A History of Japan

The Fall of the Ashikaga - A History of Japan

Beleaguered and surrounded by enemies, Oda Nobunaga nearly fell into a deadly trap while seeking battle against the Asakura Clan of northern Omi Province. Then the Takeda Clan started stabbing...

The Road to Kyoto - A History of Japan

After conquering Mino Province, Oda Nobunaga needed to not only carve a path to the capital itself, but extend his control over a broad section of the Kansai region.

Tenka Fubu - A History of Japan

The Fool of Owari - A History of Japan

Oda Nobuhide, the famous "Tiger of Owari," passed away unexpectedly in 1551, leaving his branch of the Oda Clan in the hands of his son, a rude young man with little sense of propriety or politics...

The Dragon of Echigo and The Tiger of Kai - A History of Japan

Rival daimyo holding long-term grudges and engaging in massive feuds was a common feature of Sengoku Jidai, but there were two daimyo in particular whose rivalry would become the stuff of legend.

A Shogunate, If You Can Keep It - A History of Japan

The continuing adventures of the ambitious Miyoshi Clan leaders led to a series of destructive conflicts throughout Kansai that eventually left the remnant of the Bakufu wholly dependent upon...

The Perseverance of Joseon - A History of Japan

In spite of suffering through the occasional violent coup, cruel tyrant, and political purge, the Joseon Dynasty showed real staying power throughout the 14- and 1500s and would even manage some...

The Decline of the Ming Dynasty - A History of Japan

The Ming Dynasty approached its peak, before rapidly declining due to corruption, graft, and a gradual decline in the quality of its burueacucrats.

Nanban Jidai - A History of Japan

In the mid-1500s, a Portuguese ship sought safe harbor from Tsukushima Island and thus began a robust, vibrant trade relationship between two distant powers. In addition to guns, silks, and exotic...

Sengoku “States” Part III - A History of Japan

In this third installment of the Sengoku States series, we follow the activities of the Shimazu Clan on Kyushu, the Chosokabe Clan on Shikoku, and the Miyoshi Clan on Shikoku and in Kansai during the...

Sengoku “States” Part II - A History of Japan

This episode broadly covers the developments in the Date, Oda, and Mori Clans during the first half of the 1500s.

Sengoku “States” Part I - A History of Japan

This episode broadly covers the developments in the Imagawa, Takeda, and Uesugi Clans during the first half of the 1500s.

War Has Changed - A History of Japan

In this episode, we examine some of the many ways in which war during the Sengoku Period had a much different character from previous eras because of technology, economics, and necessity.

The Puppetmasters - A History of Japan

After Hosokawa Masamoto's assassination, power was once again up for grabs and Ashikaga Yoshitane was determined to once more sit upon the shogunal throne. He was the first in a series of puppet...

The Rise of Hojo - A History of Japan

The Meio Coup - A History of Japan

The Kaga Rebellion - A History of Japan

Rebuilding Kyoto - A History of Japan

The Onin War Part II: The Fire Spreads - A History of Japan

As the Onin War continued to ravage the capital, it sparked regional conflicts and forced the Shugo-daimyo and peasants to fend for themselves amid the civil war. When the war was over, the political...