The Obscure History of Japanese Sea Lords

Take the 2023 PBS Survey: https://to.pbs.org/pbssurvey2023p From the anime series to Netflix's new live-action adaptation of the famous One Piece manga, the intersection of Japan and pirates has fueled ongoing interest. So we dug into the surprising history of the proclaimed Sea Lords, the social underdogs who ruled Japanese waters for 200 years! They held immense political power and even helped integrate Japan into the early global economy. Despite this, medieval Japanese society labeled them “kaizoku,” or “pirates.” In this episode of Rogue History, we dive into the origins of Japan’s Sea Lords and explain how one family solidified their legacy. For more information, check out “Lords of the Sea: Pirates, Violence, and Commerce in Late Medieval Japan” by Peter D. Shapinsky: https://www.press.umich.edu/9340182/l... Or visit the Murakami Kaizoku Museum: http://murakami-kaizoku.com/en/ https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/mus... ***** PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateORIG ***** Rogue History Shaking off the barnacles from this wildly popular storytelling canon, this Pirates historical series is an enlightening voyage that unravels historical myths, unearths lost narratives, and discovers fresh perspectives. This is the pirate history you were never told. Subscribe to PBS Origins so you never miss an episode!    / pbsorigins   And keep up with Rogue History and PBS Origins on: Facebook:   / pbsdigitalstudios   Twitter:   / pbsds   Instagram:   / pbsds   Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:25 Who Were the Sea Lords 01:18 Importance of Japan’s Maritime Commerce 02:50 The Sea Lords Sold Protection from…Themselves 03:32 The Feudal System 05:15 Kaizoku and Ama 05:45 The Noshima Family 07:55 Sea Lords = Loyal Naval Vassals?