A Brief History of Japan :Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun - Brief History Of Asia Series
A Brief History of Japan :Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun - Brief History Of Asia Series
paperback
Published:
1 August, 2017
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Description
First revealed to Westerners in the chronicles of Marco Polo, Japan was a legendary faraway land defended by a fearsome Kamikaze storm and ruled by a divine sovereign. It was the terminus of the Silk Road, the furthest end of the known world, a fertile source of inspiration for European artists, and an enduring symbol of the mysterious East. In recent times, it has become a powerhouse of global industry, a nexus of popular culture, and a harbinger of post-industrial decline.
With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests.
Among the chapters in this Japanese history book are:
- The Way of the Gods: Prehistoric and Mythical Japan
- A Game of Thrones: Minamoto vs. Taira
- Time Warp: 200 Years of Isolation
- The Stench of Butter: Restoration and Modernization
- The New Breed: The Japanese Miracle
More Details
| Type | Book |
|---|---|
| ISBN13 | 9784805313893 |
| ISBN10 | 4805313897 |
| Number Of Pages | 304 |
| Item Weight | 340 g |
| Product Dimensions | 133 x 203 x 28 mm |
| Publisher / Reseller | Tuttle Publishing |
| Format | paperback |
Media Reviews
"Perfect for travelers or students…A wonderfully fun, interesting, and informative introduction to Japanese history. Clements blends culture, politics, military, economics…all with a wit and humor that carry the narrative forward and make it real." —Mark Zachary Taylor, author of The Politics of Innovation
"With a lightness of touch but seriousness of purpose, Clements negotiates the complexities of Japanese history in this compact book. The result is an accessible, persuasive and reliable introduction." —Ellis Tinios, Lecturer in East Asian History, University of Leeds
"Writing a brief history of a land as ancient and complicated as Japan is no easy task…Luckily, with Jonathan Clements, readers are in the hands of a master. His crackling prose, sharp wit, and learned insights make Japan's history truly come alive." —Frederik L. Schodt, author of America and the Four Japans: Friend, Foe, Model, Mirror
GoodReads Reviews
Author's Bio
Jonathan Clements is the author of Christ's Samurai: The True Story of the Shimabara Rebellion, A Brief History of the Samurai, Modern Japan: All That Matters, Anime: A History, and biographies of Admiral Togo and Prince Saionji Kinmochi. In 2016 he became the presenter of Route Awakenings (National Geographic) a TV series on historical icons of Chinese culture.