A History of Japan: Revised Edition

by R. H. P. Mason, J. G. Caiger

Overview

A classic of Japanese history, this book is still the preeminent work on the history of Japan.

Newly revised and updated, A History of Japan is a single-volume, complete history of the nation of Japan. Starting in ancient Japan during its early pre-history period A History of Japan covers every important aspect of history and culture through feudal Japan to the post-cold War period and collapse of the Bubble Economy in the early 1990's. Recent findings shed additional light on the origins of Japanese civilization and the birth of Japanese culture.

Also included is an in-depth analysis of the Japanese religion, Japanese arts, Japanese culture and the Japanese People from the 6th century B.C.E. to the present. This contemporary classic, now updated and revised, continues to be an essential text in Japanese studies. Classic illustrations and unique pictures are dispersed throughout the book.

A History of Japan, Revised Edition includes:

• Archaic Japan—including Yamato, the creation of a unified state, the Nana Period, and the Heian period.
• Medieval Japan— including rule by the military houses, the failure of Ashikaga Rule, Buddhism, and the Kamakura and Muroachi Periods periods.
• Ealy Modern Japan—including Japanese feudalism, administration under the Tokugawa, and society and culture in early modern Japan.
• Modern Japan—including The Meiji Era and policies for modernization, from consensus to crisis (1912-1937), and solutions through force.

This contemporary classic continues to be a central book in Japanese studies and is an vital addition to the collection of any student or enthusiast of Japanese history, Japanese culture, or the Japanese Language.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804820974
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	11/15/1997
Edition description:	First Edition,Revised
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Richard Mason graduated from Cambridge University. He received his Ph.D. from the Australian National University where he subsequently lectured on Japanese history as a member of the Faculty of Asian Studies for over thirty years. Dr. Mason is also the author of Japan's First General Election (Cambridge University Press, 1969). Now retired, he continues to live and work in Canberra.

John Caiger was born in Japan, graduated from Sydney University,and studied history at the University of London. He earned his Ph.D. from the Australian National University before joining its Faculty of Asian Studies where he has lectured since 1966.

Table of Contents

Pt. I	Archaic Japan
1	Environment and Early Settlement	19
2	Yamato	25
Pt. II	Ancient Japan
3	The Creation of a Unified State	37
4	Culture in the Nara Period	52
5	Government in the Heian Period	64
6	Heian Literature	81
7	Religion in the Heian Period	98
8	Architecture and Art in the Heian Period	110
Pt. III	Medieval Japan
9	Rule by the Military Houses	121
10	The Failure of Ashikaga Rule: The Vigor of Economic and Cultural Life	144
11	Buddhism in the Kamakura and Muromachi Periods	158
Pt. IV	Early Modern Japan
12	Sixteenth-Century Japan	173
13	Administration Under the Tokugawa	190
14	Society and Culture in Early Modern Japan	220

Editorial Reviews

"The best one-volume introduction to the history of Japan in English" —Canberra Times

"Very engaging history book. It draws you in through the experiences of prominent persons in Japanese history. A definite book on Japan's history." —Goodreads

From the Publisher

The original 1972 Australian publication has been revised to include new findings that shed additional light on the origins of Japanese civilization and culture. Traces the evolution of modern Japan from its early pre-history through the post-Cold War period to the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990's and analyzes the religion, culture, and arts of the Japanese people from the sixth century B.C. to the present. Contains many b&w illustrations. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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