Japanese Reading Ladders - Picture Books for Adults

Discusses and illustrates the milestones of each major period of Japanese history, from prehistoric times to the present day. From prehistoric times through the important milestones up to the modern day, this is a wonderful introduction to Japanese history and culture--how Japan was originally part of the Asian continent; its transformation from the ice age and small villages to a Japanese empire, and the world of the samurai. Fascinating features of each era are highlighted such as the giant tombs of the Kofun Period built by Chinese and Koreans. The power and the influence of the samurai are extensively depicted. The impact of western influences and how the Japanese wrestled with such influences are also explored. The tumultuous events leading to the collapse of the power of the samurai in the 19th century are also documented. The devastation of the Second World War is illustrated and the book ends with Japan of today. Flowing from one page to the next, Shigeo Nishimura has taken the significant events and personalities of each historical period and brought them to life in vivid and detailed color, helping young readers grasp what people were like and how they lived long ago. Even if it’s called the Medieval Era or Aristocratic Era, there were always common people, farmers, fishermen, craftsmen and merchants. This picture book features the people who took part in the different trades, occupations, and lifestyles, and shows the history of Japan through the stone age to the present day. Illustrating almost 3,500 people, this is a magnificent history book readers grasp what people were like and how they lived long ago.

Within Japanese society, there have always been various marginalised groups, without whose existence the culture and tradition of the country would be unthinkable. These castes, which have been excluded from society since antiquity, included people from certain backgrounds and despised trades; for example, those who worked with leather and iron. These castes lived in ghettos outside of the cities or villages. Nomadic musicians, singers, or monks also belonged to these groups. This picture book gives a bird’s eye view of these underprivileged people and their occupations from ancient times to the present, whose status gradually improved thanks to human rights movements.