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A History of Japan

A History of Japan
A History of Japan

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

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Synopsis


A classic of Japanese history, this book is 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, arts, culture and 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 a vital addition to the collection of any student or enthusiast of Japanese history, Japanese culture, or the Japanese Language.

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

Summary

Chapter 1: The Dawn of Japan (Prehistory-300 CE)

* Summary: This chapter explores the origins of Japan from its prehistoric era to the Yayoi period. It discusses the arrival of the first inhabitants, the development of agricultural settlements, and the emergence of early civilizations.
* Real Example: The discovery of the Jomon pottery, dating back to 10,000 BCE, provides evidence of the early existence of a settled society in Japan.

Chapter 2: The Age of Legends (300-592)

* Summary: This chapter covers the Nara period, marked by the rise of Buddhism and the establishment of the first major centralized government in Japan. It also examines the Asuka period, when China's cultural influence was significant.
* Real Example: The construction of the Todai-ji Temple in Nara, one of the world's largest wooden structures, exemplifies the architectural advancements of the Nara period.

Chapter 3: The Heian Period (794-1185)

* Summary: The Heian period is characterized by a flourishing of court culture and the emergence of a distinctive Japanese literary tradition. It also witnessed the rise of the Fujiwara clan and the development of a feudal system.
* Real Example: The Tale of Genji, written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period, is considered one of the world's great literary masterpieces.

Chapter 4: The Age of the Samurai (1185-1603)

* Summary: This chapter focuses on the Kamakura period, when the samurai class gained prominence. It also discusses the Mongol invasions in the 13th century and the subsequent emergence of the Muromachi period.
* Real Example: The battle of Genpei in the 12th century, fought between the Minamoto and Taira clans, is a significant event in the history of the samurai class.

Chapter 5: The Tokugawa Era (1603-1868)

* Summary: This chapter examines the Edo period, when the Tokugawa clan established a centralized feudal government that lasted for over 250 years. It discusses the implementation of the sakoku policy, which isolated Japan from the outside world.
* Real Example: The Kabuki theater, which originated during the Edo period, became a popular form of entertainment and a symbol of Japanese culture.

Chapter 6: The Meiji Era (1868-1912)

* Summary: The Meiji period marked a major transformation in Japan, when it emerged from isolation and underwent rapid modernization and industrialization. It also witnessed the Russo-Japanese War and Japan's rise as a global power.
* Real Example: The construction of the first railway in Japan in 1872 was a key indicator of the country's rapid industrialization during the Meiji Era.

Chapter 7: The Taisho and Showa Eras (1912-1989)

* Summary: This chapter covers the Taisho period, a period of political and social change. It also examines the Showa period, which includes Japan's involvement in World War II and its postwar economic recovery.
* Real Example: The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, had a profound impact on Japan's social and political landscape.

Chapter 8: The Heisei and Reiwa Eras (1989-Present)

* Summary: This chapter discusses Japan's recent history, including the Heisei period, marked by economic stagnation, and the Reiwa period, which commenced in 2019. It examines Japan's current challenges and its role in the 21st century.
* Real Example: The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in Japan's history, tested the country's resilience and sparked a period of reconstruction and reflection.