The image of the samurai is almost synonymous with Japanese history for many people: the honor-bound, bow and sword wielding individual warrior on horseback. It could have been very different. When the early Japanese Court was trying hard to adopt the massed infantry tactics of China, a series of defeats to an impressive “barbarian” guerrilla warrior from the north changed the military culture of the country.

Check out this episode!

Support the Edge of History podcast!

You can support the podcast by downloading on iTunes, subscribing, or making a donation. We love reviews and the Centurion reads every single one! Please share it on social media using the links at the bottom of this post. Thank You!

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Make a one-time donation to support the Edge of History podcast.

Make a monthly donation to support the Edge of History podcast.

Make a yearly donation to support the Edge of History pocast!

Choose an amount

¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
¤1.00
¤2.00
¤5.00
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00

Or enter a custom amount


Your contribution means a lot!

Your monthly contribution helps offset podcast hosting costs and enables the Centurion to dedicate more time to his craft.

Your contribution enables the Centurion to plan ahead, purchase books and create new episodes. Thank you!

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly

For Further Awesome Reading…

A History of Japan to 1334

The OG—Sansom wrote a comprehensive history of Japan that is readable and scholarly at the same time, while still respected many decades later. Volume 2 is even better, although it covers events centuries later than those of this podcast.

Heavenly Warriors: The Evolution of Japan’s Military, 500–1300

When my own history professor assigned this way back when, she made clear it was a “counter” narrative to a lot of how Japanese history had been interpreted for many decades. It’s a great companion source to something like Sansom.