Japan — books & literature

The story of Japan

Japan's story begins with the prehistoric Jomon culture, famed for some of the world's oldest pottery, followed by the rice-farming Yayoi people. By the Kofun and Asuka periods an imperial court had emerged, and legend traces the throne to Emperor Jimmu in 660 BCE. Buddhism and Chinese writing arrived from the mainland, and the Nara and Heian eras produced a refined court culture that gave the world 'The Tale of Genji'. From the late 12th century real power passed to the samurai and a succession of shogunates, culminating in the long peace of the Tokugawa (Edo) period, when Japan largely closed itself to the outside world. The arrival of American warships in 1853 forced it open, and the Meiji Restoration of 1868 launched a rapid transformation into an industrial and imperial power. Defeat in the Second World War in 1945 was followed by a new pacifist constitution and an astonishing economic recovery. Today Japan is one of the world's largest economies and a cultural superpower whose food, film, animation, and literature are read and loved worldwide, while its ancient temples, shrines, and traditions remain woven into daily life.

Timeline — key moments

1. circa 660 BCE

   Legendary founding of the imperial line by Emperor Jimmu.

2. 794

   The capital moves to Heian-kyo (Kyoto), beginning the Heian period.

3. circa 1008

   Murasaki Shikibu writes 'The Tale of Genji', often called the world's first novel.

4. 1192

   Minamoto no Yoritomo is named shogun, founding the Kamakura military government.

5. 1603

   Tokugawa Ieyasu establishes the Edo shogunate, beginning centuries of peace and isolation.

6. 1853

   Commodore Perry's American fleet arrives, forcing Japan to open to trade.

7. 1868

   The Meiji Restoration returns power to the emperor and modernises Japan.

8. 1945

   The Second World War ends; Japan begins postwar reconstruction.

9. 1947

   A new pacifist constitution takes effect, establishing parliamentary democracy.

Top 10 things to know about Japan

1. Japan is an archipelago of thousands of islands, of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku are the largest.
2. The Japanese imperial family is often described as the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
3. Mount Fuji, an active volcano and the highest peak in Japan, is a national symbol and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. 'The Tale of Genji', written around 1008, is frequently called the world's first novel.
5. Japanese is written with three scripts used together: kanji, hiragana, and katakana.
6. Shinto and Buddhism coexist, and most people take part in the rituals of both.
7. Japan is one of the most seismically active countries on Earth and a world leader in earthquake engineering.
8. Washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine, is inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.
9. Japan pioneered high-speed rail with the Shinkansen "bullet train", which opened in 1964.
10. Japanese animation (anime) and manga are read and watched around the world.

Famous people from Japan

Say it in Japan's language

Did you know?

• ★'The Tale of Genji', written by a court lady around a thousand years ago, is often regarded as the world's first novel.
• ★Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences a large share of the world's earthquakes each year.
• ★The imperial line is traditionally said to be unbroken, making it one of the oldest monarchies on Earth.

Japan culture

• Sushi, ramen, tempura, and the seasonal cuisine of washoku define Japanese food worldwide.
• Hanami, viewing cherry blossoms in spring, and countless local matsuri (festivals) mark the year.
• The tea ceremony, calligraphy, and wearing the kimono preserve centuries-old traditions.
• Sumo wrestling is the national sport, rooted in Shinto ritual.

Why read Japan's books

Japanese literature runs from the courtly elegance of 'The Tale of Genji' and haiku poetry to the introspective modern novel and a vast world of manga. Reading Japan's books opens a tradition that is at once ancient, refined, and strikingly contemporary.