Life as a Samurai

Life as a Samurai

Author: History Hit & Assassin's Creed September 29, 2025 Duration: 37:45

Assassin’s Creed Shadows recreates everyday life in Japan during the Sengoku jidai - the Warring States period - and highlights how reality doesn’t always align with pop culture perceptions of samurai as a noble elite.


Matt Lewis spoke to Dr Kate Kitagawa and Professor Eric Rath to answer the question, what was it really like to live as a samurai? From weapons to worship and family to food, they reveal a more pragmatic view of the legendary warrior than we may be used to.


Click these links to listen to the full episodes about samurai weapons and armour, and how to survive in Sengoku Japan.


Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel.


Hosted by: Matt Lewis

Edited by: Robin McConnell

Produced by: Robin McConnell

Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff

Production Manager: Beth Donaldson

Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett


Music by The Flight


If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here.


Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Step into the past and discover how history is woven into the fabric of our most compelling stories. Echoes of History, presented by History Hit and Assassin’s Creed, explores the rich, authentic details that breathe life into the legendary game series. This isn't just a behind-the-scenes look; it's a journey to the source material itself. Each episode unpacks the real events, figures, and settings that inspired iconic game worlds. You'll hear about the political intrigue of Renaissance Florence, the vast trade networks of the ancient Silk Road, the brutal realities of piracy in the Caribbean, and the complex codes of honor in Feudal Japan. The podcast connects these historical dots with clarity and narrative flair, offering context that deepens appreciation for both the games and the eras they depict. It’s for anyone curious about where creative fiction meets documented fact, proving that the most thrilling adventures are often rooted in truth. Tune in to find the history hidden in plain sight.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Echoes of History
Podcast Episodes
The Alexandrian War: Julius Caesar's Biggest Military Blunder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:26
In 47 BCE, Julius Caesar arrived in Egypt as a victorious general, ready to make an easy alliance with the Pharaoh. Instead, he found himself besieged in Egypt’s capital city by the very ruler who wanted to ally with him…
The Sphinx: Egypt's Greatest Mystery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:40
The Great Sphinx of Giza is the most recognisable statue in the world - and one of the most mysterious. Even its Western name is misleading, since the monument bears little resemblance to the sphinx of ancient Greek myth…
Ptolemy XIII: The Forgotten Pharaoh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:17
Antony and Cleopatra. Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. These are household names thanks to Shakespeare’s plays, big budget TV shows and films, and histories written about them since antiquity. But Ptolemy XIII is an a…
Who Built The Parthenon? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:26
An enduring symbol of ancient Greek artistry and architecture. Arguably the most recognisable monument they left behind. The Parthenon. Built atop the Acropolis in Athens during the 5th century BCE, its construction was…
The Ancient Olympics: Games Of The Gods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:49
A tradition that endured millennia. The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BC and took place every four years until at least 396 AD. It was a major religious and sporting festival, attended by over 40,000 spectators who…
Hippocrates: The Father Of Medicine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:41
Around 460 BCE, a man was born in Ancient Greece who would change medicine forever. He invented a new scientific approach to medicine that recognised disease as a natural phenomenon, rather than the will of the gods. Or…
The Greatest Crown Jewel: The Koh-i-Noor Diamond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
The literal jewel in the British crown, the Koh-i-Noor diamond has a history as rich as its caratage. Queen Victoria received it from the last maharaja of the Sikh Empire, and it has become a symbol of British colonialis…
The Industrial Revolution: The Birth Of Modern London [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:37
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century, giving birth to an era that has changed world history. The period was characterised by rapid economic, social and technological growth. Marked by innov…

«1...678910