JAPANESE INN

Honolulu, HI: Univ of Hawaii Press, 1983. First Edition, 3rd Printing . Soft cover. Near Fine/None As Issued. Archival Japanese Prints. Text/NEW & Bright. Softcover/VG; sound w/edge rubs & light shelfwear. Light brown spotting (acidic paper reaction) to text blocks. 400 years of Japanese social history fortified by experiences the Minaguchi-ya inn, located in Okitsu on the Tokaido Road which links Tokyo & Kyoto, has known. Since the 16th century the inn has been maintained by the same family for 20 generations. A unique travelogue through time & space from Oliver Statler, authority on Japanese prints, who, after post World War II, spent 11 years in Japan. Inn, established at the eve of the Tokugawa shogunate, hosted travelers, all rich sources of information --- warriors, merchants, pilgrims, fugitives, great men going to & from the capital, fleeing lovers, and eventually, Portuguese, Dutch & American aliens. The inn afforded a ringside seat to legendary tales & happenings, history in the making & makers of history. Not surprising that Statler says the inn is "the most Japanese place I know". 367 pgs, maps to endpapers, archival prints, in 15 chapters, followed by Menus for the Emperor & Empress.