"The plan has been to give an introductory chapter on the geographic setting, followed by a succinct narrative of the nation's history to the time of Commodore Perry and a summary of the chief characteristics of its civilization at the inception of intimate contact with the West. Then comes a more detailed account of the transformation wrought by that contact and of the progress and problems of the new Japan. If the volume helps at all to a better, more sympathetic understanding of the island empire its purpose will have been amply fulfilled." - Kenneth Scott Latourette
Contents: The Geographic Setting of Japan. The Effects of Geography upon the Japanese People and their History. From the Earliest Times to the Introduction of Buddhism. The Traditional Account of Japanese Origins. The Yamato State. Chinese Civilization: its Contact with Japan. From the Introduction of Buddhism, A.D. 552, to the Organization of the Shogunate, A.D. 1192. The Origin, Development, and Spread of Buddhism. Chinese and Other Continental Influences on Japan. The Political Changes Due to Contact with China and the Continent. Japanese Modifications of Foreign Culture. Supremacy and Decline of Fujiwara Family. Feudal Struggle for Control of the Empire. The Shogunate: From its Foundation (1192) to the Accession of Iyeyasu (1603). Organization of the Bakufu. The Hojo Era. The Ashikaga Period. Japan under Control of Military Leaders. The Shogunate: from the Accession of Iyeyasu (1603) to the Coming of Perry (1853). Iyeyasu Reorganizes the Shogunate. Impending Change in Nineteenth Century. The Civilization of the Old Japan. The Military Class. The Imperial Institution. Modern Outgrowths of Old Ideals. The Culture of Old Japan. Religion and Ethics of Old Japan. The Period of Internal Transformation (1853-1894). From the Coming of the Foreigner to the Restoration of Emperor (1853-1867). The Occidental Advance in the Nineteenth Century. The Perry Expedition and Results. Divergent Views on Admission of Foreigners. The Shogun's Difficult Position. The End of the Shogunate. The Reorganization of the Government from the Restoration of the Emperor to the War with China (1868-1894). The Centralization of the Administration. Opposition to the New Order. The Movement Toward Constitutional Government. Formation of Parties, Party Agitation. Changes Preparatory to the Constitution. The Framing and Promulgation of the Constitution, 1889. The Terms of the Constitution. Struggle Between the Parties and the Ministry. Temporary Party Truce During the War with China. Foreign Affairs, Economic, Educational, and Religious Changes from the Restoration to the War with China (1868-1894). The Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the West. The Growing Spirit of Nationalism and Imperialism. Relations with Korea. Tarriff and Legal Readjustments. Economic Reorganization. Educational and Religious Transformation. Characteristics of the Transition Period. 1894 to 1917: Japan Takes her Place Among the Powers of the World. The War with China, the Boxer Uprising, and the War with Russia (1894-1905). Japan's Interest in Foreign Affairs after 1894. War with China over Korea, 1894-1895. Japan's Part in Repressing Boxer Outbreak. Events Preceding Russo-japanese War. The Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905. Sequels to Russo-Japanese War. From the Treaty of Portsmouth (1905) to 1918. Japan's Growing Interest and Power in Manchuria. Japan's Interest in China to 1914. Relations with China, 1914-1916. Chino-Japanese Relations in 1917. Relations Between the United States and Japan, 1894-1917. The Lansing-Ishii Agreement, November, 1917. Struggle between the Parties and the Ministry, 1894-1917. The Death of the Emperor Meiji and the Accession of Yoshihito, 1912. Economic Development and Problems, 1894-1917. Educational Development and Problems, 1894-1917. Literature, 1894-1917. Moral, Social, and Religious Conditions.