Exiles and Lovers (part 2)

05/19/24 • 19 min

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

05/19/24 • 19 min

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The First Shogun - Exiles and Lovers (part 2)

Transcript

In 1177, a secret discussion took place at night in the eastern hills of the Japanese capital of Heian-kyo. It has come to be known as the Shishigatani Conspiracy.

The topic of discussion was the overthrowal of the powerful Heike clan. Unfortunately for the conspirators, news of the plan quickly reached the Heike Lord Kiyomori.

One of the attendants, Yukitsuna, was actually an informant. Kiyomori’s first order is to have the ringleader, the monk Saiko, arrested and brought to h

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