Status Updates From A History of Japan to 1334

Began Chapter XXI: Japan After the Mongol Invasions.

Finished Chapter XX.

Began Chapter XX: Relations with the Asiatic Mainland.

Finished Chapter XIX.

Continued Chapter XIX.

Began Chapter XIX: The Hōjō Regents, 1242–84.

Finished Chapter XVIII.

Section 3 explains the set of laws introduced by Yasutoki known as the Jōei Formulary. It stresses the importance of an impartial nature in rulings. It is mostly concerned with the activities of vassals, although it is lenient to non-vassals as well.

Finished Chapter XVII and started Chapter XVIII: Administrative Reforms and Relations with the Court.

Section 3 (of chapter 17) describes the height of feudal power after the desposation of Go-Toba. The Bakufu continued the Insei/Cloistered Government system, and took control of selecting the next cloistered emperor. Additionally, they made it so that they had to be consulted with upon the appointment of a Regent.

Read section 2 of chapter XVII, which goes over the relationship between the Imperial Court and the Bakufu at Kamakura. Emperor Go-Toba made many attempts to limit their power. In the end, his forces were overwhelmed by the Kamakura warriors, and they only gained more power in the process. Land and manors of chief conspirators were taken by the Bakufu and given as rewards to vassals, further ensuring their loyalty.

Began Chapter XVII: The Hōjō Regents.

Finished Chapter XVI

Section 4 concerns the moral code which the feudal warriors followed. It makes a distinction between this and the Bushidō code, which was created long after the end of the feudal era. As previously mentioned, extreme importance was placed upon the relationship between lord and vassal. The moral code also encourages death before dishonor, with fleeing from battle being seen as worse than death.

Finished Section 3 of Chapter XVI. Much too long to put my notes here, as it’s a very packed section, so I’ll put it in the comments.

Read Sections 1 & 2 of Chapter XVI: The Feudal State.

Finished Chapter XIV.

Section 2 touches on the creation of a warrior society under Yoritomo’s leadership. He stressed loyalty above all else, strictly controlling the actions of those in Kamakura. Go-Shirakawa struggles to appeal to different sides, including ordering Yukiie and Yoshitsune to attack Yoritomo. Go-Shirakawa eventually gives into Yoritomo, leading to Yukiie and Yoshitsune being labeled as rebels.

Read Chapter XIV - The Eastern Warriors - Section 1.

It goes over Yoritomo’s leadership after the death of his father and elder brothers, starting with his exile in the eastern provinces for 20 years before eventually deciding to march west with the help of some allies (including some of Taira descent). It also touches on the want of the warrior clans for not just political power, but a reimagining of society.

Read Chapter XIV: The Gempei [sic] War.

It is not divided into sections, instead taking a chronological approach to the war. Naturally, it mainly focuses on the important figureheads of the Taira and Minamoto – Yoshitsune, Noriyori, Yoritomo, Yoshinaka, and Yoshiie on the Minamoto side, and the sons of Kiyomori on the Taira side. Too detailed to give a quick synopsis of here, but it was an engaging narrative.

Finished Chapter XIII.

Section 5 goes over the death of Kiyomori, beginning with the short-lived move of the capital to Fujiwara, in an attempt to keep a closer eye on Go-Shirakawa. The tribulations of the time lead to widespread dislike of the Taira, and shortly before his death, Kiyomori assured more enemies for the Taira clan by burning the Tōdaiji and Kōfukuji monasteries.

Read section 4 of Chapter XIII. It goes over the enemies of Kiyomori near the end of his life, particularly the Minamoto who conspired for revenge and monasteries he upset by lavishly donating to Shintō shrines. It also describes the failed revolution by the Minamoto that ended with the suicide of Yorimasa and the death of Prince Mochihito in the Battle of Uji.

Read the first three sections of Chapter XIII - Kiyomori.

Section one gives details of Kiyomori’s character (as much as one can) and his methods in obtaining/keeping power. Of particular note is the practice of marrying his daughters to men in high positions, much like the Fujiwara did. His later life is marked by lofty ambitions, excessive pride, and frequent displays of power which earned him many enemies.

Finished Chapter XII.

Section 3 talks on the quelling of rebellious chieftains by the Minamoto clan, especially the actions of Yorinobu, and how this grew the clan’s influence.

Section 4 delves into the Early Nine Years War and the Later Three Years War, both being Minamoto victories. It additionally details the leadership of the Minamoto clan, specifically the exploits of Yoshiie.

Read sections 1 & 2 of Chapter XII: The Growth of a Warrior Class.

Section 1 discusses the economic reasons behind the birth of the warrior clans, such as the practice of land reclamation and the development of new rice land in the east. Landholders needed protection, and this was the origin of the warrior clans.

Section 2 goes over the Minamoto and Taira family origins. Both are descended from royal blood.

Read Chapter 11: Heian Society - Its Beliefs.

The chapter discusses three kinds of spiritual thought.

First are the ritualistic practices that descend from Chinese yin-yang cosmology. These are expanded on in a previous chapter with quotes from the Kujō-den.

Second is Buddhism. Larger sects, such as the Tendai and Shingon, raise armies and hold considerable military power. Amida Buddhism is popularized as well.

Read Chapter 10: Government by Cloistered Emperors.

This chapter details government after the death of Fujiwara no Michinaga in 1027 to the Hōgen Insurrection in 1156. Akin to the Fujiwara regents reign, the emperor had no real power. Instead, power was held by an abdicated emperor who ruled behind the scenes. This spelled the end of Fujiwara dominance, but also set the stage for the rise of powerful warrior clans.

Read Chapter 9: The Rule of Taste.

The chapter delves further into the society of Heian court life. In particular, the importance of beauty and good taste to nobles of the time.

In my reading of it, I couldn’t help but conclude that the Heian rulers’ obsession with aesthetic matters completely detached from the struggles of the common man made their downfall all but assured.