Sugawara no Michizane and the early Heian court /

Despite its cultural brilliance and political complexity, Japan's Heian period (7941185) has been generally ignored by Western historians; most who have studied it have focused on the latter half. In the guise of a biography of Sugawara no Michizane (845903), the preeminent early Heian scholar-official, Borgen has provided a detailed yet readable analysis of the political and cultural history of the early Heian period. Borgen makes full use of an impressive range of primary and secondary sources, both Japanese and Chinese, while also relating his material to the relevant Western scholarship. His text is peppered with workmanlike translations of Michizane's poetry and prose, and is therefore useful as an introduction to Michizane's scholarship and poetry as well his political career. Extensive notes offer valuable technical discussions; complete bibliographic information will quickly lead students to further information. The book is generously and entertainingly illustrated with woodcuts from a 17th-century Japanese biography. Borgen's study will be read with great profit by all students of premodern Japan, whether their interest is in literature and scholarship, politics, diplomacy, culture, or social institutions. Upper-division undergraduates and above.-R.P. Toby, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign