Biographical Texts
教科書人物事典 Kyokasho Jinbutsu JitenCall Number: DS834 .K96 1991 ASIAN LIBRARY language learningISBN: 4051058794Publication Date: 1991An illustrated account of Japan's most prominent personalities. The work includes furigana for all names and descriptions.
10-pun de yomeru denki 10分で読める伝記Call Number: PL537.A136 to PL537.A1366 (6 vols, Grades 1-6) ASIAN LIBRARY language learningISBN: 4052033868A set of graded readers that tell the stories of important individuals inside and outside of Japan.
日本人物史: れは歴史のれ Nihon Jinbutsushi: Re wa Rekishi no Re by Call Number: DS834 .T78 2012 v.1-4 ASIAN LIBRARY language learningISBN: 4907150288Publication Date: 2012Manga accounts of prominent Japanese, from Himiko and Shotoku Taishi to Fukuzawa Yukichi and Noguchi HIdeyo.
Look for a biography of the specific person you are writing about by searching the name as the Subject keyword. If you are not successful in finding a book with this strategy, switch back to the default Keyword (relevance ranked) searching. This is because not all books have subject terms in their catalogue records.
Here are some titles of interest you can find in the Asian Library.
紫式部: はなやかな王朝絵卷「源氏物語」の作者 Murasaki Shikibu: Hanayaka na ocho emaki "Genji Monogatari" no sakusha by Call Number: PL788.4.Z5 K69 2015 ASIAN LIBRARY language learningISBN: 4052041836Publication Date: 2015
夢を見るために每朝僕は目覚めるのです : 村上春樹インタビュー集1997-2009 Yume o Miru tame ni Maiasa Boku wa Mezameru no desu by Call Number: PL856.U673 Z46 2010 ASIAN LIBRARY lower levelISBN: 4163731008Publication Date: 2010-09-01
人間黒澤明の真実 : その創造の秘密 Ningen Kurosawa Akira no Shinjitsu: Sono Sozo no Himitsu by Call Number: PN1998.3.K87 T885 2018 ASIAN LIBRARY stacksISBN: 4634151413Publication Date: 2018
Large Sets
Nihon no rekishi 日本の歴史Call Number: DS835 .N473 1999ISBN: 4005003370This series by Iwanami Shoten publishers includes short volumes about different periods in Japanese history (from ancient to modern times) with concise chapters about important events. Recommended for upper-intermediate and advanced students.
Each of these sets have volumes that cover multiple events in Japanese history. Choose one that suits your time period / broad subject area and see if it contains specific information on your topic.
Shōwa nimannichi no zenkiroku - Shōwa day by day 昭和二万日の全記録Call Number: DS888.2 .S487ISBN: 4061943537A 19- volume history of the Shōwa era in images provides a detailed breakdown of the period by months and days.
Zusetsu Nihon no rekishi Bakumatsu no shishi 図説日本の歴史幕末の志士ISBN: 4062700352This series, which focuses on the Bakumatsu period of the Edo Era (1835-1869) includes diagrams, photos and manga to illustrate important points. Although the volumes do not provide exhaustive furigana, the material offers short sections that are relatively easy to follow.
One-Volume Encyclopedias
Edo jidaikan 江戸時代館Call Number: DS871 .E357 2002ISBN: 9784096230213Publication Date: 2002A very colourful book that details many aspects of Edo culture and history.
Meiji jidaikan 明治時代館Call Number: DS882 .M3837 2005ISBN: 4096230316Publication Date: 2005Also provides short and colourful depictions of Meiji life and events.