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Jun 2024
45m 40s

Kyoto: Japan's Imperial City

History Hit & Assassin's Creed
About this episode

During the Onin Wars of the early Sengoku period, Kyoto was razed as civil war struck the Imperial capital. Only with unification did the city begin to rebuild. This episode will explore the rise and fall and rise again of Kyoto, what life in the city might have looked like, and why it held such significance to unification in the 16th century. In turn, we'll reveal how the Sengoku period shaped the city’s meaning for early modern Japan.


Delving into the history behind a major location in the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Lesley Downer shed light on the culture, fortunes and misfortunes of the great city of Kyoto.


Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. 


Hosted by: Matt Lewis

Edited by: Ella Blaxill

Produced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis

Production Coordinator: Beth Donaldson

Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett


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