Himiko and Japan's Elusive Chiefdom of Yamatai: Archaeology, History, and Mythology

J. Edward Kidder

Published by University of Hawaii Press 2007

Himiko and Japan's Elusive Chiefdom of Yamatai

Archaeology, History, and Mythology

J. Edward Kidder

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824862848

Overview
Contents

About this book

The third-century Chinese chronicle Wei zhi (Record of Wei) is responsible for Japan’s most enduring ancient mystery. This early history tells of a group of islands off the China coast that were dominated by a female shaman named Himiko. Himiko ruled for more than half a century as head of the largest chiefdom, traditionally known as Yamatai, until her death in 248. Yet no such person appears in the old Japanese literature. Who was Himiko and where was the Yamatai she governed? In this, the most comprehensive treatment in English to date, a senior scholar of early Japan turns to three sources—historical, archaeological, and mythological—to provide a multifaceted study of Himiko and ancient Japanese society.

Author / Editor information

Kidder J. Edward :

J. Edward Kidder, Jr., is professor emeritus, International Christian University, Tokyo.

Reviews

The most comprehensive and persuasive treatment in English to date of the great ancient Japanese mystery that has captured the imagination of the Japanese: the location of Yamatai and the identity of its female shaman leader, Himiko. . . . In what must be the magnum opus and capstone of his illustrious career, Kidder meticulously and thoroughly examines all historical, archaeological, and mythological materials, creating a grand synthesis. . . . Highly recommended.

One of the best books in recent years on the ancient history of Japan because of the author’s wide-ranging knowledge and meticulous research; all recent archaeological discoveries are detailed and relevant theories are examined. As the most up-to-date source of academic information on ancient Japan, this book is essential reading for scholars of Japanology.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Illustrations and Tables Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
CHAPTER 1. Ancient Texts and Sources Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER 2. The Wei Zhi and the Wa People Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	8
CHAPTER 3. The Initial Problem and Three Centuries of Compounding It Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	21
CHAPTER 4. Travel by Land and Water to Neighboring Countries Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	36
CHAPTER 5. Han Commanderies, Korean Kingdoms, and Wei China Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	53
CHAPTER 6. Japan in Transition from Yayoi to Kofun Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	59
CHAPTER 7. The Izumo-Yamato Contention Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	114
CHAPTER 8. Himiko, Shamans, Divination, and Other Magic Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	127
CHAPTER 9. Mirrors and Himiko’s Allotment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	160
CHAPTER 10. The Japanese View of the Wei Zhi Years Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	186
CHAPTER 11. The Endless Search for Yamatai Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	229
CHAPTER 12. Makimuku and the Location of Yamatai Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	239
List of Abbreviations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	283
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	285
Wei Zhi Text Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	339
Select Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	343
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	359
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	391
About the Author Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	402

Language: English
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 416
Illustrations
- Other: 45 illus.

eBook

Published: February 28, 2007
ISBN: 9780824862848