Nationalisms In Japan

Nationalism in Japan is a book that brings together leading specialists in the field to discuss how notions of nationalism in modern Japan impinges on all aspects of social, political and cultural understanding of the Japanese nation or the Japanese state. The book covers a chronological period of roughly two hundred years, beginning with a discussion of some of the early Japanese national thinkers of the Mito School and ending with a contemporary discussion of the official visits made by Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro to the highly controversial Yasukuni Shrine. This wide chronological period allows for important observations about the evolution of nationalism to be made, suggesting that Japan actually houses multiple nationalisms.

Nationalisms in Japan brings together leading specialists in the field to discuss how notions of 'nationalism' in modern Japan impinges on all aspects of social, political and cultural understanding of the Japanese nation or the Japanese state. This book is clearly presented and jargon-free, and encompasses a chronological period of roughly two hundred years, beginning with a discussion of some of the early Japanese national thinkers of the Mito School, and ending with a contemporary discussion of the official visits made by Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro to the highly controversial Yasukuni Shrine. This wide chronological period allows for important observations about the evolution of nationalism, suggesting that Japan actually houses multiple 'nationalisms'. Presenting new insights and understanding, this is a valuable addition to those working on modern Japan and nationalism. Review: 'This volume makes an important contribution in its emphasis on illuminating the complexities of Japanese nationalism and its commonalities with other states' 'national thinking'...All the chapters are extremely accessible and superbly written. Their rich empirical contents would be of interest to a very wide range of scholars.' - Shogo Suzuki, East Asia: An International Quarterly, Volume 24 '[E]ach one of the the individual investigations conducted by the contributing authors exhibits solid scholarship, and the editor, Naoko Shimazu, deserves special praise for ensuring consistent quality over such a wide range of themes and, by bringing these essays together, for successfully highlighting the pluralistic (and perhaps even conflicting) nature of nationalisms in Japan.' - Koichi Nakano, Monumenta Nipponica, 62:4