S01E12 - The Ashikaga Encounter: Muskets, Art, and Zen in Transformative Japan

Leírás

In the Ashikaga era, Japan encountered Europe through Portuguese traders, marking a transformative period. The introduction of muskets revolutionized Japanese warfare, leading to the unification of Japan under military geniuses. Hideyoshi's rule saw a flourishing of Japanese art, blending flamboyance with Zen ideals. Tokugawa Ieyasu's consolidation of power initiated a long era of isolationism, embracing Confucianism. The Tokugawa regime struggled with evolving social structures, inadvertently empowering the urban bourgeoisie. Despite the decline of official Zen influence, Zen aesthetics persisted in various forms, shaping middle-class culture. Hakuin's revival briefly revitalized Zen, but its dominance waned, leaving a lasting impact on secular aspects of Japanese life.