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.
Monument to the legendary “Emishi” warrior Aterui in Hirakata, Japan. 
Map of 8th century Japan. Territory dominated by the imperial Japanese is in red. “Silla” is the kingdom in Southern Korea Japan attempted to invade late in the previous century. 
Medieval Japan as it looked later. Provinces 2 and 3 here are Mutsu and Dewa, the large sections of “frontier” country that was wrested from the Emishi and loosely organized even centuries later. 
The famous general Sakanoue Tamuramaro—the first successful man to wear the title sei-tai-shogun, or “great general who subdues the barbarians,” later shortened in popular history to “Shogun.” This is a fanciful depiction of him from centuries later. 
Wooden model of Aterui’s head from a Japanese shrine. This isn’t notable for how Aterui looked (there are no contemporary depictions of him that survive.) This is significant for how the Japanese people wanted to remember him: the embodiment of fierce defiance.
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!
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
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 yearlyFor Further Awesome Reading…
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.