The Mikado's Empire

Published in 1877, a detailed history of Japan, with an account of living there during a time of great change.

William Elliot Griffis (Author)

9781108080507, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 January 2015

644 pages, 108 b/w illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 3.6 cm, 0.81 kg

A respected authority on Japan, William Elliot Griffis (1843–1928) did much to foster understanding between the United States and Japan in the late nineteenth century. This was his most popular work on the subject. It is arranged in two sections, with maps and illustrations throughout. The first part is a detailed history of Japan from 660 BCE, covering factual events as well as mythological elements of the Japanese past. This is followed by a personal account of the four years Griffis lived in Japan, during which the country underwent significant modernisation. Highly successful, the work went through twelve editions following its initial publication in 1876. It is reissued here in its second edition of 1877 and features improvements, such as the addition of content in the appendices and footnotes, made in response to comments by critics. Giffis' Corea, the Hermit Nation (1882) is also reissued in this series.

Preface
Preface to the second edition
Part I. History of Japan from 660 BC to 1872 AD: 1. The background
2. The aborigines
3. Materials of history
4. Japanese mythology
5. The twilight of fable
6. Sujin, the civilizer
7. Yamato-dake, the conqueror of the Kuanto
8. The introduction of continental civilization
9. Life in ancient Japan
10. The ancient religion
11. The throne and the noble families
12. The beginning of military domination
13. Yoritomo and the Minamoto family
14. Creation of the dual system of government
15. The glory and the fall of the Hojo family
16. Buddhism in Japan
17. The invasion of the Mongol Tartars
18. The temporary Mikadoate
19. The war of the chrysanthemums
20. The Ashikaga period
21. Life in the middle ages
22. The growth and customs of feudalism
23. Nobunaga, the persecutor of the Buddhists
24. Hideyoshi's enterprises
25. Christianity and foreigners
26. Iyeasu, the founder of Yedo
27. The perfection of duarchy and feudalism
28. The recent revolutions in Japan
Part II. Personal Experiences, Observations, and Studies in Japan, 1870–5: 1. First glimpse of Japan
2. A ride on the Tokaido
3. In Tokio, the eastern capital
4. Sights and sounds in a pagan temple
5. Studies in the capital
6. Among the men of new Japan
7. In the heart of Japan
8. Reception by the Daimio
9. Life in a Japanese house
10. Children's games and sports
11. Household customs and superstitions
12. The mythical zoology of Japan
13. Folk-lore and fireside stories
14. Japanese proverbs
15. The last year of feudalism
16. A tramp through Japan
17. The position of woman
18. New Japan
Notes and appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]