Images

Michael VIII Palaiologos (r. 1259-1281 CE) Miniature from the manuscript of Pachymeres' Historia, 14th century CE. Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

John III Doukas Vatatzes, Emperor of Nicaea (1222–1254 CE) 15th century CE manuscript, History of John Zonaras, Mutinensis gr.122, f.294r, Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Modena.

Katsuren castle, Okinawa, Japan. 12th century CE.

A section of the outer limestone walls of Zakimi castle, Okinawa, Japan. The Ryukyu Kingdom, 15th century CE.

The Seiden royal audience hall of Shuri Castle, Okinawa, Japan. Today's building is a fully reconstructed version of the medieval building which was destroyed in 1945 CE.

The fortification walls and Kankaimon gate of Shuri Castle, Okinawa, Japan. 14th century CE.

Red-figured squat lekythos (oil-bottle) with a tragic mask (perhaps Electra's) and a stage. Made in Lucania, Italy, c. 360-320 BCE. British Museum, London.

A map showing the raids made by wako pirates during the 16th century CE.

An 18th century CE illustration showing a naval battle between Japanese pirates (wako) and Chinese naval ships. (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam)

A modern replica of a Korean turtle-ship (kobukson), used by Admiral Yi Sun-sin in the Imjin Wars between Korea, China, & Japan (1592-1598). The precise design is not known except that the deck was covered, perhaps using iron plating, and...