The First Shogun

The TV series "Shogun" brings Japanese history to life, but who was the first Shogun? In the first episode of this new podcast series, Sean Bermingham explores Minamoto no Yoritomo's extraordinary rise to power in medieval Japan, amidst the dramatic backdrop of the Gempei War - an epic clash between two rival samurai clans, the Genji and the Heike. We'll see how the Tale of the Heike was passed down over generations by traveling storytellers - and in a secluded temple cemetery, we'll accompany a brave musician who has an unearthly encounter with samurai spirits from a vanished age...Places mentioned in this episode:Kitano Tenmangu Treasure House, Kyoto - the shrine preserves an ancient sword believed to be the Genji heirloom 'higekiri' : https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220826/p2a/00m/0et/037000cAkama Shrine, Shimonoseki - shrine dedicated to the boy-Emperor Antoku and the Heike who died at Dan-no-Ura; the setting for the tale of Hoichi the Earless:https://en.japantravel.com/yamaguchi/akama-shrine/17401Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

The first Shogun - Yoritomo of the Genji - was born more than 800 years ago. In this episode we explore the amazing background of Yoritomo's Genji clan - a real-life medieval mix of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. And then we see how his father Yoshitomo prepared to protect the samurai honor, by standing against his own family...Places mentioned in this episode:Rashomon Gate - made famous by Akira Kurosawa's 1950 film - once stood at the southern entrance to the city of Heian (Kyoto). Nothing remains today except a small memorial in a children's playground. You can see what it once looked at the nearby Kyoto JR station, which has a scale model of the original gate. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/rajomon-gateThe Shogunzuka mound - or Mound of the General - is located in the eastern mountains overlooking Kyoto. It marks the site where the Emperor Kammu first surveyed the valley where he would build the nation's new capital, Kyoto.https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3954_shogunzuka.htmlWritten and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

It is the year 1156 in the Japanese imperial capital. Two rival Emperors face each other across the Kamo river, each supported by warriors of the Heike and Genji clans.Watching is the nine-year-old Yoritomo. One day he will become Japan's first Shogun. But for now, all he can do is hope that his father has chosen the right side. Key figures in this episode:West of the river:- Go-Shirakawa (reigning Emperor of Japan)- Shinzei (Go-Shirakawa's senior advisor)- Yoshitomo (Genji heir, eldest son of Tameyoshi)- Yoritomo (Yoshitomo's son; future First Shogun)- Kiyomori (Head of the Heike clan)East of the river:- Sutoku (Retired Emperor, Go-Shirakawa's elder brother)- Tameyoshi (Head of the Genji clan; Yoshitomo's father)- Tamatomo (Yoshitomo's younger brother; a giant)- Tadamasa (Heike commander; uncle of Kiyomori)Written and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

It is now the year 1160 and Yoshitomo, the head of the Genji samurai clan, is preparing an audacious plot to topple the Emperor's chief advisor Shinzei, the man who ordered the deaths of his father and brothers. But can he carry out his plan in time before his deadliest rival, Lord Kiyomori of the Heike Clan, returns to the Capital?Key figures in this episode:The Genji:Yoshitomo - Head of the Genji clanYoritomo - Yoshitomo's12-year-old son; future First ShogunAkugenda - Yoritomo's elder brotherYorimasa - Genji general; Yoritomo's cousinMasakiyo - Yoshitomo's deputyLady Tokiwa - Yoshitomo's mistressThe Heike:Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clanShigemori - Kiyomori's eldest sonYorimori - Kiyomori's younger brotherLady Ike - Kiyomori's step-motherIto Kagetsuna - Heike retainerThe Imperial Court:Nijo - the 17-year-old Emperor of JapanGo-Shirakawa - Retired Emperor; Nijo's fatherShinzei - Go-Shirakawa's chief advisorNobuyori - court noble; Shinzei's rivalWritten and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

In this episode we follow the early life of Yoshitsune, the Luke Skywalker of medieval Japan! Saved from execution by his mother's courage, Yoshitsune was exiled at an early age to a remote temple, where, according to legend, he learned swordsmanship and battle strategy from the great Goblin King Sojobo. It was the start of a long journey that will eventually see him reunited with his half-brother, Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan...Key figures in this episode:Yoshitsune - younger half-brother of Yoritomo, the future First ShogunYoshitomo - father of Yoshitsune and YoritomoLady Tokiwa - Yoshitomo's mistress; mother of Yoshitsune Lord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clanBenkei - a giant monkKichiji - a gold merchantSojobo - Goblin King of the TenguWritten and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

In this episode we follow the teenager Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan - as he begins his exile on Leech Island in Izu province, where he experiences both love and tragedy in the household of his captor. Meanwhile, back in the Capital, Lord Kiyomori of the Heike continues to secure his position as the country's most powerful landlord. But a secret meeting at a remote mountain villa could present Kiyomori with a serious and unexpected challenge.Key figures in this episode:In Izu Yoritomo - Genji exile, the future First ShogunIto Sukechika - local Heike commander; Yoritomo's captorYaehime - Sukechika's daughterMorinaga - Yoritomo's friend and retainerIn the CapitalLord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clanShigemori - Kiyomori's eldest sonSukemori - Shigemori's teenage sonLady Ike - a nun; Kiyomori's step-motherGo-Shirakawa - the Retired EmperorSaiko, Shunkan, Narichika, Yasuyori - conspiratorsWritten and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

In this episode Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan - falls in love with Hojo Masako - one of the most famous women in Japan's history. As they celebrate a secret wedding, Yoritomo hears of a strange dream that may be a prophesy of his future. Meanwhile, Kiyomori executes a conspirator with a brutality that shocks even his own supporters, and exiles three men to a volcanic island. But when his daughter - who is expecting to give birth to the Emperor's child -  becomes dangerously ill, he must call on his most dangerous rival to perform an exorcism, in the hope of repelling spirits that threaten to destroy his family. Key figures in this episode:In IzuYoritomo - Genji exile, the future First ShogunHojo Tokimasa - local government officialHojo Masako - Tokimasa's daughterMorinaga, Sadatsuna, Kageyoshi - Yoritomo's friends and retainersIn the CapitalLord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clanShigemori - Kiyomori's eldest sonKenreimon-in - Kiyomori's daughter; Emperor Takakura's wifeGo-Shirakawa - the Retired EmperorShunkan, Naritsune, Yasuyori - castawaysWritten and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

An imperial decree urges rebellion against the Heike clan. As the Genji heir Yoritomo considers his response, a veteran Genji living in the capital - Minamoto no Yorimasa - takes matters into his own hands, and leads the first serious challenge to Lord Kiyomori's authority. The uprising will lead to the first pivotal moment of the Gempei War - the legendary Battle of Uji Bridge.Key figures in this episode:Yoritomo - Genji exile, the future First ShogunYorimasa - a veteran Genji warriorLord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clanMunemori - Kiyomori's heir and eldest surviving sonGo-Shirakawa - the Retired EmperorMochihito - the Retired Emperor's second sonKio - an imperial guard Jomyo Meishu, Ichirai - warrior monksWritten and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

Japan, 1180: The samurai warlord Kiyomori is at the height of his power - he has exiled or executed his opponents, imprisoned the retired Emperor, and has begun his grandest project - the creation of a new capital city in his image. But hundreds of miles to the east, the exiled Yoritomo is planning to strike back against Kiyomori's Heike. He launches a daring night-time raid - one of the earliest Ninja-style stealth attacks in Japan's history - but will it succeed, and how will Kiyomori respond?Main characters in this episode:For the Genji:Minamoto no Yoritomo - Genji heir; the future First ShogunHojo Masako - Yoritomo's wife; daughter of TokimasaHojo Tokimasa - Yoritomo's father-in-lawTakatsuna, Sadatsuna, Moritsuna, Tsunetaka - samurai brothersFor the Heike:Taira no Kiyomori - Heike LordTaira no Kanetaka - Governor of IzuTsutsumi Nobuto - Izu vice-governorOba no Kagechika - veteran samuraiThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

Lord Kiyomori has sent a massive army to suppress the Genji uprising in the east led by Minamoto no Yoritomo. But for now Yoritomo has a more immediate threat: outnumbered ten to one, he prepares to confront a force of 3,000 samurai on the slopes of Mount Ishibashi. Yoritomo's response to this attack will pass into legend - and will lead to the war between Genji and Heike that will change Japan's history forever.People featured in this episode:For the Genji:- Minamoto no Yoritomo - Genji heir; future First Shogun of Japan- Masako Hojo - Yoritomo's wife; the future 'Nun Shogun'- Tokimasa Hojo - Masako's father; landowner and samurai- Minamoto no Yoshitsune - Yoritomo's half-brother- Musashibo Benkei - a giant warrior-monk; Yoshitsune's retainer- Miura Yoshizumi - heir to the Miura clan; son of Miura YoshiakiFor the Heike- Taira no Kiyomori - Lord of the Heike- Taira no Koremori - Kiyomori's grandson- Kajiwara Kagetoki - Heike retainer; samurai commanderThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

As we've reached the halfway point in the rise to power of Yoritomo, in this episode we take a break from the main story to look at some of the main books, films, TV shows, and podcasts that deal with this period of early Japanese history. The episode includes tips and suggestions for anyone who's interested to know more about the Gempei War and the life of Japan's First Shogun...List of sources and media mentioned in this episode:Books and sources:The Tale of the Heike - tr. Helen McCullough (Stanford University Press)The Tale of the Heike - tr. Royall Tyler (Penguin Classics)The Founding of the Kamakura Shogunate / Azuma Kagami - tr. Minoru Shinoda (Columbia University Press)Before Heike and After: Hogen, Heiji, Jokyuki - tr. Royall Tyler (Arthur Nettleton)Yoshitsune (Gikeiki) - tr. Helen McCullough (Stanford University Press)The Gempei War 1180-85 - Stephen Turnbull (Osprey)The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu tr. Royall Tyler (Penguin Classics)The World of the Shining Prince - Ivan Morris (Vintage)The Heike Story by Eiji Yoshikawa - tr. Fuki Uramatsu (Tuttle)Kwaidan - tr. Lafcadio Hearn (Tuttle)TV shows & Movies:Kwaidan (1964) - dir. Masaki KobayashiRashomon (1950) - dir. Akira KurosawaThe Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1945) - dir. Akira KurosawaTaira Clan Saga (1955) - dir. Kenji MizoguchiGate of Hell (1953) - dir. Teinosuke KinugasaThe 13 Lords of the Shogun (2022), Taira no Kiyomori (2012), Yoshitsune (2005) - NHKPodcasts:A History of Japan (Justin Hebert)History of Japan (Isaac Meyer)Read Japanese Literature (Alison Fincher)Geeks and GaijinsThe Samurai ArchivesThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

The TV series "Shogun" brings Japanese history to life, but who was the first Shogun? In this season of The First Shogun, Sean Bermingham explores the dramatic rise of the Genji, Japan's most famous samurai clan. We begin the story in 1180, at the start of the Gempei War, an epic 5-year clash between two samurai families that shook medieval Japan and led to the founding of Japan's first Shogunate. Written and presented by Sean Bermingham Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comCharacters mentioned in this episode:Genji clan:Yoritomo - the future First ShogunHojo Masako - Yoritomo's wifeYoshitsune - Yoritomo's half-brotherYoshitomo - Yoritomo's fatherTameyoshi - Yoritomo's grandfatherMitsunaga and Yorimitsu - ancient warriorsSasaki Sadatsuna - samurai retainerHeike clan:Kiyomori - Lord of the HeikeSatake no Yoshimasa - regional warlordThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

The Lord of the Heike, Kiyomori, has a disturbing vision that sets in motion a shift in the balance of power between the two great samurai families of Heike and Genji. In a fit of anger he then orders an attack on Japan's greatest Buddhist temple. The reason? The temple monks had dared to play a game of football with "Kiyomori's head" - an act of defiance that will change the history of Japan forever. Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

Shocking news reaches Kamakura from Japan's capital: an unexpected turn of events that has thrown the nation into chaos. Meanwhile, in the highlands of central Japan a new force is rising, and there are tales of a female samurai who cuts down everyone in her path. Yoritomo sets out from Kamakura to meet this new challenge to his authority, and comes face to face for the first time with his most powerful rival: the mysterious Master of the Eastern Mountain.Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

Two massive samurai armies clash in a battle that will decide the future of Japan.Genji vs Heike - for the first time, the two samurai clans are about to clash.In a mountain valley, the first great battle of the Gempei War will take place. Who will emerge as victor?Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

A samurai rider charges through the streets of the Japanese capital, carrying urgent news: After his triumph at the Battle of Kurikawa Pass, the Genji general Kiso Yoshinaka is approaching the capital with 50,000 troops. But lying in wait for Kiso is a new challenge: a wily and scheming Retired Emperor who is not prepared to give up his power so easily.Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

An envoy from the capital brings shocking news: The Emperor has been attacked! Yoritomo learns that his reckless cousin Kiso Yoshinaka - the Asahi Shogun - has burned down the Emperor's residence and is threatening to make a truce with the Heike. So he accepts the Emperor's summons and sends his half-brother Yoshitsune to bring his cousin to heel. Meanwhile Kiso and his lover Tomoe Gozen - Japan's most celebrated female samurai -  prepare for what could be their final stand. Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

In this episode we recap the story so far: Which key characters remain? Who is in control of the capital - and of the Emperor? And how will Yoritomo achieve his dream of becoming Japan's first Shogun? We'll explore the balance of power in medieval Japan as two great samurai clans - Genji and Heike - prepare to face each other in their final battles for control of the nation.Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

The young Genji general Yoshitsune receives a command from the Retired Emperor: Protect the imperial line and retrieve the Three Sacred Treasures! But to achieve his mission, Yoshitsune must first face the might of the Heike army, which is now just one day from the capital...Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

Yoshitsune rides into battle—and into legend—while the Heike scramble to save the Emperor and the imperial treasures, before the Genji can capture them. The momentous clash on the beach between two samurai clans will go down in history as one of the great turning points of the Gempei War: The Battle of Ichi-no-Tani!Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

After their victory at the battle of Ichi-no-Tani, the Genji present their trophies - and a valuable captive - in a parade through the streets of the Japanese capital. Meanwhile the surviving Heike clansmen recover their strength in a fortress on the island of Yashima, where they are given an ultimatum by the Emperor: return the Three Imperial Treasures in exchange for their captured brother...Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

It is late winter in the year 1185, and the Genji general Yoshitsune is leading a group of samurai through a raging storm at sea. Yoshitsune has been given an imperial command to seek out and destroy the Heike - the powerful samurai clan that has taken charge of the infant Emperor and the Three Imperial Treasures. But to take on the Heike at their island stronghold of Yashima, Yoshitsune must pull off a daring surprise attack -  despite being outnumbered ten to one...Written and presented by Sean BerminghamMusic and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.comThe First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com