JAPANESE HISTORY for High School

by Sato Makoto (other), Gomi Fumihiko (other), Takano Toshihiko (other)

Yamakawa Shuppansha has been publishing textbooks for over 70 years, in addition to various reference works and a great many books on history. Textbooks published by Yamakawa Shuppansha enjoy a reputation for thorough and objective treatment of their subjects, and boast the largest market share in Japan.
JAPANESE HISTORY for High School is a translation of the work that has served as the standard history textbook for the bulk of the last several generations of high school students in Japan. A collaborative effort by several leading Japanese historians, it comprehensively traces the major developments of Japanese history while providing detailed description and illustrative examples.
The translators, themselves historians, sought to produce an accurate but accessible English version. Key terms are given in Japanese as well as English text for ease of understanding, and both English and Japanese indexes are included. This textbook is suitable for both secondary and post-secondary survey history courses on Japan, and is a valuable resource for studying issues related to Japanese history education. It is recommended for not only students of Japanese history but also for general readers interested in Japan more broadly.
*contents
part I The Primeval & Ancient Eras
Chapter 1 The Dawn of Japanese Culture
Chapter 2 The Formation of the Ritsuryō State
Chapter 3 Aristocratic Rule and Native Japanese Culture

part II The Medieval Era
Chapter 4 The Establishment of Medieval Society
Chapter 5 The Evolution of Warrior Society

part III The Early Modern Era
Chapter 6 The Establishment of the Bakuhan System
Chapter 7 The Evolution of the Bakuhan System
Chapter 8 The Waning of the Bakuhan System

part IV The Modern & Contemporary Eras
Chapter 9 The Establishment of a Modern State
Chapter 10 The Two World Wars and Asia
Chapter 11 Japan under Occupation
Chapter 12 The Rapid Growth Era
Chapter 13 Turbulent Times for Japan and the World

974 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2024

Reviews

[Nirmal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a very long book covering Japanese history from ancient times to modern age. Because it is a translated book and written for high school students, it is not a smooth reading. I prefer reading history on chronological order. While there is a general chronological order, on specific chapters, the chronology feels random and it gets confusing, thus requiring re-reading. Anyway, it is a rare English book on Japanese history covering from origin of civilization in Japan.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other reviewer said, somewhat odd ordering at times, but a good overview of Japan's history. I enjoyed reading it and learning