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.
Charles I of England
England
1625–1649
Shah Jahan
Mughal Empire
1628–1658
Louis XIII of France
France
1610–1617; 1617–1643
Philip IV of Spain
Spain
1621–1665
Charles I of England
Scotland
1625–1649
Tokugawa Iemitsu
Japan (Shogunate)
1623–1651
Pope Urban VIII
Papacy
1623–1644
Chongzhen Emperor
China
1627–1644
Murad IV
Ottoman Empire
1623–1640
Philip IV of Spain
Portugal
1621–1640
Christina, Queen of Sweden
Sweden
1632–1654
Hong Taiji
China
1636–1643
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1619–1637
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1637–1657
Ibrahim I
Ottoman Empire
1640–1648
John IV of Portugal
Portugal
1640–1656
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Sweden
1611–1632
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 Empress Meishō
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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