Bibliography

Books About Japan’s General History

Japan: Its History and Culture – A good, accessible modern overview of Japanese culture and history.
A History of Japan Vol. I, Vol. II, and Vol. III by George Sansom – these books are good for anyone who wants a basic understanding of Japan’s vast and storied history. HOWEVER, be warned that they should be read alongside newer works as they were written from 1958-1963 and thus some of the information has been reinterpreted or, in some cases, entirely rejected by modern historians. Many of Sansom’s observations about Japanese history remain both even-handed and insighftul even to this day.
The Archaeology of Japan: From the Earliest Rice Farming Villages to the Rise of the State – A great exploration of archaeology that helps illuminate the distant past and enrich our understanding of more recent times.
Japan: A Documentary History: Vol. I, Vol. II – Wonderful books that trace Japan’s history through documentary sources.
Japan to 1600 : A Social and Economic History – Excellent work that focuses on social and economic factors in Japan’s historical development.

On the Pleistocene Population History in the Japanese Archipeligo – A great, detailed academic article all about the Jomon people. Free access, give it a look!
Tokyo National Museum Jomon Exhibit – It’s one thing to read about the Jomon, another thing to see some of their surviving accomplishments for yourself! This site has lots of great visual examples of Jomon art and everyday craftsmanship.
Advances in Understanding Early Agriculture in Japan – This covers not just the Jomon period but also the Yayoi, as well as the Ainu, Ryukyuan, Okhotsk, and other early east Asian cultures.
Archaeology of East Asia: The Rise of Civilization in China, Korea, and Japan – Very detailed academic work showing the archaeological developments in ancient China, Korea, and Japan.

Himiko and Japan’s Elusive Chiefdom of Yamatai : Archaeology, History, and Mythology – Really excellent work that informs the reader of the various controversies surrounding Himiko and her ancient super-kingdom of Yamatai and posits the author’s own position in a balanced manner.
Coexistence and Cultural Transmission in East Asia – Extensive work that traces how the ancient cultures of East Asia interacted with and influenced one another.

The Four Great Temples: Buddhist Archaeology, Architecture, and Icons of Seventh-Century Japan – The temples built during the Asuka Period will always be shrouded in a certain level of mystery but this book helps illuminate not only the details of their construction itself but also offers insight into the nature of religion and power in Asuka Period Japan.
A History of Japanese Buddhism – A good overview of the nature of Buddhism which is particular to Japan and the history thereof.
Kyushu: Gateway to Japan – An excellent book that covers more region-specific history of Kyushu and Dazaifu.

Imperial Politics and Symbolics in Ancient Japan – Hard to overstate how good this book is for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the interactions between Buddhism, indigenous cults, and the emerging state in both Asuka and Nara Period Japan.