Waseda University History of Japan, Volumes 1–12

Waseda University History of Japan, Volume One: The Yayoi and Kofun Periods covers Japanese history from prehistoric society through the reign of Emperor Tenmu. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including the Kojiki, the Nihon Shoki, Chinese historical records, relevant materials preserved at the Shosoin Repository, and research by Japanese and European historians of the Meiji period, Professor Kume Kunitake places Japanese history within the broader history of ancient Asia, centered on China. He gives a detailed account of Japan's ancient territory; the origins of Japanese religion and politics; Izanagi and Izanami's subjugation of the eight islands; ancient Korea and the Min region; the Firefly Rebellion; Japan's unification; the Takachiho Palace era; the founding of Yamato; the period of missing records in Yamato; Yamato's second founding; the establishment of provinces and counties; the expansion of Wa territory; infighting among the capital's aristocrats; upheavals in Mimana and Tsukushi; reforms to the state religion and government; Emperor Tenji's restoration; and Emperor Tenmu's reorganization of the court. Approaching the origins and development of the Japanese people from the perspectives of ethnology and cultural anthropology, Professor Kume also interprets the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki through empirical research, uncovering many intriguing historical facts.

Updated introduction to Waseda University History of Japan, Volume Two: The Asuka and Nara Periods. This volume tells the history of Japan during the Asuka period (592 to 710) and the Nara period (710 to 782), examining the forces that drove historical change, the influence of Buddhist culture, Buddhism's origins and spread, changes in the political system, the restructuring of society, cultural developments in the Asuka period, early Nara society, Japan's efforts to become a Buddhist nation, the meaning and scope of Nara-period art, and the decline of the late Nara period.

Waseda University History of Japan, Volume Three: The Nara Period draws on primary sources preserved at the Shosoin Repository, Chinese historical records, and the latest research from the Meiji period. It explores the history of the Nara period (710 to 794) through topics including aristocratic monks before the capital moved to Nara, the economic circumstances of court aristocrats, the construction of Heijo-kyo, early Nara politics, the height of Nara's prosperity, the relocation of the capital and the founding of provincial monasteries, the casting of the Great Buddha at Todai-ji, Emperor Shomu's ordination as a monk, the rise and fall of Emi no Oshikatsu, the abuse of power by Dokyo, and Emperor Konin's restoration of court affairs.

Waseda University History of Japan, Volume Four: The Heian Period is a representative work by Professor Ikeda Koyo. Drawing on extensive research into official histories and an immense range of texts, Professor Ikeda links the key turning points in history and offers an in-depth analysis of major events, including the construction of Heian-kyo, the conquest of the Emishi, the Kusuko Incident, the Otenmon Incident, the rebellions of Taira no Masakado and Fujiwara no Sumitomo, and the Hogen and Heiji disturbances. The book offers a comprehensive portrait of figures caught in the maelstrom of power, including Emperor Kanmu, Sugawara no Michizane, Fujiwara no Michinaga, the Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and Taira no Kiyomori...