Oliver is joined by Susan Furukawa, Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures at Beloit College, to discuss history in fiction through works on the iconic and problematic life of 16th century shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Susan and I look at how Hideyoshi sought to establish his own literary legacy, how he has been made a hero in different ways through the 20th century, and why darker elements of his past have failed to break through in these narratives.

Read Susan's book, The Afterlife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi: Historical Fiction and Popular Culture in Japan.

IMAGE AND AUDIO CREDITS

Intro-outro music: jasonszklarek / MotionElements.com

[L] One Hundred Aspects of the Moon #7, Inaba Mountain Moon - The young Toyotomi Hideyoshi leads a small group assaulting the castle on Inaba Mountain; 1885, twelfth month.

[C] Professor Susan Furukawa. Photograph by Nick Mischler.

[R] Important cultural property "Toyotomi Hideyoshi portrait" (part of artwork). Acclaimed in the 3rd year of Keicho (1598), Kōdai-ji Temple, Kyoto.

Copyright © 2022 Oliver Moxham, ℗  2022 Oliver Moxham. May be freely distributed for education purposes.

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