A History of Japan [electronic resource] : From Stone Age to Superpower /
Henshall, K.author.
In a rare combination of comprehensive coverage and sustained critical focus, this book examines Japan's progress through its entire history to its current status as an economic, technological, and cultural superpower. A key factor is a pragmatic determination to succeed. Little-known facts are also brought to light, and the latest findings used.
Description based upon print version of record.
Cover; Half-Title; Title; Copyright; Contents; List of Tables; Preface; Acknowledgements; Preface to Third Edition; Introduction: Japan and History; Part One From the Stone Age to Statehood: Myths, Prehistory, and Ancient History (to 710); 1.1 Making Gods of Emperors: Ancient History According to Japan's Myths; 1.2 The Earliest Inhabitants (to ca 13,000 BC); 1.3 Stone Age Hunters and Gatherers: The Jo ̄mon Period (ca 13,000 BC-ca 400 BC); 1.4 New Beginnings: The Yayoi Period (ca 400 BC-ca AD 250); 1.5 The Early State Emerges: The Kofun/Yamato Period (ca 250-710); Review of Part One
Part Two Of Courtiers and Warriors: Early and Medieval History (710-1600)2.1 Learning from the Chinese - within Limits: The Nara Period (710-794); 2.2 The Rise and Fall of the Court: The Heian Period (794-1185); 2.3 The Warrior State: The Kamakura Period (1185-1333); 2.4 A Nation at War with Itself: The Muromachi Period (1333-1568); 2.5 Reunifying the Nation: The Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600); Review of Part Two; Part Three The Closed Country: The Tokugawa Period (1600-1868); 3.1 Stability Equals Survival: Establishing the Tokugawa Sho ̄gunate; 3.2 Samurai and Ethics
3.3 Commoners, Culture, and the Economy3.4 The Return of the Foreign Devils and the Fall of the Sho ̄gunate; Review of Part Three; Part Four Building a Modern Nation: The Meiji Period (1868-1912); 4.1 Consolidating the Restoration; 4.2 The Westernisation of Society; 4.3 Harnessing the Energies of the People; 4.4 Moves towards Democracy - of Sorts; 4.5 War and Politics; 4.6 Guided Economic Development; 4.7 An Era Comes to an End; Review of Part Four; Part Five The Excesses of Ambition: The Pacific War and its Lead-Up; 5.1 The Fragile Democracy of Taisho ̄ (1912-26)
5.2 A Troubled Start to Sho ̄wa5.3 The Ideologies Behind Expansionism; 5.4 Preparations for War; 5.5 The Pacific War; Review of Part Five; Part Six A Phoenix from the Ashes: Postwar Successes and Beyond; 6.1 American Dreams for a New Japan; 6.2 Cold War Realities Reshape the Dreams; 6.3 Becoming Number One; 6.4 A Superpower under Siege - and a Bubble; Review of Part Six; Part Seven A Superpower Adrift: The Heisei Years; 7.1 The Bursting of the Bubble; 7.2 A Political Merry-Go-Round; 7.3 Life in Global Age Japan; Review of Part Seven; Conclusion: Lessons for Aspiring Superpowers; Notes
ReferencesGlossary of Japanese Terms; Index
Includes bibliographical references and index.
In a rare combination of comprehensive coverage and sustained critical focus, this book examines Japan's progress through its entire history to its current status as an economic, technological, and cultural superpower. A key factor is a pragmatic determination to succeed. Little-known facts are also brought to light, and the latest findings used.
World politics.
Asia—History.
Social history.
Civilization—History.
World history.
Europe—History—476-1492.
Political History.
Asian History.
Social History.
Cultural History.
World History, Global and Transnational History.
History of Medieval Europe.