Tokyo Book Reviews Samples For Students

The period 1868-1912 is known as the Meiji era. In Japanese, Maiji means ‘the enlightened rule’ Japan developed from a medieval society to a leading economic and military power in Asia. Substantial changes were made in July 1853 when Commodore Matthew Perry ordered Japan to open its ports in order to accommodate American shipping needs. A new form of government was instituted and their new theme reflected in the phrase “fukoku kyohei” (“rich country, strong military”). The three novels written by Soseki Natsume, Japanese author juxtapose with the major themes in most of his novels. In his works he depicts ordinary people ...

When you sit down in a world religions class in a Western university and learn about Japan, you learn about Buddhism, Shinto and Confucianism. However, the religion that best encapsulates the Japanese soul, according to T.R. Reid’s book Confucius Lives Next Door, is Confucianism. Reid would know, of course. He has put in years of work in journalism, including serving as an Asian correspondent for the Washington Post. Living in Tokyo as well as other Asian cities during his career, he and his family gained a unique insight into the foibles of this nation. His book is an ode to what ...

This book was written in the year 1999 by John W. Dower and published by W. W. Norton and Company. The book covers Allies Occupation of the country of Japan between the month of August 1945 and April 1952. It dwells in detail on topics such as the Tokyo’s crimes of war trials, Hirohito’s Humanity Declaration which is considered very controversial and Douglas MacArthur’s administration. New York Times describes this book as “beautifully and magisterially” written. The awards under the court of this writer are many. They include Los Angeles Times Book Prize (1999), Mark Lynton ...