Japan's Modern History, 1857-1937 A New Political Narrative [Hardcover]

Over the course of the period 1857 to 1937 in Japan, six distinct stages can be identified as the country moved from Shogun rule and its subsequent overthrow, from industrialisation and investment to the Meiji Constitution and then from TaishM democracy to ShMwa fascism. In this book, Junji Banno stresses the mutual relationships between each period, and to this end renames then accordingly: the age of reform; age of revolution; age of construction; age of management; age of reorganisation; and age of crisis.

Following this model, the book covers eighty years of history in Japan, focusing on political history and foreign relations, with extensive material also on economic development and foreign influences on political institutions and practices. Based on extensive archival research, Japans Modern Historyconsiders synoptically the key trends and their significance over the period of 1857 to 1937. In turn, it presents in detail fascinating information on many of the main leaders and other significant figures, with extensive quotations from their writings, letters and diaries.

This book is a translation into English of a major work of scholarship by a leading historian of modern Japan, and may be considered the apex of Junji Bannos work in the field. As such, it will be of great interest to students and scholars of both Japanese history and history more broadly.

1. Reform, 1857-1863 2. Revolution, 1863-1871 3. Construction, 1871-1880 4. Management, 1880-1893 5. Reorganisation, 1894-1924 6. Crisis, 1925-1937

Very popular in Japan, the book is now available to a wider Western audience thanks to the smooth, expert translation by Stockwin. A great addition to any collection on modern Japanese history. - M. D. Ericson,University of Maryland University College

Banno judiciously and with great insight tells the story of early attelƒ*