Before the Dawn by Shimazaki Toson (English) Paperback Book

Description: Before the Dawn by Shimazaki Toson, William E. Naff Looks back on the adventure, turmoil, and tragedy of the mid-nineteenth century with a clear and unsentimental vision. This is a celebration of the humanity of its characters and the richness, complexity, and diversity of the lives they lived during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate and the first two decades of the Meiji era. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Although Before the Dawn is the story of the authors family and of the Meiji restoration, it is much more than that; the aftermath of the events that form its context have fundamentally altered the nature of the world we live in. Its author was a man of sophistication and erudition even though he was not given to virtuoso displays of either quality. He created this novel out of his personal and artistic needs, and out of his sense of the need of Japan and the world community to know the story he tells in it. Japan has been richly served by the original. But Toson had a worldwide as well as a Japanese audience in mind when he wrote Before the Dawn. This translation has been done in the hope of contributing to that undertaking."Before the Dawn looks back on the adventure, turmoil, and tragedy of the mid-nineteenth century with a clear and unsentimental vision, but it speaks of those times in tones of tact, humility, and deference. It is a celebration of the humanity of its characters and the richness, complexity, and diversity of the lives they lived during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate and the first two decades of the Meiji era. For all the weight of its historical concerns, it maintains its lyrical tone even when the subject is external threat, internal political turmoil, the grinding hardship of maintaining the old post system, or the bitter disappointments that the new age brought so many of those who had worked hardest and sacrificed most to bring it into being. It has been followed not only by scholarly studies but also by an immense outpouring of historical fiction, family and local histories, and other publications drawing on the rich store of old diaries and official records preserved throughout the country. These later works often illuminate the period from points of view that were not accessible to any of Tosons characters, but Before the Dawn remains the standard against which all others are measured." from the Introduction Author Biography William E. Naff (Translator) William E. Naff (1929-2005) was founding chair of the Department of Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he was professor of Japanese literature. Review A vivid demonstration of the richness and ferment of Japans intellectual life.-- "The New Yorker"An impressive revelation of Japanese history and culture from a Japanese perspective.-- "Asiaweek"In Tosons earnest and ambitious attempt to tell the story of one mans tragedy set against the huge backdrop of the Meiji Restoration, there is an element of nobility and grandeur. And in Naffs translation . . . this comes through.-- "New York Times Book Review"No other book known to me captures the feel of the Meiji period even nearly so well.-- "Washington Post" Review Quote No other book known to me captures the feel of the Meiji period even nearly so well. Details ISBN082481164X Author William E. Naff Year 1988 ISBN-10 082481164X ISBN-13 9780824811648 Format Paperback Short Title SHIMAZAKI Language English Media Book Translator William E. Naff Imprint University of Hawaii Press Place of Publication Honolulu, HI Country of Publication United States Translated from Japanese Illustrations maps DOI 10.1604/9780824811648 AU Release Date 1988-07-01 NZ Release Date 1988-07-01 Pages 816 Publisher University of Hawaii Press Publication Date 1988-07-30 DEWEY 895.6342 Audience Undergraduate US Release Date 1988-07-30 UK Release Date 1988-07-30 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:95723084;

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