I. Japan and the rest of the world
A. Participation as an elective
Japan's location
Horse-rider theory [ca. 4th-5th century]
ethnocentric or xenophilic culture?
B. "What if?" history and watersheds
the Mongols [13th century]
Oda Nobunaga and the Portuguese [16th century]
Meiji Restoration [19th century]
II. The Rise of the Mongols
A. Genghis Khan, 1167-1227
unification of the tribes
the tribal state and the "electoral" process
Qaraqorum: the nomad city
women and politics
lamaism and the worship of Tengri
syncretism and assimilation
enslaved women and assimilation
B. The Mongol Empire
Great Khan [China]
conquest of the Northern Sung
conquest of the Southern Sung
Shang-tu [Xanadu] and Ta-tu
Korea
Chagadai Khan [Turkestan]
Il Khan [Persia]
the Moguls [India]: Islamic Mongols
the European Khan that wasn't
death of Genghis Khan, 1227
the lure of the Middle East
the silk road and the Pax Mongolica
Marco Polo and Friar John
Jihpen and Chippangu
III. The Mongol invasions of Japan
A. Khubilai Khan: last of the great Khans
sinofication
Japan and Southeast Asia [Java and Vietnam]
B. The first invasion, 1274
the Mongol-Korean Army/Navy
cavalry and battles at sea
Korean diplomacy and warning
the typhoon season
C. The second invasion, 1281
the sea wall
the kamikaze [divine winds]
Vietnam
IV. Aftermath
A. Decline of the Hojo Regency
overlapping power structures
property and primogeniture
a taste for luxury
weakening feudal ties
ties to the land
Buddhism, jito and commoner revolts
B. After the Mongols left
where's my reward?
the court: prayers and money
monasteries: prayers, money and men
warriors: personal presence
commoners: support
waiting for the third invasion
C. Emperor Go-Daigo and the Kemmu Restoration