Osaka, the Merchant's Capital of Early Modern Japan


Book Description

One of the first books to focus on a city other than Edo during the Tokugawa era, this work extends our understanding of Japanese urban life during that period. Portraying Osaka as a regional center of government with vibrant economic life and high and low culture, the book reveals much about the city's distinctiveness and development.




Osaka Travel Guide


Book Description

Osaka, Japan's second-largest city, is a vibrant metropolis known for its rich history, delicious cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere. Nestled in the Kansai region, Osaka has long been a vital cultural and economic hub. This eBook serves to introduce readers to the unique qualities of Osaka, highlighting its blend of tradition and modernity. With a population of over 2.7 million, the city is a bustling center of activity, offering countless experiences for visitors and residents alike. Osaka's strategic location has made it an essential part of Japan's trade routes since ancient times. This historical significance is reflected in its diverse architecture, from ancient temples to modern skyscrapers. The city has been shaped by various influences over the centuries, including its role as a center for commerce, culture, and innovation. Visitors to Osaka can witness this rich tapestry of history through its landmarks, museums, and public spaces. Osaka is often referred to as the "Kitchen of Japan," and for a good reason. The city is renowned for its food culture, offering an array of culinary delights from street food to fine dining. Signature dishes such as takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) are must-tries for anyone visiting the city. The vibrant food scene reflects the city's spirit, where locals take great pride in their culinary heritage. The city is also a hub for entertainment and nightlife, with a plethora of options ranging from traditional theaters to modern shopping districts. Dotonbori, one of Osaka's most famous entertainment areas, is famous for its neon lights, street food stalls, and lively atmosphere. Here, visitors can enjoy a night out filled with local flavors, entertainment, and a taste of the city's dynamic culture. Moreover, Osaka's green spaces and parks offer a welcome respite from the urban hustle. With numerous parks and gardens scattered throughout the city, residents and visitors can find tranquility amid the bustling environment. From the cherry blossoms in Osaka Castle Park to the serene landscapes of the Expo 70 Commemorative Park, these natural spaces provide an opportunity to relax and appreciate the beauty of nature. As travelers explore Osaka, they will discover the city's blend of tradition and modernity at every turn. Whether it's the historic temples and shrines that dot the cityscape or the futuristic architecture of its skyscrapers, Osaka showcases the harmonious coexistence of the past and the present. This vibrant city invites visitors to immerse themselves in its culture, savor its culinary delights, and experience its unique charm. Osaka is a city that promises a plethora of experiences for all who visit. Its rich history, vibrant food culture, and lively entertainment scene make it a must-visit destination in Japan. This preface sets the stage for a deeper exploration of what Osaka has to offer, from its historical significance to its contemporary attractions. In the following chapters, readers will delve into the various aspects of Osaka, uncovering the essence of this captivating city.




Historical Dictionary of Osaka and Kyoto


Book Description

Osaka and Kyoto are often overshadowed in the Western imagination by Tokyo's teeming sea of civilization. Nevertheless, Osaka and Kyoto are the setting for most of Japan's important historical events. From the 5th century B.C.E. to the 17th century, the Osaka-Kyoto region (known as the Kansai today) was the center of Japan politically, culturally, and economically. Today, the region continues to play a leading role in the traditional arts as well as serving as the second most important economic area in the country. This volume begins to address a painful lack of information about Osaka and Kyoto in English. Its dictionary-style entries place concise and important information at researchers' and scholars' fingertips. The introductions and chronologies contribute to the usefulness of this ready-reference, and the bibliography points students of Osaka and Kyoto to starting points for further research.




Osaka 1615


Book Description

A highly illustrated account of the siege by the Tokugawa ruling dynasty against the samurai, defenders of the shogunate. In 1614-15 Osaka Castle was Japan's greatest fortification, measuring approximately 2 miles in length with walls 100 feet high. It was guarded by 100,000 samurai, determined to defend the last of the once-powerful Toyotomi clan. The castle was seemingly impenetrable; however, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the ruling dynasty, was determined to destroy this remaining threat. This book explores the bitter struggle of the Summer and Winter campaigns, which eventually saw the last great clash of the samurai and defined the balance of power in Japan for years to come.




Osaka Modern


Book Description

"Images of the city in literature and film help constitute the experience of modern life. Studies of the Japanese city have focused on Tokyo, but a fuller understanding of urban space and life requires analysis of other cities, beginning with Osaka. Japan’s “merchant capital” in the late sixteenth century, Osaka remained an industrial center—the “Manchester of the East”—into the 1930s, developing a distinct urban culture to rival Tokyo’s. It therefore represents a critical site of East Asian modernity. Osaka Modern maps the city as imagined in Japanese popular culture from the 1920s to the 1950s, a city that betrayed the workings of imperialism and asserted an urban identity alternative to—even subversive of—national identity. Osaka Modern brings an appreciation of this imagined city’s emphatic locality to: popular novels by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō, favorite son Oda Sakunosuke, and best-seller Yamasaki Toyoko; films by Toyoda Shirō and Kawashima Yūzō; and contemporary radio, television, music, and comedy. Its interdisciplinary approach creates intersections between Osaka and various theoretical concerns—everyday life, coloniality, masculinity, translation—to produce not only a fresh appreciation of key works of literature and cinema, but also a new focus for these widely-used critical approaches."




Osaka Travel Guide


Book Description

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the enchanting city of Osaka, Japan, with this comprehensive travel guide that will immerse you in its rich history, captivating culture, and tantalizing cuisine. The Osaka Travel Guide is your ultimate companion, providing an expertly curated roadmap to navigate the wonders of this dynamic city. Discover the pulsating energy of Osaka's main entertainment districts, where a myriad of restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues await. Indulge your taste buds with delectable local delicacies like battera sushi, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu, as you explore the gastronomic delights of the city. Immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere of Dōtonbori, where the spirit of kuidaore (eating oneself into ruin) comes to life, or wander through the charming streets of Hozenji-Yokocho, filled with hidden culinary gems. Unravel Osaka's nightlife scene, from the chic Kitashinchi district with its high-class bars and clubs, to the vibrant and bustling ambiance of Dotonbori, the epicenter of after-dark entertainment. Whether you seek a quiet evening sipping sake in a traditional izakaya or desire a lively night out in the city's vibrant clubs, this guide will lead you to the perfect spot to suit your preferences. Safety is paramount, and Osaka Travel Guide provides invaluable tips on navigating the city with ease. Uncover the safe and friendly neighborhoods while being aware of areas that require caution, ensuring a worry-free and enjoyable experience. Feel empowered with the knowledge of how to make the most of your time in Osaka, while feeling secure and well-informed throughout your journey. Venture beyond the city limits and discover the nearby treasures that await. Take day trips to enchanting destinations like Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and Mount Koya, each offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Explore the serene temples, lush greenery, and breathtaking landscapes that surround Osaka, and create memories that will last a lifetime. With Osaka Travel Guide as your trusty guide, you'll have all the information you need to navigate the city's intricate transportation system, find the best accommodations to suit your needs, and unearth the hidden gems that make Osaka a must-visit destination. Immerse yourself in the essence of Japan's vibrant heart and embrace the wonders that Osaka has to offer. Embrace the spirit of adventure, let curiosity guide you, and get ready to unravel the captivating tapestry of Osaka with Osaka Travel Guide... Your ultimate travel companion for an unforgettable experience in this remarkable city. Turner Travel Guides are the most up-to-date, reliable and complete city guides available. Travelers will find everything they need for an unforgettable visit, presented in a convenient and easy-to-use format. Each guide includes quick information on planning a visit, navigating the city, experiencing the local culture, exploring the beauty of the city and more!







Osaka Travel Map Fourth Edition


Book Description

The Osaka Travel Map from Periplus is designed as a convenient, easy-to-use tool for travelers. Created using durable coated paper, this map is made to open and fold multiple times, whether it's the entire map that you want to view or one panel at a time. Following highways and byways, this map will show you how to maneuver your way to banks, gardens, hotels, golf courses, museums, monuments, restaurants, churches and temples, movie theaters, shopping centers and more! This 4th edition includes maps and plans that are scaled to: Area Map: Kansai Area 1:250,000 City Plans: Osaka & Kobe 1:50,000 Central Osaka 1:15,000 Central Kobe 1:15,000 Periplus Travel Maps cover most of the major cities and travel destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. The series includes an amazing variety of fascinating destinations, from the multifaceted subcontinent of India to the bustling city-state of Singapore and the 'western style' metropolis of Sydney to the Asian charms of Bali. All titles are continuously updated, ensuring they keep up with the considerable changes in this fast-developing part of the world. This extensive geographical reach and attention to detail mean that Periplus Travel Maps are the natural first choice for anyone traveling in the region.




Music, Modernity and Locality in Prewar Japan: Osaka and Beyond


Book Description

This anthology addresses the modern musical culture of interwar Osaka and its surrounding Hanshin region. Modernity as experienced in this locale, with its particular historical, geographic and demographic character, and its established traditions of music and performance, gave rise to configurations of the new, the traditional and the hybrid that were distinct from their Tokyo counterparts. The Taisho and early Showa periods, from 1912 to the early 1940s, saw profound changes in Japanese musical life. Consumption of both traditional Japanese and Western music was transformed as public concert performances, music journalism, and music marketing permeated daily life. The new bourgeoisie saw Western music, particularly the piano and its repertoire, as the symbol of a desirable and increasingly affordable modernity. Orchestras and opera troupes were established, which in turn created a need for professional conductors, and both jazz and a range of hybrid popular music styles became viable bases for musical livelihood. Recording technology proliferated; by the early 1930s, record players and SP discs were no longer luxury commodities, radio broadcasts reached all levels of society, and ’talkies’ with music soundtracks were avidly consumed. With the perceived need for music that suited 'modern life', the seeds for the pre-eminent position of Euro-American music in post-Second-World war Japan were sown. At the same time many indigenous musical genres continued to thrive, but were hardly immune to the effects of modernization; in exploring new musical media and techniques drawn from Western music, performer-composers initiated profound changes in composition and performance practice within traditional genres. This volume is the first to draw together research on the interwar musical culture of the Osaka region and addresses comprehensively both Western and non-Western musical practices and genres, questions the common perception of their being wholly separate domains




Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka


Book Description

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Get a panoramic view of Kyoto at Ginkaku-ji, catch a glimpse of geishas in the Gion district, or amble through the streets of Amerika-Mura; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the best of Kyoto & Osaka and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka: Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss User-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time Covers Downtown Kyoto, Central Kyoto, Southern Higashiyama, Arashiyama & Sagano, Kita, Minami and more. eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka , a colorful, easy-to-use, and handy guide that literally fits in your pocket, provides on-the-go assistance for those seeking only the can't-miss experiences to maximize a quick trip experience. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we’ve printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You’ll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.