History of Geishas

Mary Queen of Scots has gone down in history for her power struggle with her cousin, Elizabeth I. But this was just one of the challenges she faced.Another was that Mary's second husband, Lord Darnley, was one of history’s worst husbands.Estelle Paranque joins Kate for this episo ...  Show more

The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most famous works of medieval art in the world, but what do we actually know about it? Who made it? Where? Why? And are those actually human genitals?Kate is joined by Dave Musgrove, content director at History Extra and co-author of 'The Story o ...  Show more

In the vibrant but vicious golden age of Imperial Japan, how did women use writing as a way to secure their status, and express their deepest desires? Who was Sei Shōnagon, the witty courtier whose account of life around the Japanese Empress during the iconic Heian period, provid ...  Show more

At the height of Imperial Japan, during a golden age of court intrigue, obsessive hierarchy, and fabulous sophistication, who was the legendary lothario and emperor’s son, Genji? What can the Tale of Genji - a great masterpiece of Japanese literature - tell us about this remarkab ...  Show more

Boring History For Sleep | What Being a Geisha Was Really Like. Step back in time to discover the quiet, hidden world of the geisha in old Japan. In this calming bedtime story, we explore daily routines, struggles, and cultural traditions that shaped the life of a geisha. Narrate ...  Show more

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the history of Japan through six characters, with leading cultural historian of Japan, Chris Harding, as they cover feuding lords and buddhist monks, both world wars, Japanese medieval poetry, Manga culture, and much, much more. Join T ...  Show more