The Gold Pavilion - History of Japan Cameron Foster

It has been a while since we last heard from Cameron, but he is back with an episode that whets your appetite for more podcasts and to visit Japan.

Not much interesting actually happens in this podcast but we do get some interesting descriptions of places in Japan. 

http://frug.podbean.com/2011/07/14/episode-13-the-gold-pavilion/

The Heian Era - The History of Japan Podacast Cameron Foster



The Heian Era was a period of great acheivement in the arts and progress in Japanese culture.  But never mind all that.  This is the History of Japan podcast so we get all the political shenanigans instead.  Interestingly this period produced a couple of  Japanese saints who despite having a totally different religion and outlook seem to have been treated in a way remarkably similar to their European counterparts.

The big difference between Japanese and European history is that the two rival religions, Shinto and Buddhism, managed to merge themselves enough for people to be comfortable being both.  That is a cultural acheivement to be proud of.

http://frug.podbean.com/2010/10/06/the-heian-era/

Oppressed Peasants and Capital Cities - History of Japan Cameron Foster

This episode deals with the social and political structure of eight century Japan, with particular emphasis on the lives of the peasants.  The life of peasants was basically rubbish.  When they weren't building entire cities for no pay they had to fight in the army for nothing while their families starved.  Oh and they had to pay for their own food and equipment.

A great series to follow if you don't know much about Japan or if  you like your history tinged with a bit of humour.

http://frug.podbean.com/2010/08/15/episode-4-kyoto-spooky-princes-and-oppressed-peasants/

Power, Violence, Sex and Nara - History of Japan Cameron Foster

An episode entitled Power, Violence, Sex and Nara sounds interesting enough, and it certainly is.  Though in the event although there is plenty of sex and enough violence to be getting on with, there is much more fascinating stuff about Buddhism and explains why the Japanese don't trust women to be emperors.

I have already been enthusiastic about the first two episodes, but Cameron really gets into his stride with this one.

Highly recommended.

http://frug.podbean.com/2010/07/26/ep3_power-violence-sex-and-nara/

Buddhism arrives in Japan - History of Japan Cameron Foster

Buddhism and Shinto coexist comfortably in modern Japan.  Most Japanese are equally at home with both.  But it wasn't always so peaceful.  This podcast tells the story of the troubles caused when a new religion came into an island that still had its traditional religion intact.

http://frug.podbean.com/2010/07/14/ep2-buddhism-meets-japan/

Land of the Rising Sun - History of Japan Cameron Foster

The Japanese flag has the Sun on it because the imperial family is descended from the spirit of the Sun.  We know this because the story has been handed down from the oral tradition, making the Japanese royal family not only one of the oldest but one of the few that has its own religion.  The myths and legends surrounding the creation of and the early history of Japan are the subject of the first of a series on the history of Japan by Cameron Foster.

Cameron is an enthusiast and if you like your history to deal with the interesting details rather than the academic this is one for you.  His robust Australian humour is a bonus.

Recommended

http://frug.podbean.com/2010/07/06/episode-1-myths-and-migrations/