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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...

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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.

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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?