A Short History of Japan: From samurai to Sony

A Short History of Asia

by Curtis Andressen

New in the Short History of Asia series, edited by Milton Osborne, this is a comprehensive, readable history of the land of the Rising Sun, from its ancient origins to its fascinating present.

Japan is a country of contradictions and extremes. It is a country of age-old practices and cutting edge technology, strong martial traditions and refined artistic accomplishments. Few countries have been the subject of so much attention yet remain so elusive.

Japan is an island nation defined by its close proximity to, yet isolation from the Asian mainland. Throughout history, ideas adopted from both Asia and the West have, through this isolation, evolved in Japan into unique cultural hybrids. The result is a society that has traces of many civilisations and yet its own distinctive identity. Despite the region's few natural resources and frequent natural disasters, Japanese society has learned to thrive through a complex network of dependency and obligation born of the need to work together in a country where survival is relatively difficult.

From the influence of China to the impact of feudalism, modernisation and imperialism, from war and peace to the miracle economy and contemporary uncertainty, Curtis Andressen traces the threads of history, environment and culture that run through the centuries to explain much about the Japan of today.

A Short History of Japan is an ideal introduction to Japan for travellers, businesspeople and students, and a compelling read for those interested in this rich culture and fascinating history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Japan, Asia, Japanese Literature

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This book, I think, should be a must for readers keen on knowing more on Japan since it has revealed interesting information in nine chapters covering these titles: Introduction, In the beginning, Chaos to unity: Feudalism in Japan, Modernisation and imperialism, War and peace, The miracle economy, Japan as number one?, Bursting bubbles, and The way ahead. I eventually found its narratives arguably understandable with its concise readability, in other words, the author has written the chapters with his indepth knowledge backed up by reliable sources of current information, references and sufficient illustrations.

Around three decades ago in 1973 (and later in 1976), there was an unthinkable uprising by university students as depicted on this site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_Th.... I recall there were dismal chaos and fierce protests including a rally by a group of students who led a mass protest against Japanese imported goods generally rampant in Thailand. One of their key verbal discourses aimed at attacking such seemingly selfish Japanese ways of doing business then by titling them derisively as สัตว์เศรษฐกิจ which I found a bit ambiguously communicative and suspected it might have been translated from English. Indeed, this Thai word was not normally used in everyday mass media, it's purposedly coined to use to condemn Japan in that rally context. As soon as I came across 'economic animals' in this book (p. 177), I felt like I heard 'Aha' in my mind, that's it! The word was definitely translated from English.

Furthermore, we would find reading this book rather informatively supportive because its layout is generous with 27 black-and-white illustrations, for instance, An increasingly rare sight in modern Japan (p. 6), Fox gami, Shinto shrine, Kamakura (p. 20), Shinto gate, Izu Peninsula (p. 21), Kannon Buddhist temple, Tokyo (p. 29), Cherry blossoms, Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo (p. 30), etc.

There are 4 diagrams/charts as follows: Diagram showing that the Japanese people are genetically close to the peoples of both Southeast Asia and the Asian mainland (p. 23), Chart showing examples of the derivation of Kana (p. 33), Chart showing that the Mitsubishi Group, like other Japanese keirestu, is comprised of a number of related corporations (p. 151), and Chart showing that Japan's changing population pyramid clearly shows the country's rapidly ageing population (p. 212).

There are 7 maps as follows: Japan's lands and cities (p. vi), The Yamato state, 3rd to 6th century (p. 26), West Japan in ancient times (p. 27), Korea and Japan (p. 37), Japan on the eve of the Meiji Restoration (p. 74), Territory under Japan's control, 1910 (p. 95), The growth of Japan's empire (p. 101).

Finally, there are 10 illustrations in color (between pages 118-119): 1) Coming of Age, Tokyo, 2) Yasukuni-jinja, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Japan's war dead, 3) Fox god (kami), Niigata, 4) Buddhist monk, Tokyo, 5) Japanese garden, 6) Shinjuku's central business district, 7) The Dai Butsu of Kamakura, cast in 1252, 8) Gate of a Shinto shrine, Niigata, 9) Asakusa Kannon temple, Tokyo, and 10) Sakura (cherry blossom) party, Tokyo.

To continue . . .

[William Lubold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most histories of Japan remind me of my high school history classes. They pack it in after World War Two. At last, one that doesn't drone on for eighty plus pages about the various forms of noh plays, and actually pays attention to Japan's postwar boom, bubble economy, and aftermath.

[Ant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great little book for a high level rundown of all the general era's that Japan's history consists, starting from Jomon right up to around the Published date of the book.

It delved deep enough to provide enough information to give reasons as to the movement of the periods while not getting bogged down in details that may make the book a hard boring slog. In short, educational.

Around half the book is devoted to the period up until recent times with the rest devoted to current socio economics. While the latter is important and useful information, it felt like I'd heard it all before in so many critiques of modern Japan and its woes. The book lost a little of its drive as I read page after page about bureaucratic bungling, political nepotism and the usual reasoning behind Japan's current economic situation. While again this was not entirely unrelated to history, perhaps 'history' could have been more directed at cultural rather than political/economic shifts, if these could be separated from economics.

The writer's point of view was refreshingly tilted towards Japan and even considered the 'conspiracy theory' that Japan was permitted to attack Pearl Harbor alongside a number of other points evenly.

The wealth was in the first half. The second a necessary bore but not for the next read.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really rather enjoyed the short history bit of this book, and it did what it said on the tin - but the pre-1900 history was abysmally short, and the last half of the book was almost entirely World War II followed by modern Japanese economics. I'm sure that's a really fascinating subject, but given I had hoped to learn more about Japanese history and not its current economical prospects, I was really disappointed and ended up skipping those chapters because they were almost entirely irrelevant.

In short, an excellent book only if you want a little history and quite a bit of modern economical analysis.

[Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been really interested in Japanese culture for a few years now and read this book in preparation for a trip there soon. It provides some interesting historical context (Yamato court, Nara period, Heian period, Feudalism) before going deep into modern geopolitics (Meiji restoration, Pacific war, post-war prosperity).

One of the most interesting things I didn't know was how much Japanese culture has changed due to external influence (Chinese alphabet, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, US-written Constitution). It's strange because of how often Japan is viewed as isolationist.

One criticism was how deep this book went on the post-war economics. It definitely felt like an important inflection point but might have been presented better with more graphs as opposed to written figures.

[David Corleto-Bales]

An immensely readable and to the point history of Japan, from ancient times to the post-war period. Andressen hits the main points of the country's history, from its attempt to shut out foreigners and the growth of local lords and samurai, to the restoration of the emperor's power in 1868 during the "Meiji Era" and the amazing industrial development in the next sixty years. Unfortunately, the military called the shots by the early-1900s, and their extreme nationalism and emperor worship led to complete devastation in 1945. I learned a lot about Japan's development between 1876 and 1920, including some very interesting tidbits about Japan in the First World War and earlier the Sino-Japanese War in the 1890s. A very interesting book.

[Mattaddis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of the criticism of this book i have to agree with. There is a surprising dearth of content on pre-20th century japan. The bulk of the book seemed to be dedicated to ww2 and the late 20th century economic boom. It’s as if they originally intended to write a book on the late 20th century economic policies of japan but since it wasn’t long enough for a book they tacked on some pitifully short bits about prehistory, the Heian period, shoguns, and the meiji revolution to pad it out. It would have been nicer if they treated each period with the depth it did in the last few chapters

[Jan Hoekman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cannot recommend this book at all. First, I find it a bit boring. It spends too much time on details (e.g. all types of burial mounds), but then for me fails to do a good job in telling the overarching story of a particular period in adequate depth. It also paces quickly through the older history of Japan, and spends most on the war, post-war and modernity.
I also felt that the author just doesn't seem to particularly like Japan or the Japanese, and is quick to share resentments or stereotypes. To me his opinion of Japan feels misplaced mid-way through a "short history of.." book.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick overview of the different eras of Japan. Super interesting to learn about the history of the culture. It helps give great insight into American cultural development and economy as well.

[Aveline Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very concise, informative, and detail book I have ever acknowledged as it cites many reliable and valid statistics based on the compilations of research to emphasize Japan's existence through history. Besides, it contains glossary at the end of the book to inform the readers about several Japanese vocabularies posted on.

What makes this book inspiring? First of all, the way Japanese's previous predecessors coped with the challenges especially from the economy sector during prelude until after the war. It is shown that they boosted international trade and export up as the solution to enhance the sector. Second of all, the exciting historical moments starting from Samurai period to Sony that will be always unforgettable and touching.

All in all, I truly recommend this books for those who love traveling and history :)

[Strivetoengage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m very impressed with the Allen & Unwin series of books on the history of Asian countries. A Short History of Japan: From Samurai to Sony by Curtis Andressen is very well written and provides an accessible introduction to the history of Japan. It allowed me to put into context the observations of Japanese culture, the book Hokkaido Highway Blues and demystified many aspects of this unique country. I read it in preparation for our trip to Japan and because I was so impressed by the Short History of Indonesia book in the same series. I was a little surprised the Andressen focussed 1/2 of the book on the ‘bubble’ economy and its bust but I was pleased by the readable writing style so I was happy to go along with it and learn on every page.

I posted reflections from the book in my blog here: https://strivetoengage.wordpress.com/...

[Daniel Currie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ironically, the biggest problem with this short history it that it is too long.

The first part of the book, which goes thru a lot of the ancient history is well done and interesting. I learned a lot reading it. But as it gets past WWII it bogs down in a lot of really useless economic data. That isn't 'history' as such. I'm sure it's all true, but is it history? And it goes on and on. Just boring. I enjoyed a lot of the cultural observations and the look ahead at what might happen, but those parts are short.

First part of the book, 4 stars, the rest, 2 stars.

[Iwon (nanasanchez) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative, especially about economics.