--- product_id: 45073233 title: "A Brief History of Japan: Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun (Brief History of Asia Series)" price: "28185CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/45073233-a-brief-history-of-japan-samurai-shogun-and-zen-extraordinary store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # A Brief History of Japan: Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun (Brief History of Asia Series) **Price:** 28185CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** A Brief History of Japan: Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun (Brief History of Asia Series) - **How much does it cost?** 28185CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/45073233-a-brief-history-of-japan-samurai-shogun-and-zen-extraordinary) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description This fascinating history tells the story of the people of Japan, from ancient teenage priest-queens to teeming hordes of salarymen, a nation that once sought to conquer China, yet also shut itself away for two centuries in self-imposed seclusion. First revealed to Westerners in the chronicles of Marco Polo, Japan was a legendary faraway land defended by a fearsome Kamikaze storm and ruled by a divine sovereign. It was the terminus of the Silk Road, the furthest end of the known world, a fertile source of inspiration for European artists, and an enduring symbol of the mysterious East. In recent times, it has become a powerhouse of global industry, a nexus of popular culture, and a harbinger of post-industrial decline. With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests. Among the chapters in this Japanese history book are: The Way of the Gods: Prehistoric and Mythical Japan A Game of Thrones: Minamoto vs. Taira Time Warp: 200 Years of Isolation The Stench of Butter: Restoration and Modernization The New Breed: The Japanese Miracle Review: easy read - Good book. Very informative. Review: A concise summary of twenty six centuries of history - One of the first things Mr. Clements tells us is that any written history of Japan, in Japan before the eighth century CE (AD), was destroyed in the eighth century when two histories—much mythological—were written down. Given this, the author reconstructs something of what might be realistic history from the seventh century BCE (BC) based on fragments, archeology, and history that mentions Japan coming from China. Much, it seems, of Japan comes by way of China and, more so, Korea in these early times and on up to the fifteenth century. Once we reach the ninth century CE, there is more substance to the story than myth, and Mr. Clemens relates matters of state and commerce in a style that makes accessible the complex machinations of the Japanese court and its relation to the families of the main island and outer provinces. We are brought up to modern times through the development of a sophisticated commercial society if one governed in a way that seemed alien to Europeans of the Industrial Revolution. We then come up to the early twenty-first century through the pre-war years, the war, and the post-war period. These last parts are told a little more quickly than the first, but they are, after all, very well documented. Interestingly, it is only in the modern period, and only with regard to their mythology, that Clements mentions ‘the Ninja!’ Of course, a ‘brief history’ must leave out much detail. I know more about Japan than I did before! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #46,874 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #18 in Japanese History (Books) #19 in Cultural Anthropology (Books) #24 in General Japan Travel Guides | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 777 Reviews | ## Images ![A Brief History of Japan: Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun (Brief History of Asia Series) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81tL6R16UBL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ easy read *by J***L on May 26, 2025* Good book. Very informative. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A concise summary of twenty six centuries of history *by M***T on October 29, 2024* One of the first things Mr. Clements tells us is that any written history of Japan, in Japan before the eighth century CE (AD), was destroyed in the eighth century when two histories—much mythological—were written down. Given this, the author reconstructs something of what might be realistic history from the seventh century BCE (BC) based on fragments, archeology, and history that mentions Japan coming from China. Much, it seems, of Japan comes by way of China and, more so, Korea in these early times and on up to the fifteenth century. Once we reach the ninth century CE, there is more substance to the story than myth, and Mr. Clemens relates matters of state and commerce in a style that makes accessible the complex machinations of the Japanese court and its relation to the families of the main island and outer provinces. We are brought up to modern times through the development of a sophisticated commercial society if one governed in a way that seemed alien to Europeans of the Industrial Revolution. We then come up to the early twenty-first century through the pre-war years, the war, and the post-war period. These last parts are told a little more quickly than the first, but they are, after all, very well documented. Interestingly, it is only in the modern period, and only with regard to their mythology, that Clements mentions ‘the Ninja!’ Of course, a ‘brief history’ must leave out much detail. I know more about Japan than I did before! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ a nicely done book on Japan *by V***T on November 1, 2025* Gifting to my family who went to Japan and loved it. They all want to return. Hoping this book keeps them going until they have a chance to get back there. ## Frequently Bought Together - A Brief History of Japan: Samurai, Shogun and Zen: The Extraordinary Story of the Land of the Rising Sun (Brief History of Asia Series) - The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture - A History of Japan: Revised Edition --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/45073233-a-brief-history-of-japan-samurai-shogun-and-zen-extraordinary](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/45073233-a-brief-history-of-japan-samurai-shogun-and-zen-extraordinary) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-06-05*