659. Dawn of the Samurai: Bloodbath at the Bridge (Part 2)

Context:

Tom Holland mentions this is the translation by Royal Tyler for Penguin Classics and describes it as 'a tremendous read' and 'the great war epic, the Iliad of medieval Japan.'

Context:

Tom Holland quotes from this book when describing the brutal practice of bantori (beheading), specifically referencing Clements' description of the verb for beheading in combat.

Context:

Tom Holland quotes from this book about Lady Murasaki and Genji when explaining how the Fujiwara imposed a lifecycle on emperors to keep them under their control.