The First Shogun

May 19 2024 1

The First Shogun Podcast artwork

The TV series "Shogun" brings Japanese history to life, but who was the first Shogun?
In this series of podcasts, Sean Bermingham explores the rise to power of Yoritomo Minamoto, the first military leader of Japan. We'll follow Yoritomo's life and adventures as a young man as he leads his Genji clan to victory against the odds in the greatest samurai civil war in Japan's history, and eventually claims the title as Japan's First Shogun.

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music by EdRecords/Pond5: www.pond5.com

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Exiles and Lovers (part 2)

May 19 2024 19 mins

In this episode Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan - falls in love with Hojo Masako - one of the most famous women in Japan's history. As they celebrate a secret wedding, Yoritomo hears of a strange dream that may be a prophesy of his future. Meanwhile, Kiyomori executes a conspirator with a brutality that shocks even his own supporters, and exiles three men to a volcanic

Exiles and Lovers (part 1)

May 19 2024 15 mins

In this episode we follow the teenager Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan - as he begins his exile on Leech Island in Izu province, where he experiences both love and tragedy in the household of his captor. Meanwhile, back in the Capital, Lord Kiyomori of the Heike continues to secure his position as the country's most powerful landlord. But a secret meeting at a remote mo

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May 11 2024 25 mins

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The Red and The White

May 04 2024 28 mins

It is now the year 1160 and Yoshitomo, the head of the Genji samurai clan, is preparing an audacious plot to topple the Emperor's chief advisor Shinzei, the man who ordered the deaths of his father and brothers. But can he carry out his plan in time before his deadliest rival, Lord Kiyomori of the Heike Clan, returns to the Capital?Key figures in this episode:The Genji:Yoshitomo -

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Apr 27 2024 29 mins

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Apr 20 2024 24 mins

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

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Apr 12 2024 23 mins

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 Hei