China in the Tokugawa World

Challenging the traditional view of Japan as an isolated nation, the book emphasizes the significance of its relationships with Asian neighbors, particularly through the port of Nagasaki. Historian Marius B. Jansen highlights the thriving trade with China from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, revealing how this interaction profoundly influenced Japan's cultural, economic, and political landscape. By shifting the focus from Western ties to regional connections, the author provides a nuanced understanding of Japan's historical context.