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For the first regular episode of the year (excepting our New Year's recap) we take a look at the New Year Traditions at Temmu's court.  How did the court celebrate the New Year in the late 7th century? For more, check out our blogpost:  https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-141 Rough Transcript: Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua and this is episode 141: Temmu's New Year's Traditions   The chill winter air meant that most of the assembled crowd had donned multiple layers of robes.  Men and women had assembled together, upon the open, rock-covered courtyard, both to see and be seen.  To the north and east of the courtyard were the walls and gates of the buildings that made up the royal palace, the rooves of the buildings just visible beyond the gates. The onlookers stood arrayed around the open lanes that had been created for the event—at one end of the rocky field were targets, while at the other were archers, also arrayed in their finest outfits.  While technically they wore hunting robes, cut to allow greater movement in the arm, many of these fabrics had no business being anywhere near a moor or the dirt of open fields.  After all, this wasn't just some hunt:  They were demonstrating their skills in the center of the State.  At the officials' command, the archers let loose their arrows.  The crowd murmured at the soft crack of the bowstring, the faint whisper of arrow as the fletchings cut through the air, and the thud as the arrows struck their targets.  Looking downrange, approval bubbled through the crowd: the targets were well-struck.  Behind the archers on the field, another group awaited their turn. The events of the day would be the talk of the court, from the lowest clerk to the highest prince , for days to come.   Not just the well-placed shot, but also the grace and poise of the one who had let loose an arrow of particular note.  And heaven forbid an arrow miss its target.  Even kicking up stones or scraping the earth could have negative social consequences.  A particularly good showing could inspire poetry, and beyond the prizes being offered to the winner, could also bring notice to those from more obscure backgrounds. The new year had just started, and a good performance might be just what was needed to help put the rest of the year on a good footing.     Welcome back!  This is the first episode of the new year, 2026, and we are still going through the reign of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tenno, covering the period from 672 to 686. Before we get started, though, a quick shout out to Suzuki for supporting us on Patreon.  It means a lot and helps us keep this thing going.  If you would like to support us or our efforts to maintain the website, where we also have the Armor manual, clothing, and a miscellany on various topics, we have information at Sengokudaimyo.com and we will have more information at the end of this and every episode.  Support is appreciated as I really do want to try and minimize ads—I don't put any into the podcast myself, though some platforms may place ads around the podcast, which I cannot always control.  Now we've covered a lot this reign, but this episode we are going to cover three things in particular.  First off, and perhaps a bit of a tangent, we'll talk about some of the issues with the Chronicles when it comes to reading it,especially in translation.  It seems quite clear to me that even the sources that the Chroniclers were using weren't always in agreement with each other on how they spelled certain things or even in properly recording when things happened. After that we'll cover the major topics of this episode, focusing primarily on the New Year traditions of the court—we'll look at the major events of the first month for each year in the reign, allowing us to see some of the similarities, and differences. Finally, we'll look at the last year of Ohoama's reign, particularly as he grew ill, because it can be a fascinating question:  What did people do when disease struck before we had modern medicine?  Here the Chronicles reveal a lot about not only the beliefs of the time, but of their syncretism: how people were willing to reach out to whatever power they could in order to cure disease.  Whether it was Yin-yang divination, beseeching the local kami, or attempting to make merit, all of these things were on the table when it came to illness and mortality. And so, let's get into it. One of the first things I want to talk about is the problem that we have in trying to read the Chronicles, both in the way they are written and then the translation issue on top of that.  Even in Japanese the Chronicles have to be translated out of an ancient form of kanbun—basically a Japanese version of Chinese, using Sinitic characters.  Like any document written by non-native speakers, the Chronicles have their idiosyncrasies that make it different from what someone in Chang'an might be writing at the same time.  There are times and places where it is clear that something is meant to be read in the Japanese pronunciation, which itself was different from modern Japanese.  Add to this the fact that there are many times that different Sinitic characters sound alike in Japanese—especially in modern Japanese.  So any English translation of the Chronicles which doesn't give the actual characters in the source text can add to the confusion.  This is why I like to consult either the Japanese Historical Text Initiative or an electronic version of the National History series text—though even those have issues at times when the characters used in the text don't exist in modern character sets, though that seems to be less and less of a problem. One example I want to give of the complexities of reading the Chronicles, and the need to dive deeper into the original language and consult multiple versions, is a set of records for Ki no Omi no Abemaro and others.  He is our first mention of a member of the Ki family: on the 9th day of the 8th month of 673, the first year since Ohoama's ascension and one year after the Jinshin no Ran, we are told that Ki no Omi no Abemaro and others were given favors and rewards for their service during the war in Iga province.  Indeed, Ki no Omi no Abemaro is listed prominently in the records of the Jinshin no Ran and appears to have been one of the generals for Ohoama and the Yoshino faction in general.  Less than a year later, on the 28th day of the 2nd month, Ki no Omi no Abemaro died and was posthumously awarded the rank of Daishi, which was 5th from the top in the old system of 26 ranks.  A rather respectable rank, to be sure. Later that same year we get a note that Ki no Omi no KATAmaro—another member of the family, apparently--was appointed, along with a "Prince Mino" as a commissioner for the erection of the Great Temple of Takechi. Two years later, however, we get a record on the 22nd day of the 4th month of 676 that the sovereign, Ohoama, sent an order to the Governor of Mino telling him to let the children of Ki no Omi no Abemaro, resident in the district of Toki, be removed to the East country and become peasants in that country.  On the face of it, this appears to be an incredible fall from grace.  Ki no Omi no Abemaro is basically one of the top generals and heroes of the Jinshin no Ran, but his children are so unruly that they are banished to the East and stripped of their noble status?  There has to be a story there, right? Then in 679, on the 3rd day of the 2nd month, we are told that Ki no Omi no Katamaro died.  For his service in the Jinshin War he received the posthumous rank of Upper Daikin.  That would have been roughly the 7th rank—two below Ki no Abemaro.  So was the Ki family back in the good graces of the court?  What is going on? First off, when we go to the original text, we see that Aston, whose translation of the Nihon Shoki we've been working on Ihas made an apparent error in translation.  Remember, Aston was translating the Chronicles back in 1896, without the aid of modern computers, along with a lot of other research that has happened since then, and I can hardly fault him for missing things here and there.  This is why, if you cannot check the original, you may want to also look at the new translation from John Bentley.  Here we can see that he translates the name not as "Ki no Omi no Abemaro", but rather that of "Ki no Omi no KASAmaro".  And if we compare Ki no Omi no KaSAmaro with the previous entry on Ki no Omi no KaTAmaro we can see that these are actually the exact same names except for a single character.  Which leads us to the question:  Are these the same person, and the scribes simply miswrote one of the characters in the name?  It may not even be on the Chroniclers so much as whatever texts they were, themselves, working on.  This isn't helped by the fact that we later on see another entry for Ki no KATAmaro, but that one uses character for "KATA", meaning "hard", using the kun'yomi, or Japanese reading, rather than using two phonetic characters in the on'yomi reading.  So is this just another way to write "KATAmaro" or is this a different person altogether? Ultimately, we cannot be entirely sure.  It does seem wild that there would be two "Ki no Omi no Katamaro" at court at the same time and nobody otherwise distinguished the two.  The question about KaSAmaro and KaTAmaro, and whose kids were sent into exile, is a bit harder to untangle. And, truth be told, it is ultimately a minor point.  We have only a couple of lines here, and maybe these passages will help illuminate something later in the histories, but for now, they are just fragments of the story of what was happening.  Parts of the tattered tapestry from which the royal history was ripped out and restitched together, the rest of the story largely discarded, unless it made its way to us through other means. The Chronicles may be flawed, but they are still our main source for the period, and while we might challenge individual items, we still get a glimpse at how things operated back at this time.  For instance, if we look at the events happening around the New Year, we can see some common threads. The New Year is an important tradition in many cultures.  Whether it was a solar or lunar cycle—or some combination—the new year indicated a new cycle, and was often accompanied by associated symbols and rituals.  Today in the US it is often celebrated with fireworks and champagne, followed by making resolutions for the new year.  In Japan, people will often go to their local shrine or temple for an important first visit, and temple bells will ring out 108 times. Another tradition is the osechi-ryori, the  traditional new years foods.  This has grown over time from a tradition of eating a large bowl of rice to various other foods that are seen as auspicious or having special properties, such as the hardening of teeth—a major concern before the era of modern dental hygiene!  Then there are traditions such as the Kagami Biraki, or opening of the mirror, and the creation of special mochi, or rice cakes for the purpose.  Of course all of these traditions started somewhere and have evolved over time, so what do we know about the New Year celebrations during the late 7th century? One caveat: in the Chronicles, we only really see what was happening in the court, and the Yamato court at that.  There may have been local traditions that others were following that, unless we find documentation about them, we likely would never know.  But many of the court traditions were passed down to later generations. These traditions appear to include the giving of gifts; large, celebratory banquets; and the annual archery tournament. Banquets are some of the first and most common things we see.  We see a banquet as Ohoama assumed the throne in 673—which probably was the event that overshadowed anything else they might have done that year.  The following year, 674, there doesn't seem to have been much recorded, and I wonder if they were still pulling everything together after the turmoil of Ohoama's ascension.  And so it is that in the first month of 675 we really get to see the annual new year's events in their full form.  On the second day of that year, from the Royal Princes on down, all of the public functionaries presented their respects to the sovereign.  I suspect that this was a large ceremony, where everyone gathered in the courtyard of the palace together or something similar, not that each person individually went up and presented their respects—I doubt Ohoama would have wanted to sit through all of that.  Also, as we've already seen, there were limits on what parts of the palace different functionaries were allowed to enter.  So some of these well-wishers may have been "outside", others in the courtyard, and others in the palace building itself, depending on their rank and importance in the bureaucratic hierarchy. On the following day, all public functionaries, from the initial rank upwards, presented firewood.  Aston notes that this is the first mention of what would become a yearly practice.  Firewood may not seem like much, but it would have likely been important to keeping things running, especially given how early people were supposed to arrive at the palace and administrative complex each day.  This wasn't firewood for a fireplace—they didn't have those—but probably would have been used either for cooking or, I suspect, for the large braziers that burned with wood and pitch to light the darkness, particularly in the winter months.  Firewood could also be processed into smaller pieces of coal for other uses.  It is interesting that for the first ceremony, the Chronicles describe the court from the Royal Princes on down, while for the giving of firewood the order is from the initial—which is to say the lowest—ranks upwards.  This could indicate the order in which things progressed in these cases. Several days after that, on the 7th day of the first month, a banquet was given at court for the Ministers—so only the higher ranking functionaries.  But ten days later, on the 17th, everyone of rank—the Ministers of State; the Daibu, or high officials; and all of the public functionaries from the initial rank upwards had an archery meeting in the Court of the Western Gate. Archery and archery contests had been important to the Yamato people for ages—and the same on the continent.  Confucius, in his day, suggested that archery was a martial skill that even nobles should cultivate.  I believe we've noted before how archery could be used both for warfare and for just feeding your family.  As such, it was considered a particularly useful skill for just about everyone to have.  It probably also helped that it was a martial skill that noblemen and others could use to show off without actually risking any injury to themselves in the process.  I'm just saying.  And as we described at the top of the episode, this particular archery contest would, for both participants and spectators, likely have been a chance to show off the top of their game, whether in martial prowess, clothing, or behavior. And since we are looking at the new year's celebrations, let's keep this going and look at later years in Ohoama's reign. As I go through these you'll start to see the patterns, where the events I've just described will generally recur year after year, but not identically, sometimes with a shuffle in the schedule. In 676, we see that the Ministers and public functionaries pay their respects on the first day of the new year.  On the 4th day, the sovereign granted gifts to the higher level officials, from Royal Prince Takechi, down to the high officials, or Daibu, of Shoukin rank.  Their not so secret Santa gifts included robes, hakama, lined garments, obi for their waist, leg straps, and staves, or walking sticks.  We are also told that everyone above the rank of Shoukin also got an armrest thrown in, as well.  Further gifts or grants were given out several days later, on the 7th, to everyone from Shoukin on up, based on their individual circumstances.  Then, on the 15th, we again see all of the functionaries present firewood and then they were all entertained at a court banquet. The following day they held the annual new year's archery contest, with prizes, at the court of the western gate.  Those who hit the target received prizes of different values.  In his recent translation of the Nihon Shoki, Bentley references Kuroita on Article 41 of Miscellaneous Statutes, saying that this archery event was apparently a regular new year's occurrence, and even the prizes were noted as varying over time. The same day they held the archery contest, that year, Ohoama held a banquet at the Shima Palace.  Shima was the name given to the Soga Prime Minister, back in the day, so I assume that this was at or near the site of the old Soga residence? In 677, by comparison, we don't see nearly as much referenced.  There is archery at the South Gate, vice the west gate, but that is it.  The festivities in 678 similarly only talk about the archery at the south gate.  There is also mention of a preparation for worshipping the kami of heaven and earth, for which a purification was held throughout the state.  In addition, an abstinence palace, or saiguu, was erected on the bank of the Kurahashi river.  Kurahashi appears to refer to a tributary of the Ohara river, in Sakurai.  This feels less like a New Year's celebration, however, and more like a sign of merit-making.  The Saiguu would have likely been to prepare for a trip to Ise shrine, and three months later Ohoama was preparing to go to the Saiguu, but that is when Princess Towochi suddenly died, and they scuttled the plans. In 679, the court greeted the New Year with a new decree.  Ohoama declared that Princes, Ministers, and public functionaries—anyone in service to the government, basically, were to refrain from paying respects during New Years or other ceremonies to anyone except relatives of the grade of elder brother, elder sister, and above, or to the senior members of the Houses.  Princes weren't even to pay respects to their own mothers unless they were, themselves, princesses.  Ministers were likewise not to pay respects to their mothers if they were of "mean" rank.  In other words, if they were commoners. These kinds of statutes are interesting.  First of all, you ask yourself why?  In all likelihood, there were various local traditions and individuals paid respects to their parents as well as to others to whom they owed respect for one reason or another.  Here the State is ordering society such that there is a clear hierarchy, at least among the members of the court.   Since women often found advancement by marrying up, it was usual for one's mother to have been born a lower rank in society than oneself.  And so we see them enforcing the social order. That new order was based on Confucian concepts of hierarchy, and this seems to go along with those same ideas. What we don't really see is how this was enforced—if at all.  The day after that, the yearly archery competition took place at the West Gate of the palace. The next year, 680, we see a New Year's Banquet at the Court of the Great Hall.  Ohoama himself occupied the Mukai-kodono, which appears to refer to one of the smaller wings.  Based on the palace layout that we see in the posthole remains, this probably means that he was set up in the smaller wing, likely in a more intimate space, while most of the other guests were in the large hall, maintaining that crucial separation of sovereign and subjects. This New Year's archery event included Princes of the Blood all the way down to the rank of Shouken—the very lowest rank in the court—and it was held at the South Gate. You may be noticing a pattern, that the archery competition is listed as being held at either the south or west gates.  The south gate probably refers to the main gate of the later Okamoto—aka the Kiyomihara—palace.  The West gate refers to the west gate of the Ebinoko enclosure.   We talked about these and the general layout of the palace back in Episode 134, and you can check out that podcast blog post for some images of what things looked like, as well.  These gates were on the north and east sides of a large, rectangular courtyard, which was likely the actual event location.  So it isn't as if these were separate areas, just a difference of where things were set up in what was otherwise the same relative space. The following year, 681, we see similar ceremonies.  We see offerings made to the kami of Heaven and Earth, and we once again see a note about various functionaries paying their respects at court.  Even though this wasn't mentioned every year, it could have been an annual thing and just wasn't always recorded so the Chroniclers just wrote down what they had records for.  There are certainly other things we don't necessarily witness in the records, such as the annual promotions and promulgations.  We see irregular promotions, of course, such as on someone's passing, but the regular administration of the government and promotions of people to new positions is not something we really see regularly documented, since it doesn't really shed much light on the sovereign and the royal household.  And so we sometimes see things if they get mentioned, but otherwise we only see glimpses.  That would change as records became more administrative and the histories were more about simply recording what was happening—though still from a particular angle.  At this point, however, we aren't dealing with a single court record, but rather with numerous records, stories, and recollections.  That same year, 681, we also see another banquet, with Ohoama situated in the Mukai no Kodono, while the Princes of the Blood and non-royal Princes were both introduced into the inner reception chamber.  Ministers attended in the outer reception chamber.  They all received sake and musical performances, and rank advancements were given out.  Kusakabe no Kihi no Ohogata was graduated from the rank of Upper Daisen to Lower Daikin, and given the title of Naniwa no Muraji.  A few days later, Sakahibe no Muraji no Iwazumi was granted a fief with 60 horses and received presents of coarse silk, floss silk, cloth, and one hundred mattocks—the last one being a rather interesting gift, I have to admit.  Of course, in true Chronicles fashion, we have no idea why these gifts were made—we don't even have another reference to Iwazumi around there, but he must have done something. We are later told that there was the annual archery shoot, and then a decree, possibly unrelated to New Years, that the various provinces were ordered to repair the shrines to the kami of heaven and earth. The year 682 is an anomaly.  There is no mention of a banquet, nor of an archery tournament.  I wonder if this may have to do with some of the sad events of that first month.  While it started fine—Toneri no Miyatsuko no Nukamushi was raised from Daisen to Lower Shoukin—we are told that on the 18th, Lady Higami, one of Ohoama's consorts, died in the palace.  The next day there was an earthquake, and she was buried on the 27th.  A prominent illness and death may have put a pall on the ceremonies, and could explain why we don't see any mention of them for that year. It is also possible that some of this New Year tradition had become so routine that people were no longer commenting on it, and therefore the Chroniclers weren't including references to it. The following year, in 683, we again see the functionaries paying their respects.  We also see the presentation of a three legged sparrow by the Viceroy of Tsukushi, Tajihi no Mabito no Shima, along with others.  A three legged sparrow would have been something: it is reminiscent of the three legged crow, often depicted in the sun.  It is unclear if it was still alive, but that wasn't the point.  They invited the Princes of the Blood down to the Ministers to great hall, the Daigokuden, for a banquet, where the three legged sparrow was displayed. .  Later that month, Ohoama issued a decree in regards to all of the auspicious omens and made presents to everyone, from Shouken rank upwards.  There was also a general amnesty—all crimes were pardoned, from capital offenses on down, and all forced labor was remitted, so that people didn't have to provide the normal service.  The phrasing for this particular entry is intriguing.  Ohoama is mentioned as Yamato Neko Sumera no Mikoto and is specifically called a "God Incarnate".  This is one of the rare times that we see the Chronicles explicitly call out the sovereign as a living deity.  Of course, they trace the royal lineage back to Amaterasu, but there isn't a lot suggesting that the sovereign is necessarily a deity. And in reality, this was probably something that was more honorific than anything else.  Heck, at times in Japanese history we would see sovereigns selling their calligraphy to help keep the royal palace funded while warriors went around actually being in charge of things.  However, this divine language did show up in the 19th and 20th century, especially as the Tennou, now called Emperor in English terminology, once again was recognized as the Head of State, and people would actually pray to him.  Not necessarily like praying at a shrine, but out of respect.  And remember, a lot of time the Tennou was kept out of sight of regular people and hidden, much like the way that the kami were treated.  The concept of the Emperor's divinity was very much tied up in the elevation of the State and the general sense of Nationalism that had gripped Japan in the early half of the 20th century.  And so the allies quite explicitly had Emperor Showa renounce his divinity after Japan  World War II. Those studying Japanese history have probably heard of this concept, and so it is interesting to see evidence of it here, as well as the nature of the royal house, where the sovereign is kept at a distance from those of lower rank, unless they are directly serving him.  But it was not as though the sovereign was a god in the sense of being all powerful.  Even if he were considered a living, visible kami, the kami were not omnipotent, and there was no getting over the fact that our particular sovereign, Ohoama, was getting older.  Only a year or so earlier, he had suffered a rather bad illness, so he clearly was not invincible.  And it is of course possible that this language was simply royal exaggeration, rather than any attempt to define the sovereign as something more than he was.  Still, that concept would continue to play a part throughout Japanese history. The same day in 683 that Ohoama issued the pardons, we are told that there was a special performance at the Woharida Court of dance and music from Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla—the "Three Countries" of the Korean peninsula, even if only one of them was still going strong.  The Woharida palace is thought to have been north, along the banks of the Asuka River.  It may have been moved over time—there appears to have been a palace in the Furumiya area, near Toyoura, but there is also evidence of a palace by a shared name over by Ikazuchi-no-oka, on the other side of the river.  Excavations at Ikazuchi no oka revealed pottery with the name of the palace, suggesting that this was the site, but even then, that pottery was from the later Tempyo era.  Regardless, it seems that the Asuka valley was just chock full of palaces, new and old, though the older ones were not as regularly used for government functions, one assumes. The following year, 684, we again get told about the annual archery shoot.  It took place in the Eastern court this time, with Ministers in attendance.  Apparently they had men skilled in archery shooting alongside palace attendants and little people—the word used in Japanese is "Shuju" or "Hikihito".  This word is often translated as "dwarf"; it appears to be a derogatory term for anyone considered short of stature, though it is also used to refer more generally to those seen as either lacking wit or to actors and performers. This isn't the first time we see the term.  Back in 675, about 9 years prior, Ohoama had sent orders to a number of regions near the capital, from Awaji to Tamba, to Afumi and to Mino and Wohari, among others, to send as tribute common people who could sing, shuju—or dwarfs—and jugglers.  More generally they seem to be referring to entertainers, and it strikes me that could be what is meant here.  Either way, the entertainment industry was hardly a lucrative one, and we can see that performers are almost more of a commodity, to be "paid" as tribute, rather than a professional who is "hired" to work.  I suspect that, as in many other times and places, individuals who were shorter than average often found work as entertainers in this sense—whether they wished it or not. The year 685 we don't see any mention of archery, though it probably still happened.  Instead the Chronicles focus on the various government officials paying their respects to their sovereign.  The rest of the entries for the month are largely concerned with changes to the rank system as of that year. The year 686, we get the last records of various new years festivals—four months later, the sovereign would grow terribly ill, and he would eventually pass away later that year.  However, for those still celebrating the new year in 686, that was all in the future. The last year of Ohoama's reign started out relatively like others. Ohoama went to the Daigokuden, the Great Hall of Audience, and gave a banquet to the Princes and High Officials.  There he decided to have something of a riddle challenge.  He would ask riddles, and then offer prizes for the correct answer. And no, unfortunately we don't have any of the riddles, at least that I have seen.  Aston calls these "conundrums" and notes that they are specifically nonsensical questions, and provides examples such as "Why does a horse, after a rapid run, listen to the earth? Why does a dog, when he goes slowly, raise his leg?"  Ohoama's son, Prince Takechi, answered correctly, and so did Prince Ise.  Their prizes differed in content, but in both cases were pretty extensive.  The winners received ceremonial robes, brocade or purple hakama, numerous bolts of coarse silk, many pounds of thread, hundreds of pounds of flossed Silk, and hundreds of bolts of cloth. I think that makes it quite a bit more lucrative than any of the quiz nights I've ever been to. Later that month, there was another banquet, this time for nine Buddhist monks of Daikan-daiji. Besides its status as a national temple, this may have also been related to the year before, when Ohoama had fallen ill, and prayers had been offered at Daikandaiji for his recovery.  The courthad likewise provided gifts to the temple in the last month of the previous year, and then, at the banquet, gave to the attending monks silk and cloth, based on their rank. But that wasn't the end of the gifts.  The following day the Princes and High Officials all received upper garments and hakama—likely referring to official garments—each getting one suit, each. Then, on the 13th day of the new year, the court invited 20 exceptional individuals to a banquet.  These were talented people, professors, divination specialists, and physicians.  They were also wined and dined and presented various gifts. On the 16th day, the Princes and High Officials were then invited to a banquet in the Daigokuden.  They were given gifts of silk and cloth, based on their rank.  Then they held another riddle competition, with correct answers rewarded with gifts of coarse and flossed silk. This was only a short time after disaster had struck, though a bit removed—two days earlier, in the evening, the royal storehouse at Naniwa had caught fire, eventually burning the entire Toyosaki palace complex to the ground.  Some claimed that it was actually started at a private residence,  that of Ato no Muraji no Kusuri, and then spread to the Palace.  In the end, only the military storehouse was spared. This would have been quite the tragedy for the government, but it did not halt the festivities happening down in Asuka.  The Naniwa Palace appears to have been a major government center for the administration of the state, but it was not the royal court which had been in Asuka for over a decade.  Indeed, I imagine that the news probably reached Asuka around the time of the Banquet itself. And yet, rather than putting a damper on the festivities, they continued another couple of days – presumably everything was already prepared and there was no point in canceling.  On the 17th, the court sponsored a banquet in the rear palace, presumably for the Queen and members of the imperial family.  Then the following day there was a great revel at the palace.  Ohoama took his place in front of the royal muro and made presents to performers, as well as to the singers.  As before everything varied according to rank. Asuka wasn't the only place to get in on the festivities.  The same month, the court also sponsored a banquet for the Silla envoys in Tsukushi, sending Prince Kawachi and others. Regrettably, that would be the last new year that Ohoama would see.  In the fifth month, he grew ill, and what we see in the Chronicles after that is an interesting look into how people of the time dealt with sickness. First, the court had the Sutra of Yakushi expounded at Kawaradera and held a Buddhist retreat in the palace, inviting monks to come and expound Buddhist teachings.  Yakushi, or Yakushi Nyorai—Bhaisajyaguru in Sanskrit—was known as the Medicine Buddha, and his name in Sinitic characters was basically "Master of Medicine".  It is said that he was responsible for the Eastern Pure Land, and that, as a Bodhisattva, he had made 12 great vows to cure the illnesses of all living beings in the world.  For that reason, Yakushi Nyorai was often called upon to cure illness.  In fact, six years earlier, when the Queen, Uno no Sarara Hime, had taken ill, Ohoama erected an entire temple to Yakushi Nyorai, known as Yakushiji.  He then had 100 people take vows as priests, and they attributed her recovery to this effort. In this case, however, it seems that it didn't have quite such an effect, and Ohoama remained under the weather.  We are also told that the court sent Palace Attendants, the Oho-toneri, to clean the pagodas of various temples and that a general amnesty was announced for all under heaven, emptying the prisons.  All of this points to the idea of making merit in the hope of bringing good karma, and thus healing. But the following month, Ohoama was still ill.  Divination was performed by the Onmyoji, the court diviners, and they claimed that there was a curse from Kusanagi, the sword that is considered one of the three main royal symbols.  This is the sword that was said to have been found by Susanowo in the tale of Yamata no Worochi, and which gained its name, Kusanagi, when used by Yamato Takeru, cutting down the grass to save him when his enemies tried to catch him by setting fire to the field where he was hunting.  For more on that, check out Episodes 34 and 35. Given the importance of Kusanagi, I suspect that the idea of destroying it to remove the curse was out of the question, and so it was sent to Atsuta Shrine, where it was enshrined and would largely stay except when needed for enthronement ceremonies.  And yet, even after the sword was taken away, the illness remained.  Six days later, on the 16th day of the 6th month, the court sent Prince Ise and officials to Asukadera and asked the monks there to make and oath with the Buddha to make Ohoama whole through the power of the Three Treasures of Buddhism.   For their work, the three Buddhist Officers, the Master of the Law, and the Upadhyaya and temple directors, as well as those monks with the rank of "master" each received a donation of one robe and one cover, or "Ohi". Three days later, the court ordered the hundred officials to go to Kawaradera and perfom the ceremony of lighting lanterns and giving offerings to Buddha.  Then they held a great feast and offered repentance for their transgressions.  All of this sounds like a continued attempt to make merit for the state, and thus for Ohoama. We then see the court granting the monks Hounin and Gishou 30 stipend-households to provide for them in their old age, which may be more merit-making, or possibly was related to some of the many other activities so far.  There are a few issues with this entry, and Aston and Bentley don't seem to agree on the actual date.  Bentley has it on the 28th, but that seems odd as it comes before the entry for the 22nd of the same month.  Aston has it as the 20th, but then claimes that there is something odd about the date of the 22nd. On the 22nd, we are simply told that the district kitchen of Nabari caught fire.  Aston notes that this would have been the official government arm in the district gathering food to supply the royal household—rather than being a kitchen in terms of a place to prepare food. Merit-making continued into the 7th month.  We see the Soujou and Soudzu, the primary and secondary prelates of the Asukadera, performing ritual repentance.  The following day there is another general amnesty, and Aston specifically mentions performing a Oho-harai, or cleansing. The day after taxes were halved from the provinces and corvee labor with local conscripted labor was exempted for the year.  Then we see the court presenting paper offerings to the Kunikasu Kami in Ki provinces, as well as the four shrines in Asuka and the Great Suminoe—aka Sumiyoshi—shrine. On the 8th day of the 7th month, 100 monks were invited to the court to read the Golden Light Sutra—Konkoymyou kyou.  And on the 15th there was another court issued amnesty. Despite all of these attempts to make merit and intercede with the Buddha or with various kami, Ohoama's illness continued.  We see that the court issued a decree that all things that should occur, great or small, should be reported to the queen and the crown prince—presumably because Ohoama was no longer in a state to be able to do so. Continuing with their efforts, the court declared that destitute commoners who had been forced to borrow rice seed or money before the 12th month of the previous year would be exempted from repayment.  And then the court changed the name of the year to Akami-tori, or Shuuchou.  They also renamed the palace in Asuka to "Kiyomihara"—again, go check Episode 134 for more on the palace.  "Shuuchou" is the Red Bird, likely referring to Suzaku, though Aston also points out that "Asuka" here is given as "flying bird", as well, and there had been numerous bird-related omens reported throughout the reign. Although these names would not have been used prior to this point—the 7th month of the final year of the reign—the Chroniclers applied the nengo, Shuuchou, to all of the entries for this year, and the name of the palace is often given as "Kiyomihara" is given to distinguish it from the Later Okamoto Palace, even though it was simply the latter palace with the addition of the Ebinoko enclosure. The changing of the era name was likely another attempt to change the seemingly inauspicious year, along with all of the merit-making that the court had been undergoing. And yet they kept going. The court selected 70 people who were diligent in keeping Buddhist laws and had them take the tonsure, and they sponsored a feast—or festival—in the Royal Muro of the Palace. At the same time the various princes had a statue of the Boddhisatva of Compassion, Kannon, made for the sovereign and had the Lotus sutra—the sutra where Kannon is first mentioned—read out at Daikandaiji. Kannon, or Avalokitesvara, was originally seen as a male Boddhisatva, but is often depicted as a woman.  They are also known as Guanyin, from which we get Kannon in Japanese.  Guanyin is also seen as Goddess of Mercy, and is one of the most popular figures across multiple sects of Buddhism and even outside of the Buddhist faith, where she is still seen as a goddess.  In this case, however, it seems clear that the princes were seeking compassion to relieve the sovereign of his affliction. And yet it persisted. They had 80 more people take the tonsure, and then 100 more men and women, placed 100 statues of the Boddhisatva, Kannon, in the palace, and then read out 200 volumes of the Lotus Sutra. And then they made prayers to the kami of Heaven and Earth.  And they dispatched Hata no Imiki no Iwakatsu to present paper offerings to the Tosa great shrine.  Nothing seemed to be working. In the 9th month, we see the royal princes and others, down to the various ministers, all gathered at Kawaradera making oaths for the health of the sovereigns.  This last ditch effort would go unrewarded.  Five days later, and Ohoama would pass away.  Of course, they couldn't just say that he died:  The Chronicles actually say that he divinely departed.  After all, didn't they call him an incarnate kami? Two days later, the court began the ritual of mourning, raising voices in lamentation, and setting up a temporary palace of interment in the courtyard, south of the palace.  Ohoama's body was placed there some thirteen days later, and people mourned his passing. For the rituals, we see monks and nuns performing ritual lamentation in the courtyard between 3 and 5 am, around the time that court officials would normally be waiting at the gates.  Over the next several days, various ceremonies were held and eulogies given.  We are told that the court presented offerings of food for the dead for the first time, and over the next several days monks and nuns would offer their laments and then various individuals would provide their eulogies.  Finally, on the last day of the ninth month, the eulogies concluded with Nyang-u, a Baekje prince, who pronounced a eulogy on behalf of his father, and then the Miyatsuko of various provinces came and did likewise.  There were also performances of all manner of singing and dancing. With that, the reign of Ohoama would come to an end.  The government would continue under his wife, the Queen, and Crown Prince.  We'll get into the succession in a later episode.  For now I'll just say that he was eventually buried in a large tomb in the modern Noguchi area of Asuka, and you can still go see it. And while that does bring us to the end of the reign, we still have a few more things that I want to discuss.   This episode just seemed a good time to talk about all of the various new years ceremonies, and that seemed to lead naturally into the very last year, but there is still more to discuss.  For one thing, we still haven't quite covered the spread of Buddhism and the changes in the structure.  There are also various laws and punishments that are worth covering.  Finally, there are the Chronicles themselves: we've talked about it all along, but the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki are attributed to this era, as is the start of what would become the capital of Fujiwara-kyo—many works that Ohoama would not live to see to the end, but is largely held responsible for starting. But until then, if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Saturday, 1-10-26: Isaiah 61: 1-11: "The Good News of Salvation!" Part 2 of 2.  Don't miss today's OR yesterday's episodes because they are linked together in a rather interesting way!  Come and see!  ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time!  And thank you to the 7 people who have already jumped in to participate in my Firewood Fundraiser!  Many rich and awesome blessings to you guys!!  Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Friday,1-9-26: John 18 -19: "In Pilate's Court."  Today's episode has a really amazing twist to it that was a real surprise to me.  Come and see! Also...If any of you can help me with buying firewood, I could use help! I've already had 7 AWESOME people contribute, which has already brought me half way to what I need!!  Praise God for those people!   So, if you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Thursday,1-8-26: Romans 8: 1-39. From Suffering to Glory! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Wednesday, 1-7-26, 2 Chronicles 18, Part 2.  Cool chapter!  Quite the amazing story! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Tuesday, 1-6-26, Part 1 of 2: 2 Chronicles 18: 1-34. Come and see what this chapter is about!  I bet it has content you've never heard about before! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Next Generation show with Ryan & Colin Buford. In this episode they discuss firewood essentials among other things. So cozy up by the fireplace or put a little linseed oil on the ax while you listen to one of PBNs best duos! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/prepper-broadcasting-network--3295097/support.Join the Prepper Broadcasting Network for expert insights on #Survival, #Prepping, #SelfReliance, #OffGridLiving, #Homesteading, #Homestead building, #SelfSufficiency, #Permaculture, #OffGrid solutions, and #SHTF preparedness. With diverse hosts and shows, get practical tips to thrive independently – subscribe now!BECOME A SUPPORTER FOR EARLY ACCESS AND ADD FREE PODCASTS ALONG WITH ACCESS TO TONS OF PREPPER CONTENT!Get Prepared with Our Incredible Sponsors! Survival Bags, kits, gear www.limatangosurvival.comThe Prepper's Medical Handbook Build Your Medical Cache – Welcome PBN FamilyThe All In One Disaster Relief Device! www.hydronamis.com

The Word of the Day with Rene Holaday for Monday, 1-5-26: Micah 7:1-20: "Sorrow for Israel's Sins, and God will Forgive Israel." Verse18 says: "He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy." Verse 14 describes "Shepherd Your people with Your staff.  the flock of Your heritage who dwell solitarily in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel; Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old." We are watching the full restoration of Israel right now, just as Micah predicts here in this chapter.  Join me this morning to hear how God is a covenant God who keeps His promises and covenants.  He punished Israel for crucifying The Messiah, but He is also their redeemer who brings them back and restores them to the fullest because He delights in MERCY!  ;()  Hurray!! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Saturday, 1-3-26: Revelation 22: 1-21: "The River of Life, Y'all!!"  Come check it out!!  This is OUR destiny!  Come and see what "The River Life" will be like, and Jesus's final words of the Bible!  You will hear who will and who won't be allowed into heaven as well!  Which one are you?  If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Friday, 1-2-26: Deuteronomy 30: 1-20: "The Blessing of Returning to God!"  Excellent content for the New Year! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Tuesday 12-30-25: Part 2, Colossians 2:8-23: "Not Legalism But Christ" and "He Nailed SIN to the Cross, Not the Law!!"  What's the difference between Legalism and keeping The Law of the 10 Commandments, like Jesus instructs us to do?  Come and see!  That question is defined in the Biblical notes from the Bible today.  You are going to be glad you watched today's episode, as it CORRECTLY defines what Paul meant in this chapter about both these subjects.  Most people, including the Mega Churches have this chapter wrong and are teaching the wrong thing, so it is critical that we get it RIGHT. ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal page will show up as "Liberty Agenda USA."   THANK YOU ahead of time!

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Saturday 12-27-25: Luke 8: 22-39: Luke 8: 22-39. Why is the story of the water's stilled and the man possessed by Legion right next to each other?  What do those two accounts have in common?  Come and see!  ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal page will show up as "Liberty Agenda USA."   THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the day with Rene' Holaday for FRIDAY, 12-26-25: Galatians 5, Part 2.  This is a review of Galatians 5 that I had covered in October.  Do you remember this chapter?  If not, come and see! ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal page will show up as "Liberty Agenda USA."   THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word for he Day with Rene' Holaday for  Thursday 12-25-25: Hebrews 13 1:-17  Multiple great things in this chapter!  History shows that the entire world got this chapter wrong.  Come and see what they got wrong!  ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal page will show up as "Liberty Agenda USA."   THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Wednesday 12-24-25: Revelation 14: 7-20: "The Three Angels." If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal page will show up as "Liberty Agenda USA."   THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Isaiah 11: 1-5 Part 2. New revelation today in Isaiah 11!  Come and see what you most likely have never heard! This channel is definitely Holy Spirit lead!  ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal page will show up as "Liberty Agenda USA."   THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Saturday, 12-20-25: Acts 17: 1-15: If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal account is Liberty Agenda USA.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for FRIDAY, 8-8-25 If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  My address title at PayPal is "Liberty Agenda USA."  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  My PayPal account is under the title, "Liberty Agenda USA.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Zechariah 3: 1-10: "The Vision of the High Priest!"  Which High Priest do you suppose they're talking about here? Come and see, and also find out what the procedure looks like for all of us to get our white garments!  If any of you want to me through my "Firewood Fundraiser" I have the need! If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, the name of my account will come up, which is called  "Liberty Agenda USA."  THANK YOU ahead of time!  And a VERY BIG THANK YOU to those of you who already joined in on this fundraiser to give me a helping hand and get this ball rolling!  Blessings multiplied to each of you that have already jumped in! ;()

John 14:1-6: "The Way, the Truth, and the Life," Part 1 of 6.  If you would like to watch the next 5 episodes, this originally aired on July, 7th, 2025, and if you scrolled back on my main YouTube Home Page, you can find the rest of this 6 Part Series!  This was an excellent series and is certainly worth revisiting and binge-watching for the real "Truth Seekers" out there! ;()  In this morning's show, from the random turning of John 14, I cover a VERY important dream/vision sent from God that goes into a remarkable possibility of what Jesus is talking about with "In My Fathers house are many "rooms" and I have been telling my listeners/watchers that I would talk about this most incredible vision at some point, and here it is, associated with John 14: 2-3!  So this whole chapter is outstanding in content from Jesus- very packed full of things that only a miraculous God would know!  Come join me today for Part 1 of the 6 part series this week, breaking down every section of the VERY rich "John 14!" If any of you want to me through my "Firewood Fundraiser" I have the need! If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, the name of my account will come up, which is called  "Liberty Agenda USA."  THANK YOU ahead of time!   Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Saturday, 12-13-25: Isaiah 11: 1-16: "The Reign of Jesse's Offspring."  Join me for a glorious Bible study on the Chapter that describes how nothing harms anything else in God's Kingdom!  I can't wait to see that IN PERSON! Great topic and fun Bible study today for the Sabbath! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Friday 12-12-25: Jeremiah 33: 1-26:"Excellence of the Restored Nation." New Revelation in today's Word in this Chapter!   If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

The Word of the Day for Thursday, 12-11-25: Matthew 6: 10-7:10 If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Winter Home Buying on the South Shore: What Buyers Need to Know, Expect & Prepare For Buying a home during the winter may feel unconventional but for many South Shore buyers, it can actually be one of the most strategic times of year to enter the market. In a recent episode of Talk Real Estate Roundtable, Boston Connect Real Estate's broker-owner Sharon McNamara and co-host Melissa Wallace broke down the realities, benefits, and unique considerations of winter home buying. Below is a full guide inspired by that conversation designed to help you feel confident, prepared, and empowered as you explore winter opportunities in our local market. Why Winter Can Be a Smart Time to Buy Winter may be associated with slower real estate activity, but that slowdown often benefits today's buyers. Less Competition & More Breathing Room While spring brings a flood of new listings, it also brings crowds of buyers and highly competitive bidding wars. Winter, however, offers: Fewer competing offers More flexible showing schedules Opportunities to revisit properties multiple times More room for negotiation As Sharon shared, many buyers today want to slow the pace down, and winter affords exactly that. Motivated Sellers Sellers who list in winter typically need or want to sell and that translates into stronger buyer leverage. From flexible timelines to concessions, winter sellers are generally more open to conversation. Seeing a Home in Winter: What Buyers Should Expect Winter showings feel very different from spring or summer ones and that requires a bit of imagination. Landscaping & Outdoor Features May Be Hidden Grass is dormant, pools are closed, and decks or patios may be snow-covered. That doesn't mean these features don't exist it simply means you may need additional context. Pro tip: Ask your agent to request seasonal photos from the seller so you can see the home at its best. Vacant Homes May Feel Smaller Rooms without furniture can be surprisingly difficult to visualize especially when you're trying to picture how your sofa or dining table fits. Winter's low light can add to the challenge. Your agent can help you assess scale, flow, and potential. Winter Home Inspection Considerations Inspecting a home during the winter months comes with specific limitations but also valuable insights. What You Can See Clearly Heating system performance Drafts or insulation concerns Potential ice dams or signs of past roof leaks Basement moisture issues, even with frozen ground General exterior condition, where snow allows Winter actually highlights issues that may not appear in warmer months. What You Can't Test or Fully Evaluate Central AC systems (cannot be run in cold temperatures) Roof shingles hidden by snow Pools, septic leaching fields, and yard grading In these cases, your agent can help request: Prior service records Summer photos Written disclosures Additional documentation from licensed professionals Commonly Overlooked Items During Winter Showings Sharon and Melissa highlighted several small but important features buyers often forget to check in colder months: Outdoor water spigots (silcocks) – ensure they're shut off and drained Window screens – many sellers store them for winter; confirm they exist Chimney caps and flashing – visible only if not covered by snow Basement moisture – even frozen ground shouldn't mask water issues Roof stains in attic or ceilings – could be from prior ice dams Their advice? Ask questions, take notes, and revisit anything unclear. Winter Negotiation Strategies Buyers Should Consider A less competitive winter market opens the door for stronger buyer negotiation opportunities. Beyond the obvious items like price or closing date Sharon shared several commonly overlooked negotiation points: 1. Firewood If a seller has a large supply, ask to include it. Firewood is expensive, and sellers often have no use for it once they move. 2. Remaining Oil in the Tank In Massachusetts, buyers typically reimburse sellers for oil remaining at closing. But Sharon notes this convention isn't law and buyers can negotiate: “Oil to be at least half a tank at closing and included in the sale at no additional cost.” 3. Pool Equipment & Supplies If you're buying a home with a pool (especially one you can't see under the cover), be sure to request all associated equipment and chemicals in writing. 4. Home Sale Contingencies These are becoming more common again in a slightly shifting market. Winter sellers may be more open to them. Using Winter to Your Advantage as a Buyer While some buyers wait for spring, savvy buyers use winter to secure a great home at a more relaxed pace. In Sharon's experience, winter buyers tend to make more confident, thoughtful decisions because they aren't pressured by intense competition. Winter also provides clarity on: How well the home heats Whether drafts exist If windows need replacement How the home performs during harsher weather These are insights you can't get in June. Final Thoughts: Lean on Experience Winter home buying may require extra steps, questions, and preparation but you don't have to navigate it alone. At Boston Connect Real Estate, our team has guided thousands of South Shore buyers through every season, every challenge, and every market condition. Winter is no exception. If you're considering a move or want a one-on-one consultation with Sharon and her team you can reach us anytime at BostonConnect.com or 781-826-8000.

Revelation 12: 1-17:"The Woman, The Child , and the Dragon." This is a VERY IMPORTANT chapter for this era!  The Great Deception groundwork is being laid out across the world right now, so come an d see why this chapter is so important to understand!  If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Our favorite woodhounds discuss the value of different types of firewood, and more specifically, seasoned vs green firewood.  Is seasoned wood worth more?  Um... yes it is!!  

Romans 3: 21-31:"God's Righteousness Through Faith." Here's a chapter we have never covered with some amazing content! This is difficult to understand, but interesting nonetheless!  Come and see! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Deuteronomy 11: 1-22 This is the Chapter that has the a special surprise in it that nobody seems to know about!  VALUABLE CHAPTER!! Come and see! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

In Episode 866 of The LOTS Project Morning Show, Brian talks through a challenging early December: slow cabin framing progress, nonstop cold rain, the mental grind of gloomy weather, and the physical grind of hauling firewood out by hand because the easement road is still impassable.We also dive into weekend Netflix picks — including Pepsi, Where's My Jet?, Kings of Tupelo, and the explosive Diddy documentary — plus the weekly Bitcoin guessing game and how to stack even more sats using the Fold debit card during the Blockstream Jade 21% holiday sale.It's a packed, honest, filter-free episode. Grab a coffee and come along.Sponsors & PartnersSignature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=LOTSBlockstream Jade & JadePlus (21% off + extra 10% w/ code TheLOTSProject):https://store.blockstream.com/?code=TheLOTSProjectFold — Earn Bitcoin Back: https://use.foldapp.com/r/FANEWETXComfreyRoots.com: https://comfreyroots.comFood Forest Farms Coffee: https://foodforestfarms.comAffiliate DisclosureThis episode contains affiliate links. Using them costs you nothing extra and helps support the show.

**FIREWOOD FUND SPECIAL REQUEST** If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Leviticus 21: 1-24: "Regulations for conduct of the Priests."  Considering we will e His Kings and Priests in the New Millennium, we could use this information as a general guideline for what to expect since God does not change!  Come and see! If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Isaiah 55:1-13 "An Invitation to Abundant Life!" Let me know what you think of the content in the comments below.  If you have not subscribed yet, you can do that as well! ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

In this episode, I talk with Wyatt Reader. Wyatt has a 14 acre farm in West Central Manitoba, Canada. This his first year raising pigs and he has faced some challenges with his first round of farrowing and finishing. Wyatt shares with me his goals for expanding his pastured operation and other elements of his farm. SPONSOR: For more information about the pending conference at the Rodale Institute, visit https://treesforgraziers.com/product/beyond-grass-and-grain/ Also, join us for discussion of all things pastured pig on our new facebook group, The Pastured Pig. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepasturedpig Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepasturedpig If you would like to know more about us here at Red Tool House Farm or would like to suggest topics for future episodes, visit us at: https://thepasturedpig.com/podcast/  

Part 2: Matthew 28: 16-20:"The Great Commission." Come and see what it looked like!  ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail if you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address.  THANK YOU ahead of time! Blessings to everyone!  ;()

Have you ever wondered why firewood is such an easy product to sell?  Why do we never have enough?  Why is there a firewood shortage every winter?  Do you know a good plumber?

# Get the Most Out of Your Holiday Plants and FirewoodAre you ready for the holiday season? From hollow chocolate Santas to bourbon cream and poinsettias, the annual traditions are upon us. But did you know your beautiful poinsettia plants can actually last all winter long with proper care? This episode dives into essential tips for keeping those festive plants thriving beyond their typical four-week lifespan, plus crucial advice about firewood safety that could prevent serious problems in your home and the environment.## Timestamps and Key Takeaways:**01:15** - Holiday traditions: Chocolate Santas and Buffalo Trace bourbon cream**02:30** - Poinsettia care tips: Keep them watered consistently and away from heat sources**03:45** - The dangers of letting poinsettias dry out even once**04:30** - Louisville culinary recommendation: Mark's Feed Store barbecue and fried corn on the cob**06:20** - Firewood safety: - Buy local firewood to prevent spreading invasive insects like Emerald Ash Borer - Don't panic about beetles in firewood - they're often harmless wood borers - Never burn firewood with hairy vines (potential poison ivy) - can cause serious health issues - Be aware of spotted lanternfly egg masses on firewoodDon't miss our expert's advice on keeping your holiday plants looking beautiful long after the decorations come down, and learn why that seemingly innocent firewood could pose unexpected dangers to your health and local ecosystem. Listen now to protect your home and environment while enjoying all the seasonal comforts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# Preparing Your Home for Winter: Essential Maintenance TipsAre your windows fogging up and your home feeling uncomfortably dry? As temperatures drop, maintaining proper humidity levels becomes crucial for both comfort and home health.Gary Sullivan shares practical wisdom about winter home maintenance in this informative episode. From managing indoor humidity levels to proper firewood storage and garage door maintenance, this conversation covers everything homeowners need to know as cold weather approaches. Whether you're dealing with foundation concerns, stained concrete, or preparing your plumbing for freezing temperatures, Gary offers expert advice to keep your home comfortable and protected all season long.## Timestamps and Key Takeaways:**7:15** - Indoor humidity management: Why maintaining 35% humidity when temperatures drop below freezing is essential for comfort**12:30** - Firewood storage tips: Why keeping firewood away from your house (and never in your garage) prevents pest problems**15:45** - Foundation concerns: When to address settling issues and how to evaluate urgency**33:30** - Garage door maintenance: Complete guide to lubricating tracks, rollers and hinges properly**43:15** - Removing leaf stains from concrete patios: Effective cleaning methods and sealing recommendations**51:30** - Roofing decisions: Why choosing the right roofer matters more than specific shingle brandsProper winter preparation doesn't just make your home more comfortable—it prevents costly damage and extends the life of your home's systems. As Gary reminds us, sometimes the best approach is working with trusted professionals who understand local conditions.Ready to tackle your winter home maintenance checklist? Listen now for expert guidance that will keep your home protected all season long.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# Get the Most Out of Your Holiday Plants and FirewoodAre you ready for the holiday season? From hollow chocolate Santas to bourbon cream and poinsettias, the annual traditions are upon us. But did you know your beautiful poinsettia plants can actually last all winter long with proper care? This episode dives into essential tips for keeping those festive plants thriving beyond their typical four-week lifespan, plus crucial advice about firewood safety that could prevent serious problems in your home and the environment.## Timestamps and Key Takeaways:**01:15** - Holiday traditions: Chocolate Santas and Buffalo Trace bourbon cream**02:30** - Poinsettia care tips: Keep them watered consistently and away from heat sources**03:45** - The dangers of letting poinsettias dry out even once**04:30** - Louisville culinary recommendation: Mark's Feed Store barbecue and fried corn on the cob**06:20** - Firewood safety: - Buy local firewood to prevent spreading invasive insects like Emerald Ash Borer - Don't panic about beetles in firewood - they're often harmless wood borers - Never burn firewood with hairy vines (potential poison ivy) - can cause serious health issues - Be aware of spotted lanternfly egg masses on firewoodDon't miss our expert's advice on keeping your holiday plants looking beautiful long after the decorations come down, and learn why that seemingly innocent firewood could pose unexpected dangers to your health and local ecosystem. Listen now to protect your home and environment while enjoying all the seasonal comforts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# Preparing Your Home for Winter: Essential Maintenance TipsAre your windows fogging up and your home feeling uncomfortably dry? As temperatures drop, maintaining proper humidity levels becomes crucial for both comfort and home health.Gary Sullivan shares practical wisdom about winter home maintenance in this informative episode. From managing indoor humidity levels to proper firewood storage and garage door maintenance, this conversation covers everything homeowners need to know as cold weather approaches. Whether you're dealing with foundation concerns, stained concrete, or preparing your plumbing for freezing temperatures, Gary offers expert advice to keep your home comfortable and protected all season long.## Timestamps and Key Takeaways:**7:15** - Indoor humidity management: Why maintaining 35% humidity when temperatures drop below freezing is essential for comfort**12:30** - Firewood storage tips: Why keeping firewood away from your house (and never in your garage) prevents pest problems**15:45** - Foundation concerns: When to address settling issues and how to evaluate urgency**33:30** - Garage door maintenance: Complete guide to lubricating tracks, rollers and hinges properly**43:15** - Removing leaf stains from concrete patios: Effective cleaning methods and sealing recommendations**51:30** - Roofing decisions: Why choosing the right roofer matters more than specific shingle brandsProper winter preparation doesn't just make your home more comfortable—it prevents costly damage and extends the life of your home's systems. As Gary reminds us, sometimes the best approach is working with trusted professionals who understand local conditions.Ready to tackle your winter home maintenance checklist? Listen now for expert guidance that will keep your home protected all season long.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rafe and Harry discuss the general wonders, and the specifics of the combustion, of wood, one of the great (if not the greatest!) natural resources on planet earth.Again, more proof that this planet was made for us.*****As always, you can reach the Buf at bufnagle@bufnagle.com*****As you know, this is an independent podcast so your hosts also carry all the expenses of running this podcast. As such, some of you have asked how you can help out. Well, here's the answer: support us on Buy Me a Coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bufnagleOn this page, you can do a really nice thing like send us a couple dollars to help cover the cost of recording and hosting and microphones and research and all that. Any little bit really helps! Thank you in advance!!!

A recent fire at a Montana based firewood production yard got Dan and Joe's attention when the story was posted on  YouTube.  If the fire wasn't bad enough,  comments left by some viewers seemed to have crossed the line into bad taste.  The Wood Hounds dive into these comments and show how they reflect persistent and unfortunate attitudes about the entire industry.     Here is a link to the video   https://youtu.be/-8AUPjPtqtg?si=rCcQRz8XN-NLwANA

German Extra Hardy is the variety of garlic and this was the second harvest year for heads purchased in 2023.  Obviously the variety agrees with the Ozarks' soil.Blind Hog and Acorn been doin' the usual farm chores.  Firewood getting brought in and cut, put away.  Acorn surprised Blind Hog with a fire in the woodstove- a most peculiar day when it looked like the highs might be under 60F.  Did not last long once the clouds moved off and the sun came back out.  Next week will be in the 80's again.  Speaking of bright, closet light fixtures replaced with LED flat panels- much better!Acorn's arthritic hip has been a right pain in the ass...  Literally.  Today was a good day though, Sam got walkies all the way to the bridge which has been a first for Acorn since getting back from the trip.  Pffff- a whole 1.25 mile round trip...  Acorn will just have to take it easy and have another "fig newton" with figs from the garden.Fall is most definitely here.  Now to just get these doelings sold!

WXPR News for 10-10-25

my email tonymowingrass@gmail.com Rons channelhttps://youtube.com/@greenscapesoh?si=4cmrf4OaDTddt92u

I sit down with Leroy Hite, the audacious founder of Cutting Edge Firewood, the first luxury firewood company that redefined how people think about logs and flames. (Yes, luxury firewood.) Leroy shares how he turned a basic commodity into a premium brand, scaling Cutting Edge into a multimillion-dollar enterprise before eventually exiting the business. Along the way, we talk about:The sheer madness (and vision) behind creating a “luxury firewood” niche from scratchThe years of grind, rejection, and sleepless hustling that built the foundationWhat it feels like to pursue a dream that no one believed in (except you)The payoff when persistence, faith, and strategy convergeWhether you're launching something unconventional or just chasing a big ambition that others laugh at, this conversation will encourage you to lean in harder, push longer, and believe...even when no one else does.Tune in and get stoked.Please Give A Review If you like the show, it'd be awesome if you could take 10 seconds and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (click here to leave a review) Connect With Stephen Visit our website at www.lifebuilder.co Connect with me on LinkedIN Get the show and additional episodes on YouTube About the Podcast If working a 9-5 for 60 years so you can retire with a little money and die a few years later is what you want to do, then this is not the podcast for you. Stephen is an executive coach that works with ambitious people to build the life that they want, personally and professionally.This podcast is about contrarian investment strategies around time, energy and money to build the 4 types of wealth and utilize lifestyle design to create the life we want. The interviews are with hi-earning individuals on how they make money so you can copy us and grow wealth too! Reaching that first $100k milestone is crucial and then the game changes.Learn how the wealthy view time, energy and money so you can apply these proven strategies to your life.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi - ZMM - 10/05/25 - The opportunity our lives offer is simply to live—not in the past, nor the future, but now—and this requires a measure of both faith and appreciation for all that is present, right now. Rather than living in memory and recollection, or in our hopes and fears, Dogen's Genjokoan emphasizes that the dharma state of any phenomenon is just this, right now. - Fall 2025 Ango - Genjokoan Series of Talks - Part 6

It's another HouseSmarts Radio with Lou Manfredini and Jim Hanlon, Owner of Chicago Firewood Company, who shares the many options they offer. Let Chicago Firewood cater to all your firewood needs by visiting chifirewood.com or call (872) 327-9728.

Joe discusses his recent, week-long tour of firewood yards in Germany and Austria and shares what he witnessed across the pond.  This trip was organized by TP Siva, the Finland-based company responsible for the Japa, Hakki Pilke, and Palax firewood processors. 

Dan and Joe come close to violating one of their core standards for a world-class firewood podcast.   No Cussing!!