From prehistory to the Meiji restoration,
Premodern Japan presents an
overview of Japanese political history along with an extensive coverage
of cultural history (in particular religion and the plastic arts) and
some discussion of economic and social history. As suggested by the
subtitle, it is a survey rather than an attempt at a systematic history,
and as such is suitable for the newcomer to Japanese history. Early
Japanese history is enthralling both in itself and as background
necessary for understanding modern Japan. The history of the latter is
presumably described in the companion book
Modern Japan: A Historical
Survey, which I intend to buy as soon as I can find a copy.
March 1993
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