The Story of Japan

Robert van Bergen

Robert van Bergen was one of the first Americans to enter Japan after the country opened its borders to foreign visitors following centuries of isolation. He taught English to Japanese aristocrats, eventually becoming principal of the Nobles' School in Tokyo. This book, which he wrote for young readers during his stay in the country, was first published in 1897. It includes many illustrations.

From the preface: "Our schoolbooks on geography and general history touch but lightly upon the Japanese Empire, and it is for the purpose of enabling children to obtain a correct idea of the people, and of the impulses leading to the rapid progress of the past quarter of a century, that "The Story of Japan" has been written. [...] While the thread of historical events runs throughout this book, many incidents and characteristic stories have been cited to illustrate the manners and customs of the various periods. As the book is designed for children, the stories are clothed in simple form and language, which will, it is hoped, render them attractive to the young mind." (Summary by Kazbek)

Genre(s): History

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Preface Steve Mayer
00:02:57
Play 02 Jimmu, First Emperor of Japan Steve Mayer
00:06:50
Play 03 Story of Yamato Daké Steve Mayer
00:07:33
Play 04 Prince Bravest's Conquests Steve Mayer
00:05:18
Play 05 First Invasion of Korea Larry Wilson
00:06:29
Play 06 Buddhism brought to Japan CaptainKetchup
00:06:16
Play 07 The Oldest Clans of Japan Availle
00:05:47
Play 08 Minamoto defeats Taira Availle
00:10:28
Play 09 Story of "Young Ox" CaptainKetchup
00:04:58
Play 10 The Last of the Minamoto Alan Mapstone
00:06:03
Play 11 An Independent Tennô CaptainKetchup
00:07:05
Play 12 Christianity in Japan Larry Wilson
00:07:23
Play 13 A Great General Steve Mayer
00:05:52
Play 14 The Lord Of the Golden Water Gourds Steve Mayer
00:07:34
Play 15 The Second Invasion of Korea Larry Wilson
00:09:10
Play 16 The Three Hollyhock Leaves Rita Boutros
00:11:34
Play 17 The Dutch in Japan Rita Boutros
00:16:44
Play 18 Persecutions of the Christians Larry Wilson
00:07:29
Play 19 Restrictions of the Dutch Rita Boutros
00:15:23
Play 20 A Visit to the Regent CaptainKetchup
00:07:31
Play 21 A Shrewd Judge CaptainKetchup
00:05:58
Play 22 Tosa's Revenge CaptainKetchup
00:08:55
Play 23 A Wife's Noble Act CaptainKetchup
00:06:24
Play 24 The Forty-seven Rônin CaptainKetchup
00:26:10
Play 25 Various Attempts to trade with Japan WanderingWalker
00:10:18
Play 26 A Russian Captive WanderingWalker
00:12:14
Play 27 English Attempts to trade with Japan WanderingWalker
00:16:06
Play 28 United States seeks Trade with Japan Audrey Sing
00:06:53
Play 29 How Perry secured a Treaty Audrey Sing
00:12:30
Play 30 Japan in Perry's Time Audrey Sing
00:10:08
Play 31 Japan Opened Larry Wilson
00:23:57
Play 32 The Tokugawa Regents step out Availle
00:08:07
Play 33 How a Samurai committed Hara-kiri Larry Wilson
00:08:42
Play 34 The Tennô leaves his Seclusion Availle
00:17:46
Play 35 Saigo Takamori Colleen McMahon
00:08:43
Play 36 Japan's Progress Steve C
00:12:11
Play 37 War with China Steve C
00:30:33
Play 38 Mutsuhito, Emperor of Japan Colleen McMahon
00:06:53