Fuji - (Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute) by Andrew W Bernstein (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A biography of Mt. Fuji from 17,000 years ago until today"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A panoramic history of Japan's iconic mountain from the Ice Age to the present

Mount Fuji is everywhere recognized as a wonder of nature and enduring symbol of Japan. Yet behind the picture-postcard image is a history filled with conflict and upheaval. Violent eruptions across the centuries wrought havoc and instilled fear. Long an object of worship, Fuji has been inhabited by deities that changed radically over time. It has been both a totem of national unity and a flashpoint for economic and political disputes. And while its soaring majesty has inspired countless works of literature and art, the foot of the mountain is home to military training grounds and polluting industries. Tracing the history of Fuji from its geological origins in the remote past to its recent inscription as a World Heritage Site, Andrew Bernstein explores these and other contradictions in the story of the mountain, inviting us to reflect on the relationships we share with the nonhuman world and one another.

Beautifully illustrated, Fuji presents a rich portrait of one of the world's most celebrated sites, revealing a mountain forever in the making and offering a meditation on the ability of landscape both to challenge and inspire.

Review Quotes

"Splendid. . . . Fuji is a landmark contribution to Japanese history, and one that is likely to remain a standard reference point in the field for some time. . . . There is no question that Bernstein's Fuji will add its own enduring layer to the mountain of meanings it maps so superbly."---Paul Kreitman, Journal of Japanese Studies

"In his narrative, lavishly illustrated with informative maps, images, and poetry, the volcano becomes not simply a readily recognized symbol of Japan but also an active and ongoing participant in centuries of Japanese history."-- "Choice"

"[An] outstanding achievement. Tracing its early geological formation to its recent transformation into a world heritage site, Fuji interweaves environmental and human history and, in doing so, demonstrates how profoundly the two are connected. . . . While the actual ascent of Fuji can be a grind, . . . Fuji is a monumental literary expedition that is anything but."---Caleb Carter, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society

"[A] multifaceted, insightful, and comprehensive historical survey that captures the complexity of Japanese history. Readers will come away from Bernstein's account with both a firmer, more nuanced understanding of the Japanese past and a better appreciation for the ways in which, using a wide range of source materials, an understanding of Japanese history can be expanded into a more holistic unity."-- "Choice Reviews"

"

Bernstein has. . . succeeded in opening the unique archive of Mount Fuji and offers a reading that
complements all existing narratives. In doing so, he provides an essential lesson: to understand a
mountain is to learn how to read what it conceals as much as what it reveals: a very Zen idea. Far
removed from a superficial or touristic interpretation, this work can train readers to move beyond
the surface of monuments and state-sanctioned references in order to interrogate what they contain:
accumulated layers of memory, power, knowledge, and human decisions.

"---Nadia Boutaleb, NBSEH

"Fuji: A Mountain in the Making follows a number of 'biographies' of rivers and mountains, charting the relationship between humans and their environment and showing the shifting ways in which we project meaning and significance onto parts of the physical world around us. . . . [The book] reminds us that although, at least for now, Fuji lies dormant, we continue to find new ways of interacting with it."---Ian Rapley, Asian Review of Books

"Although readers may know the name of the highest mountain in Japan, few will be familiar with the comprehensive and illuminating history of Mount Fuji that historian Bernstein provides in this awe-inspiring account. . . . [Fuji] brings the majesty and mystery of Mount Fuji to readers."-- "Booklist"

"An encyclopedic analysis of a national icon."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Bernstein's perspective on the intersection of geography and culture is illuminating, and the text is richly supplemented with maps and images. [Fuji] will resonate with those who have a deep interest in Japanese history."-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

Andrew W. Bernstein is professor of history at Lewis & Clark College and the author of Modern Passings: Death Rites, Politics, and Social Change in Imperial Japan.