Tale of Ronin

History

The Bakufu-Han System: Feudal Government Structure in Edo Period Japan

When the last of Japan’s three great unifiers, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power, he had a problem. His predecessors, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, had both failed to establish a lasting regime that could endure after their deaths. In 1603, Ieyasu created the Edo bakufu—also known as the Tokugawa Shogunate—to legitimize his rule. Thus the …

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Taira no Masakado: Japan’s Most Famous Vengeful Ghost

Vengeful ghosts are a staple of Japanese folklore. The most famous and the most culturally-relevant today is the onryo, a vicious ghost that indiscriminately curses those unfortunate enough to be near the spirit or the subject of its revenge. And among onryo, the most famous is probably the ancient samurai known as Taira no Masakado. …

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A digital ink-style artwork of a cherry blossom tree, with a thick trunk and branches leading to bright pink sakura flowers.

Cherry Blossom Symbolism in Japanese Culture

In Japan, the arrival of spring brings forth an enchanting spectacle that captivates both locals and visitors alike—the blooming of cherry blossoms. These delicate flowers, known as “sakura,” hold a deep-rooted significance in Japanese culture and history. They bloom for only a short time, often for as little as 14 days. During that period, the …

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An ink-style drawing of Kabuki and Kabukimono, gangs of flamboyantly dressed samurai, from Edo period Japan. The art depicts three samurai standing with a third as a larger visage hanging in the air.

Kabuki and Kabukimono: The Violent Birth of an Art Form

Kabuki is one of Japan’s most iconic forms of traditional performance art. It combines music, dance, and theater with elaborate costumes and sets. Today, kabuki is internationally acclaimed, but it originated as the art of the people during the 1600s. Between the late Warring States period and the early Edo Period, the kabukimono movement arose …

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The Purple Robe Incident: the Shogunate vs the Imperial Court

The Imperial Court of Japan lost most of its authority during the Warring States period. When Japan was unified under the Tokugawa Shogunate, the bakufu took steps to consolidate power. One threat it sought to address was the power of Buddhist temples. In 1627, the Emperor’s historical relationship with Buddhist temples brought the Imperial Court …

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An ink style digital artwork of multiple Japanese military men riding horses and holding their katana's above their heads. One notable man has a unique helmet that represents his role as the Shogun.

The Shogun: Japan’s Military Takeover

The word “Shogun” comes from the Japanese word “Seii Taishogun”, which roughly translates to “barbarian-quelling general”. These military dictators reigned over Japan from 1192 to 1868. Historically, the Shogun was legally under the control of the Emperor and had limited authority over the military forces in Japan. However, due to the increasingly feudal development of …

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