The Mikado's Empire. Book I. History of Japan, from 660 B.C. to 1872 A.D. Book II. Personal Experiences, Observations, and Studies in Japan, 1870-1874

by William Elliot Griffis

Book Overview

This book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. We have represented this book in the same form as it was first published. Hence any marks seen are left intentionally to preserve its true nature.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9353603404
• ISBN13: 9789353603403
• Release Date: March 2019
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 644 Pages
• Weight: 1.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A colorful account of Japanese history

This book has some unique tales that I have not read in any other book on the subject, and some are very colorful. For example, most books mention the cold dry fact that Oda Nobunaga was killed by Akechi Mitsuhide (if they mention even this much) but this book tells of an incident that sealed Nobunaga's fate. Apparently Nobunaga was in good spirits one night and had locked Akechi's head under his arm, and proceeded to tap out a tune on it with his folding fan like a drum. Okay, there were other reasons recorded elsewhere as well, but this one made me laugh out loud. The book portrays these historical figures as real human beings. It was written in the late 1800s while the Meiji era was still new, and many of the main characters were still alive (the author mentions having talked personally with some of them). The emperor Meiji is referred to by his name used at the time, Mutsuhito. This gives the book a unique flavor. The Roman spellings of many Japanese names are different from what we use today. If you enjoy 19th century classics and the English language they use, then you will enjoy this book. I would recommend it as a second book on Japanese history for color and depth after you have read one that gives just the facts.