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Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World, 1852-1912

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Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World, 1852-1912 Cover

ISBN13: 9780231123402
ISBN10: 023112340x
Condition:
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

This is the extraordinary story of how Japan was dramatically transformed during the long reign of Emperor Meiji, from an isolated island nation to one of the five great powers of the world, poised as a rival in Asia to Russia and the European colonial powers.

Book News Annotation:

Even Japanese who consider Meiji the greatest ruler of all time, points out Keene (Japanese literature, Columbia U.), can rarely name anything he actually did. He searches for the elusive human who was born into a country that had refused almost all contact with the West for centuries, but saw Japan transformed during his lifetime into a world power and a members of the community of nations.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Synopsis:

When Emperor Meiji began his rule, in 1867, Japan was a splintered empire, dominated by the shogun and the daimyos, who ruled over the country's more than 250 decentralized domains and who were, in the main, cut off from the outside world, staunchly antiforeign, and committed to the traditions of the past. Before long, the shogun surrendered to the emperor, a new constitution was adopted, and Japan emerged as a modern, industrialized state.

Despite the length of his reign, little has been written about the strangely obscured figure of Meiji himself, the first emperor ever to meet a European. Most historians discuss the period that takes his name while barely mentioning the man, assuming that he had no real involvement in affairs of state. Even Japanese who believe Meiji to have been their nation's greatest ruler may have trouble recalling a single personal accomplishment that might account for such a glorious reputation. Renowned Japan scholar Donald Keene sifts the available evidence to present a rich portrait not only of Meiji but also of rapid and sometimes violent change during this pivotal period in Japan's history.

In this vivid and engrossing biography, we move with the emperor through his early, traditional education; join in the formal processions that acquainted the young emperor with his country and its people; observe his behavior in court, his marriage, and his relationships with various consorts; and follow his maturation into a Confucian sovereign dedicated to simplicity, frugality, and hard work. Later, during Japan's wars with China and Russia, we witness Meiji's struggle to reconcile his personal commitment to peace and his nation's increasingly militarized experience of modernization. Emperor of Japan conveys in sparkling prose the complexity of the man and offers an unrivaled portrait of Japan in a period of unique interest.

Synopsis:

In this work, Donald Keene sifts the available evidence to present a rich portrait of Meiji, Emperor of Japan, under whose reign Japan emerged as a modern, industrialized state.
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strider_wilderness, November 4, 2011 (view all comments by strider_wilderness)
The story of the Meiji Emperor is also the story of Japan`s dramatic transformation from a backward feudal state into to a first-class great power. Accordingly, this biography is also a thorough introduction to this critical phase of Japanese history. One of the most interesting features of the book is Keene`s frequent reference to the emperor`s own poetry to provide insight into the emotions and feelings of this otherwise stern and taciturn ruler. A fine biographical work, but by no means light reading.














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Product Details

ISBN:
9780231123402
Author:
Keene, Donald
Publisher:
Columbia University Press
Location:
New York
Subject:
Royalty
Subject:
History
Subject:
Historical - General
Subject:
Asia - Japan
Subject:
Japan
Subject:
Emperors
Subject:
Emperors -- Japan.
Subject:
Japan History Meiji period, 1868-1912.
Subject:
Biography-Historical
Series Volume:
00-07
Publication Date:
20020431
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
928
Dimensions:
9.60x6.50x2.21 in. 3.13 lbs.
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Related Subjects

Biography » Historical
Biography » Royalty
Engineering » Engineering » History
History and Social Science » Asia » Japan » Modern 1868 to 1945
History and Social Science » World History » Asia » General
History and Social Science » World History » Japan

Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World, 1852-1912 New Hardcover
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Product details 928 pages Columbia University Press - English 9780231123402 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , When Emperor Meiji began his rule, in 1867, Japan was a splintered empire, dominated by the shogun and the daimyos, who ruled over the country's more than 250 decentralized domains and who were, in the main, cut off from the outside world, staunchly antiforeign, and committed to the traditions of the past. Before long, the shogun surrendered to the emperor, a new constitution was adopted, and Japan emerged as a modern, industrialized state.

Despite the length of his reign, little has been written about the strangely obscured figure of Meiji himself, the first emperor ever to meet a European. Most historians discuss the period that takes his name while barely mentioning the man, assuming that he had no real involvement in affairs of state. Even Japanese who believe Meiji to have been their nation's greatest ruler may have trouble recalling a single personal accomplishment that might account for such a glorious reputation. Renowned Japan scholar Donald Keene sifts the available evidence to present a rich portrait not only of Meiji but also of rapid and sometimes violent change during this pivotal period in Japan's history.

In this vivid and engrossing biography, we move with the emperor through his early, traditional education; join in the formal processions that acquainted the young emperor with his country and its people; observe his behavior in court, his marriage, and his relationships with various consorts; and follow his maturation into a Confucian sovereign dedicated to simplicity, frugality, and hard work. Later, during Japan's wars with China and Russia, we witness Meiji's struggle to reconcile his personal commitment to peace and his nation's increasingly militarized experience of modernization. Emperor of Japan conveys in sparkling prose the complexity of the man and offers an unrivaled portrait of Japan in a period of unique interest.
"Synopsis" by , In this work, Donald Keene sifts the available evidence to present a rich portrait of Meiji, Emperor of Japan, under whose reign Japan emerged as a modern, industrialized state.
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