In this the parallel volume to The Boundaries of 'the Japanese': Volume
1: Okinawa 1818-1972 (2014), renowned historical sociologist Eiji Oguma
further explores the fluctuating political, geographical, ethnic, and
sociocultural borders of 'Japan' and 'the Japanese' from the latter
years of the Tokugawa shogunate to the mid-20th century. Focus is placed
first upon the northern island of Hokkaido with its indigenous Ainu
inhabitants, and then upon the mainstays of Japan's colonial
empire-Taiwan and Korea. In continuing to elaborate his theme of
inclusion and exclusion, the author comprehensively recounts and
analyzes the events, actions, campaigns and attitudes of both the rulers
and the ruled as Japan endeavoured both to be seen as a strong,
civilized nation by the wider world, and to 'civilize' its disparate
subjects on its own terms. (Series: Japanese Society Series) [Subject:
Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, Asian Studies, Japanese Studies,
Cultural Studies, History]