A Short History of Japan

Christopher Harding

$45

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Penguin
02 December 2025

History; Asian history; History: earliest times to present day; Political science & theory

Series: Pelican Books

A brief and thrilling introduction to Japan from one of the country's leading British historians

In this enormously enjoyable introduction to a remarkable country, Christopher Harding traces Japan's rich history over several millennia. Beginning with its earliest coastal communities through to the spread of Buddhism, the rise of the warlords, the promise and menace of the West and Japan's own empire-building, Harding explores how a distinctly Japanese society and culture was forged.

Drawing on the latest scholarship, A Short History of Japan moves beyond traditional tourist-board cliches to consider Japan's own view of its past, values and culture, from ceramics and theatre to food and architecture. The result is a sensory, tactile history conveying to the reader much about Japan's special nature. Harding skilfully shows how these everyday details are intimately bound up with the bigger historical picture, as an expression of the values that have been extraordinarily successful in helping the country to cope with centuries of radical change.

By: Christopher Harding
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 223mm, Width: 141mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 345g
ISBN: 9780241563199
ISBN 10: 0241563194
Series: Pelican Books
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 02 December 2025
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Christopher Harding is the author of Japan Story, The Japanese and The Light of Asia. Harding teaches at the University of Edinburgh and frequently broadcasts on Radio 3 and Radio 4. He also writes the IlluminAsia blog, about Asia's influence on Western life.

Reviews for A Short History of Japan

A history that somehow manages to be at once succinct and sweeping: essential reading for anyone interested in this most fascinating of countries * Tom Holland *