Overview

The Historical Dictionary of Japan to 1945 spans the entire period from the earliest evidence of human habitation in Japan through to the end of the Pacific War. It includes substantial topics such as cultural and literary history, with entries ranging from aesthetics to various genres of writing. Other branches of history also feature, such as economic history, industrial history, political history, and so forth. And of course there are the makers of Japanese history, ranging from emperors and shoguns to politicians and extremists – as well as foreign arrivals. The early history of Japan is told through a detailed chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, an extensive bibliography, and over 800 cross-referenced dictionary entries on important people, organizations, activities, and events. The Historical Dictionary of Japan to 1945 will appeal to both academics and the general public who have an interest in Japan, particularly those who want reliable information quickly and easily.

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9780810878716

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Henshall uses the end of the Pacific War as his cutoff point in this dictionary of more than 800 cross-referenced entries covering key people, places, and events in Japan's history. In a structure aligned with other works in this series, a chronology and introduction set up the entries, which are followed by appendixes that include the full text of the Yalta Agreement and a particularly extensive bibliography that merits its own introduction and table of contents. VERDICT A useful look at the forces that shaped modern-day Japan. * Library Journal * This well-written collection of over 800 entries is a useful reference tool for those quick-answer questions about this long period of Japanese history and culture, which is not widely understood in the West. The entries vary in length, from a single paragraph to a few pages, and cover the important people, events, eras, themes, and issues that are the essential elements of Japan's history. Professor Henshall, is also an expert on the Japanese language and writing system, so in this book a word, phrase, or incident in the Japanese language is frequently followed by the Japanese writing characters, and entry titles in English are followed by a Japanese translation and writing characters. . . .[T]here is a chronology (200,000 B.C.E. to 1945 C.E.), and an extensive 67-page bibliography arranged by topic, and including some appropriate Websites and journals. As is common in these types of reference books, there are numerous see and see also and in-text, cross-references, so that the reader can jump around inside the book to find related information. The appendixes have lists of the Emperors, Shoguns, and Prime Ministers, along with the texts of important documents, such as the Meiji Constitution of 1889, and items related to the Second World War. . . .The title under review is suitable for special collections, academic, and large public libraries. The work is also available as an e-book. * American Reference Books Annual * This book is useful as a dictionary for those with an interest in Japanese history but could also have a place in a library as a basic introductory reference work covering Japanese history and culture up to 1945. * Reference Reviews *

Henshall uses the end of the Pacific War as his cutoff point in this dictionary of more than 800 cross-referenced entries covering key people, places, and events in Japan's history. In a structure aligned with other works in this series, a chronology and introduction set up the entries, which are followed by appendixes that include the full text of the Yalta Agreement and a particularly extensive bibliography that merits its own introduction and table of contents. VERDICT A useful look at the forces that shaped modern-day Japan. Library Journal This well-written collection of over 800 entries is a useful reference tool for those quick-answer questions about this long period of Japanese history and culture, which is not widely understood in the West. The entries vary in length, from a single paragraph to a few pages, and cover the important people, events, eras, themes, and issues that are the essential elements of Japan's history. Professor Henshall, is also an expert on the Japanese language and writing system, so in this book a word, phrase, or incident in the Japanese language is frequently followed by the Japanese writing characters, and entry titles in English are followed by a Japanese translation and writing characters...[T]here is a chronology (200,000 B.C.E. to 1945 C.E.), and an extensive 67-page bibliography arranged by topic, and including some appropriate Websites and journals. As is common in these types of reference books, there are numerous see and see also and in-text, cross-references, so that the reader can jump around inside the book to find related information. The appendixes have lists of the Emperors, Shoguns, and Prime Ministers, along with the texts of important documents, such as the Meiji Constitution of 1889, and items related to the Second World War...The title under review is suitable for special collections, academic, and large public libraries. The work is also available as an e-book. American Reference Books Annual This book is useful as a dictionary for those with an interest in Japanese history but could also have a place in a library as a basic introductory reference work covering Japanese history and culture up to 1945. Reference Reviews

Henshall uses the end of the Pacific War as his cutoff point in this dictionary of more than 800 cross-referenced entries covering key people, places, and events in Japan's history. In a structure aligned with other works in this series, a chronology and introduction set up the entries, which are followed by appendixes that include the full text of the Yalta Agreement and a particularly extensive bibliography that merits its own introduction and table of contents. VERDICT A useful look at the forces that shaped modern-day Japan. Library Journal

Henshall uses the end of the Pacific War as his cutoff point in this dictionary of more than 800 cross-referenced entries covering key people, places, and events in Japan's history. In a structure aligned with other works in this series, a chronology and introduction set up the entries, which are followed by appendixes that include the full text of the Yalta Agreement and a particularly extensive bibliography that merits its own introduction and table of contents. VERDICT A useful look at the forces that shaped modern-day Japan. Library Journal This well-written collection of over 800 entries is a useful reference tool for those quick-answer questions about this long period of Japanese history and culture, which is not widely understood in the West. The entries vary in length, from a single paragraph to a few pages, and cover the important people, events, eras, themes, and issues that are the essential elements of Japan's history. Professor Henshall, is also an expert on the Japanese language and writing system, so in this book a word, phrase, or incident in the Japanese language is frequently followed by the Japanese writing characters, and entry titles in English are followed by a Japanese translation and writing characters...[T]here is a chronology (200,000 B.C.E. to 1945 C.E.), and an extensive 67-page bibliography arranged by topic, and including some appropriate Websites and journals. As is common in these types of reference books, there are numerous see and see also and in-text, cross-references, so that the reader can jump around inside the book to find related information. The appendixes have lists of the Emperors, Shoguns, and Prime Ministers, along with the texts of important documents, such as the Meiji Constitution of 1889, and items related to the Second World War...The title under review is suitable for special collections, academic, and large public libraries. The work is also available as an e-book. American Reference Books Annual

Author Information

Kenneth G. Henshall is professor of Japanese studies at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He has published widely on Japan’s history, literature, and script, and his A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower has been translated into more than a dozen languages.

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