Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan
Encyclopedia
The Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan is a comprehensive English-language
encyclopedia
first published in 1983 that covers a broad range of topics on Japan
.
First published by Kodansha
in 1983 followed by a supplemental volume in 1986, the encyclopedia was created by both Japanese (680) and non-Japanese scholars (524) from 27 nations. Japanese scholars produced 40 percent of the text, while foreign scholars wrote the remaining 60 percent. Japanese and American scholars wrote the majority of the articles. Many articles are English translations from Japanese encyclopedias.
There are more than 11,000 entries covering 37 categories of information. These include encyclopedia standards such as history, literature, art, religion, economy, and geography. In addition, science, technology, law, women, folklore, plant and animal life, food, clothing, sports, and leisure are given separate categories. It also contains roughly 1000 illustrations in the form of photographs, maps, diagrams, graphs, charts and tables. The ninth index volume contains names and words mentioned within the encyclopedia, but not assigned separate entries.
In order to accommodate a wide audience, from students to businessmen and diplomats, articles were written with the dual purpose of introducing topics at a level appropriate for a high-school student and provide a good starting point for more advanced students with some knowledge of Japan.
Many articles are no more than a paragraph. However, more general headings such as "History of Japan
" have as many as 70,000 words. Many are signed, especially the longer ones. Many articles are followed by suggestions for further readings in English, Japanese, and occasionally other languages. Japanese names are given in Japanese order (surnames first).
Advisors to the Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan included but not exclusive to: Edwin O. Reischauer
, Gerald L. Curtis
, Ronald P. Dore
, John W. Hall
, Ezra Vogel
, Akira Iriye
, and Tsuru Shigeto
.
A one-volume abridged (and updated) edition was published in 1993. This was the basis of the online version, which as of June 2010, is no longer available as a free-standing site. It can still be accessed through the JapanKnowledge database.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
first published in 1983 that covers a broad range of topics on Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
First published by Kodansha
Kodansha
, the largest Japanese publisher, produces the manga magazines Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekly Shonen Magazine, as well as more literary magazines such as Gunzō, Shūkan Gendai, and the Japanese dictionary Nihongo Daijiten. The company has its headquarters in Bunkyō, Tokyo...
in 1983 followed by a supplemental volume in 1986, the encyclopedia was created by both Japanese (680) and non-Japanese scholars (524) from 27 nations. Japanese scholars produced 40 percent of the text, while foreign scholars wrote the remaining 60 percent. Japanese and American scholars wrote the majority of the articles. Many articles are English translations from Japanese encyclopedias.
There are more than 11,000 entries covering 37 categories of information. These include encyclopedia standards such as history, literature, art, religion, economy, and geography. In addition, science, technology, law, women, folklore, plant and animal life, food, clothing, sports, and leisure are given separate categories. It also contains roughly 1000 illustrations in the form of photographs, maps, diagrams, graphs, charts and tables. The ninth index volume contains names and words mentioned within the encyclopedia, but not assigned separate entries.
In order to accommodate a wide audience, from students to businessmen and diplomats, articles were written with the dual purpose of introducing topics at a level appropriate for a high-school student and provide a good starting point for more advanced students with some knowledge of Japan.
Many articles are no more than a paragraph. However, more general headings such as "History of Japan
History of Japan
The history of Japan encompasses the history of the islands of Japan and the Japanese people, spanning the ancient history of the region to the modern history of Japan as a nation state. Following the last ice age, around 12,000 BC, the rich ecosystem of the Japanese Archipelago fostered human...
" have as many as 70,000 words. Many are signed, especially the longer ones. Many articles are followed by suggestions for further readings in English, Japanese, and occasionally other languages. Japanese names are given in Japanese order (surnames first).
Advisors to the Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan included but not exclusive to: Edwin O. Reischauer
Edwin O. Reischauer
Edwin Oldfather Reischauer was the leading U.S. educator and noted scholar of the history and culture of Japan, and of East Asia. From 1961–1966, he was the U.S. ambassador to Japan.-Education and academic life:...
, Gerald L. Curtis
Gerald Curtis
Gerald L. Curtis is an American academic, a political scientist interested in comparative politics, Japanese politics and U.S.-Japan relations.-Columbia University:...
, Ronald P. Dore
Ronald P. Dore
Professor Ronald P. Dore is a British sociologist specialising in Japanese economy and society and the comparative study of types of capitalism. He is an associate of the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics and is a fellow of the British Academy, the Japan Academy,...
, John W. Hall
John Whitney Hall
John Whitney Hall , the Tokyo-born son of missionaries in Japan, grew up to become a pioneer in the field of Japanese studies and one of the most respected historians of Japan of his generation. His life work was recognized by the Japanese government...
, Ezra Vogel
Ezra Vogel
Ezra Feivel Vogel is an Henry Ford II Professor of the Social Sciences Emeritus at Harvard University and has written on Japan, China, and Asia.-Early life:...
, Akira Iriye
Akira Iriye
is an historian of American diplomatic history especially United States-East Asian relations, and international issues. He is the only Japanese citizen ever to serve as President of the American Historical Association, and has also served as president for the Society for Historians of American...
, and Tsuru Shigeto
Tsuru Shigeto
was a Japanese economist.Tsuru took his Ph.D. at Harvard University in 1940. Tsuru worked in the Foreign Ministry as economic advisor to the Economic and Scientific Section of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, and during the Socialist coalition government of 1947-1948 he was Vice Minister...
.
A one-volume abridged (and updated) edition was published in 1993. This was the basis of the online version, which as of June 2010, is no longer available as a free-standing site. It can still be accessed through the JapanKnowledge database.