A Short History of Japan

In this enormously enjoyable introduction to a remarkable country, Christopher Harding traces Japan's rich history over several millennia. Beginning with its earliest coastal communities through to the spread of Buddhism, the rise of the warlords, the promise and menace of the West and Japan's own empire-building, Harding explores how a distinctly Japanese society and culture was forged.

Drawing on the latest scholarship, A Short History of Japan moves beyond traditional tourist-board clichés to consider Japan's own view of its past, values and culture, from ceramics and theatre to food and architecture. The result is a sensory, tactile history conveying to the reader much about Japan’s special nature. Harding skilfully shows how these everyday details are intimately bound up with the bigger historical picture, as an expression of the values that have been extraordinarily successful in helping the country to cope with centuries of radical change.

Review

A history that somehow manages to be at once succinct and sweeping: essential reading for anyone interested in this most fascinating of countries ― Tom Holland

The perfect introduction to [Japan's] intriguing society is Christopher Harding’s lively new A Short History of Japan. Starting with prehistory, Harding explores the importance of Buddhism, the path to modernisation and, in particular, the role of cultural and material history, including the Japanese traditions of theatre and ceramics. The book is short, yes – but its scope is long, deep and rich -- Rana Mitter ― History Extra, Best History Books of 2025

Praise for Christopher Harding's JAPAN STORY ― -

How much I admired it, what a lot I learned from it and, above all, how very much I enjoyed it ... Masterly ― Neil MacGregor

Lucid and lyrical ... delivered with his flair for storytelling ... one of the best accounts I've ever read of what happens - for better and worse - when a country's relationship with the world is abruptly renegotiated -- Alex Dudok de Wit ― The Telegraph

About the Author

Christopher Harding is the author of Japan Story, The Japanese and The Light of Asia. Harding teaches at the University of Edinburgh and frequently broadcasts on Radio 3 and Radio 4. He also writes the Japan and the World blog, about Japanese history and culture. He is on Instagram and YouTube: @ChrisHardingJapan.