The First Shogun
The TV series "Shogun" brings Japanese history to life, but who was the first Shogun?
In this series of podcasts, Sean Bermingham explores the rise to power of Yoritomo Minamoto, the first military leader of Japan. We'll follow Yoritomo's life and adventures as a young man as he leads his Genji clan to victory against the odds in the greatest samurai civil war in Japan's history, and eventually claims the title as Japan's First Shogun.
Written and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music by EdRecords/Pond5: www.pond5.com
https://x.com/sbermingham121/status/1809814992990138598
Episodes
11 episodes
First Shogun - Extra!
As we've reached the halfway point in the rise to power of Yoritomo, in this episode we take a break from the main story to look at some of the main books, films, TV shows, and podcasts that deal with this period of early Japanese history. The ...
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Season 1
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12:20
The Fires of Mount Fuji
Lord Kiyomori has sent a massive army to suppress the Genji uprising in the east led by Minamoto no Yoritomo. But for now Yoritomo has a more immediate threat: outnumbered ten to one, he prepares to confront a force of 3,000 samurai on the slop...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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23:58
Assassins in the Night
Japan, 1180: The samurai warlord Kiyomori is at the height of his power - he has exiled or executed his opponents, imprisoned the retired Emperor, and has begun his grandest project - the creation of a new capital city in his image. But ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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17:26
The Battle of Uji Bridge
An imperial decree urges rebellion against the Heike clan. As the Genji heir Yoritomo considers his response, a veteran Genji living in the capital - Minamoto no Yorimasa - takes matters into his own hands, and leads the first serious challenge...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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28:50
Exiles and Lovers (part 2)
In this episode Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan - falls in love with Hojo Masako - one of the most famous women in Japan's history. As they celebrate a secret wedding, Yoritomo hears of a strange dream that may be a prophesy of his ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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19:47
Exiles and Lovers (part 1)
In this episode we follow the teenager Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan - as he begins his exile on Leech Island in Izu province, where he experiences both love and tragedy in the household of his captor. Meanwhile, back in the Capit...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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15:13
Of Gods and Goblins
In this episode we follow the early life of Yoshitsune, the Luke Skywalker of medieval Japan! Saved from execution by his mother's courage, Yoshitsune was exiled at an early age to a remote temple, where, according to legend, he learned swordsm...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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25:07
The Red and The White
It is now the year 1160 and Yoshitomo, the head of the Genji samurai clan, is preparing an audacious plot to topple the Emperor's chief advisor Shinzei, the man who ordered the deaths of his father and brothers. But can he carry out his plan in...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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28:12
The Hour of the Tiger
It is the year 1156 in the Japanese imperial capital. Two rival Emperors face each other across the Kamo river, each supported by warriors of the Heike and Genji clans.Watching is the nine-year-old Yoritomo. One day he will become Japan’...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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29:51
