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A History of Japan #2
A History of Japan, 1334-1615
This is a straightforward narrative of the development of Japanese civilization from 1334 to 1615 by the author of Japan: A Short Cultural History . While complete in itself, it is also the second volume of a three-volume work which will be the first large-scale, comprehensive history of Japan. Taken as a whole, the projected history represents the culmination of the life work of perhaps the most distinguished historian now writing on Japan. Unlike the renowned Short Cultural History , it is concerned mainly with political and social phenomena and only incidentally touches on religion, literature, and the arts. The treatment is primarily descriptive and factual, but the author offers some pragmatic interpretations and suggests comparisons with the history of other peoples. A History of Japan: 1334-1615 describes the growth of a new feudal hierarchy, the ebb and flow of civil war, the rise and fall of great families, and the development amidst extreme political disorder of remarkable new features in institutional and economic life. This is the period of expanding relations with other parts of Asia and of the arrival of traders and missionaries from European countries―the first contact of Japan with the West. The volume ends with an account of the abortive invasion of Korea and the last outburst of the civil war that was terminated in 1615 by the victory of the first of the Tokugawa Shoguns, Ieyasu.
442 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
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About the author
George Bailey Sansom
16 books20 followersSir George Bailey Sansom GBE KCMG was a British diplomat and historian of pre-modern Japan, particularly noted for his historical surveys and his attention to Japanese society and culture.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 4, 2019
I found reading this second volume entitled "A History of Japan 1334-1615" by George Sansom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...) arguably inspiring and informative. Since World War II, local and foreign scholars have penned innumerable books on Japanese history; however, this book written by a famous diplomat, Japanologist and educator, I think, should not be missed by any Japanolophile because, to inspire his readers, he kept the following principle (as stated in Preface, A History of Japan to 1334) in mind:
Perhaps it is as well, for one who writes on the history of an Asian country for ordinary readers and not for professional scholars, to refrain from drawing any but the simplest conclusions from the material which he presents. . . . (p. v)
Taken another one from this book's Preface, a remark on his literary plight is worth sympathizing:
Since warfare was almost incessant during the years treated here, I have dealt at length and in what may seem tiresome detail with campaigns and the clash of arms. I wish I could have abbreviated these chronicles, but they are a necessary part of any study of a society in which the warriors compose the ruling class. . . . (p. vi)
To continue . . .
Perhaps it is as well, for one who writes on the history of an Asian country for ordinary readers and not for professional scholars, to refrain from drawing any but the simplest conclusions from the material which he presents. . . . (p. v)
Taken another one from this book's Preface, a remark on his literary plight is worth sympathizing:
Since warfare was almost incessant during the years treated here, I have dealt at length and in what may seem tiresome detail with campaigns and the clash of arms. I wish I could have abbreviated these chronicles, but they are a necessary part of any study of a society in which the warriors compose the ruling class. . . . (p. vi)
To continue . . .
January 10, 2017
The second volume of Sansom's survey of Japanese history covers the period of war from the Heian period through to the shogun period. We are treated to warring, marauding monks suppressed by imperial forces. The legends of the kamikaze (divine wind) that saved Japan from invasion by Chinese and Korean ships, not once but twice. The insular culture became even more unique and marked its difference from the mainland in a flurry of literature and art despite all the warfare. The somewhat schizophrenic nature of the Japanese I referred to in my review of Japan up to 1334 displays itself in what I found was one of the curious aspects of the period: how warlords wake up and write a haiku or paint a scroll, go out and slaughter some peasants or make war with a neighbour and then come home, have a bath in his onsen, make love to his concubines, and then write some more poetry or spend a few hours in a tea ceremony. The co-existence of extreme violence with incredible artistic ability seems to me to be rather unique in world history.
A fantastic and fascinating book - a must to understand Japan in its middle period before the Shogun era.
A fantastic and fascinating book - a must to understand Japan in its middle period before the Shogun era.
April 28, 2008
This is it. This is the one you've been waiting for: "The Empire Strikes Back" of the Japan trilogy. We're done with Amaterasu, Buddha, and the Hojos, and not quite to land allotment particulars and rice production statistics. This is the warring states thrill ride, spanning from Onin to Sekigahara.
My favorite part is the Battle of Okehazama, where Nobunaga sneak attacks Imagawa's 25,000 strong force with 1,800 men. Talk about brass ones. How's it turn out? Read the book!!!
My favorite part is the Battle of Okehazama, where Nobunaga sneak attacks Imagawa's 25,000 strong force with 1,800 men. Talk about brass ones. How's it turn out? Read the book!!!
October 5, 2019
Oh man. Phew. That took a while to get through.
I fully appreciate this series of books. They're an excellent source of information. And they're not pretentious or overly dense. However, I myself am not the biggest fan of military history, and there is a lot of it in here. And it wasn't the most exciting to read about either. So while I'd say this series is brilliant for an overview of Japanese history, if you're looking for something a little more exciting, this wouldn't be it. Informative? Absolutely. Quick read? Well, certainly not for me.
I fully appreciate this series of books. They're an excellent source of information. And they're not pretentious or overly dense. However, I myself am not the biggest fan of military history, and there is a lot of it in here. And it wasn't the most exciting to read about either. So while I'd say this series is brilliant for an overview of Japanese history, if you're looking for something a little more exciting, this wouldn't be it. Informative? Absolutely. Quick read? Well, certainly not for me.
Read
August 26, 2013Sansom does a great job of covering this exciting period of Japanese history. Sure, the book's a tad dry, given all the bloodshed, but I really learned the history, culture, politics and religion.
January 13, 2018
In a modern world where instant gratification runs rampant, this 'synopsis' provides some shelter from the constant barrage of shallow content. The book, the 2nd part of a trilogy, encapsulates the events leading to the most notorious and most (in)famous time of Japan.
Admittedly, I did pick up the book to learn more only about the Sengoku Jidai and the preceeding Onin War. Similar readers might be discouraged to hear that the book pays those turbulence and interesting periods the same amount of attention as it does others, despite their popularity. The readers will have to be fascinated the hard way, all the while finding out just how much the period of 1334 to 1560 was just as eventful.
The book suffers a problem that is inevitable: the compression of hundreds of years of history into 400 pages, the compression of such an extensive work by Sir George Sansom into 3 books, and the scarcity of surviving evidences from a history that, to be frank, made books out of bamboo.
As a result, the objectivity is strived for, but only so much can be asked of it, when most of the perspectives of the losing sides will not be preserved: instead, certain of the book is filled with testimonies of oligarchs, and makes for a dry read. Those are at times so painful that each detail works against its readability. (That is not until the arrival of Western powers that the readers are treated to a feast of concise facts and a vivid picture of feudal Japan.)
Furthermore, Sir George Sansom's choice of narrative is peculiar to say the least: each part would usually be told in strings of connected events rather than in a chronological order. Quite up to the readers' preference but it hinders me personally.
Admittedly, I did pick up the book to learn more only about the Sengoku Jidai and the preceeding Onin War. Similar readers might be discouraged to hear that the book pays those turbulence and interesting periods the same amount of attention as it does others, despite their popularity. The readers will have to be fascinated the hard way, all the while finding out just how much the period of 1334 to 1560 was just as eventful.
The book suffers a problem that is inevitable: the compression of hundreds of years of history into 400 pages, the compression of such an extensive work by Sir George Sansom into 3 books, and the scarcity of surviving evidences from a history that, to be frank, made books out of bamboo.
As a result, the objectivity is strived for, but only so much can be asked of it, when most of the perspectives of the losing sides will not be preserved: instead, certain of the book is filled with testimonies of oligarchs, and makes for a dry read. Those are at times so painful that each detail works against its readability. (That is not until the arrival of Western powers that the readers are treated to a feast of concise facts and a vivid picture of feudal Japan.)
Furthermore, Sir George Sansom's choice of narrative is peculiar to say the least: each part would usually be told in strings of connected events rather than in a chronological order. Quite up to the readers' preference but it hinders me personally.
April 29, 2025
A superficial, if not quite reductive, account of events spanning the "reign" of the Ashikaga Bakufu and the succeeding interlude terminating in the unification of Japan under Ieyasu. Owing to the breadth of the subject, the book offers a laconic narrative pausing at times to expound on the more salient junctures but otherwise dispensing with the granularity of its academic counterparts.
Whenever I delve into the history of feudal Japan I am enamoured with its myriad idiosyncrasies, not least its fragmentation into a mosaic of factions which when coupled with the atrophying of central authority by way of the shogunate yields to a period of political and military ferment, dubbed the Sengoku Jidai. Many books on the period commence with the ascent of Oda Nobunaga, affording merely a cursory regard, amounting to a single chapter, for the events of the preceding century. Not here. As entailed by the title, the reader assumes a precipitous vantage from which to observe the demise of the Kamakura Bakufu and the subsequent rise of the Ashikaga, lending far richer context to the events which follow. Consequently, the opening chapters of the book rely upon its predecessor to furnish the aforementioned context, without which they are apt to addle the lay reader.
I consider this book to straddle the interstice between a beginner and intermediate level of difficulty, exacting of its reader a familiarity with the rudiments of the period, building on these to encompass the peripheral context through which to frame the tumultuous events of a fractious age.
Whenever I delve into the history of feudal Japan I am enamoured with its myriad idiosyncrasies, not least its fragmentation into a mosaic of factions which when coupled with the atrophying of central authority by way of the shogunate yields to a period of political and military ferment, dubbed the Sengoku Jidai. Many books on the period commence with the ascent of Oda Nobunaga, affording merely a cursory regard, amounting to a single chapter, for the events of the preceding century. Not here. As entailed by the title, the reader assumes a precipitous vantage from which to observe the demise of the Kamakura Bakufu and the subsequent rise of the Ashikaga, lending far richer context to the events which follow. Consequently, the opening chapters of the book rely upon its predecessor to furnish the aforementioned context, without which they are apt to addle the lay reader.
I consider this book to straddle the interstice between a beginner and intermediate level of difficulty, exacting of its reader a familiarity with the rudiments of the period, building on these to encompass the peripheral context through which to frame the tumultuous events of a fractious age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2020
The second of a three volume series that gives a broad survey of Japanese history prior to the Meiji restoration, Sansom's work is an improvement over the first volume, but still seems to sacrifice context and flavor at the expense of breadth. Regardless, this is an impressive work for the student of Japanese history, and a great (albeit scholarly) starting point for anyone who wishes to explore in more depth any of the events contained within. The first half of the book (a failed imperial restoration, the rise of the Ashikaga Shoguns, the Onin War and the Sengoku period) is a bit of a chore to get through, but Sansom's discussion of Nobunaga, Hideyori, and Tokugawa are worth the down payment.
The downside to this volume is that Sansom's writing style doesn't draw the reader in. He rarely pauses to give historical context (aside from his numerous comparisons to similar facets of English and European history), with the result that the writing style will feel dated at best, and somewhat sterile at worst. Still, I give this work a strong recommend as a jumping off point to the richness of pre-Meiji Japanese history. Just be prepared to focus on the reading, rather than expect the writing to draw you along.
The downside to this volume is that Sansom's writing style doesn't draw the reader in. He rarely pauses to give historical context (aside from his numerous comparisons to similar facets of English and European history), with the result that the writing style will feel dated at best, and somewhat sterile at worst. Still, I give this work a strong recommend as a jumping off point to the richness of pre-Meiji Japanese history. Just be prepared to focus on the reading, rather than expect the writing to draw you along.
October 5, 2020
Honestly, I prefer the first part of this trilogy, but this is also a really great book. This book explains almost everything you need to know about feudal Japan. If you're a fan of Japanese history, this is a must read.
June 8, 2021
A book with equivalent quality and detail to the previous, but--given progression in history and availability in sources--a more granular exposure of important years. A chaotic middle period whose actors are transient but still a worthwhile read to the student of Japanese history.
May 16, 2023
Thorough, yes. Accessible? Maybe, maybe not. There must be more concise general histories of Japan out there - unfortunately I started with this one and I only have one slim volume left so I might as well finish the Sansom trifecta.
May 11, 2025
This was a very comprehensive look, and as objectively portrayed as anyone can hope to glean for these 3 centuries. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a bird's eye view of the historical premise of Japan's history.
January 10, 2021
I mean, it's one of the authoritative texts re: Japanese history in English. Of course it's going to be good.
November 15, 2024
It’s surprisingly pleasant to read. I was expecting a slog and I got a deeply charming and engaging text with delightful prose and, to my inexpert eye, balanced historical analysis
July 22, 2025
An excellent, readable, concise summary of events during the stated time period. Sansom's writing style is engaging and avoids some of the academic bore of other history books.
May 28, 2022
This book was extremely detailed and captured a ton of events that occurred from 1334 to 1615 in Japan. This would be a very good book to use for research or as a source of information since it contains all of the years of events, names of groups or people, and other things. For me, reading this book just like a storybook is too hard to understand, and it contains too many names and gets confusing, so the reader would have to know a lot of background information on Japanese history before reading this book. I would recommend this to people who want to know specific information about a certain time period, and not just reading the whole book.
February 9, 2024
In a modern world where instant gratification runs rampant, this 'synopsis' provides some shelter from the constant barrage of shallow content. The book, the 2nd part of a trilogy, encapsulates the events leading to the most notorious and most (in)famous time of Japan.
Admittedly, I did pick up the book to learn more only about the Sengoku Jidai and the preceeding Onin War. Similar readers might be discouraged to hear that the book pays those turbulence and interesting periods the same amount of attention as it does others, despite their popularity. The readers will have to be fascinated the hard way, all the while finding out just how much the period of 1334 to 1560 was just as eventful.
The book suffers a problem that is inevitable: the compression of hundreds of years of history into 400 pages, the compression of such an extensive work by Sir George Sansom into 3 books, and the scarcity of surviving evidences from a history that, to be frank, made books out of bamboo.
As a result, the objectivity is strived for, but only so much can be asked of it, when most of the perspectives of the losing sides will not be preserved: instead, certain of the book is filled with testimonies of oligarchs, and makes for a dry read. Those are at times so painful that each detail works against its readability. (That is not until the arrival of Western powers that the readers are treated to a feast of concise facts and a vivid picture of feudal Japan.)
Furthermore, Sir George Sansom's choice of narrative is peculiar to say the least: each part would usually be told in strings of connected events rather than in a chronological order. Quite up to the readers' preference but it hinders me personally.
Admittedly, I did pick up the book to learn more only about the Sengoku Jidai and the preceeding Onin War. Similar readers might be discouraged to hear that the book pays those turbulence and interesting periods the same amount of attention as it does others, despite their popularity. The readers will have to be fascinated the hard way, all the while finding out just how much the period of 1334 to 1560 was just as eventful.
The book suffers a problem that is inevitable: the compression of hundreds of years of history into 400 pages, the compression of such an extensive work by Sir George Sansom into 3 books, and the scarcity of surviving evidences from a history that, to be frank, made books out of bamboo.
As a result, the objectivity is strived for, but only so much can be asked of it, when most of the perspectives of the losing sides will not be preserved: instead, certain of the book is filled with testimonies of oligarchs, and makes for a dry read. Those are at times so painful that each detail works against its readability. (That is not until the arrival of Western powers that the readers are treated to a feast of concise facts and a vivid picture of feudal Japan.)
Furthermore, Sir George Sansom's choice of narrative is peculiar to say the least: each part would usually be told in strings of connected events rather than in a chronological order. Quite up to the readers' preference but it hinders me personally.
February 10, 2009
The second part of this fantastic series. People don't write like this anymore.
January 21, 2017
Pretty dry.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews