[.ca] The Cambridge History of Japan 6 Volume Set (ISBN 0521657288)

Value??:
I don't remember any more what prompted me to buy this book, but I suppose the main reason was that it's the only publication covering that period of Japan's history that is available. I am interested in Momoyama and Edo periods, especially in relation to art and thought.I guess I wanted to know more about the social and political background of that time.The book is solid, very well researched judging by the several bibliography pages, and very technical.But the price is simply outrageous. I wonder who decided to put a price tag ... on this volume, as I couldn't find any price visible on the jacket. So if money is no obstacle to you go for it. You won't be disappointed even though you shouldn't expect the book to hold your attention for long. It's for those who want to know the facts and don't care about the form they're presented to them. For my part, the next time I decide to spend so much on one book I will first do thorough research into what else this kind of money could buy me.

The definative English language history of Japan:
This book brings post war scholarship on the history of Japan up date. Excellent index and glossary. Too expensive for the general reader of college text but an excellent addition to any library.

The First 99,000 Years:
'Ancient Japan' is the initial volume in 'The Cambridge History of Japan.' As such it is a stunning effort to collect and organize the results of recent discovery about of Japan's early history. What surprised me from the beginning of the book was how much of Japan's early history has only been discovered in the last half of the 20th Century. In that period of time archeology and scholarship has added vast amounts of information to the story, dispelling some myths and affirming others. The format is the classical form of a series of chapters written by experts in the field. Delmer M. Brown, who is Professor Emeritus at the Center for Japanese Studies (UC Berkeley) has done an excellent job of bringing the work together and making this first volume work as a whole, including writing a good piece of the text himself. Eight other writers contribute, with sections on the Jomon, Yayoi, Yamato, Asuka (century of reform) and Nara periods, ending with 784 CE. Collateral chapters on Japan's relations with the continent, Kami worship and Buddhism, Nara economic and social institutions, and culture are also included to fill out the overall picture. The religious and cultural studies I found particularly informative. When a book attempts to cover this much material, the pace of exposition is often overwhelming. Brown manages to keep this from being extreme, but it would be dishonest to describe 'Ancient Japan' as a leisurely armchair read. On the other hand, it is the perfect vehicle for forming a mental picture of the periods under study, and identifying additional sources for further reading. As such, the footnotes, citations, and index/glossary are invaluable. In addition, the writing is all in a competent academic style that never bores, even when it fails to excite. Despite the steep price this volume is an important addition to a scholarly library. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

It's the most detail publication on Heain era in Japan!:
If one is looking for a manual that can help him/her understand historical events in Heian period (794-1185) then this is the book. It brings to you in detail the system of government (copying China's Tchang dynasty model), introduction of new Buddhist sects to Japan (Tendai, Shingon) and the life / culture at the Imperial Court in Heiankyo (contemporary capital). What may scare one off is the price but if you're either deeply interested in Japan's history or want to know more than you can find in the general popular history books then be sure to add this piece to your bookself and it will bring the Heain Japan to your reading chair. Index and glossary are practically arranged.

An Extensive Reference:
This is the second volume in The Cambridge History of Japan, covering from the founding of Heian-kyo in 794 to the Gimpei clan wars of 1185 and the rising dominance of the warrior class. Arguably, these are the formative years for Japanese culture and social structure. Many of the subtle forms of governance that endured into modern times were entrenched at this time. Art and religion flourished as well (this was the period in which The Tale of Genji was written). The Heian era, marked by a tremendous amount of formative activity, are crucial to understanding all that followed. This text is as exhaustive a record and analysis of those times as any reader would ever want. The chapters are written by individual experts in their fields and cover key aspects of history, politics, sociology, religion, and art. If anything, the worst criticism of this text is that the amount of information provided is overwhelming. Casual history buffs beware. Don't expect an easy to read narrative. The intended reader is either academic or deeply interested. The kind of person who doesn't mind information overload and who is willing to take the time to put all the pieces of the picture into place. It may be important to understand rice politics, but, for the average reader, the subject lacks the glitter of the Heian court and the conflicts that forged modern Japan. Of course, this is intended to be a reference book as much as a history, which accounts for the dryness of some of the writing. But as a reference book it really shines - I have yet to look for something and not be able to find material. For the right reader, the book is well worth its steep price.