Episode 6 - A New Order

In this episode of the History of Japan podcast, the speaker discusses the Hojo family's rule after the Minamoto shogunate, their efforts to suppress rivals like the Kyoto aristocracy and the northern Fujiwara, and the establishment of a new governmental structure. The episode details the challenges faced by the Hojo, including limitations on centralizing power due to independent warrior families and the remnants of the Heian period system. It further covers the Mongol Yuan dynasty's threat and the two invasions Kublai Khan launched against Japan, which were thwarted by typhoons, or "kamikaze." The speaker explains how the victory against the Mongols led to internal resentment due to unrewarded warriors and temples, setting the stage for the rise of Emperor Godaigo and the eventual destruction of the Hojo family. The episode concludes with a discussion of cultural developments during this period, specifically the arrival of Zen and Pure Land Buddhism, and the establishment of Noh theater.