Japan: From Prehistory to Modern Times (Volume 7)

Fischer-Weltgeschichte #20

by John W. Hall

Japan: From Prehistory to Modern Times has a heavy emphasis upon the premodern period of Japanese history. No attempt has been made to provide the usual kind of textbook completeness. Hall’s fascination with Japanese history lies within the manner in which Japan’s political and social institutions have changed and diversified over time and how this fundamentally “Eastern” culture gave rise to a modern world power. Japan is today a modern nation in the full sense of the term. Yet its history is less familiar to us than the histories of those Western powers that it has now outstripped, or of the other countries of Asia that have gained recognition as the birthplaces of ancient civilizations or world religions. Japanese history does not force itself upon the world’s attention as does the mainstream of European history or the exotic chronicles of China or India. Its significance has become apparent only in proportion to the recognition Japan has gained as a modern state and as scholars have begun to place Japanese history within a world context.

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

444 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Amazed by its colorful classic Japanese photos (no information given inside) on the front cover, I liked it and decided to buy this paperback uncertain of my time and will in terms of finishing reading its 357 pages (Appendix not included). Since I've never read Prof. Hall before, I need to know him more from this book itself so that I can find and get some innate encouragement or positive attitude meant to enforce me to keep reading with my reasonable and purposeful enjoyment and understanding more on Japanese history from another scholar.

While reading on 17th-century Japan, I came across 'Siam' the name of our country mentioned in these two quoted sentences as depicted in the Ayutthaya period [formerly spelt 'Ayudhya' (Smithies, 1995, p. 25) or 'Ayuthia' (Bowring, 1977, p. 35, passim)]

1. The Japanese before long established bases in Annam, Siam, and Luzon and had entered the spice trade. (p. 137)
2. It was a time when Japanese traders ranged the seas to Siam and India, when in excess of energy the daimyo had launched two massive overseas attacks, when European traders and missionaries freely roamed the streets of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagasaki. (p. 156)

Historically speaking, more than four centuries ago in 1593 King Naresuan had 500 Japanese soldiers in his army when he defeated Phra Maha Uparaja, the Burmese crown prince on the elephant-back duel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E...). Later in the reign of King Songtham, there were Japanese warriors whose service was so impressive that one of them named Yamada Nagamasa was appointed to be governor of Ligor in 1630 accompanied by 300 samurai (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamada_...). His name I nearly forgot since I studied Thai history since some 40-50 years ago so, just in case, I scribbled the following in the blank index page: There once were some Japanese warriors who served an Ayutthaya king so famously that one was promoted to his governorship in a city in the south of Siam. After that I tried to search 'Yamada' his only name I recall via Wikipedia and it was my delight to know his full name and read an article on his life there.

Apart from its 45 black-and white illustrations and 6 maps, the 19-chapter contents have been written with arguably logical narrations supported by innumerable Japanese and Western references. However, Chapter 19 Occupation and Recovery seems conclusively short covering only 8 1/2 pages.

I would say something on Chapter 9 Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and the Pacification of the Daimyo and Chapter 10 The Tokugawa Period since they have been portrayed on the three great Japanese unifiers whose wisdom, power and charisma consequently helped Japan unite and governed her with less rebels. We would better understand the roles of Nobunaga whose work had been chiefly military and destructive. (p. 145) Having taken the title of Imperial Regent in 1585 before starting his final campaigns, Hideyoshi hold the title of Grand Minister of State a year later. (p. 151) Finally, Ieyasu from the Tokugawa family succeeded to national hegemony in 1600 and assumed the title of Shogun in 1603. (pp. 162, 164)

All in all, this book is worth reading for its reasonably concise historical account of Japan except Chapter 10 which is lengthy, more than 80 pages, for its 7 topics so we need well-planned dedication.

[Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overview of Japanese history from prehistory to about the 1950s. This is quite an old book so not for understanding current events or current Japanese politics. However, this book will give you a good understanding of the basic fabric of Japanese society, politics and psyche which helps give insight into the Japan of today. A particularly fascinating read and overview on the Tokugawa period and Japan's nation building.

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you already know a lot about Japanese history and still want to know more, then read this book. Otherwise you'll be slowly wadding through a swamp of knowledge. Hall is very knowledgeable about Japanese history, that's very clear. However, he spends the majority of the book focusing on the Tokugawa period (80 of the 257 pages), while all the other chapters are usually 10-15, with a few around 20-25 pages. The one portion of history I am familiar with is Japanese history before, during, and after WWII. Hall jumped around in that 9 page chapter- sometimes discussing events in 1937, then 1941, and then back to 1937 with no chronological or thematic reasoning. It makes me suspect he did the same throughout the rest of Japan's history.

It's not an easy read either. Hall wrote this for academic purposes, and seemingly / probably to get fellow professors off his back with the ever present dreaded academia question of "yeah, but what has he published lately?" So, make sure to read about 20 other books on Japanese history that ease the reader into Japan's history, then read this one. Especially the Tokugawa period (1600-1820s).

Oddly what should be major events are left out or looped. The Russo-Japanese War (1905) is never mentioned. WWI- I think it might have been mentioned. The chapter on WWII, really 1932-1945, is only 9 pages long- pretty looped for key events. Also the occupation & aftermath of WWII chapter is also around 10 pages, quite a let down since he argues it was as transformative to Japanese society as the Meiji Restoration (which he spent about 40 pages & 3 chapters on).

[Mary Faulkner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book on general Japanese history I've read, but it seems to be a good survey from what I know. It would be nice if there was more mention of how other countries have affected Japan directly because I think much of that was left out. However, it isn't meant to be an exceedingly detailed history, so if you know nothing of Japanese history and want a light read covering it from prehistory to almost-now, this is a good choice (in my inexpert opinion). I enjoyed it, and one strength is that it uses Japanese terms like daimyo and bakufu, explains what they mean once, and thereafter expect you to understand.

[Adrian Colesberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so well written and thorough that I still feel like I know Japanese history pretty well, even though I'm sure I wouldn't pass a quiz on it.

[Thomas Wickinghoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if it reads like a bachelor thesis (it is written by a Yale University professor after all), it certainly is a good book that goes through all of Japan's history in lots of detail up to the 1960s. There definitely are aspects that would've made it a better book - like more entertaining writing or more references to modern times (like this temple is still standing in Kyoto and is called / this family still exists / this city today is called...) - but that's just not what it is and also not what it wants to be, so I won't judge it for that (too much). I reread it after my Japanese studies at University years ago, because I went to Japan a few weeks earlier and I wanted to see, if I get a better understanding for the people, the country and the culture. And in some ways I certainly did. Nonetheless, it was a tough read.

[Myrrah Grey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book fell apart in my arms... it was an old copy. Thought I'd read it and learn more about Japan's history. It was pretty bland but not so hard to read. I ended up not finishing this book because it fell apart so easily during my commute. Honestly, I felt bad it was falling apart page by page. I didn't want to be the one who would ruin a book on the last few years of it's life. It's back in the library. Hopefully I can find a newer version.

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of Japanese history but too much emphasis on the political and land systems.

[Hector Maldonado Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Permite entender la historia de Japón hasta los 1960s. De lectur fácil y con contenido valioso.

[Yupa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Manualistico ed essenziale. Tristemente riassuntivo sul periodo più recente, che tra l'altro copre solo sino alla fine degli anni Sessanta.
Il problema è che in giro non c'è molto di meglio...

[Mildred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Básico para entender la historia de Japón

[Eaglechen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich hätte es sogar gelesen, wenn ich die Wahl gehabt hätte ^^