Hello, the episode you're about to listen to is part of a multi-part series introducing an overview

of Japanese history.

This is a repeat of one of the original projects the History of Japan podcast was built on,

and is intended to serve as an update and supplement to these original works.

After 10 years, my hope is to return to this approach and to do it a little bit better,

given the skills that I have improved in the intervening years.

If you haven't been doing so already, you should listen to these episodes sequentially,

starting with episode 501.

Without any further ado, enjoy the Warriors.

As we've seen over the past nine episodes, the history of early Japanese politics is defined by the power

struggle between the aristocratic clans of Japan and the imperial family, with the former

largely coming out on top and in particular coming to dominate the Japanese state after

the death of Emperor Kanmu in his immediate heirs. The dominance of the aristocrats, led by the

powerful northern line of the Fujiwara family, would not, however, last. It would be challenged,

and ultimately defeated by the rise of a new political force in Japan in the warrior class.

Well, not new, as we've seen, the roots of what

came to be known as the samurai class go back to the late 700s, so two centuries before, the real

start of warrior entry into politics. And by the 900s, the power of independent warrior families

was growing to the point that, at least in the

provinces, well-connected warriors could threaten the smooth and stable functioning of government.

Still, what this all meant in practice was that powerful warriors were now one more interest

group among many jockeying for influence over the government.

...