The TV series "Shogun" brings Japanese history to life, but who was the first Shogun?
In the first episode of this new podcast series, Sean Bermingham explores Minamoto no Yoritomo's extraordinary rise to power in medieval Japan, amidst the dramatic backdrop of the Gempei War - an epic clash between two rival samurai clans, the Genji and the Heike. We'll see how the Tale of the Heike was passed down over generations by traveling storytellers - and in a secluded temple cemetery, we'll accompany a brave musician who has an unearthly encounter with samurai spirits from a vanished age...

Places mentioned in this episode:

Kitano Tenmangu Treasure House, Kyoto - the shrine preserves an ancient sword believed to be the Genji heirloom 'higekiri' : https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220826/p2a/00m/0et/037000c

Akama Shrine, Shimonoseki - shrine dedicated to the boy-Emperor Antoku and the Heike who died at Dan-no-Ura; the setting for the tale of Hoichi the Earless:
https://en.japantravel.com/yamaguchi/akama-shrine/17401

Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

The first Shogun - Yoritomo of the Genji - was born more than 800 years ago. In this episode we explore the amazing background of Yoritomo's Genji clan - a real-life medieval mix of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. And then we see how his father Yoshitomo prepared to protect the samurai honor, by standing against his own family...

Places mentioned in this episode:

Rashomon Gate - made famous by Akira Kurosawa's 1950 film - once stood at the southern entrance to the city of Heian (Kyoto). Nothing remains today except a small memorial in a children's playground. You can see what it once looked at the nearby Kyoto JR station, which has a scale model of the original gate. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/rajomon-gate

The Shogunzuka mound - or Mound of the General - is located in the eastern mountains overlooking Kyoto. It marks the site where the Emperor Kammu first surveyed the valley where he would build the nation's new capital, Kyoto.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3954_shogunzuka.html

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham. Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

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’s first Shogun. But for now, all he can do is hope that his father has chosen the right side.

Key figures in this episode:

West of the river:
- Go-Shirakawa (reigning Emperor of Japan)
- Shinzei (Go-Shirakawa's senior advisor)
- Yoshitomo (Genji heir, eldest son of Tameyoshi)
- Yoritomo (Yoshitomo's son; future First Shogun)
- Kiyomori (Head of the Heike clan)

East of the river:
- Sutoku (Retired Emperor, Go-Shirakawa's elder brother)
- Tameyoshi (Head of the Genji clan; Yoshitomo's father)
- Tamatomo (Yoshitomo's younger brother; a giant)
- Tadamasa (Heike commander; uncle of Kiyomori)

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham.
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

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 time before his deadliest rival, Lord Kiyomori of the Heike Clan, returns to the Capital?

Key figures in this episode:

The Genji:
Yoshitomo - Head of the Genji clan
Yoritomo - Yoshitomo's12-year-old son; future First Shogun
Akugenda - Yoritomo's elder brother
Yorimasa - Genji general; Yoritomo's cousin
Masakiyo - Yoshitomo's deputy
Lady Tokiwa - Yoshitomo's mistress

The Heike:
Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clan
Shigemori - Kiyomori's eldest son
Yorimori - Kiyomori's younger brother
Lady Ike - Kiyomori's step-mother
Ito Kagetsuna - Heike retainer

The Imperial Court:
Nijo - the 17-year-old Emperor of Japan
Go-Shirakawa - Retired Emperor; Nijo's father
Shinzei - Go-Shirakawa's chief advisor
Nobuyori - court noble; Shinzei's rival

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham.
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

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 swordsmanship and battle strategy from the great Goblin King Sojobo. It was the start of a long journey that will eventually see him reunited with his half-brother, Yoritomo - the future First Shogun of Japan...

Key figures in this episode:

Yoshitsune - younger half-brother of Yoritomo, the future First Shogun
Yoshitomo - father of Yoshitsune and Yoritomo
Lady Tokiwa - Yoshitomo's mistress; mother of Yoshitsune
Lord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clan
Benkei - a giant monk
Kichiji - a gold merchant
Sojobo - Goblin King of the Tengu

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham.
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

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 Capital, Lord Kiyomori of the Heike continues to secure his position as the country's most powerful landlord. But a secret meeting at a remote mountain villa could present Kiyomori with a serious and unexpected challenge.

Key figures in this episode:

In Izu
Yoritomo - Genji exile, the future First Shogun
Ito Sukechika - local Heike commander; Yoritomo's captor
Yaehime - Sukechika's daughter
Morinaga - Yoritomo's friend and retainer

In the Capital
Lord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clan
Shigemori - Kiyomori's eldest son
Sukemori - Shigemori's teenage son
Lady Ike - a nun; Kiyomori's step-mother
Go-Shirakawa - the Retired Emperor
Saiko, Shunkan, Narichika, Yasuyori - conspirators

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham.
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

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 future. Meanwhile, Kiyomori executes a conspirator with a brutality that shocks even his own supporters, and exiles three men to a volcanic island. But when his daughter - who is expecting to give birth to the Emperor's child - becomes dangerously ill, he must call on his most dangerous rival to perform an exorcism, in the hope of repelling spirits that threaten to destroy his family.

Key figures in this episode:

In Izu
Yoritomo - Genji exile, the future First Shogun
Hojo Tokimasa - local government official
Hojo Masako - Tokimasa's daughter
Morinaga, Sadatsuna, Kageyoshi - Yoritomo's friends and retainers

In the Capital
Lord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clan
Shigemori - Kiyomori's eldest son
Kenreimon-in - Kiyomori's daughter; Emperor Takakura's wife
Go-Shirakawa - the Retired Emperor
Shunkan, Naritsune, Yasuyori - castaways

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham.
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com

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 to Lord Kiyomori's authority. The uprising will lead to the first pivotal moment of the Gempei War - the legendary Battle of Uji Bridge.

Key figures in this episode:

Yoritomo - Genji exile, the future First Shogun
Yorimasa - a veteran Genji warrior
Lord Kiyomori - Head of the Heike clan
Munemori - Kiyomori's heir and eldest surviving son
Go-Shirakawa - the Retired Emperor
Mochihito - the Retired Emperor's second son
Kio - an imperial guard
Jomyo Meishu, Ichirai - warrior monks

Written and presented by Sean Bermingham.
Music and sound effects from Pond 5: www.pond5.com

The First Shogun podcast website: https://firstshogun.buzzsprout.com