An Archaeological History of Japan, 30,000 B.C. to A.D. 700 (Archaeology, Culture, and Society) [Hardcover]

Koji Mizoguchi (Author)

Book Description

Series: Archaeology, Culture, and Society | Publication Date: April 9, 2002

A notion widely shared among the Japanese is that a unique culture has existed uninterrupted on the archipelago since the first human settlements more than 30,000 years ago. The idea of a continuous shared Japanese culture, often described as "Japanese-ness," is epitomized by material items ranging from Zen Buddhist stone gardens and tea ceremony equipment to such archaeological artifacts as the prehistoric Jomon clay figurines. An Archaeological History of Japan challenges this notion by critically examining archaeological evidence as well as the way it has been interpreted.

By combining techniques of traditional archaeological investigation with the tools of contemporary critical sociological and anthropological theory, An Archaeological History of Japan reveals the contingent, reflexive nature of how the prehistoric inhabitants of the Japanese islands identified themselves as they mapped their social and cultural environment. Koji Mizoguchi demonstrates that this process of self-identification underwent transformations as societies and technology changed, indicating that there is no intrinsic connection binding present-day Japanese with people of the past.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An Archaeological History of Japan firmly engages post-processual theory with Asian archaeology and the book deserves to be widely read and debated for its contribution to both the prehistory of East Asia and to archaeological theory in general."—Asian Perspectives

"Of considerable interest to anthropologists, archaeologists, and ethnographers concerned with theory and practice. Those interested in world archaeology in general will appreciate the concise presentation."—Choice

About the Author

Koji Mizoguchi is Associate Professor of Archaeology at the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University, Japan. He has also taught Japanese Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, University College, London since 2000.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press (April 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812236513
• ISBN-13: 978-0812236514
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,040,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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