Major military efforts were taken by Kublai Khan of the Yuan dynasty in 1274 and 1281 to conquer the Japanese archipelago after the submission of the Korean kingdom of Goryeo to vassalhood. Ultimately a failure, the invasion attempts are of massive importance because they set a limit on Mongol expansion and rank as nation-defining events in the history of Ja ... Show More
Apr 20
The Bowling Boom and Bust: How A Sports Empire Crumbled
In the 1960s, bowling wasn't just a sport—it was America's favorite pastime. With over 9.8 million league bowlers, bowling alleys dotted every American town, and professional bowlers were household names. Today, that empire has crumbled to less than 1.2 million league bowlers nat ... Show More
22m 22s
Apr 7
The Rise Of The Yakuza
The Yakuza, Japan's organized crime syndicates, originated in the mid-Edo period. Known for rigid patriarchal structures, tattoos, and feudal codes of honor, they evolved from street-level racketeers into powerful, often politically connected, organizations that thrived in post-W ... Show More
30m 56s
Jun 2023
The Mongol Invasions of Japan
In the late 13th century, the Mongol Empire was at the peak of its power.
It was at this time that the Mongol Emperor of China, Kubli Khan, set his eyes on the island of Japan.
On two separate occasions, the Mongols assembled the world’s largest amphibious fleet in world histor ... Show More
14m 50s
Jan 2024
Japan's Tokugawa Shogunate
<p>The Warring States period brought Japan to its knees. It was a time of turbulence and treachery, with rival warlords fighting bitterly for control of the land. But by the dawn of the 17th century, one of Japan's 'Great Unifiers' had emerged victorious - Tokugawa Ieyasu, the fi ... Show More
29m 30s
Dec 2022
277: Japan: Samurai and Shoguns
In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the history of Japan through six characters, with leading cultural historian of Japan, Chris Harding, as they cover feuding lords and buddhist monks, both world wars, Japanese medieval poetry, Manga culture, and much, much more.
Join T ... Show More
1h 2m