Premodern Japan: A Historical Survey

by Mikiso Hane

This newly revised volume drawn from Professor Hane’s classic text, Japan: A Historical Survey, presents a rich account of early Japanese history for students. Important elements of early Japanese history persist in present-day Japan more tenaciously than is sometimes realized. Hane traces the key developments of Japanese history in the premodern period, including the establishment of the imperial dynasty, early influences from China and Korea, the rise of the samurai class and the establishment of feudalism, the culture and society of the long Tokugawa period, the rise of Confucianism and Shinto nationalism, and, finally, the end of Tokugawa rule.Although the book is structured around major political developments, Hane also carefully integrates the social, economic, cultural, and intellectual aspects of Japanese history. His revisions incorporate important recent scholarship on this formative period of Japan's history.

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction, Japanese History, Japanese Literature, Textbooks, Read For School

227 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Mikiso “Miki” Hane was a Japanese American professor of history at Knox College, where he taught for over 40 years. He wrote and translated over a dozen books, wrote many articles, and was appointed a member of the National Council on the Humanities in 1991.

Hane was born in California, lived in Japan during his teenage years, and was interned in Arizona during World War II. He taught soldiers Japanese at Yale, then studied there, where he attained a bachelors in 1952, a masters in 1953, and doctorate degree in 1957. Hane studied in Japan and Germany, then taught at the University of Toledo and studied in India before coming to Knox College in 1961. He lived in Galesburg for the rest of his life, and both wrote and taught up until his death.

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written survey of Japanese history to the beginning of the Meiji era.

[Rin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but very dry. There are about 50 pages in the back of just bibliography so I consider it a trustworthy source

[Kendra Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the book had gone into more about the details of Shinto. When it talked about religion, it mostly discussed Buddhism. While it touched on Atsutane's interpretation, simply saying "souls go to Yomi" is missing a more vague but complex notion of the afterlife (such as ancestral spirits, tamashii, and kami).

I am glad the book mentioned the relatively free expressions of sexuality in premodern Japan, though putting natural in quotations marks and using the word pedastry made me wonder if the author understood the nuances and cultural views on the subject (if so, it was glossed over).

But this historical survey was interesting. Some things I knew, but I also learned a lot. It's hard to find info on ancient Japan, so I am glad this book touched on the Jomon and Yayoi periods.

[Eskil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bjuutifull! Da jeg så at vi hadde hele boka som pensum til én forelesning ble jeg ganske skeptisk, men dét var det ingen grunn til! Det var kanskje litt i overkant, men selve boka er suveren! Den gir et solid oversiktsbilde over ikke bare "stormannshistorie", men også hva som skjedde på sosialt og kulturelt plan i alle periodene den tar for seg (1000 f.kr.-1868 e.kr.), hvilket ikke er dårlig gjort! Boka bygger tydelig på årtier med forskning, og jeg gleder meg til å ta fatt på den 40 sider lange lista over "suggested readings"! Hadde den hatt flere illustrasjoner hadde jeg blitt glad, men jeg tenkte ikke engang på det da jeg leste boka.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

thorough and well written study for anyone interested in learning about premodern Japan. ends with the Meiji era, just after the ports were reopened after over 200 years of isolation that allowed the nation to thrive within itself. my professor last semester used this as a textbook, as he was the second author/editor and friend of the late Mikiso Hane. Finished up my studies with it a few months after the semester's end.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very accessible and comprehensive overview of Japanese history from the mythological origin of the country to the Meiji Restoration.

[van gone. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm expecting some illustrations ._.

[Juliet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The topics covered are expansive and interesting, but the writing and style is at times convoluted and boring.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

College textbook written in an accessible style. This is a cultural and social history, with some basic economics. Premodern covers history up until Perry's warships forced Japan to open up to the world (1858), thus about 350 years later than the rest of the world became modern. This is a good book if read with a political history.

[JAYME]

I love a book that is a textbook but reads like a book (kinda)!

[Phil (フィル) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text is an excellent starting point for any research in the field. With a comprehensive collection of factual information seamlessly put together in an easy to read format, Premodern Japan will prove invaluable to the scholar in their work but will likewise appeal to the average reader curious for a cursory overview of the major people, places, and events which helped shape Japan prior to the modern age. Definitely don't miss out on adding this one to your bookshelf if you have a serious interest in Japanese history, otherwise at least take the time to read it over once for a good solid base of knowledge to work from.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent survey of Japan's prehistoric beginnings through the Tokugawa era. For each period, the author's cover culture (including that women), economics, government, social structure, and more. A wonderful introduction to premodern Japan.