Recommended read
A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower
Mikiso Hane & Louis Perez
A clear textbook-style history covering emperors, shoguns, and Japan's modern transformation.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1556–1605
Elizabeth I of England
England
1558–1603
Murad III
Ottoman Empire
1574–1595
John III of Sweden
Sweden
1568–1592
Philip II of Spain
Spain
1556–1598
Suleiman the Magnificent
Ottoman Empire
1520–1566
Selim II
Ottoman Empire
1566–1574
Sebastian, King of Portugal
Portugal
1557–1578
Ashikaga Yoshiaki
Japan (Shogunate)
1568–1588
Charles IX of France
France
1560–1574
Wanli Emperor
China
1572–1620
Henry III of France
France
1574–1589
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1564–1576
Jiajing Emperor of Ming
China
1521–1567
Pope Gregory XIII
Papacy
1572–1585
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1576–1612
Mary, Queen of Scots
Scotland
1542–1567
Longqing Emperor
China
1567–1572
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1556–1564
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
Japan (Shogunate)
1547–1565
Henry II of France
France
1547–1559
Francis II of France
France
1559–1560
Pope Pius V
Papacy
1566–1572
Philip II of Spain
Portugal
1580–1598
Erik XIV
Sweden
1560–1568
Pope Pius IV
Papacy
1560–1565
Pope Paul IV
Papacy
1555–1559
Pope Sixtus V
Papacy
1585–1590
Henry, King of Portugal
Portugal
1578–1580
Gustav I of Sweden
Sweden
1523–1560
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Go deeper on Emperor Ōgimachi
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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