
A Brief History of Japan
Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun
Jonathan Clements(Author)
Tuttle Publishing
Will be published approx. on 1. August 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-4-8053-1389-3 (ISBN)
Description
This fascinating history tells the story of the people of Japan, from ancient teenage priest-queens to teeming hordes of salarymen, a nation that once sought to conquer China, yet also shut itself away for two centuries in self-imposed seclusion.
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
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
Reviews / Votes
"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, MirrorMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Boston
United States
Illustrations
16-page color insert of 19 color photos
Dimensions
Height: 204 mm
Width: 134 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-4-8053-1389-3 (9784805313893)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Jonathan Clements
Brief History of Japan
Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun
E-Book
08/2017
Tuttle Publishing
€11.49
Available for download
Person
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.