A Chronicle of Japanese Myth and History, Volume Two: The Empress Suiko Era

This is the second volume in the Japanese Myth and History Chronicle series. It tells the story of Japan from 592 to 628, focusing on the rise and fall of its political affairs. During this period, East Asia was rocked by years of war and upheaval. China was in a time when the Sui dynasty fell after its campaigns against Goguryeo, and the Tang dynasty rose through Li Shimin's bloody battles. From a different perspective, the book carefully depicts how a remote frontier nation used Buddhism to strengthen royal authority and seize opportunities to develop. How could a backward nation caught in a turbulent age survive and prosper? Japan during this period may offer a useful point of reference.