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/lit/ - Literature

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3480699 No.3480699 [Reply] [Original]

Hey /lit,

I am in the mood to learn some Japanese history.

In the past I took a course on modern Japanese history from Meiji restoration to modern times and I would really like to delve into some of the older stuff.

I would particularly like to learn about Ashikaga period- Tokugawa.

So far I have only read Conrad Shirokauer's A Brief History of Japanese Civilization 2nd edition.

I have tried to search your wiki and found lots of interesting Japanese lit to read but not any history.

I was surprised how hard it is to find decent history on Japan despite the popularity of Samurai in western popular culture.

>> No.3480705
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3480705

TLDR: Japanese history book suggestions please.

>> No.3480716
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3480716

>> No.3480730

You could try Shogun by James Clavell if you want some historically accurate non-fiction that covers the Tokugawa period.

>> No.3480735

>>3480730
>Shogun by James Clavell
Wait fiction? or Non-fiction?

>> No.3480740

>>3480730

Fiction, sorry. Got a bit mixed up.

>> No.3480752
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3480752

>> No.3480755

>>3480752
the fuck is this

>> No.3480763
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3480763

>>3480752
Meant to post this as cool image.

>> No.3480770

War in Japan 1467-1615 by Turnbull is okay. Sorta short though.

>> No.3480855
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3480855

This might not be exactly what you're looking for but if, at some point, you want to supplement the great recommendations already made with something a bit different, I'd also recommend Japanese Death Poems.

>> No.3480866

>>3480855
Unfortunately although interesting none of the recommendations so far really help.

This sounds great though thanks.

>> No.3480959

>>3480699
I'm a fan of Sources of Chinese Tradition, and I imagine Sources of Japanese Tradition is similarly cool. Mind you, it's much more, uh, sources than narrative. Good resource, though.

>> No.3481042

>>3480959
In my experience those kinds of books serve much better as a supplement but thanks. I always love to be able to read primary documents about a period as I learn the history.

>> No.3481053

Just find a Japanese history survey course reading list (or the period you're interested in) from a decent university.