This first full length critical biography of one of the most significant figures in Japanese Studies in the last hundred years is based on an earlier work published in Japanese (Iwanami Shoten, 1990). Ota sees Chamberlain as a giant of his period, both academically and intellectually. His achievements include the first publication of a translation of the Kojiki, his pioneering work as the 'father' of Japanese linguistics, and the acclaimed Things Japanese which served generations as an everyman encyclopaedia. However, Ota also acknowledges Chamberlain's vision in recognising the distinctive merits and strengths of Japanese society and culture at a time of xenophobic Europeanism, made possible by the fact that Chamberlain was ahead of his times as a multi-lingual and multi-cultural personality.
- ISBN10 1873410735
- ISBN13 9781873410738
- Publish Date 6 May 1998
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 27 September 2011
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Curzon Press Ltd
- Imprint Japan Library
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 248
- Language English