New Medieval Books: A Shattered Realm
This independently published book offers translations of several key sources from 14th and early 15th century Japan, shedding light on the fierce political struggles of the era. Many of these documents are being made available in English for the first time.
Japan’s Early Female Emperors
According to conventional Japanese chronology, the time between Suiko’s accession in 592 and Shotoku’s death in 770 is divided into sixteen reigns, half of which featured female emperors.
New Medieval Books: The Dawn of the Warrior Age
This book offers translations of three medieval texts: The Tale of the Hogen Years, The Tale of the Heiji Years, and An Account of the Jokyu Years, all of which describe war and violence over who would rule the imperial court of Japan.
The Met acquires two medieval sculptures
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the acquisition of two rare and acclaimed wooden sculptures from medieval Japan.
Cranial modification took place in early medieval Japan, study finds
The Hirota people, who lived on the southern Japanese island of Tanegashima between the 3rd to 7th century CE, practiced cranial modification, according to a new study.
Time Pressure and Boredom in Medieval Japan
The diverse ways in which time was perceived, experienced, and negotiated in Medieval Japan.
The Medievalism of Naruto
Set in a world that is half-medieval, half-modern, the story of Naruto occupies a unique place in medievalism. How much does a story about ninjas borrow from the Middle Ages?
Giant sword discovered in Japan
A sword measuring 237 cm long (7 feet 9 inches) has been discovered during an archaeological dig in Nara City. It is believed to be the largest iron sword ever found in Japan.
Five things you can learn from a Ninja
Some unusual tricks and tips to help a ninja succeed as a spy and warrior.
The Mongol Invasions of Japan
In the thirteenth century, aided by suicidal courage, remarkable skill, and unbelievable luck, the samurai dared to resist the Mongol steamroller – and lived to tell the tale.
8th-century medical text lost for centuries has been rediscovered
Jianshangren’s Secret Prescription, a text of Chinese Traditional Medicine that was brought to Japan in the 8th century, has long been believed to be lost. However, the text has now been published after being passed down through a family for 52 generations.
‘Bushidō’ and What Bushi Did: Loyalty, Reputation and Honor in the Samurai Tradition
To describe samurai culture in historical reality, we must first ask “which samurai historical reality?”
Himeji-jō: The White Heron of Medieval Japan
A look into the history and legends of Himeji Castle in Japan.
Body Like Withered Wood and Heart like Dead Ashes: The Remains of Kamatari’s Statue at Tōnomine
At the beginning of Jōgen 2 (1208), Kinpusen armed troops stormed Tōnomine, setting fire to worship halls and monastic quarters and destroying several sacred items.
Japan’s Medieval Economic Miracle
Mikael Adolphson on Japan’s economy between the 11th and 16th centuries
Oda Nobunaga and the Gunpowder Revolution in Japan
As in Europe, the military revolution in Japan was triggered by a technical innovation – the development of gunpowder weapons such as muskets and cannon.
Historical document details martyrdom of Japanese Christian retainers 400 years ago
New research has uncovered a letter indicating that Hosokawa Tadaoki, lord of the Kokura domain from 1600 to 1620, ordered the execution of Diego Hayato Kagayama, a chief vassal of the Hosokawa family, and the banishment of Genya Ogasawara, both Christians.
Early 17th century Japanese document details castle-building project
An early Edo period document stipulating the Hosokawa clan code of conduct for vassals dispatched on a national project to rebuild Sunpu Castle has been discovered by Kumamoto University researchers.
Dangerous Times for Ordinary People: Violence from Above in Medieval Japan
Suzanne Gay discusses the medieval reality of violence and coercion of ordinary people by elites, focusing on several specific cases.
What was seen in Japan’s night sky 1400 years ago?
Nearly a millennium and a half ago, red light streaked the night sky over Japan.
Reading Medieval Ruins: A Material History of Urban Life in 16th-Century Japan
The city of Ichijôdani served as the capital of Echizen Province for approximately one century during Japan’s late medieval period.
Major fire engulfs 600 year old castle in Japan
Much of Shuri Castle in Japan has been completely destroyed in a fire. The UNESCO World Heritage site dates back about 600 years.
Word Embodied: Entangled Icons in Medieval Japanese Buddhist Art
My project on the Japanese jeweled pagoda mandalas reveals the entangled realms of relics, reliquaries, and Buddhist scripture engendered through intricate interactions of word and image.
How the borders of Japan changed in the Middle Ages
Three videos taking a look at how Japan evolved during the medieval period.