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Many centuries before their current pop-culture fame, the Ninja of Japan were quietly performing their subtle arts to both secure their confederations' independence and earn some coin. In this episode, we discuss the people behind the legends and sort fact from fantasy.Support the show

The way of the warrior in an age filled with betrayals, backstabbings, and gekokujo was, to put it mildly, kind of complicated.Support the show

Although Uesugi Kenshin had forged an impressive domain along the north coast of Honshu, he never gave up on his dream of making his title of Kanto Kanrei into an office with real power in Japan's fertile east.Support the show

Beleaguered and surrounded by enemies, Oda Nobunaga nearly fell into a deadly trap while seeking battle against the Asakura Clan of northern Omi Province. Then the Takeda Clan started stabbing westward, seeking to liberate the shogun from the grasp of Nobunaga. The drama would end, however, with Yoshiaki's removal and subsequent exile from Kyoto, thus marking the end of the Ashikaga Shogunate.Support the show

After conquering Mino Province, Oda Nobunaga needed to not only carve a path to the capital itself, but extend his control over a broad section of the Kansai region. Support the show

After finally conquering his foes in Mino Province, Oda Nobunaga established a new headquarters in the newly-rebuilt Gifu Castle and introduces a new official motto for his regime - Tenka Fubu.Support the show

Oda Nobuhide, the famous "Tiger of Owari," passed away unexpectedly in 1551, leaving his branch of the Oda Clan in the hands of his son, a rude young man with little sense of propriety or politics called "The Fool of Owari." Throughout the 1550s, however, Nobunaga would consolidate his rule over the province and even defend it from a terrifying invasion.Support the show

Rival daimyo holding long-term grudges and engaging in massive feuds was a common feature of Sengoku Jidai, but there were two daimyo in particular whose rivalry would become the stuff of legend.Support the show

The continuing adventures of the ambitious Miyoshi Clan leaders led to a series of destructive conflicts throughout Kansai that eventually left the remnant of the Bakufu wholly dependent upon powerful daimyo to prop up their withering government.Support the show

In spite of suffering through the occasional violent coup, cruel tyrant, and political purge, the Joseon Dynasty showed real staying power throughout the 14- and 1500s and would even manage some impressive national accomplishments.Support the show

The Ming Dynasty approached its peak, before rapidly declining due to corruption, graft, and a gradual decline in the quality of its burueacucrats.Support the show

In the mid-1500s, a Portuguese ship sought safe harbor from Tsukushima Island and thus began a robust, vibrant trade relationship between two distant powers. In addition to guns, silks, and exotic foreign goods, however, these "Southern Barbarians" also brought missionaries preaching a religion heretofore unknown to the Japanese: Roman Catholic Christianity.Support the show

In this third installment of the Sengoku States series, we follow the activities of the Shimazu Clan on Kyushu, the Chosokabe Clan on Shikoku, and the Miyoshi Clan on Shikoku and in Kansai during the early-to-mid 1500s.Support the show

This episode broadly covers the developments in the Date, Oda, and Mori Clans during the first half of the 1500s.Support the show

This episode broadly covers the developments in the Imagawa, Takeda, and Uesugi Clans during the first half of the 1500s.Support the show

In this episode, we examine some of the many ways in which war during the Sengoku Period had a much different character from previous eras because of technology, economics, and necessity.Support the show

After Hosokawa Masamoto's assassination, power was once again up for grabs and Ashikaga Yoshitane was determined to once more sit upon the shogunal throne. He was the first in a series of puppet shoguns elevated by ambitious daimyo who wielded power in their names.Support the show

Somehow, the Hojo have returned. In this episode, we follow the adventures of Nagao Tamekage and Hojo Soun, two samurai who would become a new kind of daimyo for a new age.Support the show

Hatakeyama Masanaga continued to use his influence over the young Shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane to settle his ongoing dispute with his elder cousin. While they are busy in Kawachi Province, Hosokawa Masamoto decides the time is right to make his move.Support the show

A succession dispute in Kaga Province leads to a social revolution launched by radical egalitarians --  followers of Rennyo called the Ikko.Support the show