In this episode we introduce one of Japan’s three Great Unifiers. His rise to power was certainly not easy and could easily have relegated him to the status of also-ran.
The Portuguese bumped into Japan in 1543 and brought with them guns and god. In this podcast we will hear about how Japan received these products of the west.
War in medieval Japan was a colourful bonanza - bravery, cowardice and accounting!
The word sengoku means 'chaotic states' or 'warring states/countries' and 'jidai' means 'age - like 'iron age'. Betrayal, destruction, suffering and despair. It's every man for himself - and a few men rose to the top.
The peasants of Japan finally get their turn at dealing out violence!
Every tourist who goes to Kyoto goes here - but its story, and that of the Silver Pavilion, are not well known
Did the Mongols get beaten by typhoons sent by the gods?
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 Kamakura and usher in a new age in Japanese governance.
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 and betrayal.