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The Shortest History of Japan

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Discover the aesthetic traditions, political resilience, and modern economic might of this singular island nation. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.

Zen, haiku, martial arts, sushi, anime, manga, film, video games . . . Japanese culture has long enriched our Western way of life. Yet from a Western perspective, Japan remains a remote island country that has long had a complicated relationship with the outside world.

Japan—an archipelago strung like a necklace around the Asian mainland—is considerably farther from Asia than Britain is from Europe. The sea has provided an effective barrier against invasion and enabled the culture to develop in unique ways. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shoguns successfully closed the country to the West. Then, Japan swung in the opposite direction, adopting Western culture wholesale. Both strategies enabled it to avoid colonization—and to retain its traditions and way of life.

A skilled storyteller and accurate historian, Lesley Downer presents the dramatic sweep of Japanese history and the larger-than-life individuals—from emperors descended from the Sun Goddess to warlords, samurai, merchants, court ladies, women warriors, geisha, and businessmen—who shaped this extraordinary modern society.

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    • Library Journal

      Starred review from June 28, 2024

      Historian/journalist Downer (The Shogun's Queen) has created a delightful and illuminating read about Japan's long history. Her book covers prehistoric times through the present-day. This work has the rare quality of being both scholarly and approachable for the non-expert. Some of the book's numerous highlights include sections about the early emperors, the arrival of Buddhism, the rise of the shoguns and samurais, the Meiji Restoration, World War II, and much more. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture. This title could serve as a fun read for a history buff, or even a textbook for an introductory course on the country. VERDICT Essential reading for both general audiences and scholars who are interested in an engaging overview of Japan's complex history. Pair with Richard Tames's A Traveller's History of Japan, which also offers an overview of Japan's history but with a focus on information for tourists.--Joshua Wallace

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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