简介

A vivid journey through 15,000 years of Japanese history, this richly illustrated book brings the past to life through extraordinary objects from the British Museum, revealing the people, beliefs and cultures that have shaped Japan from prehistory to the present day. Over 350 artifacts—from the everyday to the sacred—highlight significant moments and themes from ancient times until the present, including religion and culture, agriculture and industry, urbanization and immigration, and politics and trade. Historian Angus Lockyer reveals the stories behind an intriguing selection of objects from the British Museum Collection. Ancient flame pots and jewelry, textiles and armour, folding screens and contemporary manga provide glimpses of the lives of farmers and merchants, medieval warriors, and modern women. A wide range of ceramics and sculpture, metalwork and lacquerware, paintings, prints, and textiles provide a rich and compelling portrait of a society and culture that occupies a special place in the imagination of its citizens and visitors.