The History of the World Podcast, written and presented by Chris Hasler

Volume 4 The Medieval World

Episode 59 Hain Japan Oh, In the previous episode we told the story of Japan from the first human migrations to the islands

up to the end of the 8th century and the beginning of the Hayam period.

We learned of how the first migrants developed their own unique culture somewhat isolated

from the mainland, but not completely out of touch with it.

An ancient belief system emerged which is regarded as the earliest form of Shinto,

which is considered to be the indigenous religion of the Japanese islands.

As China became a considerable empire around 2,000 years ago,

their interest in the Japanese islands increased, with

migrations of peoples from the mainland taking place throughout the first

millennium. This brought with it many aspects of Chinese culture

which would ultimately fuse together with the existing culture of the islands to

create the medieval Japanese culture that we are more familiar with.

The Japanese would bury their elite class in burial mounds called Kofun, which can be found in their tens of thousands throughout Japan.

This elite class would have likely been clan rulers and their high-ranking associates and family members.

Japan itself would have been the home of many clans,

all protecting their lands and battle ready,

as one clan battled another.

Inevitably some clans would grow more powerful than others

and coalitions would start to emerge.

One such coalition of tribes was called the Yamatow Kingship and this

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