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Ancient Japan: An Enthralling Overview of Ancient Japanese History, Starting from the Jomon Period to the Heian Period
Did you know that the first novel in the world was produced by a Japanese noblewoman?
Back in ancient times, the Japanese depended on Chinese characters (kanji) to write all sorts of documents and manuscripts, ranging from official letters to census records and poetry. It was only during the Heian period (794–1185 CE) that they began to create their very own writing system known today as kana.
While men from the higher social classes would often stick to kanji when producing literary works, kana was mainly used by noblewomen. The most prominent author of the Heian period is known as Murasaki Shikibu, an imperial lady-in-waiting who was responsible for producing the world’s first novel called Genji Monogatari, or The Tale of Genji. The novel also provides a detailed insight into the lives and culture of the Japanese people during that era.
The history of ancient Japan is filled with interesting events that involved many influential and legendary figures. However, some of the accounts were also infused with Japanese myths, which might make it difficult for curious readers to distinguish between facts and legends.
But you can safely put your concern aside. With this new Enthralling History book, you will discover an array of information and stories of the ancient Japanese, starting from the prehistoric era up until the Heian period, which saw the birth of the first samurai warriors.
Here’s just a small fraction of what you’ll the Jomon period earned its name and the impressive designs of early Japanese pottery.How rice cultivation first arrived in Japan and the transition into a more civilized society.The legendary kingdom of Yamatai and how it rose to power.The unique-looking kofun tombs and legends behind the persons interred within them.Vicious wars and assassinations of powerful figures in the imperial court.Interesting myths and the origins of Shinto, an indigenous Japanese religion.The flourishing culture and architecture of ancient Japan and the arrival of Buddhism.The bloody conflicts between the two earliest samurai clans.And much, much more!
Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about ancient Japan!
Back in ancient times, the Japanese depended on Chinese characters (kanji) to write all sorts of documents and manuscripts, ranging from official letters to census records and poetry. It was only during the Heian period (794–1185 CE) that they began to create their very own writing system known today as kana.
While men from the higher social classes would often stick to kanji when producing literary works, kana was mainly used by noblewomen. The most prominent author of the Heian period is known as Murasaki Shikibu, an imperial lady-in-waiting who was responsible for producing the world’s first novel called Genji Monogatari, or The Tale of Genji. The novel also provides a detailed insight into the lives and culture of the Japanese people during that era.
The history of ancient Japan is filled with interesting events that involved many influential and legendary figures. However, some of the accounts were also infused with Japanese myths, which might make it difficult for curious readers to distinguish between facts and legends.
But you can safely put your concern aside. With this new Enthralling History book, you will discover an array of information and stories of the ancient Japanese, starting from the prehistoric era up until the Heian period, which saw the birth of the first samurai warriors.
Here’s just a small fraction of what you’ll the Jomon period earned its name and the impressive designs of early Japanese pottery.How rice cultivation first arrived in Japan and the transition into a more civilized society.The legendary kingdom of Yamatai and how it rose to power.The unique-looking kofun tombs and legends behind the persons interred within them.Vicious wars and assassinations of powerful figures in the imperial court.Interesting myths and the origins of Shinto, an indigenous Japanese religion.The flourishing culture and architecture of ancient Japan and the arrival of Buddhism.The bloody conflicts between the two earliest samurai clans.And much, much more!
Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about ancient Japan!
- GenresHistoryNonfictionJapan
196 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 10, 2022
Until relatively recently, archaeologists thought Japan saw humans after the Paleolithic Era. The first humans traveling to the archipelago followed herds of animals. The weather changed, and people learned to grow rice. By 712 CE,
Shintoism was part of Japan's Yayoi period. I found it interesting that Shintoism teaches the physical world is sacred and deserves respect at all times. This book also takes the time to explain Buddhism. Even though Buddhism became the national religion, ordinary people believed in Shintoism, and the elite believed in Buddhism. To this day, there is no friction between the faiths.
This is my favorite type of history; it starts with the beginning of man and follows the evolution of the people from villages to kingdoms. This book also tosses some mythology and cultures of evolving tribes and groups. The author even takes time to talk about clothing choices. The photos and artwork that accompanied this book were impressive. It's lovely to be able to see the thing under discussion. Without the image, I could have never imagined the twelve-layered formal robe worn by high-ranking women during the Heian period.
China and Korea greatly influenced the Japanese, yet the Japanese remained independent from those two countries. The final chapter sets the Japanese to be ruled by the military shogunate for centuries. Fascinating reading.
Shintoism was part of Japan's Yayoi period. I found it interesting that Shintoism teaches the physical world is sacred and deserves respect at all times. This book also takes the time to explain Buddhism. Even though Buddhism became the national religion, ordinary people believed in Shintoism, and the elite believed in Buddhism. To this day, there is no friction between the faiths.
This is my favorite type of history; it starts with the beginning of man and follows the evolution of the people from villages to kingdoms. This book also tosses some mythology and cultures of evolving tribes and groups. The author even takes time to talk about clothing choices. The photos and artwork that accompanied this book were impressive. It's lovely to be able to see the thing under discussion. Without the image, I could have never imagined the twelve-layered formal robe worn by high-ranking women during the Heian period.
China and Korea greatly influenced the Japanese, yet the Japanese remained independent from those two countries. The final chapter sets the Japanese to be ruled by the military shogunate for centuries. Fascinating reading.
December 25, 2022
Who writes these so-called enthralling histories? There is no author; no-one to pin down, refute,
praise. The bibliography mostly lists "World History Encyclopaedia", "Japan Wonder Travel Blog", some Wikipedia contributors, as sources. Most are very recent, in the past couple of years. The book is not a bad overview, but lacking in true scholarship and criticism. The information is lifted, merely compiled, simplistic. Are the others in this series similar? It reads better than cliff notes but is of the same ilk.
praise. The bibliography mostly lists "World History Encyclopaedia", "Japan Wonder Travel Blog", some Wikipedia contributors, as sources. Most are very recent, in the past couple of years. The book is not a bad overview, but lacking in true scholarship and criticism. The information is lifted, merely compiled, simplistic. Are the others in this series similar? It reads better than cliff notes but is of the same ilk.
June 27, 2022
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I found this book to be very interesting and quite informative.
July 1, 2022
I love reading about Japan. From the ancient Joman Era to the modern Era. Each new book you find new and interesting facts about the country.
August 15, 2022
Valuable info here, and it was very reasonably priced. My only complaint is they talk to you like you’re nine, at the oldest. But what are you gonna do? I learned some things I didn’t know!
August 10, 2025
This text could be ok for a junior high school level student, but the content isn't very impressive, and the entire book seems like a glossary with lots of western speculation thrown in.
The only thing worthwhile for me was that it helped me remember how much I love Japanese mythology. The title says it's "enthralling" but I've read better books by actual scholars.
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AVOID THE AUDIO BOOK AT ALL COSTS!
Hank Hart absolutely butchers the Japanese names of even common/well-known people and places. If you repeat or internalize this, you're going to look and sound like an ignorant bumkin. This is a perfect example of how an OK work can be turned into a flaming tower of poop by the lazy execution of a "professional" narrator.
This one goes into the hall of shame for me.
The only thing worthwhile for me was that it helped me remember how much I love Japanese mythology. The title says it's "enthralling" but I've read better books by actual scholars.
--
AVOID THE AUDIO BOOK AT ALL COSTS!
Hank Hart absolutely butchers the Japanese names of even common/well-known people and places. If you repeat or internalize this, you're going to look and sound like an ignorant bumkin. This is a perfect example of how an OK work can be turned into a flaming tower of poop by the lazy execution of a "professional" narrator.
This one goes into the hall of shame for me.
December 15, 2024
Excellent Summarization
A great summarization up through the Heian period. Enjoyed the concise history, but would have enjoyed more detail and the inclusion of further dating (categories jump in and out of place on the timeline). Otherwise a worthy title that provides a reasonable accounting of Japanese History.
A great summarization up through the Heian period. Enjoyed the concise history, but would have enjoyed more detail and the inclusion of further dating (categories jump in and out of place on the timeline). Otherwise a worthy title that provides a reasonable accounting of Japanese History.
August 8, 2023
An overview of ancient Japanese history. Well written with good illustrations and links to online sources.
January 24, 2023
My review is in regard to Ancient Japan: An Enthralling Overview of Ancient Japanese History, Starting from the Jomon Period to the Heian Period,
I might have given it four stars, as I learned some interesting facts, however there were a number of basic mistakes within, that made me wonder how many others I might be missing.
In the fifth chapter, the book covers not only the Kofun era, but also the Kofun key shaped burial tombs.
The author began with measurements in meters, and I believe meant to covert them to feet, but wrote the following
"These exceptional tombs varied in size, with the smallest measuring about 15 meters (49 miles) in diameter and the biggest measuring at least 821 meters (2,693 miles) long while being encircled by three moats."
Another (possible) error was in the seventh chapter, with an analysis of what had gone wrong between the emperors of Japan and China.
“When Ono no Imoko arrived in China, he presented a letter to Emperor Yang, the ruling emperor of the Sui dynasty at that time.
The said letter began with the sentence:
“The emperor of the land of the rising sun sends this letter to the emperor of the land where the sun sets.”
The author writes his interpretation of why this irritated the Chinese Emperor
"This particular sentence irritated Emperor Yang due to the Japanese ruler using the word “emperor,” which somehow indicated that they were on the same level.”
From what I understand from another book on this period and Wikipedia, the Chinese emperor may have been upset because the Japanese emperor had written that the Chinese sun was setting, while the sun of the Japanese was rising, which makes some sense.
The first mistake seems like a grossly obvious error, that should have been caught during editing. The second is a matter of interpretation, that I believe will never be known for certain, and might have been best to leave as such.
Wikipedia shows the letter from Japan, did not even use the word Emperor, see below *
Overall, this book had some excellent pictures, and references, but was tedious through much of the later half.
I am still (somewhat) happy to have read it, and I give my thanks to the author
* Wikipedia
"The Son of Heaven where the sun rises [Japan], to the Son of Heaven where the sun sets [China], may good health be with you."
Wikipedia continues
"Emperor Yang was angered at being addressed in this way, although it is not clear whether he was angered more by the insult of Sui being referred to as the land of the setting sun, or by the use of Son of Heaven to refer both to himself and the emperor of Japan, hinting that they were equals"
This type of revision by the author, gives me heartburn, since we rely on accuracy
I might have given it four stars, as I learned some interesting facts, however there were a number of basic mistakes within, that made me wonder how many others I might be missing.
In the fifth chapter, the book covers not only the Kofun era, but also the Kofun key shaped burial tombs.
The author began with measurements in meters, and I believe meant to covert them to feet, but wrote the following
"These exceptional tombs varied in size, with the smallest measuring about 15 meters (49 miles) in diameter and the biggest measuring at least 821 meters (2,693 miles) long while being encircled by three moats."
Another (possible) error was in the seventh chapter, with an analysis of what had gone wrong between the emperors of Japan and China.
“When Ono no Imoko arrived in China, he presented a letter to Emperor Yang, the ruling emperor of the Sui dynasty at that time.
The said letter began with the sentence:
“The emperor of the land of the rising sun sends this letter to the emperor of the land where the sun sets.”
The author writes his interpretation of why this irritated the Chinese Emperor
"This particular sentence irritated Emperor Yang due to the Japanese ruler using the word “emperor,” which somehow indicated that they were on the same level.”
From what I understand from another book on this period and Wikipedia, the Chinese emperor may have been upset because the Japanese emperor had written that the Chinese sun was setting, while the sun of the Japanese was rising, which makes some sense.
The first mistake seems like a grossly obvious error, that should have been caught during editing. The second is a matter of interpretation, that I believe will never be known for certain, and might have been best to leave as such.
Wikipedia shows the letter from Japan, did not even use the word Emperor, see below *
Overall, this book had some excellent pictures, and references, but was tedious through much of the later half.
I am still (somewhat) happy to have read it, and I give my thanks to the author
* Wikipedia
"The Son of Heaven where the sun rises [Japan], to the Son of Heaven where the sun sets [China], may good health be with you."
Wikipedia continues
"Emperor Yang was angered at being addressed in this way, although it is not clear whether he was angered more by the insult of Sui being referred to as the land of the setting sun, or by the use of Son of Heaven to refer both to himself and the emperor of Japan, hinting that they were equals"
This type of revision by the author, gives me heartburn, since we rely on accuracy
October 21, 2024
🖤 CURIOUSCOMPASS REVIEWS: 🖤
A light, easy, yet not noteworthy history book. Good for absolute beginners and preteens in particular who are entry level and curious about Japan. Left a lot to be desired with an at times very childish writing voice and frankly seemed almost cobbled together from generic wiki articles being loosely regurgitated. Just felt very surface level.
A light, easy, yet not noteworthy history book. Good for absolute beginners and preteens in particular who are entry level and curious about Japan. Left a lot to be desired with an at times very childish writing voice and frankly seemed almost cobbled together from generic wiki articles being loosely regurgitated. Just felt very surface level.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews