Buy new:
$28.99
FREE delivery Friday, May 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$28.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Friday, May 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 13 hrs 25 mins
Only 9 left in stock (more on the way).
$$28.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$28.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$23.00
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
The front and back dust jacket or cover is in good shape overall but the cover may show some shelf wear around the edges and corners. All the pages are free of any markings or rips. The binding is in good shape. The front and back dust jacket or cover is in good shape overall but the cover may show some shelf wear around the edges and corners. All the pages are free of any markings or rips. The binding is in good shape. See less
FREE delivery Monday, May 20 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$28.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$28.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

William E. Deal
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan 1st Edition

by William E. Deal (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$28.99","priceAmount":28.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"28","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"B1So9a99%2FyB1WdcsFoECOEWSirBCuIojOV9PGG2drM3TOV3pzp%2FTRqvOQ6Yn48qJDKewnTHnRcmf9khGXutKL8AI4KdCKlA0c9CKhd7j5MdIkRjuiSn1JHL7wsieRpkRWNj4fBkP6bs%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$23.00","priceAmount":23.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"23","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"B1So9a99%2FyB1WdcsFoECOEWSirBCuIojttQ1Kf524xkSYfZH%2B70QmvO86baiESEOqqy3mp%2BIzZSaKKp2K644WECVPuhP%2BuDcRlRKFgQP8AOIXtIdsOxZUFE%2FluqNGoEdOhCf7FvVnrGhucQGFWbX%2Bgj%2FrMT0p7wuM7e35qs2p8sI4Wjj1qBBfg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

andbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan spans the beginning of the Kamakura period in 1185 through the end of the Edo (Tokugawa) period in 1868. The medieval and early modern eras in Japan were largely shaped by the rise of the warrior class. After 1603, with the founding of the Tokugawa shogunate, Japanese culture changed dramatically, but as cities grew and merchants thrived, the warrior class became less dominant. By the end of the Edo period, Japan's insular feudal society and military government became irrelevant in an increasingly consumer-oriented economy and thriving urban culture.

The contribution of military rulers, celebrated warriors, and cultural innovators to medieval and early modern Japanese culture are well documented. However, life at the village level also had a strong impact on the culture. Covering both levels of society, this comprehensive guide provides insightful information on well-known people and peasants, artisans, shopkeepers, and others outside the periphery of power. Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan introduces the reader to the significant people and events-cultural, social, political, and historical-and the everyday experiences and elements of material culture during this time.

Organized thematically, the text covers: History; Land, Environment, and Population; Government; Society and Economy; Warriors and Warfare; Religion; Philosophy, Education, and Science; Language and Literature; Performing Arts; Art and Architecture; Travel and Communication; Daily Life. Each chapter includes an extensive bibliography, and photographs and maps complement the text. Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan provides all the essential information for anyone interested in Japanese history, society, or culture.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    0195331265
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0195331264
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    October 3, 2007
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
  8. Print length
    415 pages
  9. See all details
Next page
Books with Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Frequently bought together

Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan
$28.99
Get it as soon as Friday, May 17
Only 9 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Everyday Life in Traditional Japan (Tuttle Classics)
$11.69
Get it as soon as Friday, May 17
Only 18 left in stock - order soon.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

An ideal introduction to medieval and modern Japan, packed with illustrations and with engaging information on Japanese history, religion, culture, art and architecture, and much more

About the Author

WIlliam E. Deal obtained a Ph.D. in religious studies from Harvard. He is currently Severance Professor of the History of Religion at case Western Reserve University. Dr. Deal's current research focuses on the relationship between religion and state in Japanese history. He has numerous articles to his credit and has translated part of the Nihon shoki and other early Japanese texts. He is the co-author of Theory for Religious Studies (with Timothy Beal) (Routledge).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (October 3, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 415 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195331265
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195331264
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.65 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
William E. Deal

William E. Deal

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
17 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Eric Griffith
5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely organized by subject, a great reference
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2010
Verified Purchase
I got this book because I am working on writing a historical novel. Of course the story is fiction and I take an author's "artistic liberty" at times, but I want to paint as accurate a picture as I can of life in those times while entertaining readers. It would be very easy for a western writer to add many unrealistic details. Japanese culture and thinking are not easy matters to comprehend for us westerners. I am also well aware that my American heritage and upbringing significantly colors my storyline ideas, so I like to check myself often.

I like this book because it briefly covers a host of topics, including daily life, religion, society, government, philosophy, and of course warfare and history. The book is organized in such a way that I can pick a very specific subject and go right to it. It serves as a starting point. For example: if I want to learn about the role of women in Japanese society I can read the 2 or 3 pages in the book, which might generate more specific questions for me to research.

Which leads me to another cool thing about this book: at the end of each section is a list of further reading references on each topic. This is a good thing, because so many topics are covered, but somewhat briefly and in summary, so being pointed in the right direction for further study is a welcome feature.

For my purposes, this book is a very useful reference tool.
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
CM
4.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Xmas gift - she loved it.
Helpful
 Report
Angela J Black
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
Quite excellent.
Helpful
 Report
A. Johansson
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book (but with a few Turnbull errors)!
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2014
Really good book. Well organised with chapters dealing with specific subjects rather than a timeline with mixed info.

I own around 300 (!) books on Japan and Samurai (i.e. most of what is published in English + a lot of Japanese ones) and this is one of my all time favorites.

The only drawbacks are a few silly statements and "facts" that (mostly) can be traced back to having Turnbulls books as source material... IMHO: Dr Turnbull is in a different league (and not in a positive way) and this author (or anybody else for that matter) should not put too much trust in what that man has written ;)

Some false claims in this book:
- calling naginata with two meter long shafts "enormous ... more than one soldier would be required to deploy" (p.162).
- some of the usual bull about "ninja" and how entire villages "were devoted to instruction and mastery" (p.165) instead of embracing the fact that ninjutsu was just stealthy/espionage techniques used by ordinary warriors (and more often so in poorer provinces - like Iga and Koge - with weaker armies trying to avoid pitched battles).
- silly claims around "ninja weapons" and how they and their arts were less noble (p.166) - black clad ninjas and their supposedly special weapons are a myth that simply will not die (like that Vikings had horned helmets).
- how the horo was used as a protection against arrows (p.172) - typical Turnbull nonsense, probably derived from illustrations showing messengers with arrows stuck in the horo (which obviously is not the same as it providing protection).
- describing Go as a game were you *move* black and white stones across a wooden board (p.353).
- ...

Overall this book is still a fantastic source of information!
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Linnell
2.0 out of 5 stars Well-organized, but takes too much for granted
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
Sometimes, an author knows so much about his or her subject that it's impossible to step out of that knowledgeable mindset and write a clear guide. That's the case here. The reader needs a thorough grasp of Japanese history to get much out of the thumbnail sketches of a wide variety of subjects offered here.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
soulfringe
5.0 out of 5 stars No Fluff. No Bluff.
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2012
I've just recently finished writing a term paper on the Kamakura era of Japan. I used this book as one of 7 print sources I checked out, along with various online texts and essays. Out of all of them, this was by far the best!

This is the way all historical books should be. In my time as a college student, most books I have used for lectures and research have been very "wordy", to say the least. This book does the opposite and breaks things down in a very simple easy to understand format. And while simple, it manages to cover a large magnitude of material.

I highly recommend this book if you are researching or have interest in any aspects that were a part of such early eras of Japan. I enjoyed it so much and found so invaluable to my research, that even though my paper is done and can recheck this book out whenever I so desire, I am still going to purchase a copy for myself. Amazing book.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

MICHAEL JAY
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
Well written, clear, and covers most aspects of the period. Lots of useful detail and I did not find any of the errors which mar some other books on this period. Very nicely produced and most useful if you are interested in this period. Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
 Report