Uma Breve História do Japão

by Christopher Harding

Um mergulho na vida quotidiana dos japoneses ao longo do tempo.
O Japão é um país com uma história rica e fascinante, marcada por milénios de transformação e adaptação constante. Desde as primeiras comunidades costeiras da era Jōmon até à ascensão dos samurais, passando pela influência da China e Coreia, a chegada desafiante do Ocidente e os traumas da modernidade e da guerra, o arquipélago tem navegado por séculos de mudança radical.
Em Uma Breve História do Japão, Christopher Harding oferece uma introdução essencial e perspicaz à construção de uma sociedade e cultura únicas. Longe de se limitar a datas, batalhas e grandes acontecimentos, o autor mergulha na vida quotidiana dos japoneses ao longo do tempo, explorando a sua visão do mundo através da cerâmica, do teatro Nō e Kabuki, da arquitetura, da comida e das artes marciais.
Com base na mais recente investigação académica, Harding revela a natureza única do Japão – um país que soube filtrar e adaptar influências externas de forma criativa, mantendo valores intrínsecos que lhe permitiram superar desafios e prosperar. Uma leitura envolvente que irá transformar a sua perceção deste país extraordinário e resiliente.

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2025

About the author

To sign up for my free weekly newsletter, 'Japan and the World', visit: www.chrishardingjapan.com.

Reviews

[João Pedro Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regardless of what happens in and to Japan over the next few years, we can hope that the growing interest in its history from tourists and Japanophiles will help keep alive the Japanese people's pride and knowledge of their rich and diverse past. Its highs and lows provide, at best, a mine of good ideas for the future; at worst, a source of solace during difficult times; and, hopefully, a sense of what it means to feel at home in this fertile archipelago.

This book offers a broad overview of the archipelago’s development from early agricultural communities to hyper-modern Japan. Christopher Harding structures the narrative in a chronological and accessible way, guiding the reader through key themes such as religion, politics, warfare, diplomacy and society. The book works as a solid entry point for anyone who wants to understand how a relatively small country developed such a distinct culture and such an influential role in global affairs.

The chapters devoted to the classical and medieval periods show how power shifted between the imperial court, warrior clans and the shogunates, with Harding explaining these transitions without getting lost in technical detail. Later sections follow the encounter with the West, the forced modernisation of the Meiji era, the expansionism that led to the disaster of the Second World War and the democratic rebirth that shaped contemporary Japan. It is dense in content yet consistently readable. For anyone with an interest in history, I consider it essential reading and an excellent window into today’s Japan.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its structure. Each chapter has a clear focus, whether political, religious, military or social. This organisation makes the reading smoother and helps the reader understand how each period influenced the next. There is no sense of drift. Everything fits together naturally and progressively, which is especially helpful for readers who are not yet familiar with Japanese history.

Another major asset is the author’s neutrality. Harding presents facts without embellishment or judgement. He writes about violence, authoritarianism, economic growth and social change with the same clarity. By refusing to push the reader towards a predefined interpretation, he allows space for independent reflection. That intellectual openness makes the book both honest and rewarding.

The writing itself is engaging. Harding balances historical narrative with smaller human stories that help anchor the events in time and give them texture. It is not a heavy academic text, but it also resists oversimplification. It manages to be rigorous, informative and accessible all at once, which is not easy to sustain across centuries of condensed history.

In the end, A Short History of Japan accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It is a clear, rigorous and modern synthesis that gives the reader the tools to understand how Japan became the country it is today. It does not replace more specialised studies, but it is probably the best starting point for anyone who wants to explore this historical landscape without getting lost. Rating 4/5.

[Alison Wong · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this achieves the impressive feat of compressing the history of Japan into a book you can read in one sitting, I found very little in it that answered any of the questions I had about this complicated nation. The whistlestop tour does not allow for deeper contemplation nor provide any valuable insight. I don’t know a lot about Japan, but I know enough to want to go deeper— what is it about Japan’s history that makes its people, its art, its films, its food, its taste, its style the way they are? If you want to know this too, this is not the book for you. Go read some novels instead.

[Aneta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pierwsza książka w 2026 roku i od razu strzał w dziesiątkę. Podobała mi się ta skrótowa historia Japonii. Ok, wiele rzeczy można było lepiej rozwinąć, ale wówczas z książki popularnonaukowej dostalibyśmy podręcznik. A tak, wszystko przejrzyście opisane w znośnych dawkach.

[Luís Marques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este livro foi, para mim, uma excelente introdução à história do Japão e uma ótima visão geral desde a sua unificação até aos dias de hoje. Não é um livro profundamente detalhado, mas também não tenta ser, funciona muito bem como base para quem quer compreender o percurso histórico do país.

Uma das coisas que mais gostei foi a forma como desconstrói a visão romantizada que muitas vezes temos do Japão. Ao longo de cerca de 200 páginas, o autor consegue deixar-nos a questionar muito do que pensamos saber e, acima de tudo, desperta uma enorme vontade de aprofundar certas épocas e temas.

Destaco também a abordagem aos jogos de poder, à corrupção e à forma como a história foi sendo moldada e manipulada ao longo do tempo.

Achei particularmente interessante a passagem pela época dos descobrimentos portugueses, com alguns detalhes curiosos sobre a presença dos nossos antepassados no Japão e explicações sobre porque essa relação não teve o mesmo sucesso que noutras regiões do mundo.

Recomendo especialmente a quem procura um primeiro contacto com a história do Japão e quer uma leitura acessível, clara e provocadora.

[Rebz · Rating 4 out of 5]

does what it says on the tin!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about everything and nothing.

It is a collection of random facts and curiosities, mostly about politics. Once something is explained in detail, and suddenly the author throws out Japanese terms that I think I should know (but I don't, and that's why I read such books to get to know them). For such a thin book and such an extensive topic, the author cannot narrow down the field. Modern times have been neglected and taken for granted, and yet a quarter of a century has passed since the beginning of the 21st century.

Pictures and photos would add a lot to the book.

[Paul Narvaez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a splendid book. There is a huge amount to cover and he hit most of the high points. In the process, he reinvigorated my interest in certain periods I didn't feel I knew enough about and fueled my purchase of several works of Japanese literature and history which I wanted to go deeper on.

[Dayle Kulakiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excellent read.
As someone who knows next to nothing about Japanese history I was looking for something to summarise the background of this nation before my visit there. This perfectly hit the spot giving a splendid summary and context for my trip.

[Paul de Jong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://podkoldra-deana.blogspot.com/...