World Within Walls

"World Within Walls" by Donald Keene, published by Columbia University Press in 1999, is a comprehensive exploration of Japan’s literary landscape during the Tokugawa period, which lasted from 1603 to 1867. Spanning 606 pages, this insightful work delves into the unique cultural and literary developments that occurred in Japan while it remained largely isolated from the international community for over 250 years.

Keene meticulously chronicles the emergence of various literary genres, such as haiku, Kabuki, and the prose of the merchant class, shedding light on how these forms reflect the complexities of Japanese society during this era. Perfect for avid readers and scholars of Japanese literature, "World Within Walls" serves as both a historical account and a literary criticism, making it an essential addition to any collection focused on Asian studies, especially within the context of Japanese history.