Japan Before Perry: A Short HistoryThe task for the historian of Japan is to capture the essence of successive ages while preserving human drama and illuminating the themes and patterns of society's development. In Japan Before Perry, Professor Totman examines the origins of Japanese civilization and explores in detail the classical, medieval, and early-modern epochs. The historical facts are woven into interpretations of the major themes in Japanese history. While studying these epochs he also describes the gradual emergence of increasing numbers of people onto the historic stage, the long-term transformation of the economy and the society, the spread of cultural sophistication, and the ultimate rise of Japanese "nationhood." |
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aesthetic aristocratic arts Ashikaga bakufu basic became Buddhist bushi castle towns China Chinese chōnin cities classical age classical Japan commoners Confucian court creative daimyo developed disorder doctrine early early-modern Japan economic elaborate elements Emperor established Fujiwara Genji gokenin growth Heian hereditary higher culture hinterland Hōjō imperial integral bureaucracy integral bureaucratic order Japanese Kamakura Kojiki kuge Kūkai Kyoto Kyūshū land leaders learning literacy Lotus medieval Japan medieval period ment merchants military Minamoto monasteries monks Muromachi Nara Neo-Confucian notably official Ogyū Sorai organization patterns peasant political populace population practices production regulations religion religious rivals rulers rural Saichō samurai sankin kōtai sects secular seventeenth century Shinto shōen shōen system shogun shrines Shugendō sixteenth century social society sutra Taika Reform Taira Tale of Genji teachings temples Tendai thought tion Tokugawa trends University Press urban vassals village warrior Yamato Yoritomo Yoshitsune