Japan

by David Murray

Marco Polo's mention of this island produced a great impression on the discoverers of the fifteenth century. In Toscanelli's map, used by Columbus as the basis of his voyages, “Cipango” occupies a prominent place to the east of Asia, with no American continent between it and Europe. It was the aim of Columbus, and of many subsequent explorers, to find a route to this reputedly rich island and to the eastern shores of Asia. The latitude of the most northern point of Yezo is 45° 35', and the latitude of the most southern point of Kyushu is 31°. The longitude of the most eastern point of Yezo is 146° 17', and the longitude of the most western point of Kyushu is 130° 31'. The four principal islands therefore extend through 14° 35' of latitude and 15° 46' of longitude. The empire consists of four large islands and not less than three thousand small ones. Some of these small islands are large enough to constitute distinct provinces, but the greater part are too small to have a separate political existence, and are attached for administrative purposes to the parts of the large islands opposite to which they lie. The principal island is situated between Yezo on the north and Kyushu on the south. From Omasaki, the northern extremity at the Tsugaru straits, to Tokyo, the capital, the island runs nearly north and south a distance of about 590 miles, and from Tokyo to the Shimonoseki straits the greatest extension of the island is nearly east and west, a distance of about 540 miles. That is, measuring in the direction of the greatest extension, the island is about 1130 miles long. The width of the island is nowhere greater than two hundred miles and for much of its length not more than one hundred miles. The second largest island is Yezo, lying northeast from the Main island and separated from it by the Tsugaru straits. Its longest line is from Cape Shiretoko at its northeast extremity to Cape Shira-kami on Tsugaru straits, about 350 miles; and from its northern point, Cape Soya on the La Perouse straits to Yerimosaki, it measures about 270 miles. The centre of the island is an elevated peak, from which rivers flow in all directions to the ocean. Hakodate the principal port is situated on Tsugaru straits and possesses one of the most commodious harbors of the empire

Genres: History, Japanese Literature

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1894

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

David Murray (デイヴィッド・モルレー Deibiddo Marē) was an American educator and government adviser in Meiji period Japan. Murray graduated from Union College in 1852. In 1857-1863, Murray was as principal of The Albany Academy in New York. He was a professor at Rutgers College in New Jersey from 1863 through 1873. In Japan, he was Superintendent of Educational Affairs in the Imperial Ministry of Education from 1873 through 1879.

His many works include Petroleum its History and Properties (1862), Manual of Land Surveying : with Tables (1872), Japanese Education, Introductory chapter (1876), The Story of Japan (1894), The Development of Modern Education in Japan (1904), Japan. Continuing the History to the Close of 1905, with the Provisions of the Treaty of Portsmouth Between Russia and Japan (1906).

Reviews

[Calahir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed not only the live history provided by the spectator of Japanese Empire on the doorstep of leaving the policy of isolationism, but also the beautiful 19th century English language and scientific reliability of the author.

[William O. Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I am only a third of the way through this book I feel it is not designed for Kindle. All of the first three chapters require reference to maps that are in the print version but are missing from the Kindle version and that leaves a great deal to be desired. Sorry. I am fascinated by the subject matter but not the edition.

[Marija · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has very abrupt ending. A quarter of the book is indexes and footnotes, so there's not even much to truly read anyway.
Also, this book in some chapters seems to be Western-centristic.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very informative, but was not written to entertain. Despite this, some chapters moved a lot faster than others. I was also surprised by the abrupt ending. A quarter of the book is indexes and footnotes, so there's not even much to truly read anyway. However, if you're looking for a chance to understand the Meiji era from a contemporary viewpoint, this is a fascinating start. Japan was just starting to open up their economy at the time, so it makes sense there were no first person interviews conducted during the research for this book, although that is unfortunate. The book has its limitations, but it can't all be blamed on the author. The stylistic points, however, that tended to make the story boring at times, could have been improved. After all, several books written in the second half of the 19th century are among the greatest classics ever released.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an original hardcover - This book is a tremendous help to anyone struggling to make sense of the history of Japan without the lens of Kokutai-no-Hongi distorting everything. While the historical names take some getting used to, Murray paints Japan like a story teller, in keeping with its mythic past. One can't help but see similarities in these mythologies. Hilariously Murray never points out some of the more fantastical elements: One empress was pregnant with the dead emperors heir for three years while she and the Imperial advisor conquered Korea and kept her husbands death a secret... hmm.

[Nadim Saeed · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Japan" is a good account of the history of Japan. As it has been written more than a century ago, the writing style is rather old, not always as interesting as a more contemporary style. Especially the chapters on Tokugawa, bakufu & Christianity were noteworthy.

[Caimin Dunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Historical Background

Murray gives an insightful perspective of Japan's wonderful history with an enchanting eloquence. Ideal as a beginners introduction, too broad a topic to provide anything more.