{"product_id":"the-shortest-history-of-japan","title":"The Shortest History of Japan - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv data-testid=\"description\" class=\"BookPageMetadataSection__description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"TruncatedContent\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"TruncatedContent__text TruncatedContent__text--large TruncatedContent__text--expanded\" data-testid=\"contentContainer\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DetailsLayoutRightParagraph\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DetailsLayoutRightParagraph__widthConstrained\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiscover the aesthetic traditions, political resilience, and modern economic might of this singular island nation.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"Formatted\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZen, haiku, martial arts, sushi, anime, manga, film, video games . . . Japanese culture has long enriched our Western way of life. Yet from a Western perspective, Japan remains a remote island country that has long had a complicated relationship with the outside world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"Formatted\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapan—an archipelago strung like a necklace around the Asian mainland—is considerably farther from Asia than Britain is from Europe. The sea has provided an effective barrier against invasion and enabled the culture to develop in unique ways. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shoguns successfully closed the country to the West. Then, Japan swung in the opposite direction, adopting Western culture wholesale. Both strategies enabled it to avoid colonization—and to retain its traditions and way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"Formatted\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA skilled storyteller and accurate historian, Lesley Downer presents the dramatic sweep of Japanese history and the larger-than-life individuals—from emperors descended from the Sun Goddess to warlords, samurai, merchants, court ladies, women warriors, geisha, and businessmen—who shaped this extraordinary modern society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"Formatted\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Pan Macmillian","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42204720365634,"sku":null,"price":599.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0263\/4884\/7170\/files\/71OqZk0CP7L._SL1500.jpg?v=1749219058","url":"https:\/\/koolskoolbookstore.com\/products\/the-shortest-history-of-japan","provider":"KoolSkool The Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}