Japan's Emergence as a Modern State: Political and Economic Problems of the Meiji Period, 60th Anniversary Edition

by E. Herbert Norman, Lawrence T. Woods (Editor)

Originally published in 1940, this classic published work by a leading Japanologist examines the problems and accomplishments of the Meiji period (1868-1912), which formed the roots of modern Japan. E. H. Norman reveals how elites maintained their political and economic domination during the period. He writes not simply about the emergence of modern Japan but also about the emergence of modernity itself.In this anniversary edition, leading American, Canadian, and Japanese scholars have contributed ten short essays reassessing the work and life of E. H. Norman. A new preface and introduction by Lawrence Woods and new forewords by R. Gordon Robertson, Len Edwards, and William L. Holland supplement the original text as well.

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

Reviews

[odievevo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intelligent, lucid and marxist-tinged analysis of the forces in Japanese society that lead to the Meiji restauration and beyond. Some hardcore scholarship in here, with tons of obscure sources cited, especially Japanese ones. There's really so much interesting hard-to-find infirmation in here, absolutely great book and it still holds up fine despite it's age. The parts where Norman was off due to lack of information in his time are ironed out by the essays at the end of the book. Definitely give it a read if you are interested in Japan and deep political and economical analysis.