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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Related reviews:

- Mikiso Hane - Modern Japan
- books about Japan + Japanese history
- more history
- books published by Westview Press