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The TV series "Shogun" brings Japanese history to life, but who was the first Shogun?
In the first episode of this new podcast series, Sean Bermingham explores Minamoto no Yoritomo's extraordinary rise to power in medieval Japan, amidst the dramatic backdrop of the Gempei War - an epic clash between two rival samurai clans, the Genji and the Heike. We'll see how the Tale of the Heike was passed down over generations by traveling storytellers - and in a secluded temple cemetery, we'll accompany a brave musician who has an unearthly encounter with samurai spirits from a vanished age...

Places mentioned in this episode:

Kitano Tenmangu Treasure House, Kyoto - the shrine preserves an ancient sword believed to be the Genji heirloom 'higekiri' : https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220826/p2a/00m/0et/037000c

Akama Shrine, Shimonoseki - shrine dedicated to the boy-Emperor Antoku and the Heike who died at Dan-no-Ura; the setting for the tale of Hoichi the Earless:
https://en.japantravel.com/yamaguchi/akama-shrine/17401

Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

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The first Shogun - Yoritomo of the Genji - was born more than 800 years ago. In this episode we explore the amazing background of Yoritomo's Genji clan - a real-life medieval mix of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. And then we see how his father Yoshitomo prepared to protect the samurai honor, by standing against his own family...

Places mentioned in this episode:

Rashomon Gate - made famous by Akira Kurosawa's 1950 film - once stood at the southern entrance to the city of Heian (Kyoto). Nothing remains today except a small memorial in a children's playground. You can see what it once looked at the nearby Kyoto JR station, which has a scale model of the original gate. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/rajomon-gate

The Shogunzuka mound - or Mound of the General - is located in the eastern mountains overlooking Kyoto. It marks the site where the Emperor Kammu first surveyed the valley where he would build the nation's new capital, Kyoto.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3954_shogunzuka.html

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

Send feedback on the podcast!

It is the year 1156 in the Japanese imperial capital. Two rival Emperors face each other across the Kamo river, each supported by warriors of the Heike and Genji clans.

Watching is the nine-year-old Yoritomo. One day he will become Japan’s first Shogun. But for now, all he can do is hope that his father has chosen the right side.

Key figures in this episode:

West of the river:
- Go-Shirakawa (reigning Emperor of Japan)
- Shinzei (Go-Shirakawa's senior advisor)
- Yoshitomo (Genji heir, eldest son of Tameyoshi)
- Yoritomo (Yoshitomo's son; future First Shogun)
- Kiyomori (Head of the Heike clan)

East of the river:
- Sutoku (Retired Emperor, Go-Shirakawa's elder brother)
- Tameyoshi (Head of the Genji clan; Yoshitomo's father)
- Tamatomo (Yoshitomo's younger brother; a giant)
- Tadamasa (Heike commander; uncle of Kiyomori)

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham.
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com