The Unification of Japan
05/15/24 • 44 min
In the 16th century, Japan was embroiled in what is known as Sengoku jidai - ‘The Warring States’ period. It was a time of bloody battles, social upheaval and is known as the most violent in Japan’s history.
But how, and when, did 150 years of bitter warfare and division come to an end? How did unification change the face of Japanese society?
In the second episode of this series delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Dr Christopher Harding discover how three men overpowered and outwitted Japan’s rival warlords and in doing so, brought about the unification of a fractured region.
Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit.
Hosted by: Matt Lewis
Edited by: Ella Blaxill
Produced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis
Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff
Production Coordinator: Beth Donaldson
Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett
If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the 16th century, Japan was embroiled in what is known as Sengoku jidai - ‘The Warring States’ period. It was a time of bloody battles, social upheaval and is known as the most violent in Japan’s history.
But how, and when, did 150 years of bitter warfare and division come to an end? How did unification change the face of Japanese society?
In the second episode of this series delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Dr Christopher Harding discover how three men overpowered and outwitted Japan’s rival warlords and in doing so, brought about the unification of a fractured region.
Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit.
Hosted by: Matt Lewis
Edited by: Ella Blaxill
Produced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis
Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff
Production Coordinator: Beth Donaldson
Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett
If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Civil War in Feudal Japan: The Sengoku Period
Dating from 1467-1603, the Sengoku or ‘Warring States’ period is known as the bloodiest in Japan’s history; an era of continuous social upheaval and civil war which transformed the country. Shogun-led authority was shattered and 150 years of murder and betrayal followed as fearsome warlords ruled local territories with unflinching ruthlessness.
In the first episode of this series delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Dr Christopher Harding discuss the origins of the Sengoku Period. Together, they explore how political power was organised in Japan during this time, introduce some of the key players, and discuss how the seeds were sown for Japanese unification.
Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit.
Hosted by: Matt Lewis
Edited by: Ella Blaxill
Produced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis
Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff
Production Coordinator: Beth Donaldson
Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett
If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Portuguese Missionaries in Japan
When Portuguese merchants ran aground on the Japanese isle of Tanegashima in 1543 two worlds collided - Europeans had encountered Japan for the first time. For the next 50 years Portuguese-sponsored missionaries flooded into this newly discovered land aiming to exploit it for western benefit. But in the fiery cauldron of Sengoku Japan, Portuguese missionaries were but one player in the most bloody and brutal of political games.
In the third episode of this series delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, join Matt Lewis and Prof. Fredrick Cryns as they uncover how these missionaries fit into 16th century Japan’s patchwork of warlords and daimyos and the momentous impact they had on feudal Japanese warfare and society.
Hosted by: Matt Lewis
Edited by: Anisha Deva
Produced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis
Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff
Production Coordinator: Beth Donaldson
Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett
If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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