Handbook 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, introducing readers to the significant people and events-cultural, social, political, and historical-as well as the everyday experiences and elements of material culture during this time. This comprehensive reference contains a wide array of information. Reflecting recent research that has shed new light on everyday life, education, science, and other aspects of feudal Japanese culture, this volume makes up-to-date information easily accessible to researchers, students, teachers, and general readers.
The contributions of military rulers, celebrated warriors, and cultural innovators 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 as well as peasants, farmers, shopkeepers, and others at the periphery of power. 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.
About the Author:
William E. Deal is Professor of Religious Studies at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio
