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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan Hardcover - 1995

by Constantine Nomikos Vaporis


From the publisher

Travel in Tokugawa Japan was officially controlled by bakufu and domainal authorities via an elaborate system of barriers, or sekisho, and travel permits; commoners, however, found ways to circumvent these barriers, frequently ignoring the laws designed to control their mobility. In this study, Constantine Vaporis challenges the notion that this system of travel regulations prevented widespread travel, maintaining instead that a "culture of movement" in Japan developed in the Tokugawa era. Using a combination of governmental documentation and travel literature, diaries, and wood-block prints, Vaporis examines the development of travel as recreation; he discusses the impact of pilgrimage and the institutionalization of alms-giving on the freedom of movement commoners enjoyed. By the end of the Tokugawa era, the popular nature of travel and a sophisticated system of roads were well established. Vaporis explores the reluctance of the bakufu to enforce its travel laws, and in doing so, beautifully evokes the character of the journey through Tokugawa Japan.

From the rear cover

Travel in Tokugawa Japan was officially controlled by bakufu and domainal authorities via an elaborate system of barriers, or sekisho, and travel permits; commoners, however, found ways to circumvent these barriers, frequently ignoring the laws designed to control their mobility. In this study, Constantine Vaporis challenges the notion that this system of travel regulations prevented widespread travel, maintaining instead that a "culture of movement" in Japan developed in the Tokugawa era. Using a combination of governmental documentation and travel literature, diaries, and wood-block prints, Vaporis examines the development of travel as recreation; he discusses the impact of pilgrimage and the institutionalization of alms-giving on the freedom of movement commoners enjoyed. By the end of the Tokugawa era, the popular nature of travel and a sophisticated system of roads were well established: Vaporis explores the reluctance of the bakufu to enforce its travel laws, and in doing so, beautifully evokes the character of the journey through Tokugawa Japan.

Details

  • Title Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan
  • Author Constantine Nomikos Vaporis
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 402
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA
  • Date 1995-05-06
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780674081079 / 0674081072
  • Weight 1.53 lbs (0.69 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.29 x 6.23 x 1.41 in (23.60 x 15.82 x 3.58 cm)
  • Themes
    • Cultural Region: Asian - General
    • Cultural Region: Asian - Japanese
  • Library of Congress subjects Japan - Description and travel, Transportation - Japan - History
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 94037981
  • Dewey Decimal Code 388.068
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)

by Constantine Nomikos Vaporis

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Breaking Barriers : Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan
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Breaking Barriers : Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan

by Vaporis, Constantine Nomikos

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BREAKING BARRIERS: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)

BREAKING BARRIERS: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)

by Vaporis, Constantine Nomikos

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Harvard University Asia Center. Presumed First Edition. Trade Paperback. Very Good +/Near Fine. xii, 372, [8] pages. Gold lettering on the spine. Previous owner's name on the free front endpaper. Minor bumping to the top and tail of the spine. Dust jacket is protected in Brodart. A very good copy of this history of Japan's transportation. Illustrated with a couple of b/w images. This is a heavy book and may require additional shipping charges (at cost).
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan

by Vaporis, Constantine Nomikos

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Cambridge, MA: Council on East Asian Studies, Harvard, 1995. 1st . Hardcover. Fine/Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. 372pp.incl.index+adverts; HB dk.blue w/gilt; fine condition w/clean,tight pgs. DJ blue,tan&orange-pic.cover; fine. "Vaporis explores the reluctance of the bakufu to enforce its travel laws, and in doing so, beautifully evokes the character of the journey through Tokugawa Japan." illus.
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)

by Vaporis, Constantine Nomikos

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780674081079 / 0674081072
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Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Breaking Barriers: Travel and the State in Early Modern Japan (Harvard East Asian Monographs)

by Vaporis, Constantine Nomikos

  • New
  • Hardcover
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Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780674081079 / 0674081072
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Harvard University Asia Center, 1995-05-06. Hardcover. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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