Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan

Facts On File Library Of World History

by William E. Deal

andbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan spans the beginning of the Kamakura period in 1185 through the end of the Edo (Tokugawa) period in 1868. The medieval and early modern eras in Japan were largely shaped by the rise of the warrior class. After 1603, with the founding of the Tokugawa shogunate, Japanese culture changed dramatically, but as cities grew and merchants thrived, the warrior class became less dominant. By the end of the Edo period, Japan's insular feudal society and military government became irrelevant in an increasingly consumer-oriented economy and thriving urban culture.

The contribution of military rulers, celebrated warriors, and cultural innovators to medieval and early modern Japanese culture are well documented. However, life at the village level also had a strong impact on the culture. Covering both levels of society, this comprehensive guide provides insightful information on well-known people and peasants, artisans, shopkeepers, and others outside the periphery of power. Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan introduces the reader to the significant people and events-cultural, social, political, and historical-and the everyday experiences and elements of material culture during this time.

Organized thematically, the text History; Land, Environment, and Population; Government; Society and Economy; Warriors and Warfare; Religion; Philosophy, Education, and Science; Language and Literature; Performing Arts; Art and Architecture; Travel and Communication; Daily Life. Each chapter includes an extensive bibliography, and photographs and maps complement the text. Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan provides all the essential information for anyone interested in Japanese history, society, or culture.

Genres: Japan, History, Nonfiction, Medieval History, Reference, Research

415 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2005

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covering a time frame of almost seven centuries, from the beginning of the Kamakura period in 1185 to the end of the Edo period in 1868, this book provides a treasure trove of information on many aspects of life in historical Japan. While the sheer breadth of topics covered by necessity curtails the depth each one is given, this informative guide serves as an excellent introduction for anyone interested in the country and its history.

[Catherine Fitzsimmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally read nonfiction, but I came across this title when I was trying to find a good resource on the topic some few weeks ago and ordered it in to my local library. As the title suggests, it’s a general guide to the various aspects of life in Japan from 1185-1868, commonly known as the Medieval and early modern periods.

I found this to be a very useful resource with great information on the subject. It’s more or less an introduction to the topic, without going overly into detail regarding any particular matter, but it provides an excellent basic view of life in Japan and covers every aspect of life that I can think of, including history, warrior culture, demographics, religion, daily life, art and architecture, and more. The information provided was easily palatable without being dumbed down and each topic was covered pretty evenly. In addition to the information the book itself provided, each chapter ended with a list of recommended reading for more information on the subject, though some listings I found confusing – occasionally there would be nothing but a date – and along with a bibliography at the end of the book, there was a list of museums outside Japan with notable Japanese collections.

I found this book both very helpful for my own research and a very interesting read on its own merit, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the subject or even those with a casual interest in it. In fact, reading it has me interested in some other books listed on the back cover in the Handbook to Life series, such as those on ancient Rome, Aztec, and Renaissance.

[Carol Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to have fun across this book at the library! A good overview of all aspects of Japamese Society to the Edo period. Well organized (great for such a broad topic) with additional readings listed after each chapter. A few Blanco and white photos are included, book would have benefited from the inclusion of many more!

[Faith Justice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have several books in this series for basic research which I've found quite useful. This one-not so much. Deal does a good job on the history and politics, but the "everyday life" where I wanted details was generic. A good example are the two whole paragraphs dedicated to "Flora and Fauna." No specific animals are mentioned of the "110 different kinds of mammals" and bamboo is the the only plant named of the 5-6K thought to exist on the islands. The section on "Art and Architecture" went on an astonishing 27 pages with no illustrations or pictures. Clothing, cosmetics, and hair had only two illustrations. Other sections were more thoroughly covered, but unfortunately the ones I was most interested in were the most useless.

[Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy reference book, ideal for library. It is organized thematically. Think "mini-encyclopedia" plus who's who in medieval and early modern Japan. Some decent scholarly wrap up on Bushido part.