The New And Improved Yamato State
Let's take a closer look at the reforms introduced by King Tenji and Emperor Tenmu to see what they intended to accomplish, at least on paper. I put a handy diagram of the newly-organized Yamato Stat...
16 Nov 202027min
The First Tenno
As Crown Prince Otama takes the throne, he adopts a new title which remains in use in Japan to this day and becomes Emperor Tenmu. Check out the supplemental post for images of the first and second T...
12 Nov 202028min
After the Soga Clan
In the aftermath of the Isshi Incident, High Prince Naka and his co-conspirators set to work reforming the government to more closely resemble the splendor and grandeur of the courts of Korea and Chin...
9 Nov 202026min
The Rise and Fall of the Soga Clan
Though the Soga Clan's origins are shrouded in mystery, by the 500s they had established themselves as one of the most powerful clans in Yamato. By the 600s they were wielding power even over the sove...
5 Nov 202025min
The Life of Crown Prince Shōtoku
Crown Prince Shōtoku cast a long shadow over Japanese history and influenced its society for centuries to come. In this episode, I attempt to separate the man from the myth as best as I possibly can. ...
2 Nov 202030min
The Fall of Baekje
Baekje was arguably Japan's most treasured foreign relation on the Korean Peninsula, so naturally the Yamato Court answered the call when Baekje needed them most. Whether they were able to reverse the...
29 Okt 202015min
The Rise of the Tang Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty came to an end, but unified China did not. The Tang Dynasty solidified the gains made under the Sui and soon turned their eyes toward expansion and conquest. Their actions would eventu...
26 Okt 202020min
Peninsular Entanglements
We turn our attention to the Korean Peninsula back to the mid-500s, a dramatic time for the kingdoms of Baekje, Silla, and Koguryo. As war engulfed the peninsula, however, a new power was rising to th...
22 Okt 202022min
