The Making of Modern Japan

by Kenneth B. Pyle

Analyzing the dynamics of historical change, the text discusses the major forces in Japan's development from 1600 to the present day, including samurai officialdom, industrialization, militarism, and social values.

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

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Kenneth B. Pyle is Henry M. Jackson Professor Emeritus of History and International Studies at the University of Washington and the author of Japan Rising and the classic textbook The Making of Modern Japan. He was for many years director of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. The founding president of the National Bureau of Asian Research, Pyle received the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan’s most prestigious honor, and created the Journal of Japanese Studies, the most important journal in the field.

Reviews

[Kumiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pyle was one of my profs at UW. He is one of two tops profs in the US that know their stuff on Japanese history (the other is John Dower). This book is a must-read for Japanese history lovers.

[Ikki Kaijima · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the past, Japan had demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to institute reforms. In the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration and in the post-WWII period, Japan changed with astonishing rapidity. But these periods of change came in the wake of policy failures, institutional collapse, and national disaster. At the end of the twentieth century, however, Japan was trying to change after succeeding in its catch-up goals. Success made change and the development of new policies and institutions to meet the challenge of internationalism enormously difficult.

[Eskil · Rating 4 out of 5]

En flott og uforholdsmessig detaljert bok om Japans inntog i moderne tid, OG forutsetningene fra Tokugawa-perioden som la til rette for det. Det er synd at boka suser gjennom perioden ca fra 1968-1996, men det er vel hovedsaklig fordi boka opprinnelig kom ut i 1976, og Pyle (var gammel og) ikke følte at den kunne oppdateres helt. Likevel skulle den ha nevnt bobleøkonomien mer, men sånn er det nå, og det er derfor man har andre bøker som kan gå inn i sånne tema i større detalj.

[Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brief history of modern Japan, very focused on cause and effect, beginning with the decentralized pre-19th-century era following through the centralization of the Tokugawa period, then the restructuring after the arrival of Commodore Perry and the opening of Japan to foreign commerce. This is largely a narrative of Japan trying to catch up with Western industrialization, taking things a little too far as it struggled to find its new identity, purpose, and place in the international political order, and, more recently, seeking to define its future as it has now caught up with other leading powers (at least in economic terms) and now has the potential to set an example. This leaves me curious to learn more about the related people and events of the past but also hopeful to see Japan rise among its peers in the future as a leading nation. I am impressed with Japan's ability to adapt and recover, to address issues with competence and efficiency, if sometimes unsure of the best path forward.

[John Tan Guan Zhong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief, western-centric but informative explanation as to why Japanese people are the way they are.

[Jennifer Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenneth B. Pyle is a great authority on Japanese modern history. I have used his book as a reference for many of my essays and have had it assigned for reading in multiple classes. The Making of Modern Japan has proven its usefulness to me and has been worth every penny I have spent on it.

Furthermore, this is a useful and concise history of modern Japan and a great place to start in learning about Japan. Pyle has written this book to be reader friendly and not overwhelming. The vocabulary isn't overbearing and it reads smoothly.

I've taken a few of Pyle's classes and I can guarantee that he really knows what he teaches. This book will not disappoint you or mislead you. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Japanese history in the slightest bit.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good readable introductory history of Japan from the Tokugawa period to present. The discussion of Japan's relationship to the West during its rise to a imperial power is particularly interesting, as is the discussion of Japan's ascent to an economic powerhouse in the postwar period. I highly recommend it to those interested in 20th century Japanese or US history.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my core reference for modern Japanese history.

[Sheri Fresonke Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided helpful insights into the post-World War II culture in Japan. I read it as part of a liberal studies class and kept it on hand as a useful reference.