The Age of Hirohito: In Search of Modern Japan [Hardcover]

Daikichi Irokawa (Author), Mikiso Hane (Translator), John K. Urda (Translator), Carol Gluck (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0756760674 | ISBN-13: 978-0756760670 | Publication Date: October 1995

This is a reassessment of Emperor Hirohito's reign and a social portrait of the 20th-century transformation of Japan. Hirohito was one of the longest reigning monarchs in world history. Coming to power in 1926, he presided over the disaster of the depression, the total mobilization of World War II, and the fireballs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, followed by more than 40 years of recovery. Unprecedented levels of traffic, smog, and skyscrapers heralded a transformation from a rigidly closed society to a modern paradise of consumption. The one constant through this turbulence was the institution of Emperor. This book examines Hirohito as a source of both adoration and controversy through 60 years.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 163 pages
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756760674
• ISBN-13: 978-0756760670
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,097,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Educational, January 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Age of Hirohito: In Search of Modern Japan (Hardcover)

Hirohito has always been a mystery to me. Neither in high school or in college was there anything taught about this man. The entire life of Hitler and his henchmen is an open book including the Nurenburg trials. The blame of the war in Europe is not in question and had Hitler been taken alive I am positive he would have been tried as a war criminal and would have met the same fate as the boys in Nurenburg. The conduct of Japan in the war was just as vicious and barbaric as Germany. However, Hirohito got to remain on his throne and continue to live a privledged life for himself and his family. This book tries to explain how this all happened. It also comes close to holding the Emperor totally responsible and accountable for what took place. I have read other books on the war with Japan and they have been so distorted and biased that one would be led to believe that the United States bombed Pearl Harbor and blamed Japan. This book takes an objective approach to analyzing the many issues contributing to the war and allows the readers to decide for themselves as to cause and blame. The author does not hold back from criticizing the Emperor or their system which I had not experienced in my past readings. He both crticizes and praises both McCarthur and the United States. I really felt that I learned some history by reading this.