Long before the world feared Japan’s military might, it marveled at its mystery.
In this opening episode of The Rising Storm, we journey to ancient Japan, a land of towering mountains, sacred forests, and warrior-poets. We uncover the divine myths that shaped its imperial legacy, meet the samurai class that would redefine its soul, and relive the miraculous "kamikaze" storms that saved Japan from Mongol conquest.
How did a spiritual archipelago, once deeply influenced by Chinese culture, become a nation with an identity forged in fire, sword, and divine protection?
From the tales of Queen Himiko to the typhoons of Kublai Khan’s failed invasions, we trace the origins of a culture destined for global reckoning. The storm has not yet begun, but the clouds are gathering.
📜 Full Episode Transcript
The Rising Storm: Japan's Path to World War II
Episode 1: Islands of Mystery
Before we begin our story about the Japanese Empire, I’d like to start with a poem… a poem written early in the 12th century by a prominent Japanese artist, critic and scholar. I’d like to do this because to study Japan, it is important to understand all the seemingly paradoxical themes that pervade Japanese culture… their celebration of beauty, but also their obsession of death… an appreciation of the fine arts, combined with a passion for combat and war. Japan has produced some of the most exquisite forms of art… things like haiku poetry, Calligraphy, Origami, Zen Gardens - but at the same time they were masters of hand to hand combat, sword fighting, war strategy… those in the samurai class wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone for the slightest disrespect, and afterwards compose a glorious poem on the transient nature of life… like the following… that was written by Fujiwara no Teika:
"The autumn winds sigh through the reeds, In the fields where the rice has grown. The moonlight spills like silver On the rippling streams below.
In the quiet of the night, Lanterns flicker in humble homes, Where hands have crafted beauty In the art of weaving dreams.
The mountains stand as guardians, Their peaks kissed by the morning sun, Witness to the passage of time, As generations rise and fall.
In the temples, incense drifts, Carrying prayers to the heavens above, While the voices of ancestors whisper Through the ancient pines and cedars.
Here, amidst the changing seasons, Lives a people bound by honor, Whose hearts beat with the rhythm Of a land that shapes their souls.
Beneath the blossoms, children play, Their laughter bright as springtime flowers, Unaware that they are part of a story, As old as the stones beneath their feet.
In this place, where culture thrives, Where the past is ever-present, The spirit of the land endures, In harmony with nature and time.
…One of the reasons I love Japanese history is because it’s something right out of a novel… a work of fiction…. Miranda’s awe in The Tempest—'O brave new world that has such people in't!'—seems apt here. In The Lord of the Rings, Samwise Gamgee has a similar moment when he first encounters the Elves, marveling at their beauty and mystery. Whether it’s the hidden realms of ancient Japan, the isolated island of Prospero, or the diverse kingdoms of Middle Earth—they all inspire wonder… at least for me.
Japan… a distant land, shrouded in mist, far away and isolated, floating like a forgotten world in the vast oceans of the far east... a place where ancient mountains stand tall and silent, like guardians, and thick forests are alive with whispers… stories of spirits and gods long since forgotten. In this mysterious realm, people have lived for centuries… they see life as fleeting, a fact to be accepted, not feared. Death isn’t something they dread—it’s worn like a badge of honor. The warriors here move through life with a quiet, sharp dignity, knowing that to die in battle isn’t a defeat, but the greatest honor they could achieve. This land is alive, pulsing with the rhythm of tradition, their rulers, believed to be descended from the gods. Every sunrise sets the land aglow with golden light, and every sunset bathes it in deep crimson hues… for centuries, this place remained a mystery to the outside world, where myth and reality blended together.
Japan— the Land of the Rising Sun, the Archipelago of the Gods.
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Long before Japan developed its own writing system, the early centuries of its history were recorded by others. To uncover Japan’s earliest accounts, we must turn to Chinese historians, as Japan itself lacked a written script from the 1st to 4th centuries. It wasn’t until the 5th and 6th centuries, with the introduction of Chinese characters (kanji), Buddhism, and cultural influences from China and Korea, that Japan began to shape its own written legacy. One of the earliest mentions of Japan appears in the Chinese Book of Han from the first century, where the people of Japan—referred to as the 'Wa'—are described in the 'Treatise on the Eastern Barbarians' as follows:
"The people of Wa live in the middle of the ocean on mountainous islands, spreading over more than 5,000 li (2,500 km) from east to west, divided into over a hundred small countries. They occasionally come to present tribute, saying it is from the king of Wa. The people are small in stature and do not speak the same language as us. Many have shaved heads and go barefoot. Their clothing has horizontal stripes; men's garments are tied from below, and women's garments are tied from above. They eat raw vegetables, raw meat, long fish, and their food is bland, without salt. They do not use plows and do not have oxen or horses for farming. They use wooden bows and arrows, and they hunt fish and wild animals. Some also eat birds. They steal and kill each other, devouring the weak. Women often cut their hair and tattoo their bodies. When someone dies, they do not bury them, leaving the bodies exposed by the sea.”
By the 3rd century, Chinese historian Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms recorded further details of the Wa people, focusing on their mysterious queen, Himiko, who ruled through sorcery. He wrote:
'The ruler of Wa is a woman named Himiko, who lives in a fortified palace with her younger brother. She rules by means of sorcery and witchcraft, and her people respect and obey her. Few have seen her; she communicates with her subjects through her brother.'
These early accounts reveal a fragmented Japan, made up of many small, independent kingdoms where powerful clan leaders, like Queen Himiko, held both spiritual and political authority. Over the following centuries, from the fourth to the ninth, these kingdoms gradually unified under a central government, led by the Emperor of Japan. To the ancient Japanese, the Emperor wasn’t merely a ruler but a divine figure, believed to be a direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, giving him supreme spiritual and symbolic authority over the nation.
This contrasts with how western societies viewed their kings. In medieval Europe, kings ruled by divine right—the belief that their authority to govern came directly from God. This granted kings an almost untouchable status. In Japan, however, it went even further: the Emperor wasn’t merely chosen by the gods; he was part of the divine lineage itself—a living connection to the heavens.
Imagine living in a society where this belief shapes every aspect of life. Every law, every custom is seen as part of a sacred order, not merely a human construct.
In 794, a new imperial capital was established at what is now Kyoto, marking the start of the Heian period—a golden age of classical Japanese culture that lasted until 1185. This era saw the blending of native Shinto beliefs with Buddhism, shaping the spiritual life of Japan.
By the end of the ninth century, Japan had unified under the Emperor's divine authority, and a new imperial capital was established in what is now Kyoto. This marked the beginning of the Heian period in 794, a golden age of classical Japanese culture. During this time, a unique blend of native Shinto practices and Buddhism became central to Japanese religious life, and shaped the country’s art, literature, and governance. The Emperor, continued to hold spiritual and symbolic authority, but the political power began shifting to the rising influence of noble families and the samurai class.
Shinto, Japan’s traditional religion, is deeply rooted in the belief in kami—spirits or gods that inhabit the natural world. These kami are thought to dwell in everything from trees and rivers to mountains and even the spirits of ancestors. Unlike many religions, Shinto doesn’t revolve around a single holy text or a specific founder. Instead, it is a way of life, centered on rituals and practices that honor the kami, maintain purity, and preserve harmony with nature.
One of the most significant texts in Shinto is the Kojiki, or Records of Ancient Matters, Japan’s oldest chronicle, compiled in 712 AD. The Kojiki is more than a collection of myths and legends; it’s a cornerstone of Japan’s religious and cultural identity. The text begins with the mythological creation of Japan by the deities Izanagi and Izanami. According to the legend, these gods personally crafted each island of Japan:
'The two deities stood upon the Floating Bridge of Heaven and, using the jeweled spear Ama-no-Nuboko, stirred the ocean below. When they lifted the spear, drops of salty water fell and formed the first island, Onogoro-shima.
This creation myth sets the foundation for the spiritual bond between the land of Japan and its people. The relationship between the kami and the natural world is further highlighted in the story of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. Insulted by her brother Susanoo, Amaterasu retreated into a cave, plunging the world into darkness:
'Amaterasu hid herself in the Heavenly Rock Cave, and all light vanished from the world. The deities, distressed, gathered and performed rituals to lure her out, finally succeeding by placing a mirror outside the cave. Curious, Amaterasu emerged, and light returned to the world.'
This tale symbolizes the essential link between light, life, and the divine, a connection that has shaped Japan’s spiritual worldview for centuries. The divine lineage of Japan’s emperors is traced back to Amaterasu herself, as she sent her grandson Ninigi to Earth to rule over Japan, establishing the sacred bloodline:
"Amaterasu bestowed upon Ninigi the Three Sacred Treasures—a mirror, a sword, and a jewel—and commanded him: 'Go forth and rule the land of the Reed Plains, so that peace and prosperity may prevail.'"
These treasures, embodying the authority and divine right to rule, are still central to the identity of Japan’s imperial family today. Through these myths, the "Kojiki" not only records the origins of Japan but also intertwines the spiritual with the temporal, linking the divine will of the kami with the governance of the nation.
In the centuries that followed, the once mighty influence of the imperial house began to wane. Power gradually shifted from the emperor to powerful clans of civilian aristocrats—most notably the Fujiwara family. These aristocrats controlled the imperial court and wielded significant influence over Japan's governance. However, even their dominance would eventually give way to the rise of military clans and their formidable samurai armies.
Samurai, the warrior class of ancient Japan, came to embody the values of discipline, honor, and loyalty. These warriors weren’t just soldiers; they were protectors, serving their lords, or daimyo, with a fierce dedication. Their lives were governed by a strict code of conduct known as Bushido, "the way of the warrior" - a way of life that emphasized virtues such as bravery, respect, and, above all, loyalty to their master… a loyalty so profound that a samurai was expected to sacrifice his life if it meant upholding his honor of his lord. Central to the samurai's identity was the katana and mastery of the katana and other martial arts was essential for a samurai… but so was the cultivation of a balanced and disciplined spirit. The ideal samurai was as skilled in the art of war as he was in the ways of peace, practicing poetry, calligraphy, and philosophy alongside his martial training.
In his work on the history of ancient Japan, historian George Sansom wrote in his book, A History of Japan to 1334 the following:
"The rise of the samurai class marked a profound change in the governance of Japan. From the 12th century onwards, power increasingly resided in the hands of the military elite, sidelining the imperial court and the ancient aristocracy. The code of Bushido shaped the moral fabric of society, reinforcing the authority of the warrior class and fundamentally altering the structure of Japanese governance."
This transformation in power dynamics reached its peak with the emergence of the Minamoto clan, under the leadership of Minamoto no Yoritomo. Yoritomo established his capital in Kamakura and assumed the title of shōgun, effectively inaugurating the Kamakura shogunate. The shōgun, a powerful military leader, held the true political power in Japan, ruling the country in the Emperor's name and commanding the loyalty and service of the samurai class.
During the Kamakura Shogunate, an unexplained event would occur that shaped much of Japan’s future culture and identity…
On the mainland, the Chinese Empire was always the main regional superpower, and for the Eastern World, who knew nothing of the West, they were the only superpower. Much of Japanese culture was influenced by their big brother to the west, including their language, writing, and form of government.
However, in the late 13th century, a new and fearsome power emerged from the vast steppes of Central Asia—the Mongols. Originally a nomadic people, the Mongols were led by the legendary Genghis Khan, who united the tribes and forged the largest contiguous empire the world had ever seen. Known for their unmatched horseback riding, archery, and swift, brutal military tactics, the Mongols swept across Asia, conquering vast territories with terrifying speed and efficiency. After Genghis Khan's death, his grandson Kublai Khan continued the expansion, eventually defeating the Song Dynasty in 1279 and uniting China under Mongol rule. This marked the first time in history that China was ruled by a foreign power, with Kublai Khan founding the Yuan Dynasty.
Confident in his newfound authority, Kublai Khan sought to expand his influence even further and demanded that Japan submit to Mongol rule as a vassal state... UNLIKELY.
Japan, however, refused to comply, prompting the Mongol ruler to launch an invasion in 1274.
The Mongol horde—renowned for their ruthless slaughter and unstoppable conquests—set their sights on the Japanese archipelago, crossing the treacherous seas to descend upon Japan. The Mongols were a formidable force, combining their mastery of cavalry, psychological warfare, and advanced weaponry to decimate much larger armies. For Japan, isolated and greatly outnumbered, the sheer scale of this invasion must have seemed incomprehensible. Yet, when the Mongols arrived, the Japanese did not cower. They met this monstrous force head-on, fiercely defending their shores with every ounce of strength. For days, they held off the Mongol onslaught, their warriors standing as the last bastion against the tide of destruction. As the battles raged on, it seemed inevitable that Japan would be overwhelmed, crushed under the weight of Mongol might.
Then….
The skies began to darken, and a violent storm—what the Japanese would come to call the "kamikaze" or "divine wind"—erupted with a fury that seemed sent from the heavens themselves. The typhoon ravaged the Mongol fleet, tearing ships apart and scattering the invaders asunder. The sea turned against the Mongols with a vengeance, saving Japan from certain annihilation. It was a moment that convinced the Japanese people that the very gods had intervened to protect the island nation from the jaws of doom.
We can take our account of this event from the Azuma Kagami, a historical chronicle of the Kamakura Shogunate:
"...As dawn approached, the remnants of the enemy fleet, battered by the storm, were scattered across the sea. Many of their ships were smashed against the rocks or sunk by the powerful waves. The surviving Mongol soldiers, bewildered and disheartened, attempted to flee but were pursued by our warriors. It was clear that the gods had intervened to protect the sacred land of Japan, and the Mongol invaders were forced to retreat, never to return on that day. The warriors of Japan, though few, had shown courage and strength, fortified by the divine favor bestowed upon them by the kami."
The narrow escape of 1274 should have been a grim warning to Kublai Khan, but the Mongol ruler was not one to be easily deterred. In 1281, driven by a relentless desire to subjugate Japan and add it to his empire, he launched a second, even more formidable invasion. This time, he amassed an even larger force, a monstrous armada of ships and warriors that blotted out the horizon—a fearsome sight that promised death and despair for the Japanese.
The Japanese, still haunted by the horrors of the first invasion, prepared once more to defend their homeland. They fortified their shores, constructed walls, and readied their samurai for what they feared would be an unwinnable battle. The sheer size of the approaching Mongol fleet, with its overwhelming numbers, was enough to strike fear into the hearts of even the bravest warriors, and as the Mongol forces landed, fierce fighting ensued, with the Japanese once again meeting the invaders head-on. Then, as if the gods themselves could not bear to see Japan fall, the skies darkened once more. Another ferocious storm, more violent than the last, unleashed its wrath upon the Mongol fleet. The "kamikaze," the divine wind, returned with a vengeance, battering the Mongol ships with relentless fury. In a miraculous repetition of history, the storm devastated the Mongol armada, sinking countless vessels and drowning thousands of soldiers. Once again, the sea turned against the invaders, and Japan was spared from the clutches of the Mongol Empire.
We’ll take our account of this second attempted invasion from the Taiheiki (太平記)... a Japanese historical epic written around 1370 during the Nanbokuchō period. It recounts the political and military conflicts between the Northern and Southern Courts of Japan, focusing on the rise of the Ashikaga shogunate and the civil wars of the era. Though its authorship is uncertain, it's thought to have been compiled by multiple writers, possibly Buddhist monks.
"On the seventh day of the seventh month, the Mongol fleet stretched as far as the eye could see, its black sails blotting out the sun and casting a shadow over the land. The samurai gathered on the shore, their hearts heavy with the knowledge of the formidable enemy that approached. Yet, as they prepared for a final, desperate stand, the heavens darkened, and the sea began to churn. The winds, gentle at first, grew stronger, howling like demons unleashed from the underworld.
The Mongol ships were battered by the storm, their masts snapped like twigs, and the waves rose like mountains, crashing down upon them. The sea roared with fury, as if it had become an ally of Japan. The invaders, so sure of their victory, were thrown into chaos. Their ships were torn asunder, and many were swallowed by the sea. Bodies, both Mongol and Chinese, floated on the waves, their armor useless against the wrath of nature.
The few who survived the storm staggered onto the shore, only to be met by the sharp blades of the samurai. There was no mercy for the invaders, who had dared to defile the sacred land of the gods. The storm had spared Japan once more, and the people rejoiced, offering prayers of gratitude to the gods who had sent the divine wind to protect them.
Thus, it was not by the strength of men alone, but by the will of the heavens, that Japan was saved. The Mongols, who had once seemed invincible, were utterly defeated, not by the hand of man, but by the forces of nature, sent by the gods to protect their chosen land."
The impact of these events on the Japanese psyche was profound and enduring. Twice, they had faced certain annihilation, only to be saved by forces beyond their control. The Japanese came to believe that their nation was divinely protected, a land favored by the gods. This belief in divine favor, in the notion that they were a chosen people, began to permeate their culture, shaping their identity and worldview for centuries to come.
The Kamakura shogunate was eventually overthrown in 1333 by a rival claimant, ushering in the Muromachi period. During this era, regional warlords known as daimyōs grew increasingly powerful, often at the expense of the shōgun, leading to a prolonged period of civil war.
The late 16th century witnessed the reunification of Japan under the leadership of the formidable daimyō Oda Nobunaga and his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. These powerful leaders played a crucial role in consolidating the fragmented regions of Japan, bringing an end to centuries of internal strife and laying the groundwork for a more unified nation.
At the same time, Japan's newfound stability coincided with the arrival of Western explorers and traders on its shores. The Japanese islands, once isolated from the Western world, began to experience new influences through trade and missionary work. This period marked the beginning of a complex and often uneasy relationship between Japan and the West, as foreign ideas and goods started to permeate Japanese society.
In 1543, a group of Portuguese sailors, blown off course, landed on the small island of Tanegashima. This seemingly accidental encounter would prove to be a turning point in Japanese history. The Portuguese brought with them not only goods to trade but also new technologies and ideas that would impact Japanese society. The most notable of these was the introduction of firearms, which would soon alter the nature of warfare in Japan.
…Now, take a moment to think about how often history turns on these seemingly small encounters. A single ship blown off course can change the destiny of a nation. It’s a reminder that the forces shaping our world today—globalization, technological change, cultural exchange—aren’t just abstract concepts. They’re the product of real people, in real places, meeting for the first time, just as the Portuguese and Japanese did on that distant shore.
These moments, often unnoticed at the time, echo through the centuries, shaping everything that comes after. It makes you wonder—what small moments in our own lives might have that kind of impact, even if we can’t see it yet?
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