Summary
Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan introduces readers to the significant people and events—cultural, social, political, and historical—as well as the everyday experiences and elements of material culture during this time. Spanning the beginning of the Kamakura period in 1185 through the end of the Edo (Tokugawa) period in 1868, this comprehensive reference contains a wide array of information. Reflecting on recent research that has shed new light on everyday life, education, science, and other aspects of feudal Japanese culture, this volume makes specialized, up-to-date information easily accessible to researchers, students, teachers, and general readers.
The contributions of military rulers, celebrated warriors, and cultural innovators to medieval and early modern Japanese culture are well documented. However, life at the village level also had a strong impact on the culture. Covering both levels of society, this comprehensive guide provides insightful information on well-known people as well as peasants, farmers, shopkeepers, and others at the periphery of power.