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Synopsis
An introduction to Japanese history and culture. This fourth edition includes expanded sections on numerous topics, among which are samurai values, Zen Buddhism, the tea ceremony, Confucianism in the Tokugawa period, the story of the 47 "ronin", and mass culture in contemporary times.
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Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
38 of 41 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
10,000 Years In 300 Pages
20 July 2004
By Marc Ruby™
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The tracings of Japanese culture go back some 10,000 years - speaking conservatively. Since then there has been a remarkable continuity of inhabitation on the Japanese islands, which has resulted in one of the richest and complex cultures in the world today. Originally heavily influenced by the neighboring Chinese culture in the period from 300 BC to 300 AD, the islands quickly found their own way and over the ensuing years have developed a breadth of integrated experience that is often baffling to the outsider or curious student.
Paul Varley's book, in it's fourth edition and showing no signs of losing its value, is an attempt to present the significant cultural and historical developments, covering the past two millennia. OF course, most of the focus is from the eighth century on as Japanese civilization shifted from day to day survival to a complex political framework with a great flourishing of substantive creative art.
Considering that my standard historical reference on Japan has some seven volumes and thousands of (often tedious) pages, Varley's task is considerable and his success worthy of note. In a mere three hundred pages of tiny print Varley manages to draw a picture of the Japanese people that, while far from complete, misses none of the key culture moments.
He does this in a plain, business-like writing style that pours out unending amounts of information with merciless patience. He is very readable, but not what I would call enjoyable, since the sheer quantity of information can be overwhelming. If simply read straight through, it is easy to lose track of the thread of ideas. But the book rewards repeated study and the reader will soon find that all this information contributes much towards an understanding of the Japanese experience.
Paul Varley's book, in it's fourth edition and showing no signs of losing its value, is an attempt to present the significant cultural and historical developments, covering the past two millennia. OF course, most of the focus is from the eighth century on as Japanese civilization shifted from day to day survival to a complex political framework with a great flourishing of substantive creative art.
Considering that my standard historical reference on Japan has some seven volumes and thousands of (often tedious) pages, Varley's task is considerable and his success worthy of note. In a mere three hundred pages of tiny print Varley manages to draw a picture of the Japanese people that, while far from complete, misses none of the key culture moments.
He does this in a plain, business-like writing style that pours out unending amounts of information with merciless patience. He is very readable, but not what I would call enjoyable, since the sheer quantity of information can be overwhelming. If simply read straight through, it is easy to lose track of the thread of ideas. But the book rewards repeated study and the reader will soon find that all this information contributes much towards an understanding of the Japanese experience.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best
15 April 2010
By Zangiku
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
By far the best overall coverage of Japanese cultural history-- cogent, intelligent, readable, for the rank novice thru the specialist's reference shelf-- that I have found in 30 years of studying & teaching the subject. On second thought, not only the best but in fact the Only. Lovely illustrations too.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent survey of Japanese high culture
13 Jan 2012
By Breck Jack
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The book surveys Japanese high culture, with a historical framework and enough historical detail to provide context. Emphasis is on art and literature. With such a broad range, the author can't be expected to be knowledgeable about everything. For example, his description of Zen is a mere caricature: "Zen .. in general urged individuals to renounce this world of suffering and perpetual flux and to seek entry into a transcendent realm of bliss .. through .. satori or enlightenment ..." p. 172 Overall, though, this is a rewarding book that delivers what its title promises.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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