Japan in the Heian Period and Cultural History: Crash Course World History 227

In which John Green teaches you about what westerners call the middle ages and the lives of the aristocracy...in Japan. The Heian period in Japan lasted from 794CE to 1185CE, and it was an interesting time in Japan. Rather than being known for a thriving economy, or particularly interesting politics, the most important things to come out of the Heian period were largely cultural. There was a flourishing of art and literature in the period, and a lot of that culture was created by women. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu was the classic piece of literature of the day, and it gave a detailed look into the way the Aristocrats of the Heian period lived. While this doesn't give a lot of insight into the lives of daily people, it can be very valuable, and the idea of approaching history from a cultural perspective is a refreshing change from the usual military or political history that survives from so many eras.
Citation 1: Morris, Ivan, The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan. Vintage Books. 2013. p. 5
Citation 2: Morris, p. 14
Citation 3: Morris, p. 67
Citation 4: Morris, p. 114
Citation 5: Morris, p. 147
Citation 6: Quoted in Morris, p. 112
Citation 7: Morris, p. 198
Crash Course is on Patreon! You can support us directly by signing up at / crashcourse
Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?
Facebook - / youtubecrashcourse
Twitter - / thecrashcourse
Instagram - / thecrashcourse
CC Kids: / crashcoursekids

[@AnnBoylen]

"Can you imagine a world in which rich people systemically receive lighter sentences for crimes committed than poor people?" That one made me laugh milk through my nose.

[@AnnBoylen]

Infamous Onion Cutting Ninja! that's why I laughed so hard

[@Linfamy]

That got me laughing a bit too hard too

[@BOBTHEBERT]

"Can you imagine a world in which rich people systemically receive lighter sentences for crimes committed than poor people?" Yes, John, I can. We're living it.

[@dragonkittycat12]

He was being sarcastic that's the joke. :3c

[@Selestrielle]

Pretty sure that was on purpose.

[@BOBTHEBERT]

Gabriela Rodriguez If he was, I didn't hear it in his voice.

[@XNaturalPhenomenonX]

I'm sure you now realize he was sarcastic. My questions is, "How could you not?"

[@rdreher7380]

Sarcasm is not always accompanied by exaggerated tones. Sometimes you have to understand the context. The nuances of sarcasm can be expressed differently by different cultures, even varying within the Unites States. For example, my brother often jokes about how every time he's met people from Ohio, his sarcasm goes right over their heads and confuses them.

[@anythinggoesguy]

When I studied the Heian period during college in my Japanese civilization course, my professor gave the same sentiment: "I always feel guilty when teaching about the Heian period because it only deals with a fraction of percent of the population, yet it's so important in the establishment of Japanese culture."

[@Xeon897]

Rich people hired Samurai; Poor people who could not hire Samurai did not hire Samurai.

[@differentialequation9471]

Samurai are not mercenaries.

[@felixbabuf5726]

+Differential Equation You do know he was making a reference, right?

[@starlightshimmers]

TL; DR Japanese nobility split into two classes, samurai and courtiers. They hated each other.

[@oro7114]

+Fenikkusu Kanji whats the reference?

[@collisionsc-7875]

+Carproof Linehan a video called history of japan

[@user-vu7ls1vm9h]

"Can you imagine a world in which rich people systemically receive lighter sentences for crimes committed than poor people?" You mean like now?

[@appleciderhorror12]

+武道館 sarcasm much?

[@ibbi30]

+武道館 But can you imagine a world where rich people receive systematically and legally harsher sentences ? Meet the Incan empire.

[@powerist209]

+Olvirki I don't know but that "rich people" happened to be not part of family members and just someone who pissed off the supreme ruler. Not to mention that they also punishe ENTIRE VILLAGE for infraction like being homosexual and having sex with sun priest. And yes, Incan royalty do practice incest.

[@ibbi30]

powerist (Sorry can you rephrase that ? I have a problem getting what you mean). Anyway, was just mentioning a funny fact. I was not saying that their system was very fair. Wikipedia suggests that this was more complex then the book I read claimed btw. Now, this punishment difference wasn't a result of arbitrary violence against nobles. Legal punishment had to be granted by someone higher up in the social stair, and only the Sapa Inca and Apus could issue capital punishments. So I imagine that nobles often recieved capital punishments for crimes that commoners got lighter punishments for, simply because Apus couldn't issue capital punishments to everyone in their region, much less the Sapa Inca. But as you can imagine, commoners often recieved higher punishments for acts done against nobles than nobles did for acts done against commoners. Not to meantion that no one seems to be able to punish the Sapa Inca.

[@GamingMotionTheGamingMotion]

Chris Brown

[@pguziel24]

Japan is an island by the sea, filled with volcanoes, and it's ~B E A U T I F U L~

[@victuz]

Japan's nature is beautiful yet dangerous.

[@Garrettmcarpenter]

"The nice thing about doing boring ceremonial work at night is that there was a lot of wine." Sake, John, Sake.

[@manuelkong10]

which....is a Rice....Wine

[@Thex57]

Japanese history is so interesting to me.

[@sadktoprak9180]

Better yet, read "Kaguyahime no Monogatari". It is one of the greatest epic/drama legends of Japan, and it is purported to have been set in Heian period. Miyazaki even made an animated film about it.

[@camilorodriguez5560]

Sadık Toprak. First thing, the Taketori Monogatira (or Kaguya Hime) is pretty interesting as a tale, but Genji's one is deeper in literary aspects as well in depiction of that period of time. Second thing, Miyazaki didn't make that film, he was directing Wind Rises when Takahata was doing Kaguya Hime Film.

[@user-xi5ep7op3i]

Bugs Bunny it’s not

[@yucekaghan8437]

Weeb

[@megido878]

w e e b

[@themisfitt4364]

Summary of world history in one sentence: "Knock knock, it's Europe"

[@Snake-od6ok]

ummmmm, no.

[@isaac1998]

That's actually pretty accurate.

[@naomi27nov]

and "the mongols are coming, the mongols are coming!"

[@serendipity4181]

Knock knock, it's Mongolia. or Knock knock, it's Japan.

[@maleekbrooks4557]

The Misfitt I can do it in one word:People

[@BrianHutzellMusic]

A bit of modern-day melancholy poetry: “I'm a cork on the ocean Floating over the raging sea How deep is the ocean? … I'm a rock in a landslide Rolling over the mountainside How deep is the valley? … I'm a leaf on a windy day Pretty soon I'll be blown away How long will the wind blow? … Until I die These things I'll be until I die” - Brian Wilson

[@FernandoTorrera]

So japanese nobility were basically Emo

[@Nipah.Auauau]

They even colored parts of themselves black.

[@Summer-us5ql]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 made my day. Thank you

[@StephenGillie]

I'm pretty sure this is all just "50 Shades of Grey" type fiction from that age.

[@LuisSierra42]

I believe they still are

[@darrianweathington1923]

fernando torrera ever seen a anime? Their still emo

[@AlltimeConspiracies]

Really interesting period of history. Good job!

[@holydoggo4822]

'"The emperor didn't really care, he was off somewhere writing poetry"

[@bl3h]

Please do Ethiopian history. they have such an interesting past, yet no one ever talks about it

[@Jobe-13]

Bleh Ikr

[@mixtapemania6769]

Facts

[@mcperc3]

Yes I’d love to see this. But it was callled Eritrea at one time as I’ve recently learned. 🤓

[@marcozwinkels2562]

So who is gonna be the next shogun ? Vote now on now on your phones! And everybody voted so hard that the caught fire and burned down.

[@marcozwinkels2562]

*the palace

[@stephanniewoods2869]

You watched bill wurtz video to lmao

[@tuckertechnolord6126]

To everyone who wached pravuses EU4 series (mandate of heaven) date got 90% ish vote.

[@daisybrain9423]

The shogun didn't care, actually, he was somewhere off doing poetry.

[@IcestormD]

I've been seeing phrases from bill wurtz's history of japan video in the comments and I love it

[@hanak5479]

God, the anti-feminist and anti-woman comments here are so dumb. Maybe get off of 4chan and step into the real world sometime.

[@VintageLJ]

There really aren't any. Idiot.

[@yodog1446]

I know it's really disheartening... People have already started to make stupid comments on your comment. Sigh...

[@yodog1446]

***** Which part?

[@hanak5479]

Diana Peña ..."first world problems". Genital mutilation, domestic abuse that will never be legally punished, the inability to be in control of ones finances, the inability to travel, no access to reproductive health, etc, etc, are all 'first world problems'?

[@VinSad]

Amal Jey Those are problems people in developing nations are dealing with. Feminism in places like the US and UK are not dealing with those issues. At all. People aren't hating on the former, they're hating on the latter.

[@MrInkblots]

Honestly this is one of my favourite World History videos John has done. Such an interesting and unique period in both Japanese and world history. John had a few funny jokes in there as well.

[@ivanastigarraga6488]

how about "sunrise laaand"

[@marcozwinkels2562]

and they stole chinas alphabeth and wrote a book about themselves

[@shatteredcrown2244]

+Marco Zwinkels The strangest part, is that nowadays China is trying to copy Japan.

[@differentialequation9471]

+Shattered Crown I don't think so. They are more likely trying to copy US. Japanese cooperations does not have a huge pay gap between employees.

[@shatteredcrown2244]

Differential Equation well I thought of it because of how China made a kantaii collection knockoff.

[@bmort1313]

Hi dipshit

[@user-jf5fk5sf5i]

Honestly, as a person from Japan this video explained about the Heian Period way easier to understand than my history teachers did in high school here. AND I find this lesson more informative. They didn't even teach us more than half of what John was saying...

[@Nimiety327]

According to Wikipedia, Medieval Japan was from 1185-1573/1600. The Heian period is Classical Japan, Not Medieval Japan *Edit* - After a few comments on this, i realized you may of been referring to Europe's Medieval time frame. This can be confusing because Japan has its own separate Medieval time frame. They do overlap, But aren't the same.

[@stormelemental13]

It's in the time period we usually call medieval. It helps people place it in their mental map better than saying 10th century.

[@Nimiety327]

Eric Taysom That'd of been great if they added that caveat to this video. But i wanted to leave my comment as added information for anyone that was more interested in precision/accuracy than generalizations. Not to bash this video (just in case anyone thinks that's why did it) I know they can't just remake the video and re-release it, but i have hopes that they'll add an annotation or something about it in the description box. (This is my way of trying to help) If anyone took a history test on this topic and said the Heian Period was during medieval Japan, they *could* be marked down for it. And if anyone recycled the info that "Heian period was Medieval" people like me could say "Well.. Actually..."

[@mickmickymick6927]

To what extent does the term 'medieval' even make sense outside Europe? It was supposed to be the age 'between the ages', i.e. between the Roman empire and the so-called 'Renaissance', that seems preety unique to Europe.

[@stormelemental13]

Mick Mickymick Well, Medieval in the sense of the time period between the 6th and 16th centuries makes as much sense as anything else we use to mark time. 10th century itself doesn't make sense outside of Christian cultures. The Muslim world has it's own timeline, as does China. We have to use something to mark time, so we use what is native to our cultures, even if it doesn't have any meaning for the areas we are talking about. Random aside, I hate the term 'common era'. It's AD. Medieval in the sense of a region experiencing the slow collapse of a central authority in conjunction with significant migrations and cultural changes, including decreased participation in international trade, followed by the rise and consolidation of regional powers into new great powers and a resumption of consistant and meaningful trade connections with the rest of the world, can be used all over the place. This cycle of consolidation of power, fragmentation, and consolidation is seen in most cultures. China experienced it several times, so did India and Japan. Middle ages between times of strong central are a feature of history. It can also be used to designate middle/late iron ages, but since we have the terms middle and late iron ages which deal specifically with metallurgical technology, is generally shouldn't.

[@Nimiety327]

Mick Mickymick Yeah i must admit that Europe is the very first thing that comes to my mind when i hear 'medieval'. But oddly, for some strange reason, the term has been exported to other cultures. Medieval Europe and Medieval Japan didn't even take place during the exact same time period, and didn't last for the same amount of time. (they did overlap a bit though) And then there is the confusion that comes when people use the word loosely to simply mean very old.

[@eruno_]

I really want Game of Thrones Japan now

[@wangttang]

dude just watch any historic shows about the warring states era in japan,

[@tahmidbhuiyan5591]

u should stop judging shows over popularity. Rome was discontinued years ago but atleast they portrayed history in a, to some extent, accurate way. GOT on the other hand, ehhh, not so much.

[@eruno_]

Tahmid Bhuiyan​ that's understandable as GOT is medievalist fantasy while Rome is somehow accurate portrayal of ancient history. I'm not judging anything.

[@Sajotae]

In that case, I recommend watching any warring states anime/movies, or even video games. I do recommend Hakuouki, or Sengoku Basara. Samurai Warriors - the video game series - are good points as well! Enjoy the "Game of Thrones"-esque Japan, in that sense!

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

Play Shogun 2 to experience GoT Japan

[@LivingTar]

In the year -1,000,000,000, japan might not've been here

[@marcozwinkels2562]

In the -40.000 Japan was here and you could walk to it and some people walked to it.

[@MrFootballman52]

+Marco Zwinkels Then it got warmer, some icebergs melted, and Japan became an island where there lots of TREES!

[@zhoutorres2677]

+MrFootballman52 Because it's warmer.

[@sarawr519]

so now there's people on the island and they're basically sort of hanging out in between the mountains, eating nuts off trees and using the latest technology like stones and bowls

[@bridgetdunleavy3549]

Ding dong. It's the outside world. And they have technology from the future. Like really good metal. And Crazy Rice Farms.

[@MaoRuiqi]

While you touched on the notions of women being the early story tellers in Japan and that they operated within the restraints of a patriarchy, you failed to note the real achievement of these early pioneers. As you pointed out, the patriarchy dictated that the men write in essentially Chinese, it was the early women writers who, barred from learning that language, developed the Japanese language--as we know it today--as a direct result. Here the meek didn't so much inherit the world so much as they created their own. Eventually, of course, males followed their lead as Chinese fell out of favor.

[@wtfhowbizarre1946]

In pre-Heian Period Japanese women enjoyed a much higher status because they had the 'gate to life' that men just don't have. Please look up Queen Himiko of the Kingdom of Wa and trade with China. Japan wasn't always a Patriotiarchal society.

[@bk-6445]

A lot of Heian literature was produced by men, the difference is that theirs was usually more "official", traditional, and often written in Chinese with strict poetic rules established by Chinese classics (which doesn't mean that it's automatically bad - in fact you get amazing poetry by all sorts of men in the period). People just emphasize women's poetry because it's quite an exceptional phenomena to have so many women writers in a period. Also, if you read The Pillow Book (an awesome, hilarious read btw, packed with lists of things like "hateful things: someone who doesn't close the panel after leaving a room, men who snore, not getting a reply to a poem you send to someone"), Genji Monogatari, etc, you find that actually women had quite a bit of freedom. You don't exactly get the sense that they were being "controlled", or in any case that they were being restrained *more* than the men were by manners and tradition. Both men and women were very constrained in the way they looked and spoke - but to be honest when reading the literature of the time most of the time you can draw parallels between today's customs and the Heian ones. Heian is an awesome period when it comes to literature, because since the style is very personal/free, it's generally very fun to read and non-pompous, so I'd highly recommend anyone interested to look up the Pillow Book or things like the Kagero Diary : )

[@shannonplunkett4301]

I thought that this was a fairly good intro to the Heian period, especially since its target audience likely knows very little about it at all. One thing that I wish you would have mentioned is that Genji Monogatari (The tale of Genji) is older than Beowulf, making it not only the oldest known novel by a woman, but the oldest known novel period. I really enjoyed this and hope you will have videos on the rest of historical periods of Japan. DFTBA

[@BosonCollider]

Hey John! Could you please do a crash course economic history next? As in, the Dutch tulip mania, the British South Seas bubble, the rise of the Rothschild, ect ect. Money is an often ignored aspect of world history which is really the key to explaining many of the events that happened. When applicable it is really a much more concrete subject to talk about than "resources" in the abstract. It also is likely the aspect of history that is most applicable to the modern world. Scientific discoveries happen once and permanently improve things, wars become less common as our world become more peaceful, culture and memesets changes. Financial crises on the other hand are something that are just as much of a problem now as they were four centuries ago and there are many lessons to be learned that are still applicable today.

[@Binerexis]

Wasn't a Crash Course Economics project proposed (or at least suggested) some time ago? It would contain plenty of historical examples which provide context to more modern events that I don't think you'd be able to explore with simply a historical look at various economic systems.

[@WordBearer86]

Binerexis I'd love to see a Crash Course Economics piece.

[@Burlyman0]

Extra Credits is doing a history series on the South Sea Bubble if your interested.

[@TheBc99]

Crash Course World History already focusses a lot on economy, more so than most other sources which are mainly about defining wars, monumental feats and "great men". Economic history is a bit of a niche concept with which to make an entire webseries, especially one that is basically a quick and easily-digested summary, and especially since John would be covering a lot of already-covered ground in doing so. Economics are really important already to CCWH, ingrained into all its videos. To make a whole new webseries on Economic History seems redundant to me. That being said, the video ideas you've come up with would fit perfectly into the existing CCWH series.

[@KarmaRaven23]

John, I have been researching this era for a book I have been working on for the past 3 years. At no point did this video make an appearance, until tonight, when trying to find the basic size of baskets. Thanks for making me realize that I picked the right era to set my story. You will always rock.

[@joyzheng9217]

YES! John finally talked about art history extensively! For those art history students out there... hope for a season devoted to art history...

[@gefelice]

Genji Monogatari is also really fun to read! (Unlike some history books.)

[@raixira27]

I had to read it for a class and hated it, but I like it more looking back. It's such a dense book!

[@ZuzuWildmonkey]

i only read a more condensed/shorter version in japanese, but it really is interesting. it might even be the first love story that i actually liked :P

[@AlthenaLuna]

It's certainly an undertaking to read, and it helps to have some context on the social structure going into it. I was amused to discover that Kodansha published a five-volume bilingual manga of the story...so I have those next to my massive unabridged Genji.

[@gefelice]

I have the translated source and then another, even bigger book explaining the cultural context. It's a lot to take in, but I think it's really interesting!

[@deadhomelessbum]

I recently read it in my world lit class, it had some pretty hilarious scenes, I plan on picking up the unabridged version soon.

[@owenw.1643]

this is one of my favorite crash course videos. the best part of history, in my eyes, is thinking about how different people in different times lived and felt.

[@Linfamy]

Yeah, I like to imagine how I would act in past times

[@TheAkashicTraveller]

"Can you imagine a world in which rich people systemically receive lighter sentences for crime committed than poor people." Sounds like America.

[@PAXperMortem]

Very edgy...but not true.

[@matsas0]

Sounds like every country ever

[@PAXperMortem]

Sounds more like Communism to me. As George Orwell put it: Everyone is equal but some are *more equal* than others

[@oro7114]

+PAXperMortem no its definitely true, as far as I know stats on these kinda things aren't kept but you can easily find a trend for yourself. Not to say rich people always get off lightly or that they never get punished to harshly but it happens a lot.

[@PAXperMortem]

Carproof Linehan I still don't think America serves as a prime example here.

[@mre6201]

please make an episode of aztecs and prehispanic mesoamerican civilizations

[@CrimsonVocals]

no.

[@mre6201]

why not?

[@CrimsonVocals]

Because I'm just not as awesome as John. (You see I'm playing off of the fact that you didn't specify that you wanted John to make the video and then acting as if by reading the comment you were in fact asking me. It wasn't a good joke, but it was intended as humor none the less.)

[@Anergyne]

CrimsonVocals You're right about one thing. It most definitely wasn't a good joke.

[@CrimsonVocals]

Lynneiah oh burn

[@hali7560]

Oh god, I didnt know there were so many bill wurtz watchers.... I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF!

[@featuringfranklin]

This is still one of my favorite episodes. More cultural history please!

[@corporacallosa]

Thank you for this, John Green! It's a relief to find anyone who cares about pre-1600s Japan at all.

[@AlleyBetwixt]

Crash Course usually does a great job with including lots of artworek in their videos, which I love, and this one was especially delightful. Whoever in the team gathered all those 'b-roll' paintings and woodblock prints, you're awesome! Also props to ThoughtBubble/Cafe for the lovely animation with the ducks. Beautiful.

[@jiggy9683]

Crash Course World History 2 has been very preachy.

[@deadeaded]

As I see it, there are two possible approaches he could take. Either John can point out the social progress we've made over the past few centuries, or he pretend that we haven't made progress, and that past attitudes towards women, other cultures, etc. are on equal footing with our current mores. Although the former can sound preachy, the latter is completely disingenuous.

[@discopete117]

deadeaded or john could not be disingenious and present the seemingly horrible treatment as grounded in modern day morals. Its a moralistic whig history that assumes that moral development has lead up to the progressive standard. A standard that is inherently eurocentric, I might add given john's fascination with pointing out in CCWH. The best treatment would be to attempt to provide a moral context or otherwise run a(n obvious) disclaimer that people across the world and through different times have had widely different moral values. But that wouldn't play into John's market, so that's fairly unlikely.

[@kingtyris4992]

Jiggy Jam Indeed, but John wears his subjectivity on his sleeve, so I can forgive it.

[@Thutil]

discopete117 That's just moral relativism. What possible moral reason could there be to treat women as 2nd class citizens that wouldn't pollute the word to the point of meaninglessness?

[@Jagnon123]

deadeaded Or he could just teach the history without preaching his own narrative.

[@colesandick446]

Wow, what a fascinating bit of cultural history. Thanks :)

[@GKS225]

Interestingly, Heian sounds like 黑暗 in Chinese, which makes it sounded like the dark age. ( I checked it, and Heian is translated to 平安 in Chinese, which means safe/peacefu.

[@niceman.1470]

You got it wrong. Heian is a Japanese word

[@GKS225]

I didn't say it's not Japanese word

[@onglinwei2418]

He meant it as an irony

[@pokerumblenigakki]

why is learning like this a lot more fun than sitting in a class

[@fusilijerry6295]

I love how in 7:05 there's that guy in the background doing the hula-hoop!! 😂😂😂

[@MrMarcusToliver]

I absolutely LOVE the animations! :D

[@pennylanghorn6712]

I really enjoyed your seminar It was quite interesting I like the way you presented it Thank you

[@yomamasofat413]

We want a playlist about japan history! JAPAN HISTORY only!

[@avikpram]

This is my favourite sentence from now... "An ever-pullulating brood of greedy, needy, frivolous dilettanti - as often as not foully licentious, utterly effeminate, incapable of any worthy achievement" the alliterations. it's sheer poetry.

[@dantesdiscoinfernolol]

7:40 Pikachu, Sailor Moon, and Hello Kitty. I approve.

[@rupertrozells5816]

Most interesting & very precise. Enjoyed his presentation, he made it very interesting & you just want to hear more.

[@dangvy7022]

Thank you so much for this video. Japanese culture has always been fascinating to me, but there are so few books and lectures that are so concise and understandable.

[@FishCakeIce]

interesting with the women. it matches what else I've heard about medieval japan. women had more power but if you look at japanese culture nowadays, they have such a westernized view of women, evident in anime and dramas.

[@dianeunderhill8131]

Blame the western "invasion" of Japan during the 1800s. Where they were bullied to live like Victorian England or be executed. It was the downfall of the most equal rights civilisation, all because some fat cats wanted to control the world.

[@Skeloperch]

If you were actually observant of modern Japanese culture instead of someone who only has a glimmer idea of what he's talking about, you'd see otherwise. Men view women in the same way they view men, roughly. One of the richest people in Japan is a woman. How did she get rich? Making manga that was targetted at girls. They're basically the same as the stuff made for guys, but instead of bulging breasts (or pettan love), the men have great bodies, and all swoon after a girl. It's not a westernized view at all. Japan just realized what being a human is, something that modern liberals fail to understand. If you're a feminist or social justice warrior in this day and age, you are showing off how little you know.

[@eatcarpet]

The subjugation of women probably came about when the Shoguns and the militarists came to rule Japan, which was after the Heian period.

[@SidheKnight]

Maxatrillion Hey, that's not fair! Some (most?) feminists do recognize the progress that many countries have made to combat sexism. Those who complain about "horrible sexist manga" are idiotic Tumblr crusaders who only know of japanese culture whatever sensationalistic crap is shown at them by westerm media in order to feed their self-righteous anger. The myth that "Japan is a horrible misogynystic place" can't die fast enough. In many ways it's much more progressive than many western countries. Using the example you gave: How many comic books are targeted at a female audience in the west, compared to Shojo and Josei manga in Japan?

[@Skeloperch]

SidheKnight What's interesting is that they don't try to change current manga, they just make their own. They don't have an Anite Sarkeesian or Laci Green to berate them about diversity, so they fulfill every niche at once because they don't whine. I applaud the work of feminists in many impoverished countries, but I shouldn't be hearing about the need for feminism in America or Japan. Countries like Moldova, Mozambique, and Mongolia? Sure.

[@JuniorAngel8888]

Great video CrashCourse! Please do more history videos on Japan.

[@revjime.stephenson8628]

Love John Greens humor and style because he makes history fun! I learned so much from crash courses and it refreshes and triggers lessons from High School and College around 40 years ago! Keep up the great work Professor Green!

[@harlleygurrola8394]

Do more Japan videos! Talk about the Meiji Period! 🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@harlleygurrola8394]

Anyone notice the illustrations of Pikachu and Sailor Moon in the thought bubble at 7:39-7:40?

[@urvashi9610]

i think everyone did

[@harlleygurrola8394]

LOL

[@robertandersson1128]

Yeah, I did.

[@nunoraimundo]

I'm going to take this episode as a confirmation of a future Crash Course Art/Cultural History!

[@Groaker]

I showed this video to some English teachers I work with here in Japan and they LOVED it! Good work!

[@JonesyMcDanes]

UH OH he used the p word. Everyone start the feminist debates.

[@josephagnetti8921]

Pancakes?

[@QueenMoontime]

I don't think anyone was starting one except for you

[@prettybarf]

Oh noes someone said something in the right context!!

[@JonesyMcDanes]

Anyone know what a joke is? edit: or sarcasm either way it was just to be funny

[@QueenMoontime]

JonesyMcDanes Something that's funny, which doesn't fit the criteria of your comment

[@Xai15]

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!! I cannot TELL you how many times I've searched for Japanese History BEFORE the Muromachi and came up with next to NOTHING! I went out of my way to purchase a Japanese History textbook and never got to finish it because my bag got stolen. I didn't get to pick it apart like I would have once I read through it. THANK YOU for covering SOMETHING other than the Age of Samurai!

[@yakumofujii886]

Very well done I have been waiting for something like this and you guys did a good job. There is a lot more you can say on the subject, but I can understand the time restraints that come with projects like this. Once again well done!

[@fraserdoyle4364]

Good video, very informal and easy to understand. Keep it up children !!

[@gwagner007]

Funny story. Yesterday, after I watched this, my students had a presentation by 2 actors and it was folktales from the Heian period. And they mentioned a novel that was very important. When they asked if anyone knew what it was, they saw me grinning and asked if I knew what it was. I burst out "the Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu!" Everyone in the assembly's jaws dropped. It took them a while to recover and continue. Thank you John, for making look terribly smart and cultured.

[@serenedoge9920]

If I remember correctly, the only name mentioned in The Tale of Genji is Genji. Everyone else was referred to by the clothing they wore and their relative court position. And there are hundreds of characters that are introduced. It’s absolutely mind boggling.

[@Seethwin]

neat video! thanks for uploading!

[@jadooblue]

yes! i was hoping you guys would cover japan in world history! its here im so happy :)

[@MrBomasBalloons]

I could have used this 3 weeks ago when I was teaching this period to my 7th graders!

[@1veggiemonster]

LOVE the cartoon that starts around 7:30! Props to the animator! Pokemon, Hello Kitty and Sailor Moon prizes! And the derp who shot himself with an arrow! Bwahahaha!

[@unamed2516]

Love your videos John keep it up😉👍🏾

[@joje1118]

You are hilarious and wonderful to listen to!!! Thank you for the video!!!

[@Ohtori]

Lovely segment! I feel like most non Japanese literature majors skip over Heian-kyo in favour of the Edo period. Also, while I love 'Tale of Genji' I'm glad you also mentioned Sei Shounagon because her 'Pillow Book' is amazing. If 'Genji' is idealized court society 'Pillow Book' is about real life and how things don't always work the way you want them to.

[@Turnip_01]

"How bout i do anyway?"

[@joeyrocks7916]

woah perfect APA citation John! A+!

[@TheConfuciusPanda]

The quote about the waterfowl has seriously changed my life.

[@TheJapanChannelDcom]

Pretty good.

[@vrixphillips]

Still gotta love that episode from the beginning of Genji, where Genji's mom needs to go see the emperor, but her rival has had a maid put a rotten pear in the hall leading away from her chambers, so she's stuck there, and the anxiety of being so hated by a peer disturbs her so that she goes home, has genji, and dies.

[@Pagansong]

one of your best! thank you!! Since reading the Tale of Genji I see it's influence even today in anime and Japanese culture at large.

[@taxavoider9889]

You don't know how much this help me for my assignment

[@compile3938]

knock knock It's United States

[@collisionsc-7875]

With huge boats, and guns. Gunboats.

[@OMGoc9]

Open. The country. Stop. Having it be closed.

[@collisionsc-7875]

You don't get it, do you?

[@TheTariqibnziyad]

+Taylor H you stole the best part !!!

[@TheTariqibnziyad]

there is very little they can do !!!

[@Afghani22]

Really helped me for my Japan history test that I didn’t study much for 😂

[@abiepeacock]

Very fun watch - thank you!

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

This is the first episode I've viewed full screen -- beautiful images. I hope you will also cover the 3 unifiers of Japan. I was also thinking about Thorstein Veblen watching this and you should do an episode on him as well.

[@Epixelle]

John Green gets more likable as time goes on, honestly. Couldn't stand him during the peak tumblr years but now I feel like I could totally hang out with the guy

[@jevonhoseathenadi1847]

Could you do a crash course about the history of Indonesia? I thought that it might be interesting.

[@valentinafreespirit5522]

love your courses, it is fun :)

[@TheDCStudios1]

Thank you, Mr. Green

[@JK_2998]

Cities that exist : - Hiroshima X - Nagasaki X - Some others

[@myohmy9000]

*flag that says you win rises*

[@btdpro752]

JK dang it we though there was oil

[@mixtapemania6769]

Wrong video

[@jhca4671]

They still exist

[@smokinjoestalin]

Thank you! very interesting.

[@RamblinRick_]

I love that the John and Hank caricatures on the computer are straight out of the Prison Architect game by Introversion

[@KingoftheSlavs]

Here's an idea for your next video. Do a video on the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was one of the first democratic countries in Europe, it created the second constitution in the World and the first in Europe, our King's where elected (by the nobility but still it was a start) which was pretty unique for its time. At one time it was the biggest country in Europe and it just like the Mongol's conquered Moscow making it the second country in history who has ever done that. It was also wiped of the map of Europe by three partitions done by Prussia, Austria(even though 100 years earlier we helped saved them from an Ottoman defeat at the Battle of Vienna) and Russia.

[@MultiZzz007]

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was definitely not democracy Prussia, Austria and even Russia that time were more free

[@KingoftheSlavs]

MultiZzz007 Are you saying that three Absolute Monarchy's, where all power was invested in one man or woman taking in account Russia where more free then the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth which had religious freedom and an actual parliament or the Sejm (which although it did exist it did more damage in some ways with Liberum Veto etc etc). You must not know your history very well to say such a judgement.

[@rostislavsvoboda7013]

The concepts of greatness as well as the concept of democracy are overrated.

[@karlkarlos3545]

KingBartzzzTheSeventh "100 years earlier we helped saved them from an Ottoman defeat" Wow, it seems having a nationalistic chip on your shoulder really resulted in having a very long live.

[@KingoftheSlavs]

***** Yeah but then as you just said the Holy Roman Empire was not a country, it was an alliance of multiple states mainly Germanic in Central Europe. If I recall all of them where Absolute Monarchies so the Emperor who would most likely be a Habsburg ruling Austria who was the figure head of the Empire not that he possessed any power anyway as most countries did what was beneficial to them and not the overall good of the Empire. So essentially the Emperor was an Absolute Monarch who was voted into a position which held practically no power.

[@darrianweathington1923]

Bring back Oda Nobunaga, hes the hero japan needs and deserves.

[@aberry89]

All of videos are fascinating, but this one was particularly so. Probably because it was almost all new information to me, as history of Japanese culture is scarce in the US and even scarcer when you're talking medieval Japanese history. I am now in love with the Heian Period and want to know more!

[@ayano746]

wow thanks Mr.Green it sounds way more interesting than I learn at school!!!!

[@nicywailey157]

Hey, can you please do a crash course episode on Australian history? Colonisation and treatment of indigenous people primarily? 🧐

[@Kivalt]

These people were already making mangas a thousand years ago.

[@vincentwohlfart1686]

Dear john Green, I like your interactive and educational video about the certain periods of history around the world. I sincerely hope that you could try to do a informative video about the kalmar union and subsequent nations like Sweden and Norway. It would be very interesting as it reflects the current Scandinavian culture and model that many people admire.

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

7:20 This leisure scene is so fricking cool 😂😂😂

[@SpazzyMcGee1337]

Posted 7 minutes ago?! Hot damn! BRB, getting popcorn!

[@daveharrison84]

So, how big was the Heian kingdom? How much land did it cover, compared to modern Japan? Also, the capital that later got destroyed, where is it? Which modern Japanese city is where the Heian capital was?

[@SnoopDoggyDoge]

lmgtfy.com/?q=how+big+was+the+Heian+kingdom

[@ProsyStrangers]

The modern city of Kyoto is where Heian-kyo was. It is still pretty strong in historical spots to see.

[@Redswimgirl318]

Also the Heian Court only had about 4% of the total Japanese population of that time.

[@Alevuss92]

1.) Estimates suggest a population of ca. 5 million. 2.) Imagine today's Japan, but don't include the Ryukyu Islands, the Volcano Islands, and the Kuril Islands. The island of Hokkaido and the area comprising of the northern Tohoku region was under Japanese feudal rule in this time, but the gov't didn't exert much power & the island was enjoyed more autonomy than other feudal domains until around the start of the Tokugawa Shogunate (which largely focused on unifying the country more strongly through isolation and improved communication/policy among lords within the country. While Japan did operate under feudalism, a minority of the land (I think less than 25% by the Edo era), generally, was controlled directly by the royal family. 3 & 4.) As Suetsumuhana said, it's in modern day Kyoto, but we don't know where the exact location of all of the parts of Heian-Kyo referenced in the video. Still, much of ancient/medieval Japanese architecture and history survives here.

[@jackgruber7811]

If I'm not mistaken,Heian Japan consisted of most of modern Japan. I believe that three out of the four main Japanese islands were Japanese territory during this era; these islands being Honshu (the 'main' island), Kyushu and Shikoku, the one excluded being Hokkaido, the somewhat large island that is located immediately of Japan (which also has/had a small native population that is ethnically and culturally different from mainland Japan, and was conquered late in Japanese history). Also, the capital, Heian-Kyo, was, as the name suggests, located in modern day Kyoto, which is the reason that Kyoto has always been seen as the 'Imperial' capital, while Tokyo has been (for like the last 500 years, anyway) the 'de Facto' capital. Actually, Tokyo used to be called Edo, but the name was changed to Tokyo (an anagram of Kyoto) after the somewhat recent 'Meiji Restoration/Revolution', so that it would be known that the Emperor's seat, and thus power, had shifter away from the historical capital of Kyoto. I'n no expert on any of this, so you want to make sure most of my facts are right. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed these tid-bits.

[@girldetective18]

Watching from Minnesota... yay John's shirt!

[@Rue93]

Hey John I would love to see a crash course episode on English monarchy. Preferably on the Tudors. On how they came to power to how it ended.

[@ruedelta]

It would be really cool to see a followup to this on the Tang Dynasty, aka what Heian Japan was so obsessed about. It's large enough to have three distinct periods of history, has an interlude with the only female Emperor of Chinese history (one of the first female heads of state in the world), and was known for its literary development especially with regards to poems (Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei). Bonus points for how its transition from the Sui to the Tang was actually not that bloody, especially because their families were cousins, and how Dugu Xin was basically the godfather of China at the time (because his many daughters were married out to the Sui, Tang, and several other prominent tribes in the North). ...might be hard to fit into a single episode though.