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The Entire History of Ancient Japan

Voices of the Past・2 minutes read

Mongol envoys executed by Japan due to defiance, leading to divine intervention aiding Japan in repelling Mongol invasions and establishing a national identity.

Insights

Hojo Tokimune's defiance of Kublai Khan led to the execution of Mongol envoys, showcasing Japan's refusal to submit to foreign invasion.
The establishment of Buddhism as Japan's state religion by Prince Shotoku and Empress Suiko laid the foundation for a stable Japanese state, integrating tribes and establishing a new societal order.
Divine intervention from Susa-no-o and Amaterasu played a crucial role in repelling the Mongol invasions, fostering a sense of national unity and identity in Japan.

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Recent questions

What was the outcome of the Mongol invasions in Japan?
Japan repelled the Mongols with divine intervention.

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Summary

00:00

Defiant Japan: Mongol Invasion and Female Monarchs

Five Mongol envoys knelt on the beach at Kamakura, awaiting execution by the sword.
Hojo Tokimune, ruler of Japan, refused to submit to Kublai Khan, leading to the execution of Mongol envoys.
Mt. Fuji overlooked the beheading of Mongol warriors, signaling Japan's defiance against invasion.
The first Mongol invasion in 1274 saw a massive armada land in Hakata Bay, Kyushu.
Samurai defending against the Mongols were perplexed by the unfamiliar phalanx warfare tactics.
Hojo Tokimune, facing Mongol threats, delved into Japan's history and origins.
Yasumaro recorded ancient Japanese myths, including the creation of Japan by divine beings.
The Yayoi people, migrating to Japan, brought advancements and transformed the country.
Queen Himiko, a powerful ruler, used magic and diplomacy to establish peace and prosperity.
Himiko's death led to the appointment of Iyo as queen, continuing a tradition of female monarchs in Japan.

16:56

"Japan's Transition to Buddhism and Stability"

Shinto was originally a religion of nature spirits, including mountains, rivers, trees, stones, fire, and water.
King Seong of Baekje sent a letter to Emperor Kinmei, introducing Buddhism to Japan.
Soga no Iname, a noble in Japan, had been secretly following Buddhism for generations.
Emperor Kinmei, fearing the gods' wrath due to a plague, ordered the destruction of Buddhist temples.
Prince Shotoku, after praying and creating images of the Four Heavenly Kings, led Japan to victory.
Prince Shotoku and Empress Suiko established Buddhism as Japan's state religion, along with Confucian principles.
Shotoku and Suiko laid the foundation for a stable Japanese state, dominating the main islands and integrating tribes.
Baekje refugees fled to Japan after defeat, leading to a failed attempt to restore the kingdom.
The Japanese and Baekje forces were ambushed by Tang Chinese ships, leading to a devastating defeat.
Heijo-Kyo, Japan's new capital, was established to showcase Japan's civilization and dignity to foreign nations.

31:49

Imperial Treasures and Buddha: Japan's Legacy

Shosoin, a grand Imperial repository, was established to showcase the permanence of the new city, housing Royal Treasures, tribute, and gifts from neighboring states.
The Todaiji Temple was built to house these treasures, symbolizing Imperial legitimacy, international recognition, and power, following Prince Shotoku’s reforms.
Bodhisena, a Tamil man from southern India, was granted land by the Imperial court to build a temple and contribute his deep knowledge to Japan.
In 741, Emperor Shomu ordered the construction of a Great Buddha statue in Heijo-kyo, made entirely of bronze, 16 meters high, and housed in a massive wooden temple hall.
Over 2.6 million people donated food, money, or labor for the statue, with craftsmen from around the world working for over a decade to complete it.
In 752, the eye-opening ceremony was held to dedicate the statue, with dignitaries from Tang China and Korean kingdoms present.
The painting of the Buddha’s eyes by Bodhisena signified the Buddha coming to life in Japan, radiating love and protection from the capital city.
Emperor Kammu, in 781, decided to move the capital from Heijo-kyo to Nagaoka, later founding Heian-kyo in 794, which flourished into a glorious capital city.
Kyoto, later known as the Imperial Capital, thrived until 1869, becoming a hub of learning with over 1,500 Chinese classics available for reference.
The Emishi, a warlike people in Japan’s north, resisted integration for centuries, leading to multiple punitive expeditions and the Great Pacification Era, which ultimately failed to subdue them.

47:19

"Japanese Embassy to China: Cultural Exchange"

Abe no Nakamaro, a young embassy member, embarked on a challenging journey from Heijo-kyo to Chang-an in 717, facing perilous seas and admiring China's road network upon arrival.
The Japanese embassy traveled in official carriages, staying at comfortable relay stations, and marveled at the vastness of China's countryside on their way to Chang-an.
The Chinese Emperor responded to Japan's first mission with haughty politeness, setting the stage for two centuries of cultural exchange and mutual respect.
Despite a failed attempt to return home, Abe no Nakamaro became a symbol of peace and friendship between China and Japan, passing away in Chang-an at 72.
In Kyoto during the 10th century, a cultural renaissance flourished, with poetry, art, music, and literature thriving despite political turmoil.
Sei Shonagon, a courtier and diarist, expressed disdain for commoners and their perceived lack of refinement, contrasting her courtly lifestyle.
Tomoe Gozen, a legendary female warrior, fought her final battle with valor and skill, marking the end of an era in Japan's history.
The emergence of the samurai class, particularly the Taira and Minamoto clans, led to a power struggle culminating in the Taira's defeat at Dannoura in 1185.
Emperor Antoku of the Taira clan met a tragic end during the final battle at sea, signifying the downfall of the Taira and the rise of Minamoto Yoritomo as Shogun.
The Minamoto clan's victory at Dannoura solidified samurai rule in Japan, shifting political power from Kyoto to Kamakura and later Edo for the next 700 years.

01:02:05

Prophecies of doom and divine intervention

In 1868, the last Shogun resigned, and the Emperor moved to Tokyo from Kyoto.
Monks and priests are described as fawning and devious, leading people astray.
Predictions of widespread evil include binding, enslaving, killing, anger, and contention.
Pestilence, comets, two suns, frequent eclipses, black and white arcs in the sky, and other signs of ill fortune are foretold.
Natural disasters like earthquakes, noises from wells, torrential rains, violent winds, and famine are predicted.
Marauders from various regions are expected to invade, causing suffering and affliction.
Priest Nichiren is sentenced to death but miraculously saved by a divine intervention.
The Mongols, led by Kublai Khan, attempt to invade Japan with a massive force in 1274 and 1281.
Japan successfully repels the Mongol invasions with the help of divine intervention, particularly from the storm god Susa-no-o and the sun goddess Amaterasu, leading to a newfound unity and national identity.

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