This week, we’re going to take a look at the first figure in recorded Japanese history: Himiko, queen of Yamatai. Despite the fact that the records on her are extremely brief, she’s assumed a position of tremendous importance in our thinking about the early history of Japan. We’ll look at our records of her life, and her legacy in Japanese history and self-identity.
Listen to the episode here.
Sources
Kidder, Edward J. Himiko and Japan’s Elusive Chiefdom of Yamatai.
Piggot, Joan R. The Emergence of Japanese Kingship.
Sansom, George B. A History of Japan to 1334.
Totman, Conrad. A History of Japan.
Images (Courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation)
