
15 Aug 201027min
Episode 3: Power, Violence, Sex and Nara
In this episode I discuss the construction of the huge temple complex in Nara, Todaiji, the domination of Buddhism and vengeance of Empress Shotoku. Here is the script
26 Juli 201025min
