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A History of Japan: Revised Edition Paperback – November 15, 1997

by R. H. P. Mason (Author), J. G. Caiger (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 634 ratings
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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.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    408 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Tuttle Publishing
  4. Publication date
    November 15, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 1.3 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    080482097X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0804820974
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan
A History of Modern Japan A Brief History of Japan Japan at War in the Pacific Hidden Japan Memoirs of a Kamikaze
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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4.9 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Price $14.56 $11.99 $13.39 $13.60 $12.99
Author: Christopher Harding Jonathan Clements Jonathan Clements Alex Kerr Kazuo Odachi
Details: A History of Modern Japan showcases the compelling story of Japan's amazing growth and its resulting struggles With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present, and future of Japan An engaging narrative history of Japan's rapid military rise and ultimate defeat in 1945, written in an exciting, accessible style for a popular readership Hidden Japan records Kerr's travels to various remote and lesser-known places where pockets of traditional culture can still be found An incredible, untold story of survival and acceptance that sheds light on one of the darkest chapters in Japanese history

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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

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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tuttle Publishing; Revised edition (November 15, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 408 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 080482097X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0804820974
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1.3 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 634 ratings

About the author

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R. H. P. Mason

R. H. P. Mason

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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.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
634 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

MAW
5.0 out of 5 stars I purchased this book because of an upcoming trip to Japan and I not only learned a good bit of the country's history
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Fascinating and very well written. I purchased this book because of an upcoming trip to Japan and I not only learned a good bit of the country's history, but also gained more of an understanding of the people of Japan.
4 people found this helpful
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Daniel M. Mitchell
4.0 out of 5 stars Tough Sledding but Informative
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2023
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As advertised, this book is basically a college history text and would serve the serious scholar very well. However, for the casual reader, even one relatively well-educated, a briefer history may be a better choice. However, like any textbook, it is possible to pick and choose areas of most interest. Although I have been to Japan twice on business-pleasure trips, the book has given me a much better understanding of Japanese culture and, particularly, the decision-making processes prior to WWII.
2 people found this helpful
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Florence B
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good product.
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
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Very interesting
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Ben
3.0 out of 5 stars Superb, but revisionist
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2018
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Let me first start out by saying that I greatly enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in a thorough understanding of Japanese history.

The book deals with its subject in a chronological order, with an emphasis on important people and events. These highlights are in turn fleshed out by a comprehensive analysis of what historians consider to be the underlying causes for change. In addition, a running commentary is made on the intelectual and cultural developments of each periode, particularly within Buddhism, which facilitated change. All of this is presented in a compressed yet accessible style, leaving the reader not only with a clear understanding of what happened, but also why it happened. Anecdotes and excerpts from novels and plays also give the text a colourful and enjoyable feel.

So why just three stars?

While the book is incredibly detailed when it comes to Japan’s internal history, the history of its colonial empire and actions during the Pacific war are purposfully vague. Korea, at the time of the invasion, is refered to as a ‘backwards country’, and the worst thing the Japanese did during World War Two was appearantly forcing older Indonesians to use Japanese Standard time rather than local time. Indeed, the author flat out refers to the execution of Japanese war criminals as a ‘dubious arraignment’. These things runs contrary to all other records of the era.

Japan’s history is more than the Pacific War. To focus unduly on its actions during that war would give a slanted view of its history, but so does ignoring them outright. For all its merit, this book whitewashes a difficult time in human history, and that makes it a bad history book, no matter how well written it otherwise is.
117 people found this helpful
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MICHEL FILINIS
5.0 out of 5 stars On time delivery
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
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Great book
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James Ross
4.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2023
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Marshall Pickett
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every single mon 😉
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023
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Marshall Pickett
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every single mon 😉
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023
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John B
5.0 out of 5 stars Not a dry academic rendering of Japan's history
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2018
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The writing was easy to follow without wordy academic passages. It was hard to remember the meaning of Japanese terms requiring rereading certain pages.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Pablo Henrique
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo livro para conhecer a história geral do Japão
Reviewed in Brazil on October 13, 2022
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Livro chegou em ótimo estado e conforme o anúncio, é em inglês.
One person found this helpful
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Ivan Cruz
4.0 out of 5 stars Not for everyone
Reviewed in Mexico on December 19, 2020
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I was looking for more economics and politics but this book has more art and culture.
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lee patrick balmer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is very well written, with a great mix of history and culture. Very readable also, unlike some other history books. Some notable events should maybe of been covered a little more, but overall the book was really enjoyable. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Japan. I also highly recommended going to the country itself, once the restrictions are lifted.
2 people found this helpful
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Feli-Mar Barbero
5.0 out of 5 stars to know Japan as much as I can
Reviewed in Canada on January 28, 2020
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I like everything in this book, and I bought this book to educate myself about Japan
One person found this helpful
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Jaime
5.0 out of 5 stars Great first dive into Japanese history
Reviewed in Spain on July 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
I didn’t have high expectations because for the most part it has been hard to find a book that summarises the whole history of Japan. This book manages it.
The book provides a complete view of its history, while of course it doesn’t get into detail the book itself provides ample sources and bibliography of the reader wants to further his study.
Surprisingly it covers all historical facts and also it provides an insight into Japanese culture, specially for western readers. Chapters on Buddhism, on art, you name it. Helps to understand history and Japanese culture very well.
The paperback copy I bought is strong, it’s really good to touch.

Highly recommended to start learning Japanese history!
One person found this helpful
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