Customer Reviews

What Life Was Like Among Samurai and Shoguns: Japan, AD 1000-1700

5 star:		(2)
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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stephen Turnbull has suggested this book reproduces the Heiji Monogatari and Mongol Invasions scrolls in full - or at the very least large portions of each. This would be of great value irrespective of any other contents. Unfortunately it does not so his comments are misleading. Only two small details of the Mongol Invasion scroll are illustrated and are scenes that have been included in countless other English language publications (samurai attacking a Mongol ship, bomb exploding near a mounted samurai). This book is only really intended for newcomers to Japanese history and anyone else will be disappointed. Luckily I was able to see the true contents of the book at a local bookshop so I didn't waste any money buying 'sight unseen'. To see large portions of the Mongol Invasion and Heiji scroll find 'Japan: A History in Art' by Bradley Smith instead. A new book called 'Not in Need of Divine Intervention' by Thomas D Conlan reproduces the whole Mongol Invasion scroll and also includes a full translation of all the text.

Chock full of feudal Japanese paintings and photographs, this volume of What Life Is Like is a pleasing additon to any library. The series title is somewhat misleading; this is not a look at every day life in feudal Japan. Rather, the text reads exactly like a high school text book: not dumbed down, but not terribly in-depth, either. We are given a rough summary of the politics of Japan from about 1000 to about 1700, with a few pages dedicated to each of the founders of the various "dynasties" (my word) to control Japan, including Michinaga, Takauji, and Ieyasu (better known to the American public as James Clavell's Toranaga). Those looking for a rough outline of Japanese history would be well-served to get this one.

For those of us with no prior knowledge of Japanese history, this book is a great way to start out with that particular time period. It is an easy read, with lovely pictures accompanying the text. Please be aware of that in spite of Mr. Turnbulls statements, this is a general overview of that era, NOT a serious in-depth treatment. Regarding the Genji Monogatari, the book refers to it frequently, but in a very superficial manner. The main purpose of this book seems to be to whet the reader's appetite for Japanese history, and in that aspect it was successful for my part.

I think this is going to be the last of these for me. I don't need to hear any more about intrigue amongst members of the royal family (or families), which is most of the first half of the book. It gets better when it covers more of everyday life, arts and crafts, the class system, and what it was like to travel around the country. But that's the last little bit of the book.

This book is not only excellent as an introduction to the topic, making it an ideal gift, but it is of immense interest to the military enthusiast.

The superb illustrations include the Nagashino Screen, the Mongol Scroll and the Heiji Monogatari Scroll, making the book unique outside Japan.

Not a bad book, nor was it great.