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A History of Japan

From Stone Age to Superpower

  • Book
  • © 1999

Overview

Authors:
  1. Kenneth G. Henshall

    1. University of Waikato, New Zealand

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
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  2. From the Stone Age to Statehood: Myths, Prehistory, and Ancient History (to 710)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 1-19

  3. Of Courtiers and Warriors: Early and Medieval History (710–1600)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 20-47

  4. The Closed Country: The Tokugawa Period (1600–1868)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 48-69

  5. Building a Modern Nation: the Meiji Period (1868–1912)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 70-102

  6. The Excesses of Ambition: the Pacific War and its Lead-up

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 103-135

  7. A Phoenix from the Ashes: Postwar Successes and Beyond

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 136-179

  8. Conclusion: Lessons for Aspiring Superpowers

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 180-186

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 187-242
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Keywords

About this book

In a rare combination of comprehensive coverage and sustained critical focus, this book examines Japanese history in its entirety to identify the factors underlying the nation's progression to superpower. Japan's achievement is explained not merely in economic terms, but at a more fundamental level, as a product of historical patterns of response to circumstance. Japan is shown to be a nation historically impelled by a pragmatic determination to succeed. The book also highlights unresolved questions and little-known facts.

Reviews

'One of the most important books in Japanese studies in recent years.' - Ken Coates, Professor of History, University of New Brunswick

'In making the history of this remarkable society accessible to a wider public Professor Henshall has performed a most valuable service.' - Derek Massarella, Professor of Economic History, Chuo University, Japan

'An extraordinary book that will appeal to student, specialist, and

general reader alike.' - Laurie Barber, Professor of History, University of Waikato

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Waikato, New Zealand

    Kenneth G. Henshall

About the author

KENNETH G.HENSHALL is Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. The author has a first-class honours degree in Japanese from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and obtained a doctorate in modern Japanese literature from the University of Sydney, and postgraduate qualifications in education from the University of Adelaide. He has taught at the University of Auckland, The University of Western Australia, and the University of California at Berkeley, as well as holding a number of research fellowships at universities in Japan. Best known for his books on language and literature, which include the bestselling Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters and several translations of the Japanese naturalist writer Tayama Katai, Kenneth G.Henshall's main interest at present is to introduce Japan to a wider audience, and from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: A History of Japan

  • Book Subtitle: From Stone Age to Superpower

  • Authors: Kenneth G. Henshall

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403906502

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History Collection, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited 1999

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-4039-0650-2Published: 17 December 2015

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVI, 242

  • Topics: Asian History, History of Japan

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