Japan Encyclopedia (Harvard University Press Reference Library) - Softcover

Frédéric, Louis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674017536 ISBN 13: 9780674017535

Publisher: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2005

Synopsis

"Knowing Japan and the Japanese better," Louis Frédéric states in the introduction to this encyclopedia, "is one of the necessities of modern life." The Japanese have a profound knowledge of every aspect and detail of Western societies. Unfortunately, we in the West cannot say the same about our knowledge of Japan. We tend to see Japan through a veil of exoticism, as a land of ancient customs and exquisite arts; or we view it as a powerful contributor to the global economy, the source of cutting-edge electronics and innovative management techniques. To go beyond these clichés, we must begin to see how apparently contradictory aspects of modern Japanese culture spring from the country's evolution through more than two millennia of history.

This richly detailed yet concise encyclopedia is a guide to the full range of Japanese history and civilization, from the dawn of its prehistory to today, providing clear and accessible information on society and institutions, commerce and industry, sciences, sports, and politics, with particular emphasis on religion, material culture, and the arts. The volume is enhanced by maps and illustrations, along with a detailed chronology of more than 2,000 years of Japanese history and a comprehensive bibliography. Cross-references and an index help the reader trace themes from one article to the next.

Japan Encyclopedia will be an indispensable one-volume reference for students, scholars, travelers, journalists, and anyone who wishes to learn more about the past and present of this great world civilization.

About this title

About the Author:

Louis Frédéric is the author of numerous scholarly and reference books on Asian and South Asian societies and religions. He lived in Paris until his death in 1996.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/pdf/FREJAP_excerpt.pdf

About this edition

• Publisher: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0674017536
• ISBN 13: 9780674017535
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 1128