The Saga of Japan

Follow The Saga of Japan
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A podcast dedicated to covering the complete and epic history of Japan, starting from its most ancient foundations and continuing through to modern era of Japan. Every Tuesday, we will take another chronological step through this amazing saga of a nation.

Charles Shanahan


    • Apr 14, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 14m AVG DURATION
    • 10 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Saga of Japan with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Saga of Japan

    S1E10 - Epidemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2020 15:38


    Soon after Nara becomes the capital of Yamato, the Smallpox Epidemic of 735 begins in Japan. The country is brought to its knees as the disease kills over 1/3 of the population. The political, social, and religious fabric of Japan is forever altered. As always, thank you so much for joining us on this journey through the history of Japan. You can always reach me at twitter.com/sagaofjapan. I deeply appreciate you taking the time out of your day to give a listen to the Saga of Japan, and I hope to see you next time! If you like the show, please leave a review, rating, or subscribe. Source list: The Nihon Shoki (Primary Source) / The Kojiki / The Cambridge History of Japan Vol. 1 / A Concise History of Japan by Brett Walker / The History of Japan to 1334 by George Sansom / Historians of China and Japan by W.G. Beasley and E.G. Pulleybank / Japan: A Concise History - by Milton W. Meyer / A History of Japan by John Caiger and Richard Mason Note: While there are obvious Coronavirus parallels, the episode was written and mostly recorded months before the current pandemic reared it's head. Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E9 - The Jinshin War

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2020 11:34


    Prince Oama pretends to go into self imposed exile, waiting until the Emperor dies before launching a surprise attack on the heir, launching the Jinshin War. The Asuka Enlightenment comes to an end as a new capital is established in modern day Nara, giving birth to the Nara Period (710-794CE) As always, thank you so much for joining us on this journey through the history of Japan. You can always reach me at twitter.com/sagaofjapan. I deeply appreciate you taking the time out of your day to give a listen to the Saga of Japan, and I hope to see you next time! If you like the show, please leave a review, rating, or subscribe. Source list: The Nihon Shoki (Primary Source) / The Kojiki / The Cambridge History of Japan Vol. 1 / A Concise History of Japan by Brett Walker / The History of Japan to 1334 by George Sansom / Historians of China and Japan by W.G. Beasley and E.G. Pulleybank / Japan: A Concise History - by Milton W. Meyer / A History of Japan by John Caiger and Richard Mason Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E8 - The Age of Reform

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 16:05


    In the wake of the Isshi incident an age of reform is ushered in as a new triumvirate of leaders institutes the Taika reforms, laying the foundation for the Ritsuryo system. The Empress receives a parrot, and anxieties run high as the Yamato Kingdom fears an invasion from China, as the Japanese army suffers it's greatest defeat yet. In Yamato, the Fujiwara Clan is born. As always, thank you so much for joining us on this journey through the history of Japan. You can always reach me at twitter.com/sagaofjapan. I deeply appreciate you taking the time out of your day to give a listen to the Saga of Japan, and I hope to see you next time! If you like the show, please leave a review, rating, or subscribe. Source list: The Nihon Shoki (Primary Source) / The Kojiki / The Cambridge History of Japan Vol. 1 / A Concise History of Japan by Brett Walker / The History of Japan to 1334 by George Sansom / Historians of China and Japan by W.G. Beasley and E.G. Pulleybank / Japan: A Concise History - by Milton W. Meyer / A History of Japan by John Caiger and Richard Mason Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E7 - The Fall of the Soga - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2020 19:33


    Prince Yamashiro must make a decision that will decide the fate of the kingdom, as Emishi's cruel son Iruka begins a tyrannical rampage to wipe out Shotoku's descendants. Kamatari, clan leader of the Nakatomi, begins forming a plot that will result in a final showdown with the Soga, culminating in the notorious Isshi incident. As always, thank you so much for joining us on this journey through the history of Japan. You can always reach me at twitter.com/sagaofjapan. I deeply appreciate you taking the time out of your day to give a listen to the Saga of Japan, and I hope to see you next time! If you like the show, please leave a review, rating, or subscribe. Source list: The Nihon Shoki (Primary Source) / The Kojiki / The Cambridge History of Japan Vol. 1 / A Concise History of Japan by Brett Walker / The History of Japan to 1334 by George Sansom / Historians of China and Japan by W.G. Beasley and E.G. Pulleybank / Japan: A Concise History - by Milton W. Meyer / A History of Japan by John Caiger and Richard Mason Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E6 - The Fall of the Soga - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 16:08


    Japan finally receives the name Nihon, the Land of the Rising Sun while the Soga Clan reaches the peak of it's power, led by a new leader who rules with an iron fist. Emishi consolidates Soga power, placing Emperor Jomei on the throne. A lone Soga voice speaks out against Emishi's tyranny, before he and his family are snuffed out. As always, thank you so much for joining us on this journey through the history of Japan. You can always reach me at twitter.com/sagaofjapan. I deeply appreciate you taking the time out of your day to give a listen to the Saga of Japan, and I hope to see you next time! If you like the show, please leave a review, rating, or subscribe. Source list: The Nihon Shoki (Primary Source) / The Kojiki / The Cambridge History of Japan Vol. 1 / A Concise History of Japan by Brett Walker / The History of Japan to 1334 by George Sansom / Historians of China and Japan by W.G. Beasley and E.G. Pulleybank / Japan: A Concise History - by Milton W. Meyer / A History of Japan by John Caiger and Richard Mason Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E5 - Fight Night in Yamato

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2020 13:41


    The Soga and the Mononobe clans fight to determine the future of Japan. Prince Shotoku, Soga no Umako, and Empress Suiko help usher in foreign reforms. Thank you for listening to the Saga of Japan, I hope you enjoyed this weeks episode. You can always shoot your questions over to twitter.com/SagaofJapan. If you're a fan of the podcast, please leave a review, rating, or tell a friend you think might enjoy the show about us. You have no idea how much I appreciate you joining us on this journey, thank you so much. Source list: The Nihon Shoki (Primary Source) The Kojiki The Cambridge History of Japan Vol. 1 A Concise History of Japan by Brett Walker The History of Japan to 1334 by George Sansom Historians of China and Japan by W.G. Beasley and E.G. Pulleybank Japan: A Concise History - by Milton W. Meyer A History of Japan by John Caiger and Richard Mason Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E4 - The Korean Kingdoms

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2020 14:15


    The Yamato state establishes early ties with the three Kingdoms of Korea. The Soga clan pushes for reforms and new doctrines such as Buddhism, while the Mononobe and the Nakatomi ally together to prevent this new threat to the Yamato way of life. Thank you for listening to the Saga of Japan, I hope you enjoyed this weeks episode. You can always shoot your questions over to twitter.com/SagaofJapan. If you're a fan of the podcast and would like to see more, please leave a review, rating, or tell a friend you think might enjoy the show about us. You have no idea how much I appreciate you joining us on this journey, thank you so much. Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E3 - The Yamato Confederation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2020 14:12


    We enter the Kofun period. Elaborate burial mounds are created for the rulers of Japan. Emperor Anko meets a bloody end at the hands of a child. The head of the Soga clan begins to marry his daughters into the Imperial House, so that he may the foundations for control of the Emperor.

    S1E2 - Prehistory

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2020 16:57


    Early in Japanese history, nomadic hunter gatherers settle what would eventually become Japan. A shamaness Queen named Himiko unites the warring factions under one banner, her Kingdom of Yamatai, and diplomats from China observe not only the rulers, but the daily life of the people in a fledgling Kingdom. Hope you enjoyed the episode! Please feel free to leave a review, rating, or even subscribe! Every bit helps the podcast grow and is a great encouragement to keep this show going. Send us your questions, comments, or suggestions for future topics at: https://twitter.com/SagaofJapan I personally read all of them! Sources for this episode include: The Nihon Shoki The Kojiki The Cambridge History of Japan Vol. 1 A Concise History of Japan by Brett Walker The History of Japan to 1334 by George Sansom Historians of China and Japan by W.G. Beasley and E.G. Pulleybank _ _A History of East Asian Civilization, Vol. 1 by John Fairbank Prehistory of Japan, by C.M. Aikins and Higuchi T. The Prehistory of Japan, Gerard J. Groot. Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan Find out more at https://the-saga-of-japan.pinecast.co

    S1E1 - Creation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2020 9:47


    The mythological beginning in the long Saga of Japan, beginning with the creation of the deities Izanami and Izanagi. The Sun Goddess Amaterasu is also born. The first Emperor Jimmu, guided by a mystical three legged crow, leads his people to their new home. Join us as we begin the epic history and saga of the island nation of Japan. Hope you enjoyed the episode! Please feel free to leave a review, rating, or even subscribe! Every bit helps the podcast grow and is a great encouragement to keep this show going. Send us your questions, comments, or suggestions for future topics at: https://twitter.com/SagaofJapan I personally read all of them! Support The Saga of Japan by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-saga-of-japan

    Claim The Saga of Japan

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel